Help with a humidor/hygrometer and Humidifier purchase

[esumsea]

Hello everyone,

I am a newbie at all this. I have read the threads on this forum (The Humidor) and found lots of helpful information. Unfortunately, the more you learn, the more questions you have.

I just started smoking cigars regularly (which for me is 1-2 times a week) after buying some Cubans overseas (I am of Cuban decent). Now, I need to store some cigars I have acquired. I purchased a “starter” humidor kit from Toscano cigars distributors here in Miami, but it never held humidity and the hydrometer was off according to the salt test and a radio shack hygrometer. I returned it and am now trying to find a better solution.

I have read about coolidors and storing in a wine cooler (which I am going to purchase anyway for my wine), but that may be something I may need in the future, unless there is an inherent benefit to storing your cigars in cooler temperatures. For now, something that holds 100 to 150 should be more than enough ( I know, yes it may only be viable for a week! ;-)) . Plus, I would like to have one nice desk top humidor.

I want to purchase a Hydra or Oasis Humidifier (I actually prefer the Hydra. It is held in high regard here from what I have read, and it is also able to be calibrated.) in order to keep things fool proof. I also will probably purchase a digital hydrometer. So here are my questions.

1.) Should I also buy some heartfelt beads to help the Hydra or will that be overill?
2.) Which digital hydrometer (hygrometer) would you suggest or are they all pretty much the same?
3.) Do you agree with my assessment of the hydra over the oasis units?
4.) With a humidor this size do I need an additional fan?
5.) Anything else I should look into purchasing (other than a cutter, blank bands and an ash tray?)
6.) Which of the following humidors would you chose and if you have any other suggestions, please feel free to offer them up. (My favorite, right now, is #4.) – The Santa Barbara.

I hope I am not sking to much with all these questions. ANY help, suggestions, comments or even criticisms would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Mario


#1.) 150 Cigar Bubinga Humidor + FREE ITEMS The Montreal $79.99

Product Description
________________________________________
This is one HUGE humidor, plus it's really different because it has feet! It also has handles and a gorgeous inlay, but I'd rather talk about the feet. I wouldn't call it a foot fetish, exactly, but the feet do add a certain distinction to this humidor. It's not an obsession, really, it's just that it has that certain, can I say, je ne sais quoi ? Sure, I can say it! I just can't spell it. Not my fault. I took Latin.

Features
________________________________________
• SureSeal™ Technology Standard
• 1 Humidifier
• 1 Hygrometer
• Lined with Premium Kiln Dried Spanish Cedar
• Spanish Cedar Dividers
• Spanish Cedar Tray
• Lock & Key
• Scratch Resistant Felt Lined Bottom
• Bubinga Finish
• One Year Warranty
• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
Dimensions: 16” W x 10.25” D x 7” H

#2.) 150-200 Cigar Light Walnut Humidor - The Cordoba $79.99

These top of the line, brand new humidors are perfect for the person looking for something a little different. The real wood inlay, solid construction and high quality hardware will make this humidor one that is used for years. And when people find out how little you paid for it you will feel like a million bucks. And when you do, do me a favor and throw a few bucks my way. With prices this low, how am I supposed to feed my pet turtle?
• SureSeal™ Technology Standard
• 1 Large Rectangle Humidifier
• 1 Glass Hygrometer with Brass Frame
• 1 Spanish Cedar Tray with Divider
• 2 Dividers at Bottom
• Lined with Premium Kiln Dried Spanish Cedar
• Gold Plated Lock & Key with Tassel, Handles and Hidden Quadrant Hinges
• Scratch Resistant Felt Lined Bottom
• Walnut Finish with Triple Diamond Wood Inlay
• Lifetime Warranty
• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
• Setup Instructions
Dimensions: 16 1/4” W x 9 1/4” D x 6 ½” H

#3.) THE Michelangelo Humidor - $54

• Only $54
• Holds up to 120 cigars.
• 2 Adjustable Spanish Cedar Dividers.
• Large Cedar Removable Tray.
• High Gloss Rich Mahogany Finish.
• Golden Side Handles
• Gold Internal Locking Hinges
• Gold Lock & Key.
• Humidifier & Hygrometer Included.
• Full Hardwood Construction.
• 15"W x 10"D x 6-1/2"H

#4.) THE Santa Barbara Humidor $89.95

• Only $89.95
• Holds up to 150 cigars
• Unique tobacco leaf inlay design
• Dome Style Lid
• Elegant Burl Wood High Lacquer Finish
• Removable Tray w/ Adjustable Divider
• Fully Lined with Spanish Cedar
• Solid Hardwood Construction
• Removable Cedar Tray with Divider
• Adjustable cedar divider in lower section
• Embedded Brass Side Handles
• Brass Lock & Key Set w/ Tassel
• Brass Internal Locking Hinges
• Humidifier & Hygrometer Included.
• 15-1/4"W x 10-1/2"D x 6 "H

 

[grateful1]

Look at some of the coolidor 'builds'.

See what other have done.

Read reviews of the humidification systems....as well as beads.

Beads alone in a humi that size 'should' be fine.

I have a large rubber stoarge bin with beads....it's just fine!!!

Oh yea...it holds BOXES of cigars!

 

[esumsea]

Thanks Grateful1,

I must say I love being distracted by your avatar, though it can be torturous at times.

So, from what I gather, you are suggesting just using beads. Seems like a solution that would save me some money. I wonder how dependable they are. If you can point me to a review source for humidification systems I would appreciate it. I did a search (albeit briefly (10 min)) with out much success.

I did look into coolidor builds, but like I said I want a desk top, because coolidors seem to me to be a bulky and not too aesthetically pleasing solution.

Regards,
Mario

 

[souldog]

I wonder how dependable they are. If you can point me to a review source for humidification systems I would appreciate it. I did a search (albeit briefly (10 min)) with out much success.

Hiya Mario! Welcome to CP from another newbie! Here's a couple things to point you in the right direction to becoming an active member in Cigar Pass :thumbs: :

New Member Guide (Clicky Here!)


Once you've done that, swing on over here: Introduce Yourself Forum (Click Here!)


Okay, now that's out of the way, here's your link to Heartfelt Industries. It is a company that supplies humidification beads and is run by a standup BOTL named Viper139. Lastly, here is the link to the reviews on the Heartfelt beads.


Also, the search function can be tricky at times. Try using quotes around your words if using the default CP Search Engine at the top right-hand of the page. You'll find it yields more results when you type in "humidor" or "mold" as opposed to humidor or mold. Below is the link to the search results when searched for "humidification," "beads," "coolerdor," and "wine cooler."

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?...Bhumidification

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?...092;beads\

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?...coolerdor\

http://www.cigarpass.com/forums/index.php?...ne+cooler\


Any questions, feel free to PM me. Welcome to CP again. :whistling:

 

[esumsea]

Thanks Souldog!

I will make good use of your links and info. I really appreciate it!

Kind Regards,
Mario

 

[gardkarlsen]

Hi

I bought the Tuscany model from cheaphumidors.com together with beads from heartfelt. Don't forget to buy some Boveda seasoning pack to break in your humidor. Apart from that I also bought a digital hygrometer/themometer so I can keep an eye on humidity and temperature

 

[esumsea]

OK, so is the consensus that I should just get beads? I wrote heartfelt two days ago and they have still not responded about their suggestion . I don't want to go over kill but I want to make sure I maintain the proper humidification. If others can give their input I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
Mario

 

[Bsneed51]

OK, so is the consensus that I should just get beads? I wrote heartfelt two days ago and they have still not responded about their suggestion . I don't want to go over kill but I want to make sure I maintain the proper humidification. If others can give their input I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
Mario

If you are going to use the 150 count humidor, 3-4 ounces of heartfelt beads would be more than you would ever need. You could probably get by with 2 ounces if money is tight, but I like to have more beads than necessary to help the humidor recover faster after it has been opened.

What other questions do you have?

 

[esumsea]

OK, so is the consensus that I should just get beads? I wrote heartfelt two days ago and they have still not responded about their suggestion . I don't want to go over kill but I want to make sure I maintain the proper humidification. If others can give their input I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!
Mario

If you are going to use the 150 count humidor, 3-4 ounces of heartfelt beads would be more than you would ever need. You could probably get by with 2 ounces if money is tight, but I like to have more beads than necessary to help the humidor recover faster after it has been opened.

What other questions do you have?

Thanks for your lightning fast input Bsneed51! I would have checked back earlier, but I did not anticipate such a fast response.

So you think I should go with three ounces of beads instead of an oasis or a hydra? Its funny, all the vendors say that a hydra or oasis would be the best way to go.

Also, which heartfelts should I buy? The ones in the Square containers are REALLY expensive! I don't know if the tubes work just as fine.

Also, should I go with the 60,65 or 70 RH beads?

In addition, is there a digital hydrometer you would suggest?

Lastly, I have been told that the bodeva seasoning kits were not necessary and to instead use a new sponge with distilled water for a wipe down. Then again, I have also read instructions on humidors that say not to wipe them down and a member has recommended the bdeva seasoning kit here, so I don't know which method to use. If you have a suggestion, I would appreciate it.

Again, anyone should feel welcomed to weigh in.

It would be, again, GREATLY appreciated.
Regards,
Mario

 

[Bsneed51]

Since you asked here goes:

I would absolutely go with beads over an active humidity device for a humidor that small. You never had to worry about beads getting clogged, batteries dying, etc. Just look through this section, and you will see many, many pictures of humidors with beads in them because they work.

I woud recommend going with 3 ounces in the round tubes (1 2oz tube, and 1 1oz tube). I have a 50qt cooler, and I have beads in tubes and a mesh bag. Which RH is up to you, but my choice is, and will always be 65%. If you find you like your smokes a little drier, you can always set them out for a few hours before you smoke them.

For digital hygrometer, make sure you go with one that is adjustable. That way after you salt test it, you can just dial it up or down to the right humidity and not have to remember if it was 2% low or 4% high.

The boveda kit is nice, but not necessary. DO NOT wipe the humidor down. You run the risk of the wood warping if you wipe it down. Just get a shot glass, or a small bowl of distilled water, and put it inside of your humidor. Shut the lid, and then go back a few days later, remove the glass, add your beads (or hydra), you hygrometer, and give it another day closed. Check your RH% level, and if it's good, add your cigars.

 

[handyman dave]

I want to reinforce what everyone else has said about Heartfelt beads. I use 65% in all my smaller humis, and in the hermetically sealed 5 gallon pails that take care of much of my collection. They are reliable and nearly fool-proof.

Good advice on the seasoning too from Bsneed51!

Rod had a really good deal on some adjustable hygrometers recently. You may want to drop him a PM and see if any are left.

 

[esumsea]

Decided on the Santa Barbara and the Heartfelt beads (65 RH). For discussion on my seasoning method, if interested, check : http://www.cigarpass.com/forumsipb/index.php?showtopic=48499.

 

[Bu11dog]

Awesome advice here all thanks for the lessons. I'll have to follow up on the links tomorrow when I have time.