Boxes VS Trays in Coolidor

[Stench]

I started my coolidor with some recycled cigar boxes, but as my collection is growing I'm to the point where I'm either going to have to get some more boxes or splurge for the cedar trays. I looked at some wire racks at wallyworld to elevate my boxes better under the beads. Would I be better off ditching the boxes (would go to crafts for my youngest, so no waste) and going all trays? I just worry about the lack of air circulation now that I'm actually trying to rest and age a few sticks.

[Czubaka]

Do you have any "shelves" in there already? My current plan is to make some out of spanish cedar and route some slots in them for airflow. Granted, I'm not a skilled craftsman with wood, but it shouldn't be too hard. I only expect to lose one finger...

[jledou]

Personally I am moving toward trays but that is more for an organizational point than anything. I am doing it because I want something more consistent than the different sized boxes so I don't have to keep playing tetris every time I want to find something.

[Stench]

Gregg, I don't have any shelves yet...that's why I was looking at the wire ones at wallyworld to help promote airflow.

I'm really getting tired of the "tetris" game also. Leaning towards trays, but would rather spend the bucks on sticks!

[gjcab09]

I finally broke dowm and ordered some trays from Cheap Humidors late last week. They should be here today, I'll let you know how it goes with them.

[asmartbull]

I use boxes and trays,,,
the bottom of my 150 gal is set with boxes and then I have 5 rows of
trays.
works good so far.
The top shelf is stacked with "yard/cheap" gars

just .02

[Tarks]

Get the trays and an oust fan if you don't already have.

[e-man]

I like boxes.

When you open the lid of your cooler, the air exchanges with the environment. Trays sit in the open air, so your cigars are sitting in the open air as well.

In a box, the air around your sticks stays in the box...more or less. If you need to get to the bottom of the cooler, you can temporarily take the boxes out without your sticks sitting in the open air. I also like to fill any void space with empty boxes so the cooler will recover faster after being opened.

Empty boxes are dirt cheap...sometimes free. Why buy trays when you could be buying more cigars instead?

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by e-man

I like boxes.

When you open the lid of your cooler, the air exchanges with the environment. Trays sit in the open air, so your cigars are sitting in the open air as well.

In a box, the air around your sticks stays in the box...more or less. If you need to get to the bottom of the cooler, you can temporarily take the boxes out without your sticks sitting in the open air. I also like to fill any void space with empty boxes so the cooler will recover faster after being opened.

Empty boxes are dirt cheap...sometimes free. Why buy trays when you could be buying more cigars instead?

Boxes also are a better protection against pressure from sticks piled above. Since a box holds a small number (20-25), at most you will have like 3 rows stacked on the lowest row within a box. Boxes are also easier to stack inside the cooler/dor.

Here is a simple trick to eliminate that empty space in any 'dor (besides buying more sticks). Save the packaging your next order comes in, if you're lucky you will get the air-filled baggies. Simply insert as many as you need into empty space. They are light, airtight and occupy considerable space, reducing the air that will rob humidity from your treasures. You could inflate a large ziplock and do the same thing in a pinch