Newbie Wine-O-Dor

[LockOut]

So after going to target and being disappointed in that the 28 bottle vinotemps were still 139.99 on "clearance". So my girl being the genius she is says go home and look on craigslist. Well an hour later last nigth I am the proud new owner of a 36 Bottle wine fridge for 100 bucks. It appears to be in great condition. The guy I bought it from lived in a big enough house that I believe him when he told me he out grew it quickly. I wish I could live in a house like his, but I digress.

The Wine fridge is a magic chef (http://www.mcappliance.com/products/winedetail.asp?record=yes&product=WineCooler&modelname=MCWC45MCG)

The only down side to this fridge is it does not have one of the nice digital thermometer on the front. It just has a dial for 1-7 (0 being off, 7 being constant on). I'm becoming concerned because in the instructions in says that its temperature range is from 36* to 59*. Should I be concerned about this? Looking at the vinotemps I see that it has a fan in the back of them, this fridge has a compressor that just cools the back wall. I am unsure if this will be ok.

I'm unsure since this is my first wine-o-dor. Also, what should I be looking into for Spanish cedar not sure if I should look into just shelves for singles and that will be enough to hold the humidity right. Or if I should be looking for Spanish cedar slats to hot glue to the inside walls.

Also i have heard of people using Oust fans for air movement. How hard are these to wire up and such. (I know i haven''t searched on this first and I should have sorry).

The only thing I have set so far is im guessing 2 lbs of heartfelt beads will be enough.

Thanks for the help

 

[SamuraiJack]

Hey man, I would be concerned about two things:

1. Compressor. In general you want thermoelectric cooled coolers. Compressors tend to cause big fluctuation in humidity. You should test it.

2. 59 F max: In general you want your cigars to be stored just under 70 degrees. I would worry about the temp diff when pulling out those out might mess up a wrapper every now and then. So... seems a bit cold to me.

Hope that helps.

 

[LockOut]

ok lets see if i can sell it for what i paid for it on craigslist.

 

[KeyserSoze]

There are a few members that have (are) using compressor types and work just fine. Hopefully they'll chime in. A couple of tips, check the seal and humidity, condensation inside the cooler, accurate inside temp and fluctuations and overdoing it on beads will help the swings. Don't give up so easily.

edit: I run a thermoelectric during the summer but what I did was purchase a digital timer so that it kicks on for 15mins every hour. Another option for you.
http://www.super-feed.com/digital.html

 

[LockOut]

my math says that its roughly 8.6 cubic feet outside diameter. so i was gonig with 2 lbs of heartfelt beads is enough to cover 10 cubic feet which i know is more than the inside area. Should i bump it up to three pounds? or for that extra thirty bucks would it be better for me to cave, sell this one, and go to target and buy the 28 bottle vinotemp and have what would seem liek a little bit of a less headache with a little less storage space. Just not sure how much the size difference will actually effect me.

 

[KeyserSoze]

I don't think 3lbs is necessary. Your call, just thought I'd let you know it's possible to use what you have. If the seal is good, humidity is somewhat constant, swings aren't that bad and it has no odor, I don't see why you couldn't use it. Might be wise to search previous wine cooler threads.

 

[LockOut]

problem solved and just got the vinotemp and going to sell the other fridge/