Coolidor questions

[Abom]

I've never heard of a coolidor before stumbling upon this forum.

I've dug through a few threads and seen some pictures that of a few that people have done.

It's an interesting concept, but the following puzzle me:

- Isn't the point of a humidor is that it's made of spanish cedar ? Isn't spanish cedar used because of it's non-warping properties and natural odor that deters the tobacco beetle ?

- Doesn't the wooden environment aid in proper aging ?

- Doesn't spanish cedar also have natural anti-fungal properties ?


I always thought a spanish cedar humidor was the proper way to store cigars, and anything else was comprimising ?

[Kaisersozei]

I think the point of a humidor is to maintain proper humidity for cigar storage, so theoretically, anything that can do that should suffice. The advantages to using spanish cedar are the properties you point out (non-warping, etc.) I think most folks who use coolidors still keep their cigars in cedar boxes or use cedar shelving/trays. At least I do.

Originally Posted by Abom

I've never heard of a coolidor before stumbling upon this forum.

I've dug through a few threads and seen some pictures that of a few that people have done.

It's an interesting concept, but the following puzzle me:

- Isn't the point of a humidor is that it's made of spanish cedar ? Isn't spanish cedar used because of it's non-warping properties and natural odor that deters the tobacco beetle ?

- Doesn't the wooden environment aid in proper aging ?

- Doesn't spanish cedar also have natural anti-fungal properties ?


I always thought a spanish cedar humidor was the proper way to store cigars, and anything else was comprimising ?

[Legend]

IMO you are correct.

But it is a quick. Inexpensive. Effective and acceptable compromise.

I am legend. And I approve this message.

[madurolover]

They hold humidity great and as said above, most of us have boxes and/or shelves made of Spanish Cedar. I was really surprised at how well they work for cigar storage.

[hotreds]

Agree with the above. They are inexpensive compared to humidors, so you have more $$$ to fill them. Buying shelves, or even just plain ole planks of Spanish Cedar will give you the aroma you seek. I have three coolerdors, and am delighted with them.

Good luck, don't ignore the coolerdor for your storage needs!

[Abom]

I'm just surprised, I've NEVER heard of someone using a cooler before for storing sticks

But totally props to those who do, inventiveness is certainly something I don't have

[NCRadioMan]

Spanish cedar is really not needed at all. It just helps maintain steady rh and is a wood that repels alot of pests. I use coolers, tupperware and gladware. Most of the boxes in my coolers are made of sp. cedar and I have never had a problem with cigars without it in the tupperware and glad containers.

[JohnnyFlake]

Originally Posted by Abom

I'm just surprised, I've NEVER heard of someone using a cooler before for storing sticks

But totally props to those who do, inventiveness is certainly something I don't have

Spanish Cedar is absolutely not needed for the proper storage of cigars. Some people like it, in fact prefer it's use, because over time, it will impart faint nuances of cedar to your cigars. If that it what you like, you can simple add strips of Spanish Cedar, siding or shelving to your Igloodor/Coolidor or whatever!

I have been using Igloodors for at least 25 years. They are much easier to maintain than standard wood humidors, much cheaper and come in much larger sizes, for very little cost. I have one that is a 150 Qt. Marine Cooler, with two Oust Fans, Two Hydrometers and one pound of 65% beads, that holds as much as the larger, stand up type wood humidors costing well over a thousand dollars, fifteen hundred dollars and much more. The whole set up cost about $110.00

[Abom]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

Spanish Cedar is absolutely not needed for the proper storage of cigars. Some people like it, in fact prefer it's use, because over time, it will impart faint nuances of cedar to your cigars. If that it what you like, you can simple add strips of Spanish Cedar, siding or shelving to your Igloodor/Coolidor or whatever!

I have been using Igloodors for at least 25 years. They are much easier to maintain than standard wood humidors, much cheaper and come in much larger sizes, for very little cost. I have one that is a 150 Qt. Marine Cooler, with two Oust Fans, Two Hydrometers and one pound of 65% beads, that holds as much as the larger, stand up type wood humidors costing well over a thousand dollars, fifteen hundred dollars and much more. The whole set up cost about $110.00

I was looking at a stand up cabinet humidor for myself as I'm running out of room. I like the look of them, but the price is quite high indeed !

I wish there were something cheaper I could get that could be a stand up cabinet style.

[kayaker]

Originally Posted by Abom

I was looking at a stand up cabinet humidor for myself as I'm running out of room. I like the look of them, but the price is quite high indeed !

I wish there were something cheaper I could get that could be a stand up cabinet style.

Check out some of the DIY threads. You could always refit a cabinet or chest to become a humidor. Of course you need to be a little handy, and have the tools and space to work. That's my plan, although I will like start a coolerdor for now.

[clampdown]

Coolidor: Check
Beads: Check
Boxes: Check
Hygrometer: Check

Set it and Forget it

[bishainc]

Cheapo cooler at WMT 48qt = ~$14
Wooden boxes from CI = ~$10
Beads from Heartfelt = ~$35
Marital problems from filling it = Priceless

Cheaper than a comparable humidor...if you don't take into account the fact that now you have more space to "fill" .

[dwhitacre]

Originally Posted by bishainc

Cheapo cooler at WMT 48qt = ~$14
Wooden boxes from CI = ~$10
Beads from Heartfelt = ~$35
Marital problems from filling it = Priceless

Cheaper than a comparable humidor...if you don't take into account the fact that now you have more space to "fill" .

[SIZE=4]This post is priceless!!![/SIZE]

[bobarian]

Many of us use thermoelectric wine coolers(Vinotemp, Haier, etc).

[macjoe53]

Originally Posted by Abom

I'm just surprised, I've NEVER heard of someone using a cooler before for storing sticks

But totally props to those who do, inventiveness is certainly something I don't have

Ahhh! But you're a young chimp and haven't been a CS member for very long so you are forgiven for not knowing about coolers making good storage containers for cigars. I have one with the requisite equipment (hygrometer, beads) that I use solely for storage and aging of newly bought cigars. Most are kept in their boxes and if I get any loose cigars, I place those in boxes which I have picked up at my B&M.

I also have a nice humidor (Spanish Cedar inside, Spanish Leather outside) that will hold up to 50 cigars. That's where I keep any cigars I'm thinking about smoking in the next month or so. Once a month I'll transfer a selection from the cooler to my humidor and then start shopping to replenish my cooler.

Like you, I had never heard of using a cooler until I joined CS and began to really learn about the cigar culture from the excellent members here.