Wine Coolers (humidors)

[theorangeman]

In my efforts to find a storage solution to deal with the hot temperatures begining to set in, I've looked at many different options. I've come to the conclusion that for me, a wine cooler is probably the best way to go. I've read a lot of threads about wine coolers, but since I found info from all over, I thought that I'd just start a new thread to make this more focused. Here are the three main questions that I have:

1. If I get a wine cooler, from my reading, it looks like getting a thermoelectric model is definitely the way to go. I actually bought a 30 bottle wine cooler yesterday from Best Buy for $199 and like it, but it is not thermoelectric. What I have noticed is that every time the unit is turned on (to get the temperature back down to about 70 degrees), the humidity also drops from 67 to around 30-35. I've also noticed that the humidity doesn't immediately come back up, but instead, it takes a decent amount of time. Actually, about the time that the humidity comes back up, it's time for the cooler to be turned back on, thus repeating the cycle. This just can't be good for my smokes and this wine cooler is going to be returned tomorrow. Will a thermoelectric wine cooler avoid this problem completely? If so, how does it do so?

2. I understand that wine coolers (or fridges) have a max setting and that you can't get them to stabalize any higher than 57 degrees or so. Therefore, you can't just leave your cooler on, becuase it will get too cold. The way around this as I understand, comes down to two options. Option one: Get a controller (like a Johnson Controller) which regulates the temperature by turning the fridge on and off automatically. Option two: Somehow hack into the thermostat and adjust the setting. The question I have is regarding the second option, is that really possible and fairly easy to do? Does the temperature then consistently stabalize at the desired temperature (i.e. 70 degrees?) I know the Johnson Controller option works, but if the other option works as well, then I would opt for doing this since it won't cost me anything (I'll just have to figure out how to do it).

3. The humidors that have temperature control built-in (i.e. some of the aristocrat humidor models) what exactly do they use to do this? I have also been tossing around the idea of just buying a big cabinet and then purchasing the same device which is used in the aristocrat (or similar humidors) with built-in temperature control and installing it in a new cabinet. However, I'm not sure how feasible this is. I certaintly don't have the cash to spend on an aristocrat humidor, but if I could buy a big humi for about a 1/3 the cost (i.e. $1200-$1500) and install the temperature control myself, I might be tempted.

 

[Cigar Penguin]

Thanks for shareing your experiances and I have the same questions as you know I too am looking to do a similar project.

I will keep an eye on this thread for some resolutions to our problems.

Thank you

 

[centurycigar]

3. The humidors that have temperature control built-in (i.e. some of the aristocrat humidor models) what exactly do they use to do this? I have also been tossing around the idea of just buying a big cabinet and then purchasing the same device which is used in the aristocrat (or similar humidors) with built-in temperature control and installing it in a new cabinet. However, I'm not sure how feasible this is. I certaintly don't have the cash to spend on an aristocrat humidor, but if I could buy a big humi for about a 1/3 the cost (i.e. $1200-$1500) and install the temperature control myself, I might be tempted.

I looked into this option once and emailed Bob S., he said it is possible to install a temperature control device into a cabinet, but it will cost in excess of $1500-$1700 bucks.
With that kind of cost, you might as well save your dough and buy a cabnet fully equiped.

I am actaully in the process of getting a wine cooler. I bought the controller of a beer brewing website, which is plug and play. One tip I got from another website is to position the capillary bulb (the long metal tube attached to the controller) against the back wall of the cooler, next to the cooling wall. This will make sure that the cooler runs for the shortest amount of time before shutting back down. This will ensure the "swing" of both temp and humidity is small. The expert I was talking to says his varies from about 62-65 degrees and 63-67%RH right now and it turns on for less than a minute at a time and only a few times a day.

Hope this helps.

E

 

[ThankYouForNotSmoking]

Wine Enthusiast distributes self-regulating thermoelectric coolers that can be preset to specific temperatures, many of them go up to 64 degrees. Call and ask them before hand to make sure. If you're looking to spend about $1k you can get a great Eurocave one, those are pretty much top of the line and I'm pretty sure you can set the temp control to 66 degrees. Eurocave also makes some specifically humidor models which are basically their wine coolers with spanish cedar lining them for very reasonable prices compared to other places, and, further, all Eurocave come with humidity (also all good wine coolers do) to 70% (usually this is adjustable too). Too low humidity is bad for wine too, only really cheap ones are going to not use thermoelectric cooling.

Hope that helped. Eurocave also sends out some really nice brochures with all their models in there. And their customer service is great.

peter

 

[theorangeman]

only really cheap ones are going to not use thermoelectric cooling.

I don't think that is actually true. What I've found is that only 28-30 bottle wine coolers and smaller are thermoelectric while the larger units are not. I'm not sure why that is the case, but that is what I have found after looking at a hell of a lot of units from various vendors.

At any rate, thanks for your input and I'll definitely check out Eurocave. You've got me very intrigued with your descriptions.

One tip I got from another website is to position the capillary bulb (the long metal tube attached to the controller) against the back wall of the cooler, next to the cooling wall. This will make sure that the cooler runs for the shortest amount of time before shutting back down. This will ensure the "swing" of both temp and humidity is small. The expert I was talking to says his varies from about 62-65 degrees and 63-67%RH right now and it turns on for less than a minute at a time and only a few times a day.

Is there something about the controller that helps to minimize the amount of swing in humidity? The reason I ask is because in the two days I've had my cooler, if I turn it on for a few minutes, the humidity drops down in the low 40's. I'm also surprised to see how fast the temperature comes back up after cooling (based on some accounts that I've read). When I state fast, I mean perhaps an hour and a half. The temperature in my room is about 79 degrees while my cooler is about 75 degrees. Therefore, I need to get it down about 5 degrees which takes probably 15 minutes or so. During that time, my humidity plummets and then takes a long time to get back up to 67.

I don't understand how a cooler would only need to be on for a couple minutes a few times a day (which I've read that people claim). For me, in order to stabalize 70-72 degrees, it's MUCH longer durations and frequency of being turned on and off. Perhaps I'm missing something here. ???

 

[centurycigar]

Im not technical at all !
But my take is, if there are small changes in temp, then there will be small changes in RH.

 

[Cigar Penguin]

I think I am just going to purchase a temp/humidity controle system and some cedar and make a small end table cabinet or something double the width of an end table unit.

Thanks for the great info here everyone.

 

[theorangeman]

I think I am just going to purchase a temp/humidity controle system and some cedar and make a small end table cabinet or something double the width of an end table unit.

Thanks for the great info here everyone.

What kind of temp/humidity control system do you have in mind. One of my original questions was whether they were available. I understand, from someone who posted earlier, that they are VERY expensive.

 

[Cigar Penguin]

I will find the link for you a bit later.
I am not committed to this particular one and am still searching.
Its one of the ones that come with a cabinet humidor,I will find it.

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

2. I understand that wine coolers (or fridges) have a max setting and that you can't get them to stabalize any higher than 57 degrees or so. Therefore, you can't just leave your cooler on, becuase it will get too cold. The way around this as I understand, comes down to two options. Option one: Get a controller (like a Johnson Controller) which regulates the temperature by turning the fridge on and off automatically. Option two: Somehow hack into the thermostat and adjust the setting. The question I have is regarding the second option, is that really possible and fairly easy to do? Does the temperature then consistently stabalize at the desired temperature (i.e. 70 degrees?) I know the Johnson Controller option works, but if the other option works as well, then I would opt for doing this since it won't cost me anything (I'll just have to figure out how to do it).

Yes, it's very easy to do and I thought I explained it in another thread, if not I can post the entire process if you're interested.

and yes, the temparature does stabalize at at the desired temperature.

My refrigidor has been running at a consistant 68 degrees, 68% RH, for almost a year now using this method.

 

[theorangeman]

2. I understand that wine coolers (or fridges) have a max setting and that you can't get them to stabalize any higher than 57 degrees or so. Therefore, you can't just leave your cooler on, becuase it will get too cold. The way around this as I understand, comes down to two options. Option one: Get a controller (like a Johnson Controller) which regulates the temperature by turning the fridge on and off automatically. Option two: Somehow hack into the thermostat and adjust the setting. The question I have is regarding the second option, is that really possible and fairly easy to do? Does the temperature then consistently stabalize at the desired temperature (i.e. 70 degrees?) I know the Johnson Controller option works, but if the other option works as well, then I would opt for doing this since it won't cost me anything (I'll just have to figure out how to do it).

Yes, it's very easy to do and I thought I explained it in another thread, if not I can post the entire process if you're interested.

and yes, the temparature does stabalize at at the desired temperature.

My refrigidor has been running at a consistant 68 degrees, 68% RH, for almost a year now using this method.

NorCal - I haven't found the thread yet (concerning the process of how to manipulate the thermostat). I'll look again in the morning - if I don't find it then, I would greatly appreciate it if you could go through the process again on how to do this (that is, if you don't mind).

 

[LilBastage]

Look here.

Post #30, I believe.

(I've been researching this as well. Very helpful and that particular unit is on sale until close today at Sears for $129.)

 

[SMOKUSMAXIMUS]

I bought a wine cooler from Sears about 2 years ago that has several different temp settings depending on the type of wine you intend on putting inside as well as a mixed setting. I'm not sure if that would help you out with this problem.

 

[theorangeman]

Look here.

Post #30, I believe.

(I've been researching this as well. Very helpful and that particular unit is on sale until close today at Sears for $129.)

Thanks, I'll bookmark that for reference (if I need to go that route). So it doesn't appear that a johnson controller is necessary then. If I were to go the wine cooler route, I think I'd just choose one in which the temp. already goes up to 65 (which there are a couple models that do). That way, I wouldn't have to do a thing.

 

[theorangeman]

I will find the link for you a bit later.
I am not committed to this particular one and am still searching.
Its one of the ones that come with a cabinet humidor,I will find it.

Penguin - you find that link yet? I'd love to see what you have come across (send me a pm if you don't mind). I haven't been able to find anything that is cost efficient - and don't know exactly what to look for in a unit like this; definitely new territory for me. However, I intend to figure this out, particularly if there is a cost effective solution.

 

[NorCalCigarLover]

As soon as I get some time Orangeman, I'll post the exact instructions. I could even take pictures of mine for you. Just give me a couple of days as things have been awefully hectic around these parts lately.

Edit: Going my route, my total cost including beads, trays and hygrometer was somewhere around $230.

 

[theorangeman]

As soon as I get some time Orangeman, I'll post the exact instructions. I could even take pictures of mine for you. Just give me a couple of days as things have been awefully hectic around these parts lately.

Edit: Going my route, my total cost including beads, trays and hygrometer was somewhere around $230.

That would be great - thanks NorCal.

 

[ThankYouForNotSmoking]

NorCalLover and theorangeman,

I'd be interested to see what model and at what cost you over came your problems, my desktop humi is filling rapidly and I'm going to need something reliable for when I leave town.

 

[Cigar Penguin]

I will find the link for you a bit later.
I am not committed to this particular one and am still searching.
Its one of the ones that come with a cabinet humidor,I will find it.

Penguin - you find that link yet? I'd love to see what you have come across (send me a pm if you don't mind). I haven't been able to find anything that is cost efficient - and don't know exactly what to look for in a unit like this; definitely new territory for me. However, I intend to figure this out, particularly if there is a cost effective solution.

No,sorry,was on the wife's laptop but she deleted it.
I will find it again.

I was looking at some sites that sell the system that they use in there temp/humi controlled cabs,like aristocrat but the section under humidification only shows set it and forget it humi systems,no temp.
I know I found 2,just cannot,for the life of me,find the links.

 

[Pyre]

After reading this thread, I ordered the same model wine cooler from Sears that Norcal was talking about. When it arrives I'll be searching for that adjustment screw to see if I can get the temp where it needs to be.

I've been doing the "blue ice" things in my humidor to keep it cool. I'm really looking forward to my new hands-free model.