My coolidor experience

[RyJ Smoker]

Alright, here's exactly what I did and my humidity hasn't changed from 70% since I finalized everything on Sunday night.

I picked this up last Saturday: http://www.target.com/IGLOO-Maxcold-70-qt-Roller-Cooler/dp/B000F6UJ5K

I also picked this up: http://xikar.com/popup_pix.asp?back=blue&image_name=product/809.jpg&item=XIKAR%20Crystal%20Humidifier%20Jar

and this: http://xikar.com/popup_pix.asp?back=blue&image_name=product/813.jpg&item=XIKAR%20Digital%20Hydrometer

I did the whole 'salt-test' and left my hygrometer in the bag for a good 8 hours. After that, I took it out, hit the calibrate button (putting it to 75%), then put it in the coolidor with the Xikar humidifier jar. I had a couple boxes arrive in the mail yesterday, so last night I went down to my basement to put them in the coolidor and it was spot-on 70% humidity.

Turns out, I'd been overthinking this whole process and thought it'd be a lot more work than it actually was. Thanks to a good friend and BOTL, I've got it all set up right and still can't believe I didn't do this months ago. Total investment is as follows:

Cooler - $45 @ Menards
Hygrometer - $25 @ local B&M
Humidifier Jar - $5 @ local B&M

Total: $75.00

I can post pix when I get home, if needed.


Jeffrey L.

 

[haguc]

Coolidors offer so much space and are so easy to maintain, they simply can't be beat. Another thing to think about would be to get a few more boxes stuck in there that to add some more spanish cedar. It's cheaper than trying to line it with spanish cedar and gives you a way to organize things when you throw in some more singles. Good luck with the cooler and happy smoking!

 

[RyJ Smoker]

That's almost EXACTLY what a friend of mine told me earlier today! I'll be adding some empty boxes to it once I get home tonight.


Jeffrey L.

 

[haguc]

If the boxes are dry and haven't come from a humid environment you may want to add them one at a time so you don't have them sucking up all the moisture. As you add them watch your humidity as well, expect a dip, and you will probably have to add more water to keep it up, but in a couple days it should stabilize. Good luck!

 

[KiltLad]

I'm on my 3rd coolidor :love: . They are so stupid proof, it's funny.... :laugh:

 

[DirtyDave]

Do I get to say "told ya so?"

 

[RyJ Smoker]

Do I get to say "told ya so?"

Maybe if I would have disagreeded with you.... :whistling:


Jeffrey L.

 

[dlow]

Just curious. Why didn't you go with the beads from heartfelt?

 

[RyJ Smoker]

Just curious. Why didn't you go with the beads from heartfelt?

Pure convenience. I had boxes coming on Saturday and Monday and needed to get this up and running right away. If they would have sold those at my B&M, I would have bought them. I run 65% heartfelt beads in my humi and love them, but I needed something right away and couldn't wait for them to be shipped.


Jeffrey L.

 

[MarkQ]

Cooler and 65% heartfelt beads and you're ready to go. I'm fighting the urge to start a 2nd cooler. I've been eyeing one of those cabinet humidors but I guess I'd rather spend the money on cigars. I keep mine in the basement and this time of year it stays dead on at 65%. In the summer even with almost all the beads white it tends to creep up to 70% or a little higher. That's a little too high for my liking. Then I'll open it up for a few hours and run the dehumidifier and that brings it back down. Anything over 70% and you're asking for a mold problem plus the cigars smoke and taste like crap.

 

[haguc]

Cooler and 65% heartfelt beads and you're ready to go. I'm fighting the urge to start a 2nd cooler. I've been eyeing one of those cabinet humidors but I guess I'd rather spend the money on cigars. I keep mine in the basement and this time of year it stays dead on at 65%. In the summer even with almost all the beads white it tends to creep up to 70% or a little higher. That's a little too high for my liking. Then I'll open it up for a few hours and run the dehumidifier and that brings it back down. Anything over 70% and you're asking for a mold problem plus the cigars smoke and taste like crap.

Is it a finished basement? My basement stays pretty dry in the winter at about 40-45% and then gets higher in the summer, but I run a dehumidifier to keep it in the 45-50% range. I have a dehumidifer that is hard-lined and I don't have to empty it out ever. Just like your cigars can start getting moldy above 70% humidity, you run the risk of developing mold in your house if it is consistently over 70% humidity. If isn't finished then I guess it isn't as much of a problem just something to keep an eye on.

 

[MarkQ]

It's an unfinished basement and it's only over about 1/3 of the house. The rest of it is a garage. I have a dehumidifier down there but I usually only let it run at night. The electric rates are cheaper at night and since it's unfinished I don't get too concerned if the humidity jumps a little during the day. I don't really know why the humidty jumps in the cooler. I can only guess that it doesn't seal tightly which is a good thing I guess. You don't really want an airtight seal, but in the summer it lets extra humidity in. When it gets up to 70% then I'll let the dehumidifier runn for 4-5hrs and leave the cooler open and that brings it back down. I've never had a mold problem in cigars or the house and as long as I keep an eye on it it doesn't present too much of a problem. The wife doesn't like the cooler full of cigars in the family room for some strange reason. Go figure! Maybe the cabinet humidor wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.