Closet Humidor

[MadMonk]

O.k., off the cuff I would think that whatever paint you use would have to be waterbased, provide an excellent moisture barrier, and you would have to add a mold retardant.
But, I would, since I don't have a clue, have to talk to an applications specialist of whatever brand I decided on, to see if there would be any outgassing from either or all ingredients. I might also investigate if there is such a thing as paints that are used in food prep or storage areas.

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

I have another few questions. I have spoken with some local cigar shops and they said I could use a good sealing primer and latex paint on the floor, walls, and ceiling. It would be kind of like a big coolerdor. They said that if I used spanish cedar or luan for shelves and that since the cigars will be in their respective boxes, that will be enough wood to keep the humidity. Is this right? I don't want to spend the time sealing and painting if it will not work. I plan to have (4-5) 5' shelves on both side walls and (3-5) 3' shelves on the back wall. Since most of my cigars are in the boxes they came in, will this be enough wood?

Again, thanks for all the great info so far. I hope that when I have enough experience with this, I can help others like you guys have helped me.

Hmmmm .... I wouldn't paint it, I'm going to go with bare wood for the walls, floor and ceiling. I am considering something other than wood for the shelving, epoxy coated wire shelving perhaps.

Hey MadMonk, I like your idea of using a portable air conditioner to cool the entire room, this may work for my application if I then insulate the cigar closet like a cool room. Plus it will help keep the temperature down so the wine room unit doesn't have to work as hard.

 

[MadMonk]

I have another few questions. I have spoken with some local cigar shops and they said I could use a good sealing primer and latex paint on the floor, walls, and ceiling. It would be kind of like a big coolerdor. They said that if I used spanish cedar or luan for shelves and that since the cigars will be in their respective boxes, that will be enough wood to keep the humidity. Is this right? I don't want to spend the time sealing and painting if it will not work. I plan to have (4-5) 5' shelves on both side walls and (3-5) 3' shelves on the back wall. Since most of my cigars are in the boxes they came in, will this be enough wood?

Again, thanks for all the great info so far. I hope that when I have enough experience with this, I can help others like you guys have helped me.

Hmmmm .... I wouldn't paint it, I'm going to go with bare wood for the walls, floor and ceiling. I am considering something other than wood for the shelving, with grates to allow for air flow.

Hey MadMonk, I like your idea of using a portable air conditioner to cool the entire room, this may work for my application if I then insulate the cigar closet like a cool room. Plus it will help keep the temperature down so the wine room unit doesn't have to work as hard.

It works pretty well. I also put "Gila" window film for blocking heat. They make several differant types of film.
This stuff works great.

The compact unit I mentioned is made by Mitsubishi. "Mr. Slim" aka Mini Split systems.

I'm still looking at wine cellar coolers and Thermoelectric augmented with fans. Want to try building something, just not solidified yet. Just want plenty of room & portability.

edit to clarify

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

Here's the unit I purchased for wine storage, I would imagine it would be perfect for cigars if it wasn't full of wine :whistling: . The room I placed it in, and where I'm building the cigar closet, I insulated very well and removed the window. My problem is that now the room heats up too much from the venting of the wine room, it's not supposed to be vented to the outside.

 

[MadMonk]

That's a nice "unit".
That presents a problem. How hot does the room get?

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

That's a nice "unit".
That presents a problem. How hot does the room get?

On a low 90's day it got to about 88 degrees, that was to an unvented room. If I open the door, vent the room, it drops dramatically. I've thought about replacing the door with a louvered door and adding a ceiling vent, which should help with the venting but it won't really cool down the room like an air conditioning unit. The adjoining room is a laundry room where I'm adding a window this weekend.

Yeah, I've been busy :laugh:

 

[MadMonk]

Well you know what thet say, cut twice, measure once...or something like that :whistling:

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

Well you know what thet say, cut twice, measure once...or something like that :whistling:

Yeah ...... I think that's the way I do it :laugh:

 

[dtandrews]

Well, the conversion is not going so well. I cannot get the room to cool down. The portable A/C I purchased is vented under a false floor I installed and exits under the door. The floor stays warm and the room is actually hotter with the A/C runnin, than it is without it. I am thinking of just building a shelf and set up several electric coolers. Any ideas?