Humidor recommendations?

[postjack]

So I'm humidor shopping. Anyone know of a good online retailer? I've been browsing around at Thompson Cigar, and I really like the looks of this one.. Seems to fit the bill: spanish cedar, good size. Hard to know the quality though without holding it in my hands, but I'd like to avoid paying full retail at the local tobacconist if possible. Having said that, I'd rather pay for quality the first time rather then struggling through a bunch of crappy humidors. Where I live its hot and humid most of the year, if that makes any difference.

Thanks!

[Icarium]

I dunno... I just use an igloo cooler for my storage. Tuperware for on the move situations.

I maintain humidity with these: Heartfelt Industries, Heartfelt Cigar Humidor Humidity Beads, Heartfelt Beads, Humidors, Quality Cigar Accessories and distilled water.

It's what my cigar connect rolls with and has served me well. It's not as sexy as a nice looking humidor, but it is functional/cheap/effective. I heard the humidity beads are what they used to use in museums until some enterprising cigar person realized they could be applied to cigars

[NoValidTitle]

DIY....

Vinotemp wine cooler turned humidor.

May be a bit big for you though.

[postjack]

NVT: nice, but yeah, a little big.

Dan: nice, how do those beads differ from a Credo?

Edited July 13, 2009 by postjack

[grawk]

It won't be too big for long, you're obsessive , plus it's only $250 ish for the vinotemp, and another couple hundred for the spanish cedar shelves, so it's a LOT cheaper than a comparable humidor.

The credo is good at humidifying, but not so good at DEhumidifying.

[Icarium]

Not sure about the Credo but as long as you don't make sure the beads aren't oversaturated toooo badly when they go into the humidor/cooler then they'll do a good job of keeping things at the rated humidity level. Like if you get 65 percent and throw them into your container for a day and then check it clocking in at 67 percent then that's probably fine as eventually it'll even down to 65 and then last for like 6 months without needing you to add more water.

[n_maher]

How to Build a Humidor for Cheap: (the Tupperdor) - How To Do Stuff

I'd start there before sinking a ton of $$ into this.

[grawk]

Stop with recommending practicality. Do the vinotemp with the beads, or even a computer controlled humistat. DEW EET.

I can tell you good places to get good prices on some cigars, too, if you'd like.

[NoValidTitle]

See, Dan agrees.

It would save money in the long run. Go to a few herfs and shop around, it'll be full in no time. :-P

Hell you don't even NEED to buy the cedar shelving. Your local shop will likely give you empty boxes. That's a good idea either way, the cedar will also help keep the humidity stable. So if you go the cooler route just grab some empties and throw them in there along with the beads. I started out with a little cooler thinking it would be plenty and that idea lasted about 2 weeks.

[postjack]

It won't be too big for long, you're obsessive

excellent point.

Not sure about the Credo but as long as you don't make sure the beads aren't oversaturated toooo badly when they go into the humidor/cooler then they'll do a good job of keeping things at the rated humidity level. Like if you get 65 percent and throw them into your container for a day and then check it clocking in at 67 percent then that's probably fine as eventually it'll even down to 65 and then last for like 6 months without needing you to add more water.

How to Build a Humidor for Cheap: (the Tupperdor) - How To Do Stuff

OK, DIY it is. I'm going to do a Coolidor using the beads, like described here.

[postjack]

update:

purchased a cheap hygrometer and a boveda calbration kit using an amazon gift certificate.

snag/question:

I'm growing concerned about the temperature of my future stoagie stash. I live in the Deep South, and it is hot son. temperatures in the mid to upper nineties. I keep my home AC at 80 during the day, but even set there it can struggle to maintain 80. At night it's 74, but it has to run for several hours before it's truly at 74 degrees. my understanding is cigars like 65-75 degrees.

so would it be wise for me to try and get a scratch and dent thermoelectric vinotemp on eBay? I could afford a 12 bottle model. this would give me less storage then a comparably priced ice chest.

opinions?

[grawk]

save up, get the 28 bottle.

[n_maher]

Does your house have a basement Jack? From a moisture perspective it may be less ideal but temp wise it might work much better (should be pretty stable).

[NoValidTitle]

The moisture in a basement shouldn't be a problem as long as you keep them sealed up in that cooler. My vote still goes to the 28 bottle.

I know you said thermoelectric but just to be sure, only get a thermoelectric. Compressor based units will throw the humidity way off.

[postjack]

nope, no basement. good idea though. and dan's advice is noted.

[postjack]

NVT: how much did your 28 set you back, if you don't mind me asking?

[NoValidTitle]

I got mine on sale at Target for $249. I got the shelves from a guy named Mtmouse on the puff.com forums. Those cost me $167.26 shipped. You don't need the shelves they are just nice to have. I'd say go for the 28 bottle and a good hygrometer and you'll be good.

[matt fury]

Dont't rely on your hygrometer unless it's NIST certified. Something like an Extech. TEC fridges are great, but depending on your local weather, it might take a little more than just beads to balance out the swings. Something like a brewery thermostat thingy sometimes becomes necessary, but they're only like $80, and I think you only really need them in the desert. Beads are fucking great, but it's way cheaper to buy kitty litter.

Dan's right on the sizing comments. When it comes to humidors, always buy something you think is way too fucking big.

[postjack]

i don't think target sells them anymore, unfortunately. at least nothing comes up on their website.

[matt fury]

You might ahve to actually go into a Target. I got my first small fridge there. I'd also say check Craigslist, but you're in Alabama. Not sure how many wine-drinkers with computers you've got down there.

[grawk]

it's easy to calibrate hygrometers

[matt fury]

Unless they're something like Extech, you can only calibrate them at one point, and their "offness" is usually never linear.

[postjack]

there are a bunch of these Edgestar 28 bottle units for sale on eBay for $200 shipped. they get pretty good reviews overall around the net, the best reviews specifically coming from cigar enthusiasts. I think this is the one.

now all I need is some cigar boxes and humidity beads.

[grawk]

I prefer to buy my cigar boxes with cigars in them

[n_maher]

Jack, you should be able to get a few free empty boxes from your local cigar store. Play up the fact that you're building up a collection and need them for your humidor.