Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

As some may have read I'm moving. I had my two humis specifically set aside in a hard sided duffel bag like suit case that was riding shotgun with me while moving to ensure safety. Folks came over, things moved fast and furious, and the bag ended up in the bed of a cousins truck. As we pulled out and got on to the highway he apparently didn't close the tail gate hard enough and out she flew in front of me. I swerved a 26' moving truck full packed to the gills and at full weight capacity to miss it but the rear left wheel clipped it. Sigh.

Before I start crying my eyes out, it fell down, went boom, shattered both 150 - 175 count humis and sent sticks everywhere. It rained last night so I salvaged what I could that didn't explode or end up soaking wet but lost about 4/5ths of what I had. Moving was not my choice, divorce cleaned me out and coupled with the cost of moving to a new place in and of itself not to mention all the BS costs like first, last months rent and security deposit I cannot afford buy a new humi and sure as f@ck cant afford to replace the sticks.

I figure its time to learn to make a coolidor so when I get to that point of being able to buy again I can spend the cash on sticks and not hardware.

So I have read up on making one but was looking for any additional input and thoughts if the below cooler would work. My biggest concern or question is how to humidify and being that its an "extreme" cooler. We used it camping and even in hot ass 95+ degree weeks and 100& humidity it would keep ice solid for over 3 days and not melt fully even in the hot summer for 6 days, so is it "too extreme" and how are the sticks going to breathe? Do I have to open it up a few times a month for a certain period of time? What is the most cost effective way to humidify until I can invest in quality beads or another method?

What a horse sh!t day, I'm so F'ing bummed and it makes unpacking all this sh!t that much more fun. Sorry for being a Debbie Downer. ;s

In the end I should just be thankful to God to have made the trek safe and have a roof over my head, food in my belly, family and friends at my side and have been blessed by God being almost 9 months newly sober and did not fall back on old "coping" habits of the bottle. He has given me strength to fight through that and I am still in a better situation than 99.999% of the world. Just poopy as cigars were my escape.

http://i.imgur.com/TigULPE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/Xv1nbLf.jpg

Thanks S/BOTL.
James

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

That's completely awful James, went from a soup sandwhich to a **** sandwhich. I really hope that things get better for you soon.

I'm not sure if the "Extreme" cooler makes a difference, so I won't guess. Somebody will be alone shortly to answer.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Wow, that sucks @ss!!! Sorry to hear. On the cooler thing I am not sure how air tight the "extreme" is but you maybe able to get away with a jar or two of gel and call it good. I used a cooler for a long time, it was not really airtight and used a few gel jars and it worked perfect.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I'm very resilient and will bounce back, and bounce back stronger and a better man and person for it. These things in life happen. Its like the old cliche goes, "Its not how many times and how hard you get knocked down, its how you get back up, and when knocked down again, you keep getting back up stronger and faster."

Its not a life altering event its just a huge downer as I've really grown over the years as a casual cigar person to a very deep lover and its the same as if I collected coins or beanie babies lol.

Thanks for the warm thoughts.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

How is the Beanie Babie collection? Is that safe? :sl

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I'm unfamilar with "gel jars" can you link me to something?

I know how to clean it up, have old boxes to put the cigars in so they are neatly organized and can pick up the aroma of the boxes but the biggest point of confusion is the humidification and making sure its stable around 65%.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

:r

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Lol no I lost that too but the 40 Year Old Virgin "big box of p-ron" is safe thank heavens. I don't know what I would have done if I lost Ron Jeremy and Jenna Jameson on Beta Max tapes. :banger

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Attachment 13459

This is just one brand, many others....all the big retailers have some sort of Humi-Gel.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Or grab a small bag of beads :sh

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Ahh ok I know what you are talking about now. I had a few of those Xikar made. Not the best but I had not thought of that and can get the Xikar ones for free from a B&M I know.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I have a treasuredome humidor you can have if you pick up the shipping

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They work pretty well in a confined space like a cooler, now an Aristocrat is a different story :r

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

And thankfully I didn't pull a Chevy Chase "Summer Vacation" and leave the dog leashed to the truck.

"Poor little guy. Probably kept up with you for a mile or so." "Here's the leash, sir. I'm going back to get the rest of the carcass off the road."

http://i.imgur.com/8GkW77t.jpg

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

:tu

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Sorry about your loss, I'm sure you will recover as strong as ever...............;s

On the Coolerdor situation I have used clear and unscented kitty litter beads in the past and have been able to maintain a steady 70% RH with them, no problem. Just make sure you monitor the RH for the first several days when you are adding water/beads until they have stabilized. The more sticks/cedar boxes in the cooler will the hasten the process. After that they should be good for months maintence free with occasional opening. You can google search for more info, but here is a prior comment from the CA forum:

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Very kind of you. You don't mean this one do you? http://www.cigarsinternational.com/h...-dome-humidor/

That is far too much I couldn't ask that of anyone but thank you for the generous offer.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Yes that is it

It's sitting in a closet empty and unused. It has been for about 9 months.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Fuel sorry about your situation, that sucks big time. I have a large Rubbermaid storage bin that I use for my boxes. I believe it is 18 gallons (I think). Anyway, I use two of the large Xikar jars and they keep it right at 65% and I rarely have to use the solution to rejuvenate them. If you ever want to go to a B&M around the Twin Cities there are members that go to Burn in Burnsville and Goodfellas in Mahtomedi as well as Tobacco Grove in Maple Grove. Just give any of us a shout.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I'd love that. My home B&M is Stogies on Grand as until today I lived in Woodbury. I am now in Brooklyn Park and am very familiar with TobaccoGrove. I hang out with Cole and Rick a few times a month at Fuegos. I've been to Burn a few times but never actually stayed to herf.

A friend and I took off June 13th from work to camp at TobaccoGrove early for the Liga Privada/Drew Estate event that Fabien is going to in attendance at lol. According to a TG person he is supposedly bringing "Everything he possibly can Liga Privada" to the event as TG is the only "authorized" LP retailer in the state. The Halfwheel Christmas party last winter was a blast.

Never been to Goodfellas.

http://i.imgur.com/ZVzRzAo.jpg

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

James, you're keeping a very cool head during this whole process. And lord knows we've all been down a rocky road at some point in our lives.

I've got a Yukon humi from CI that's not being used. 50 count I think. Already seasoned. Yours. Just tell me where to send it.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Hmm. Well apparently today is a test from above about coping. I just got a text from my best friend from high school that a friend of ours we played football with was killed in the line of duty last night.

Stunned and speechless. Man...the world is a interesting place.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Well apologies in advance if I post whore a bit today to keep my mind straight as right now its just me and the weiner dog and she's a great listener but not much of a conversationalist.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

As long as you contribute you don't have to apologize James

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

So sorry to hear about your friend, James.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend James.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I didn't even see this. I'm sorry man, that sucks.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

sorry bout your friend James

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Condolences on the loss of your friend.

My bro and I were both at the halfwheel christmas party at TG, too bad you weren't on CA yet. That was a good time, I think we left at 1 AM :r The first pic with the nub on the corn cob holder is my cigar. If you ever want to get together for a smoke, I am frequently at Burn.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Ha!!! I remember that picture being taken! We ended up at Fuegos in Minneapolis that night until about 4am. We left laughing that only idiots like us would be out till 4am, sober, and could get pulled over for erratic driving from being nicotine hammered! You obviously know Kole then I assume. The short bald guy in the pic with Brooks. He is a riot to hang out with and for as young as he is he's a freaking Encyclopedia Britannica of cigars and everything related to them.

Here is my public eMail if you want to shoot me your contact info. Its auto-forwarded to my private eMail. Sounds funny but as BHalbrooks knows, there is a rhyme behind the reason. jameswinters343@gmail.com

Thank you all for the kind words and your Brotherhood.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

So sorry about your horrible recent times! Smokes CAN be replaced, friends cannot. I pray for God's Peace and Strength for all who love your friend in this time of mourning!

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

James, very sorry about your loss sir. Hang in there and congratulations on staying sober during it. Steve

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Condolences on the loss of your friend.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Sorry for your loss.

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I am sorry for the loss of your friend.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

My condolences.

Keep up the positive attitude. You will be back on your feet soon enough.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Sorry for your Ioss brother. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Hope it turns around foryou.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Man James when it rains it pours, sorry to hear about your friend. Hang in there.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Thank you. It can and will turn around I have no doubts about that whatsoever. Just takes time and if there is anything I've learned in the last 18 - 24 months and newly sober is that it takes time, but its not always on your time table. There comes a point and time in life where you have to realize as much as we have free will, we don't, and a higher power sets us on the course we are on for a reason. The key is being able to let go and not always seeking the "why" behind it. Mindfulness. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come and all we know is today, so live for today. :)

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

The worst part of learning these new coping skills is my inability to "let go" at night hence its a very dark place at 3am...going to a meeting just to feel like a human.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

James, sorry about your friend and the loss of your stash, this was just recently posted, and it couldn't have come at a better time for you

http://cigarobsession.com/2013/05/18...igar-coolidor/

Good luck man

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Man James sorry to hear that, Hang tough brother God never closes a door without opening a Window!

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I posted this a while back in the accessory forum:

Step 1: obtain cooler. 152quart Igloo can be had at Academy for $85

Step 2: Wipe down interior with rubbing alcohol, followed by a clean paper towel with distilled water.

Step 3: Let air dry 24 hours. Sunlight optional.

Step 4: Fill with cedar boxes (obtained from your local B&M or us). This will help with the plastic odor and help to aromatically season the box (worked for mine).

Step 5: Obtain humification beads. I'm a fan of Shilala Beads. Plus it's fun to say 5 times fast. ALWAYS buy more than the specs call for. If the calculations say buy 1 pound, buy 1.5.

Step 6: Obtain hygrometer. Calibrate it using these here instructions.

Step 7: Remove all boxes from cooler, place beads (65% recommended) and hygrometer in cooler.

Step 8: Close door.

Step 9: Leave door closed for a week. MINIMUM!

Step 10: After one week, open door to check hygrometer. You should be close to 65% if not right on it.

Step 11: Fill box with smokes...preferably in cedar boxes. Mainly because it smells amazing.

Step 12: Don't freak out if the hygrometer drops for a week. It will bounce back in time. If after a month, you find your readings are consistently low, follow the instructions sent with your beads to increase humidity.

Step 13: ???

Step 14: Profit!!

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

In step 9, are you accomplishing anything here? You can't season or stabilize plastic to a specific humidity. The air, certainly, but as soon as you open it, you have disrupted that. If the cedar boxes are in the cooler, they would absorb a certain amount of humidity.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Well a bit of an update. Some mis-information about his passing was spread. He did not die in the line of duty but rather very unforeseen I guess is how one might phrase it.

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/story...ugo-restaurant

Either way very tragic and sad. I won't keep going with the "feelings" component of the thread as this isn't Oprah but yesterday is lingering heavy.

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I was just following the directions that came with the beads. :D

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Ha! Thanks for the link. I really do not like cigar video reviews but love Bryan. He cracks me up.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Only way to go is up, brother. Hang in there.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

Ok either I'm just that freaking out of it or their webpage sucks. With the Heartfelt beads am I correct in assuming you activate them with distilled water? How much? Is the indicator that they are needing to be recharged coming from your hygro?

My brain is all over the map I don't even remember how to calculate the freaking cubic feet or inches of the damn cooler. This is further down the road as not one, not two but three sincere BOTL here at CA have all sent me offers to provide me a humi so no I'm more or less just info seeking. I dont have the sticks for one now anyways.

Re: Catastrophic cigar and humi loss...FML...
 

I use HCM beads. No "refilling", no using distilled water.

Either those or Boveda packs would be the way to go for you. :tu