Coolidor/storage questions...

hey all,
I have a couple of questions regarding coolidors, and storage of cigars. I've never kept more than a box or two of cigars at any one time, and as my tastes, interests and allowance grows, I find myself wanting to have a wider selection to choose from. By the way, I have this board, and the post by gtphale (thanks man!) to thank for this. My wife was enjoying the posts about the 'Newbie War' (in which she called me a moron quite a few times- more than normal) when I showed her the other areas here as well. When we went to the gtphale post "Well now I need to see If I can fill this up" she asked about the coolidor in the pic. I explained it to her, and all she said was 'You should make one of those...' :0 As soon as I was able to speak again, I said, 'uhh ok?' - So here we go...


1) I have read many posts regarding opinion about using/not using spanish cedar in the coolidor. Will it be a problem if I do? I'd like as much buffer between humidity changes as possible and the previous posts only gave the users opinion, but not always the reason behind it. Will the boxes keep the desired range even if there are few boxes in the coolidor? (it might take me some time to get 'er filled up)


2) Any problem with using both the Humidification Beads and a cigar oasis? would that make TOO much humidity? Or should I stick with one or the other. I already have the cigar oasis...


3) Is airflow an issue? do you have to open the coolidor once a week, a month or not at all if using the cigar oasis, since it circulates air somewhat?


4) With the Humidification Beads, do most use the 65% or the 70%? For longer term box storage, what humidity range is optimal?


5) regarding box storage, I assume everyone keeps thier cigars in the box. But, box open or closed? And, say I have more than one box of a brand of cigar, shoud I break the seal on all the boxes of just the one I will be smoking from?


Sorry if these are really basic n00b questions, but I thought it better to ask them, then run the risk ruining some good cigars!
Just for info- I'm thinking of around a 75-100 qt coolidor I don't have space for much more, and if I ever get to the point that it is too small, it'll be easy enough to upgrade.

Thanks
Jim

your supply of boxes will grow faster than you realize.
We all have some over whelming compulsion to keep our humis
as full as possible
As for the humidity. 65% is what I prefer
I don't open my boxes til I want to smoke em, and I have had no problems



Bill

1) I personally would not add it. You'll just be taking up room. The exception is if if you set the cooler on end and put shelves in. The benefit of this approach it that it is easier to get to all the boxes than when the cooler sits on the floor and you have to take out all the boxes on top to get to the ones on the bottom. Costco sells a great Igloo cooler for using as a coolidor...a 150 model with slots for dividers/shelves and a mini-hatch at one end of the lid.

2) Potential problem in that they will work in opposition if the Oasis is not set to the same RH as the type beads you have. If you have the Oasis, go with that if you're buying a cooler that it will fit. If you're getting a really big cooler, I would go with the beads, which you can divide up and distribute throughout the cooler.

3)Goes both ways. Since there are those that swear by vacuum sealing their cigars for the purposes of long-term aging, and who swear that a longer, slower aging process results in better tasting cigars, it could be argued that there is no downside to not having air exchange if that is your intent. If you want your cigars to age more quickly, then air exchange is good.

4) Depends on how you like your cigars. I like mine at 65%. There is a contingent that believes that ISOMs and stronger, heavier domestics like Opus, Padrons, etc. are better kept at 65%. OTOH, Altadis and some authorities on the other hand maintain that anything less than 73% will lead to drying out of cigars over time.

5) See #3. Same issue. Prop the lids open if you want them to age faster, keep them closed if you want them to age more slowly.

I have an Oasis Plus in the middle of my 100qt. and I'm about to distribute some beads in it. If you ever think you'll grow into an Oasis Plus, some guy at CW is running a GB on his site where they are $70 each :thumbs:

cvmfour said:

I have an Oasis Plus in the middle of my 100qt. and I'm about to distribute some beads in it. If you ever think you'll grow into an Oasis Plus, some guy at CW is running a GB on his site where they are $70 each :thumbs:

[snapback]176969[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

Whoa.. $70 for a PLUS? my buddy bought my regular for $69.95! That plus a good deal! And since I have it I thought I'd try it with the beads as well (I just ordered them today) I may move the C.O. to the humidor my friend is making for me once it's done, and get rid of my smaller 'dor.

I figure I'll add some cedar anyways to my upcoming coolidor- from the reading I'm doing it really cannot hurt? Looks like I'll be going big as well.. after running around today I can get a 153qt at Costco for the same stinkin price as a 75qt anywhere else! And it has the shelf insets where the others mostly don't. Summer's not here yet (crap, neither is spring!) so the selection is rather limited... I was suprised to see them at Coctco already. I figure if I get it, and set it up before my wife gets back intown then she really can say anything, can she? :laugh: I know she'll make some comment like 'That wasn't the size I was thinking of...'

And thanks to all that have replied- good info all around. If anyone cares, I'm sure I'll have pics when it's done later this week.

I found my 100 qt at sports autority for 35 bucks. I went to Walmart and Meijer trying to find one that had the slits so that I can build shelfs in it. Then didn't want anything that was solid and would stop the humidity from traveling through the cooler. So found some square dowels.

I'm only leaving my boxes cracked open so that the cigars can get to my desired 63-65 range. When I left for work today they were at 64 so before I leave for vegas tuesday i'm going to close all the lids. I have found that you don't want to open that cooler to often cause alot of your humidity will escape very fast. I had it open for about 30 sec and it dropped 2 degs.

I'll probably end up pulling the shelfs out of the coolidor soon just cause I can store more boxes with out the shelves but for now I love the shelves.

Glad wife seen that post and is letting you setup your coolidor, you won't believe the collection of smokes you will come up with.

Thanks gtphale!
I forgot about Sports Authority... ever since Sportsman Warehouse moved into town I have not been to S.A.

I went there today, and there she was... gleaming white, 100qts and ribbed for ...

yes, I got my cooler. Sadly, no one in town stocks spanish cedar, so I'm buying some pieces off ebay. Between a few planks tied to the wire shelves and the boxes, I think I'll be just fine.

MAN, I cannot wait to start filling 'er up
Thanks all!

Well, she's up and running. 100qt coleman from Sports Authority (thanks AGAIN gtphale) with wire racks... very slick! Got the Oasis in there now with 3 boxes I found at local store (only three they had!!!!) Also have my dried out 'gars in there too, so the slow upbringing of RH will be good for them as well. I personally cannot wait to start filling it up! My wife is supposed to bring back a box of CAO Brazilia's and Sancho Panza Double Maduro's for me when she returns from her biz trip next week. Beads should be here in a few days, and that will become the main RH source. Planning on 1/4" cedar zip-tied UNDER the wire shelves to add a little buffer besides the boxes, but no one in Alaska has Spanish Cedar! So until I locate some online (a place with decent enought shipping!!!) does anyone have a few boxes they wanna get rid of? I'll be happy to pay if requested (at the very least shipping) And just for the WOW factor if someone has an ISOM box to dump off... too much to ask, I know, but I gotta try :whistling: PM me if you can help out in any way.

Thanks!! I know no one cares, but I'll have pics soon...

Don't waste your time worrying about Spainsh Cedar. Once you fill the cooler up with enough wooden cigar boxes, they'll help stabilize the humidity, provide an easy way to store loose cigars and give you all the "aroma" you'll ever need.

I have two large coolers and a medium sized refrigerator with NO SPANISH CEDAR lining nonsense.

Oh yeah, go with beads

coventrycat86 said:

Don't waste your time worrying about Spainsh Cedar. Once you fill the cooler up with enough wooden cigar boxes, they'll help stabilize the humidity, provide an easy way to store loose cigars and give you all the "aroma" you'll ever need.

I have two large coolers and a medium sized refrigerator with NO SPANISH CEDAR lining nonsense.

Oh yeah, go with beads

[snapback]177544[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

Thx... I figured that a little cedar would help since it'll be awhile since she's full of cigar boxes, but looks liek I'll be getting a few empties which are as good!! (but I already bought the cedar on ebay... anybody need some??)

And beads are on the way... will use the Cigar Oasis when I get the handmade humidor tuxindy's dad is making for me!

Dang...I need a coolidor for the smoke shack...where are the directions on how to make one?

This old topic seemed fairly helpful.

Old topic

Also check out Heartfelt Industries for humidification beads, which seem to be one of the most commonly and lowest maintainance solutions.

As far as old boxes and such, have you tried (or do you have) a local cigar shop around? This may be another good reason to occassionally buy a couple smokes from them, or at least get to know a couple of the folks that work there. I've found the local shop, although their prices are high, to be a great source of trial cigars, ones that I'm not sure I'll like, and don't want to buy a whole box online.

Climmax Beads

Opusx, I have I think 1/2 lb laying around. Let me know.

bfreebern said:

Climmax Beads

Opusx, I have I think 1/2 lb laying around. Let me know.

[snapback]177643[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

I don't like to ding Vern over at Climmax but a lot of folks have had trouble getting orders from him lately, including myself, and there was rumor that he was going to shut down. Viper (Heartfelt) sells the same stuff and gets things out fast so if you are in a hurry I would go with him.

Vern has been a member here for some time. I ordered beads from him and had no problems.

You don't like to ding Vern? Then why even post? I seem to remember my mom saying something to me as a kid:

"Brandon, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all."

ummmm I wasn't trying to start a fight...I'm sure that vern and viper both rule the school. It was funny though...there seems to be something dirty about ordering "climax beads". :whistling:

opusxfiles said:

ummmm I wasn't trying to start a fight...I'm sure that vern and viper both rule the school. It was funny though...there seems to be something dirty about ordering "climax beads". :whistling:

[snapback]177816[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

I used to use some of those. She loved 'em! :laugh:

bfreebern said:

Vern has been a member here for some time. I ordered beads from him and had no problems.

You don't like to ding Vern? Then why even post? I seem to remember my mom saying something to me as a kid:

"Brandon, if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all."

[snapback]177652[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

You're right. I won't mince words. I'm dinging Vern on the service front. He may well be the nicest guy on the planet for all I know. If he provides better service to CigarPass members because he is a member here, by all means go ahead and order from him.

bfreebern said:

Climmax Beads

Opusx, I have I think 1/2 lb laying around. Let me know.

[snapback]177643[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

is there a big difference between the climmax and heartfelt beads? I ordered my heartfelts on Sunday and got them today- including 2 nice tubes for the smaller humidor I have, or maybe using them on the upper shelves of my NEW COOLIDOR! Yippeee.... she's almost ready to start stocking up. Cigarbid.com HERE I COME! :laugh:

Swissy said:

bfreebern said:

Climmax Beads

Opusx, I have I think 1/2 lb laying around.  Let me know.

[snapback]177643[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

is there a big difference between the climmax and heartfelt beads? I ordered my heartfelts on Sunday and got them today- including 2 nice tubes for the smaller humidor I have, or maybe using them on the upper shelves of my NEW COOLIDOR! Yippeee.... she's almost ready to start stocking up. Cigarbid.com HERE I COME! :laugh:

[snapback]178031[/snapback]​

Click to expand...

I believe they are the same thing and from the same manufacturer but I am not sure of that. But they are the same material and are functionally identical.