need humidor help

[blacklabelbravo]

Well I guess I got fucked by Thompson, I ordered what I thought was a 20 cigar humidor and 20 cigar sampler it was like 42 bucks. I didn't expect it to be anything fancy but I did expect it however to have at least an analog humidor inside it.

This is all that was inside the box.

Of course there were no instructions. I wanted to season the box accoring to the directions here but with no way to know if I'm maintaining a specific RH it sounds pointless....

Does any one know what I need to do with this in the meantime to at least attempt to season it until I get another one?

Also here are the cigars that came with it, any decent ones?

 

[MilesMingusMonk]

Avoid wasting anymore time or money...purchase a digital hygrometer and beads. Check out Heartfeltindustries.com , Cigarmony.com or Cigarswag.com.

Also here are the cigars that came with it, any decent ones?

No.

 

[BTcigars]

Get some distilled water into your humidifier and then put your sticks and humidifier into a plastic container. Of course get a hygrometer, digital would be best (try walmart). Get a new humidification unit. Beads are best but if you need something right now, head out to your local B&M and they should have something for you.

To season your humi, get a shot glass of distilled water and leave it in there and let the wood naturally soak up the water. If you rub it down with a sponge, you run the chance of warping the wood. If you dont have a shot glass, get a saucer and place a sponge on it that has been dipped in distilled water.

As far as the quality of the sticks you received, Im afraid that they arent the best out there. Mainly Thompson house blends. But taste is subjective and you might find one you really like. And besides you will gain some cigar experience and will appreciate more fully when a good cigar comes your way.

 

[BTcigars]

Double post, sorry

 

[blacklabelbravo]

I said screw it....I am gonna box everything back up and ship it back to Thompson for a refund. I am going to check out my local cigar shop tomorrow and see if I can get a humidor locally.

 

[bluue13]

I'd also check out cheaphumidors.com. Not only do they have a great selection but you can also get the whole package deal of Humidor, digital hygro, and seasoning kit. That is what I did for my last humi and it worked out great.

Good luck!

 

[vortex]

And stay away from Thompsons!

 

[investandprosper]

I picked up a good 100 ct desktop for $49 at CubanCrafters.com. For samplers, go to Famous Smoke's site and get some Padron and Fuente Sungrown fivers to start you off.

 

[Mr Peat]

You can also check out what Rod sells for humidors. One true way to help support CP. Its how I got my 3k stick humidor. :thumbs:

 

[investandprosper]

Here's a link to Rod's: http://www.cigarswag.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=38

This one is my favorite by far: http://www.cigarswag.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=38

And here's a Digital Hygro on sale: http://www.cigarswag.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=38

 

[PhatCat]

Yup. Get the digital hygro that Todd has for sale at cigarswag. One the best purchases you'll make. Looks like he has some nice desktop humis for sale too. You could also just do tupperware or a coolidor for now. You don't have to have a nice wood desktop humidor. Get some beads from Heartfelt for whatever you choose and you'll be set.

I&P has some good advice on the sampler. Start with that. But again, nothing wrong with buying & trying cheap smokes like you did. Well, don't go too cheap. But why not? If one of those "does it" for you, you can save the extra dough for scotch. I believe AVB has a few suggestions for you in that department.

Get smoking!
:thumbs:

 

[blacklabelbravo]

I am going to check out my local shop today and see if they happen to have any humidors and what their prices are like.

If I can't find anything there I am seriously thinking about this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380258506980&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Well I just got off the phone with Thompson, they were very nice on the customer service end. He told me I actually was supposed to have more equipment in there and I was given a 100% refund. So I'm happy.

 

[Rod]

Over the past few months cheap/low quality knock off humidors have appears on ebay. Be very careful, as you don't want to go through again what you just went through with Thompson's. You may want to get a cooler from Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Cooler/4807332 and purchase some beads and a digital hygrometer. If you insist on a desktop model, just beware of low priced knock offs; the quality is very poor. Quality Importers is a reputable manufacturer of well constructed humidors; a lot of retailers sell their line. Good luck...

 

[blacklabelbravo]

Over the past few months cheap/low quality knock off humidors have appears on ebay. Be very careful, as you don't want to go through again what you just went through with Thompson's. You may want to get a cooler from Walmart http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-70-Quart-Xtreme-Cooler/4807332 and purchase some beads and a digital hygrometer. If you insist on a desktop model, just beware of low priced knock offs; the quality is very poor. Quality Importers is a reputable manufacturer of well constructed humidors; a lot of retailers sell their line. Good luck...

Good advice...I did a bit more research on the seller and ther are bunch of negative reviews about the humidor I was looking at....SO I will steer clear!

I dont want to go the cooler route, I doubt I will ever have enough sticks to fill it up....

 

[MilesMingusMonk]

When you are first starting out, spend your money on quality cigars, not fancy humidors. If a coolidor seems excessive, those air tight Tupperware containers work great and they are inexpensive.

Digital hygrometer, beads, jug of distilled water and a Tuppidor : < $50.00

 

[PhatCat]

When you are first starting out, spend your money on quality cigars, not fancy humidors. If a coolidor seems excessive, those air tight Tupperware containers work great and they are inexpensive.

Digital hygrometer, beads, jug of distilled water and a Tuppidor : < $50.00

Couldn't have said it better than America's #1 cigar forum member. :thumbs:

 

[blacklabelbravo]

When you are first starting out, spend your money on quality cigars, not fancy humidors. If a coolidor seems excessive, those air tight Tupperware containers work great and they are inexpensive.

Digital hygrometer, beads, jug of distilled water and a Tuppidor : < $50.00

Took your advice.....I went to my local shop and talked with one of the 2 owners there. He set me up with a Casa Magna box, which is just about as nice as the humi I sent back to Thompson's. A gel pack that stays at 65%rH and lasts for 4 months he said in a ziplock bag with my smokes.

Gel pack was $4.60 and I bought 4 good smokes.

POOR MAN HUMIDIFICATION!!!!!

Partagas Black Label Bravo
Padron 3000 series, and 4000 series
Benchmade

Sorry for the crappy pics, (Taken with Blackberry)

 

[thechenman]

Looks like you are up and running. I might add though that the seal on the Casa Magna box may not be the best...meaning that you should check it to see how well it retains humidity.

 

[blacklabelbravo]

Looks like you are up and running. I might add though that the seal on the Casa Magna box may not be the best...meaning that you should check it to see how well it retains humidity.

Correct I am going to swing by wally world on the way home and get a wireless weather station (hygro) and drop it in the bag, then set the station on top of the box! :thumbs:

 

[Rod]

What the #1 cigar forum member™ said...save your money for good cigars. And as far as the cooler goes, you'll need it if you plan on sticking around the WORLD'S #1 cigar community, trust me. We're not #1 for nothing!