Converting a sauna

[LilBastage]

We recently moved into a new house that has a sauna permanently installed in the basement. We've come to the conclusion that we are not going to be using it and am wondering if it could be converted into a walk-in humidor.

It is lined with cedar (not spanish, likely red) but there is no overt cedar odor in the room (it was installed in 1996). I was thinking of just putting up some of the coated wire shelving and using empty boxes for storage. It doesn't need to be fancy, just functional.

I am just starting out, so I don't have a lot of cigars, but I am acquiring them at an alarming rate (at least to my wife). Humidity won't be much of a problem as it is in the basement and it seals pretty well.

Any thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[SabresFan]

Sounds like a pretty cool idea, I have no idea if it will work or not one of the experienced members may have some suggestions. Good luck with it if it works!

 

[CalixEros]

I bet it would be safer and not too expensive to take some spanish cedar, honduran mahogany, or something like that and seal up the walls. You'll definitely have to worry about the humidity, especially in the Minnesota winter. I'd get an Oasis or couple pounds of beads. Maybe someone else has a better idea, but that's what I'd do (actually, I'd use the sauna).

 

[smokegetsinyoureyes]

Excess sap is the reason I most often hear as the reason for not using anything but spanish cedar. If the sauna has been used alot I would think the sap would be mostly gone. Sounds like a great idea, good luck.

 

[Wurm]

I'd think the sap would be for the most part steamed out if they used it as a wet sauna and / or dryed up if they used it as a dry sauna, great idea!

 

[hudsonvalley]

I would worry that the flavor might not be right. I can see the review now:

Notes of cedar with hints of ass :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[LilBastage]

You'll definitely have to worry about the humidity, especially in the Minnesota winter. I'd get an Oasis or couple pounds of beads. Maybe someone else has a better idea, but that's what I'd do (actually, I'd use the sauna).

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I would definitely be using some type of humidity control. I just meant it wouldn't be much of a problem because it seals well and the humidity is actually very stable in the basement as it has humidity control. We leave it right around 50% or so and there isn't a lot of fluctuation.

 

[LilBastage]

I would worry that the flavor might not be right. I can see the review now:

Notes of cedar with hints of ass :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

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:laugh: :laugh:

That's the reason that the wire shelving will go up and the current benches will come down. This sauna has seen 2 different owners and I don't know how many users.


I think I'm going to give it a shot in the next few months.

 

[Rob_k]

you will probably need to use some sort of active humdification device for a large humidor, probably a commercial unit. as far as red ceder, i have heard it is a no-no for cigar storage. the aroma's will certainly ruin your sticks. would be best to cover it up and use some of the sugggestions above. and wire shelving is a great idea, it will allow plenty of air flow.

 

[KayakinBoy]

This sauna has seen 2 different owners and I don't know how many users.

enjoy the herpes!

 

[Zeebra]

I would worry that the flavor might not be right. I can see the review now:

Notes of cedar with hints of ass :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

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Oh man, I just started laughing when I read this. People at work think I'm nuts sitting at my cubicle I couldn't stop. Thanks for the laugh! :laugh:

 

[barney_rebel]

3 User(s) are reading this topic (0 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
3 Members: barney_rebel, Zeebra, jabba

Hola, Canadians.

 

[LilBastage]

This sauna has seen 2 different owners and I don't know how many users.

enjoy the herpes!

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:laugh: :laugh:

One of the reasons we aren't going to use it. It just seems creepy to me to sit on the same benches as untold others who were nekkid. It really creeps out my wife.

 

[AVB]

How big is it? Maybe you can sell it and get a good humi to keep upstairs?

 

[LilBastage]

How big is it? Maybe you can sell it and get a good humi to keep upstairs?

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I thought of this, but it is kind of permanently installed. I am going to try to sell just the heater first (it is WAY to big for the sauna) as saunas are very popular here in Scandinavia USA. If I get enough for that (no idea how much it is worth) I may just get a good size humi for upstairs and forget the whole thing. We could always use the cedar lined storage space.

By the way, I really have enjoyed looking at your beverage reviews. I took your suggestion of trying TAMDHU 750 to someone else as a new scotch drinker and I enjoyed it.

 

[bfreebern]

Let me get this straight: You'll put cigars in it, but you won't sit your hairy ass on it?

 

[SMOKE!]

Sounds like a cool idea.

 

[LilBastage]

Let me get this straight: You'll put cigars in it, but you won't sit your hairy ass on it?

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First of all, my ass isn't hairy


I don't want to sit on the benches. If I go ahead with this plan the benches will be removed and coated wire shelving will be installed along the walls for storage.

The contaminated ass area will be gone!! :laugh: :laugh:

 

[bfreebern]

Yeah, but people sweat in there. Shit was carried all over that place by the steam. Who knows what the hell is on those walls, let alone the benches.

:sign:

I guess you couldn't just sit your ass on towels or bleach the hell out of the benches?

 

[LilBastage]

Yeah, but people sweat in there. Shit was carried all over that place by the steam. Who knows what the hell is on those walls, let alone the benches.

:sign:

I guess you couldn't just sit your ass on towels or bleach the hell out of the benches?

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It's a dry sauna, no steam.

The gross factor is just one reason we aren't going to use it. I guess we're just not into it. I don't know, it was just an idea I had to use some unused space. Maybe if I do it I'll just cover the walls with mahogany or something and go from there. I guess I didn't really think about the walls being "dirty" as I don't think they would generally be contacting anything.

I suppose I'll just take all the suggestions here and go forward. May do it, may not.