Looking into getting a small (25ct) humidor...

[eggwhites]

So I am looking into getting a small humidor for my dorm room. I don't have tons of cash to spend (~$35) and I probably won't be aging any smokes for longer than a few months. I have been looking on some of the discount humidor sites (cheaphumidors.com and premiumhumidors.com) and have seen some 25ct humidors in my price range. I was wondering if these humidors are legit and if they will actually last me a few years. Also, would the 'stock' humidification device be good enough to last me or would I need to upgrade it? How do these devices work, do they run off of beads or do they have some other method of storing and releasing water? Also, since it wouldn't be a huge/expensive collection of cigars, would a basic analog hygrometer be sufficient?

Thanks! Any other input is welcome and encouraged....

EDIT: also, I smoke a mix of flavored and regular cigars... storing them together is a no-no?

[stig-cl]

CigarsInternational has a sampler that goes on sale for $20.00 + $5 shipping occasionally, which includes 8 decent cigars and a 20 count humidor. I bought two of those samplers when I first started out with cigars and I still think it was a pretty good deal.

I can't really predict when that deal comes around though. Here's the link: http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...p?item=SP-CA06 but it's not on sale right now.

You may be better off just buying a cooler or tupperdor and some beads, and spending the money you saved from not buying a humidor and buying some extra cigars. For that small amount of money you won't be able to buy anything special that's gonna last you for too long, humidors are easily outgrown. I've got the two 20 count humidors that came with those samplers I bought, and have expanded to three tupperdors, and looking for some new tupperware containers (can't find any here at Berkeley dammit), because I ran out of space, and had to stick all my CigarFO #7 Reserva's in a plastic bag for the timebeing.

Oops. Went off on a tangent.

Uhh, the stock humidification devices are a pain in the ass. When I first started, I tried to use them, they were the green floral foam types, and I went down to a local smoke shop and bought a small bottle of a PG solution (cost me twenty friggin bucks), but the best thing to ever happen to me was when I found out about humidification beads. Easily the best method of humidification. If you do get the beads, you won't really need a hygrometer, since the beads work perfectly. If you don't get beads, you maaay want to get a decent digital hygrometer, because all the other humidification methods require a little bit of guesswork. Hygrometers aren't too expensive though, some good ones can be had off eBay for around $10.

[corbu12]

Originally Posted by stig

You may be better off just buying a cooler or tupperdor and some beads....................

I would agree that this is the way to go!

[eggwhites]

hmm... I understand the fact that most people 'outgrow' their humidors, but this isn't something I plan on doing... I only smoke 1-2 times a month and only have a few buddies that smoke, so running out of room shouldn't be a problem... so.. here is my dilemma, now that I know that a 25ct-50ct will suffice, my largest concern is will the wood last or will it crap out on me in a year? I know I wont have it for life, but will I be able to use it through the rest of college?

I now plan on replacing the stock humidifier with some 65-70% beads and won't worry too much about getting a superb hygrometer... thanks for the help.. also can someone touch on the point of storing flavored smokes? could i store them side by side if I keep them in the plastic?


thanks everyone!

[eggwhites]

Here are some Humidors I am looking at...


http://www.premiumhumidors.com/shop/...ssional-2.html

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...roduct_Count=8


Also, if I am using beads, do I just get a small petree dish and stick them in there on top of my smokes?

[stig-cl]

Ehh, that's what I thought, and while I'm here at college, I smoke probably 2-3 times a month. But they're so good, and now that you've become a member of this site, you're probably gonna start smoking more and more. And cigars get better with age! Once I started, I couldn't stop buying more smokes, even with my infrequent smoking. I do get to catch up on smoking during breaks when I go home though, and smoke two or three a day.

If you decide to stick with buying a humidor though, you shouldn't have problems with the wood dying or anything. As far as I know, with proper humidity and temperature, humidors should last indefinitely.

I have zero experience whatsoever with flavored smokes, so someone else may want to chime in. From what I've read though, the farther away from your normal smokes, the better. You could try getting a small tupperware container, putting a small amount of beads in shot glass or something, and keeping the flavored ones in there. Problem solved, and you've got some extra room.

EDIT: Any container will suffice for the beads. I got two of the tubes from Heartfelt, which are in use in two tupperdors. I put some beads in two dishes, which are in my two humidors, and I cracked open the stock humidifiers and used the black casing to hold some beads for my smallest tupperdor.

[eggwhites]

Originally Posted by stig

Ehh, that's what I thought, and while I'm here at college, I smoke probably 2-3 times a month. But they're so good, and now that you've become a member of this site, you're probably gonna start smoking more and more. And cigars get better with age! Once I started, I couldn't stop buying more smokes, even with my infrequent smoking. I do get to catch up on smoking during breaks when I go home though, and smoke two or three a day.

If you decide to stick with buying a humidor though, you shouldn't have problems with the wood dying or anything. As far as I know, with proper humidity and temperature, humidors should last indefinitely.

I have zero experience whatsoever with flavored smokes, so someone else may want to chime in. From what I've read though, the farther away from your normal smokes, the better. You could try getting a small tupperware container, putting a small amount of beads in shot glass or something, and keeping the flavored ones in there. Problem solved, and you've got some extra room.

EDIT: Any container will suffice for the beads. I got two of the tubes from Heartfelt, which are in use in two tupperdors. I put some beads in two dishes, which are in my two humidors, and I cracked open the stock humidifiers and used the black casing to hold some beads for my smallest tupperdor.

Thanks for the help.

Sounds like I'll grab some beads and a small humidor and I'll pick up some tupperware that can fit some smokes in it *maybe i'll spurge and get 2 20 ct humidors..* but it sounds like a plan.... With beads do I still need to season the humidor? *basically I just set the water/beads in the humi and let them sit for a week?*

thanks again... I'll be nabbing one online pretty soon...

[stig-cl]

Yeah, the seasoning is to bring the wood in the humidor up the right moisture levels, and has to be done regardless of the method of humidification.

[eggwhites]

Originally Posted by stig

Yeah, the seasoning is to bring the wood in the humidor up the right moisture levels, and has to be done regardless of the method of humidification.

how does that play out when making a tupperdor? *i'm new to this concept*

[stig-cl]

Tupperdors are good to go, just stick the charged beads in there with the cigars and it's done.

[tobacmon]

Always a tough decision to make. I personally would go with YOUR gut feeling for your first box. They have differently made allot of great suggestions here but the final one by you will be a memory ordeal. I bought my first box like in your #2 link in your post and ended up giving it away to a bud that started smoking. I personally enjoy the smell of cedar and cigars when they have rested a bit.

If you go with the cooler get some small pieces of cedar from your local B & M and line the cooler or Tupperware--They usually keep it when removing from the boxes in the displays--so just ask for them.

So I can only suggest that if you want something your friends and you will enjoy looking at and smelling go with the box. If you want to just provide a great storing device go with a small coolerdor and or Tupperdor.

Either way you can't go wrong with beads.That's the way to go for sure---Good luck on your decision...Either one you make will be just fine.

Good Luck & Welcome from Virginia!

[jam]

You are in college Bro you must 5 igloo coolers now full of beers, all it will cost you will be for the bleach,adjustable Hygrometer ,beads, and a oust fan , I just made one and i never heard of this, but if you are gonna stay active on here you will need it believe me. also cigarlive brothers and sisters are not like the rest they dont get attitudes when you ask questions dumb or not

http://www.cigarlive.com/forum/t9705...-coolidor.html

[Toasted Coastie]

go to wall mart, buy a large-ish Tupperware, spend $5. Buy a bead tube from heartfelt beads, $9.95, and you are all set. Under $20. However, I may be able to help you out, so shoot me a PM

[eggwhites]

sadly, no coolers of beer.... don't drink.

Thanks for the all the advice.

This is easily the nicest forum I have ever been a member of.

Toasted, I just sent you a PM.

[koolhandk]

Originally Posted by Toasted Coastie

go to wall mart, buy a large-ish Tupperware, spend $5. Buy a bead tube from heartfelt beads, $9.95, and you are all set. Under $20. However, I may be able to help you out, so shoot me a PM

Yeah and the next time you go to a B&M to buy some cigars ask if you could buy a couple of sheets of cedar, they will probably give them to you for free. This way you will still get the benefit of some cedar in you tupperdor.