Long term storage in an airtight container?

[JHolmes763]

I'm facing a 12 to 15 month deployment coming up and will be leaving some sticks back here with the wife. If I get a larger airtight container like those "click 'n lock" things (kind like >this<) and a good amount of 60-65% beads, how long will the humidity last?

Anyone think this is a good or bad idea? My thoughts are to have something that my wife will rarely have to open up to take care of.

Thank you for any thoughts.

---John Holmes...

 

[altercall]

Heck, my coolidors go about 3 mos w/o having to pit water in the beads. I've got under a lb of beads in each one. It's a good sized cooler, too. It's the Ice Cube that Wal-Mart sells.

 

[Ginseng]

If it's air tight (gasketed) and nice and thick-walled, they just might be ok. These are Lock-&-Locks and they're some of the best out there. I'd still be inclined to check them every 3 months or so just to be sure. If you want no-touch time capsule storage for that entire duration, I'd look into the gasketed stainless steel or glass containers like those sold at kitchen stores.

Wilkey

 

[TugBoat]

I know with both of my humidors and my coolador I could probably go a year and only open them a few times if I really needed to. Everything has a good seal to it and I went overboard on the amount of beads I used, I haven't added water in at least 6 months and my hygrometers all sit around 63%-64%.

It will have alot to do with the environment. I know with where I am I could leave a cigar out of my humidor on a self for a couple weeks and I could go light it and it wouldn't be ruined.

Just make sure you leave some basic instructions, something along the lines of "once a month look at this (the hygrometer) if the number is below x spray the beads with this water x number of times. If the number is below Y ..." Make it as little of a hassle as possible for her

 

[Jack Straw]

First of all, many thanks for your service!!

I think you may want her to open whatever container you choose every 2 - 4 weeks, not only to check things like humidification out, but, also, to let some fresh air in as well. Opinions vary on this, but I think a bit of "out with the old, in with the new" when it comes to what my smokes are breathing is important.

 

[Rob_k]

use what i think you have plenty of access to....an ammo can...i have a .50cal ammo can, i cleaned it and lined it with spanish cedar...beads in there and about 1/2 full....rock solid 65%, and as you know...will take a beating.
Rob

 

[Dagobert]

Airtight is a good idea - if you want mushrooms at your cigars. :whistling:

For longtime storage I use 62% at 16 degrees (ceslisus); I open the cabinet weekly for 2-3 minutes to change the air.
For moisturing I use the excellent Yterbium-X in a modified office cabinet (approx. 25*20*70 inch) with cedro ordata inlets. The water contains silver nitrate against growth of bacteria or mold.

May be my description is a bit helpful...

 

[grateful1]

Hey - is there a BOTL that could check them for you....not that the missus couldn't do it...BUT...someone who will know if somehting looks bad might be best?


Safe journey!

 

[Dagobert]

May be, after some months the box will be empty then *lol*

 

["K"]

Would a Active Humidification system help in this situation?

 

[JHolmes763]

Would a Active Humidification system help in this situation?

I think it'd be overkill for something like this. I'll go with the Lock-n-Lock containers and once a month, remind her to look in on 'em. Should work out fine.

Thank you for the comments, guys.

 

[lurch]

I'm also about to head out and I've already started the training process for my wife. I have a desktop and a coolidor that I'm gonna teach her how to care for...Hopefully she can grasp the concept of "light misting of the beads"...

 

[Allofus123]

Do allow for some air exchange. The thing to stress is not to over saturate the beads. Closing up saturated beads in an air tight container will most likely produce mold.