New Cooli project/cigar storage questions...

[gjcab09]

I've decided to turn a 40 qt Coleman that's been laying around here into a coolidor. I'm just wondering about the actual storage procedure. I've got a couple of boxes that I haven't even taken the cello off of yet. when I store them in the cooli, should I take the cello off and crack the boxes? It seems kinda self-defeating to leave it on. Also, is there something besides Spanish Cedar that would be good for shelving/lining? I was wondering about (don't laugh) balsa, It's readily available from local hobby shops, seems to me it should have a reasonable air/moisture exchange, and I don't remember it having much of an aroma at all when I built models out of it as a kid.

I'd like to build a stand-up version, only because I think they're cool, but it occurs to me that every time I opened the lid, all the humidity would just come spilling right out the door, so I'll probably pass on that idea.

Also, I'm thinking of getting a Radio Shack, indoor outdoor thermometer/hygro so I can monitor temp and rh inside the cooli without opening the door. Would hot glue be a good choice to fill the hole that I pass the thermo wires through? That doesn't seem to have odor when it's set either.

Thanks for any tips,

Rod

[Tarks]

First off. I would leave the boxes of cigars anyway you like. It won't make a difference if the boxes are open or closed or wrapped. For me i would take the cello off just so I could inspect the cigars for mold and beetles.

No sure about Balsa. Why don't you go by your local B&M and ask them if they have empty boxes. They may just give them to you.

I have a 50 qt cooler with 1/2 lb of 65% Heartfelt beads and a Walmart digi hygrometer. Works like a charm. Humidity never moves more than +/- 1% off 65%. Opening and closing the cooler a few times a day doesn't effect the humidity. I think people tend to over think this humidity thingy. No need to with Heartfelt beads.

Hope this helps.

[slyder]

I always remove the plastic from the box and all the celo from the sticks. IMO it seems to regulate the RH better. Ive done it both ways and always have better results with the celo off. Dont worry about lining the cooler with cedar. The boxes of cigars will be a good enough buffer.

[havanajohn]

I would think removing the cello overwrap on the box is a good idea, however there are a lot of different opinions on this...

[gjcab09]

Thanks for all the help so far, I really appreciate the folks on these forums!

Originally Posted by slyder

I always remove the plastic from the box and all the celo from the sticks. IMO it seems to regulate the RH better. Ive done it both ways and always have better results with the celo off. Dont worry about lining the cooler with cedar. The boxes of cigars will be a good enough buffer.

I'm leaning quite strongly towards doing this myself, I've noticed recently that if I take the cello off my 'gars the burn problems, with my Arganese, that I mentioned in another thread, improve quite a bit.

I also like having the ability to check for mold and bugs (not to mention, naked 'gars are just fun to look at), thx TARKS

I must be one of those people who tends to overthink things and worry too much. I've got a small dry box that I tend to keep packed with sticks that I plan on smoking within the next month or so, the 'gars I pull from it always seem to smoke better than the ones I fuss and fret over. I've never added any humidification to it at all but I check it once a week, it's always 62%-66% depending on how full it is.

Again, I appreciate everyone here, it does my heart good to read about the bombs, trades and PIFS that go on around here, and the willingness of members to help out the "new guys" is unparalleled in my experience.

Rod

[blueeyedbum]

I have a 150qt colleman marine cooler.

2 - 8 oz mesh bags of beads for humidification 1 at each end.

Bottom is lined with the cedar bottoms of punch grand cru boxes, cigar store tosses them or gives them away. I also use some for cigars they hold about 10-12 sticks and stack nicely.

Was thinking about standing it up with shelves. If I do that I'll probably follow Slyder's idea and use mahogany baseboard for the shelves.

Hygrometer is a Walmart Springfield velcroed to the lid. Inexpensive and accurate enough with the beads. I have it open several times a week so its not necessary to have it on the outside.

[Herf N Turf]

Punt the balsa wood idea. It's a soft, light wood, therefore has little-to-no antibacterial/fungal resistance. Take the advice of the other botls and get some bustupable boxes from your local B&M. Cedar does a really good job of "hedging your bets" against humidity issues and bugs. While soft, it's a lot harder than balsa and will hold up better in the long term (balsa will just come apart on you in a very short time). Use double the amount of recommended beads (still not much) and just forget about a hygrometer.

[ongreystreet]

I use a mini-fridge. I would also boot the balsa idea, this has crossed my mind, but I am assuming that at some point it would have been done and heard of.

I would suggest just storing your cigars in boxes. If you want to line your shelves or walls I highly suggest cigar box lids like the ones from Nub and Padilla boxes, the ones that slide off. You should be able to get them cheap or free at the B&M.

I also wouldn't worry about the fancy radioshack BS. Your cigars hold the majority of the humidity, so if your set up is good, you should be able to open it several times a day. Some will tell you that you should open it at least once a day to let any gases out. I also use the walmart gauge and store between 100-150 cigars just fine.

I would also suggest using 100% all natural silica gel crystals, you can buy yours online from some place like Heartfelt, I get mine in the form of cat litter and buy it by the gallon.

And as far as the cello. I would suggest leaving it on at first. I think it helps protect the cigars from changes in RH and temp. Once you get your system steady, you can do what you want.

[gjcab09]

Several have mentioned the Wal-Mart hygro, can I get one of those by just visiting the store, or is it typically an online item. I have an aversion to ordering from Wal-Mart online...don't know why, I happily shop online from every other business in the world!...just weird I guess.

[slyder]

if your really must line it.......use cheap old mahagony...spanish cedar is a type of mahagony but you wont get alot of the cedar smell with plain mahagony.

[gjcab09]

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Punt the balsa wood idea....has little-to-no antibacterial/fungal resistance.

Consider it punted.

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

Take the advice of the other botls and get some bustupable boxes from your local B&M. Cedar does a really good job of "hedging your bets" against humidity issues and bugs.

I'll probably just throw some of these on the bottom and call it good, unless I decide to stand the cooler up, in which case I may go with the mahogany as has been suggested (thx Slyder), or I'll order standard replacement shelving (lost mine over the years) and throw some box parts down on it.

Originally Posted by Herf N Turf

...and just forget about a hygrometer.

That's gonna be a tough one...bit of a techno-addict at times, I like the idea of being able to read interior temp/rh without opening the cooli, would be a cost cutter though. At the very least I'll probably go with the Wal-Mart version. That way I'll still get my techno-fix when I open it up.

[ToJo]

Instead of the remote RH system (which definitely has a techno-cool factor) what about cutting a very large "window" in the top of the cooler and installing some double pane glass? That way you can see your booty, and also do a visual check on RH if necessary.

Personally, having heard how reliable the HF beads are, I probably won't even bother with a hygrometer in my next humidor. But I definitely want to be able to see inside without opening it.

[gjcab09]

Originally Posted by ToJo

...what about cutting a very large "window" in the top of the cooler and installing some double pane glass?

I know what you're saying, I've got a 50ct glass top humi that's way cool. However, considering my less than abundant refurbishing skills, I'd likely end up with the duct tape/bailing wire version on my own. So I'll probably not cut the thing up any more than I have to. Hopefully, that means not at all!