Setting up a Cooleridor?

[Flounder]

I looked in the search feature, but couldn't find anything.

What do you all have to share on establishing a cooleridor? If I carelessly overlooked a sticky or a thread elsewhere, please just point me in that direction.

Not much to it. Throw some cedar in there, or broken up boxes, some KL or beads, hygrometer and some sticks. Just make sure you season the wood before hand.

[Ranger_B]

No time for google fuu right now. Yes the info is here. Basicly get a big clean cooler. Find some beads get a good hygronometer and if you want some fans like the oust fans that cycle on and off. Place beads throughout the cooler load with all you smokes and start filling her up. Check the beads every 2 weeks or so and your hygro as well.

I guess we need a little more details. How big is the cooler you want to set up? There is the marine 150qt I believe that has the slots in it. I have seen people stand them up and put cedar trays in them. They would then have the KL at the bottom, a bag in the middle and a fan to circulate the air. I have a smaller 36qt one, I did not have to do much. I broke some boxes up and lined it, seasoned the cedar. Then added about 8oz of KL, my meter and some cheap plastic baskets and it is holding around 61-64%rh.


Also to the above post, you can use some news paper. Throw it in there over night or for the day or two and the carbon in the paper will eliminate any smells.

[Flounder]

Originally Posted by Sherlockholms

I guess we need a little more details. How big is the cooler you want to set up?

not sure how big yet, have to do some shopping, don't need anything huge for now, just curious if it's a hassle or relatively pain-free.

[Bill86]

Buy a cooler (70-160 quart) go to walmart they have tons, Colemans are great
buy heartfelt beads (I went with 2 pounds for 120 quarts) (www.heartfeltindustries.com)
Scrub out the cooler with baking soda and hot water
Let it sit out in the sun for a bit
Make sure there is no plastic smell
Scrub the whole inside, lid included

Do this twice just for the hell of it (including the buying 2 coolers , kidding....sorta)

Buy a empty clear sprayer bottle
Place the beads inside (spray them 60% clear with distilled water ONLY)
Don't go cheap get the mesh bags from heartfelt as well (it's so much easier)

Place cigars inside
Close the lid

Drink beers till you fall over.

/end

[jesseboston81]

Originally Posted by Bill86

Drink beers till you fall over.

This is probably the most important step. Make sure to repeat as necessary.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by Sherlockholms

I guess we need a little more details. How big is the cooler you want to set up? There is the marine 150qt I believe that has the slots in it. I have seen people stand them up and put cedar trays in them. They would then have the KL at the bottom, a bag in the middle and a fan to circulate the air. I have a smaller 36qt one, I did not have to do much. I broke some boxes up and lined it, seasoned the cedar. Then added about 8oz of KL, my meter and some cheap plastic baskets and it is holding around 61-64%rh.


Also to the above post, you can use some news paper. Throw it in there over night or for the day or two and the carbon in the paper will eliminate any smells.

Cedar lining is unnecessary. If you have beads you will never need it. I really pay just about zero attention to my humidor and it's rock solid 65 RH with 65 RH beads

Originally Posted by jesseboston81

This is probably the most important step. Make sure to repeat as necessary.

Yes, basically if you did anything wrong.....this is the step to repeat.

Also I left out....the heartfelt industries beads....buy the 65RH.

Now I'm going to go drink vodka redbulls till I fall over.

PM me if you have any questions, on the beer, redbulls or cooler.

Originally Posted by Bill86

Cedar lining is unnecessary. If you have beads you will never need it. I really pay just about zero attention to my humidor and it's rock solid 65 RH with 65 RH beads

In my case anyways. I had major RH fluxations in my cooler, even with the cigars in it. I ended up having to add some wood to level it out. My understanding was there was nothing but plastic, so nothing to absorb and hold the rh.

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by Sherlockholms

In my case anyways. I had major RH fluxations in my cooler, even with the cigars in it. I ended up having to add some wood to level it out.

I don't want to get into the whole KL debate here, and neither does anyone else.

But I'm going to say your fluctuations are because of the KL.

Now lets not mention it anymore in this thread so it doesn't turn into a huge debate and ruin the thread

If you want to go the KL route....research that and you're on your own. Starting a topic on it is a dumpster fire here.....

Beads are simple, effective and VERY VERY easy. They aren't that expensive for a LIFETIME of perfect RH.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by Bill86

Now I'm going to go drink vodka redbulls till I fall over.

The vodka will make you fall over but the redbull keeps picking you back up!

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by Blak Smyth

The vodka will make you fall over but the redbull keeps picking you back up!

That's the joy of it. It's a great cycle.

[Flounder]

I'm a fan of the beer part. However I do enjoy bourbon and a good gin and tonic in the warmer months. Good to know it is simple.

Do I spray the beads until they are "60% clear" or until 60% of them are clear?

And if I put the cigars in boxes, and then in the cooler, do I want to put the beads inside the boxes or just the cooler? And so I have to season the insides of the boxes as well?

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by Flounder

I'm a fan of the beer part. However I do enjoy bourbon and a good gin and tonic in the warmer months. Good to know it is simple.

Do I spray the beads until they are "60% clear" or until 60% of them are clear?

And if I put the cigars in boxes, and then in the cooler, do I want to put the beads inside the boxes or just the cooler? And so I have to season the insides of the boxes as well?

60% "of them" are clear....roughly no exact science or counting involved.

Beads are IN the cooler, not in boxes.

There is no seasoning involved in any of this at all. That's why coolidors are so simple, effective and carefree.


EDIT Frank, you left out the most important thing...binge drink till you pass out.

[Flounder]

Originally Posted by Bill86

60% "of them" are clear....roughly no exact science or counting involved.

Beads are IN the cooler, not in boxes.

There is no seasoning involved in any of this at all. That's why coolidors are so simple, effective and carefree.

I'm liking the sound of this. Too bad I wasted $20 on a 20 count. Maybe I'll just use it to keep my favorites to the side... And if I make a video review cheaphumidors will send me 5 free sticks...

[Bill86]

Originally Posted by Flounder

I'm liking the sound of this. Too bad I wasted $20 on a 20 count. Maybe I'll just use it to keep my favorites to the side... And if I make a video review cheaphumidors will send me 5 free sticks...

There ya go. It's not a big deal. I wasted $140 on a desktop. Be happy you discovered coolers now and only spent $20 before hand.

You live, you learn, reading is key. Coolers aren't pretty but damn they store a hell of a lot for VERY little $$$. My 120 quart with beads, with hygro was like $140 or so. I can store probably 40 or so BOXES. So I'm not complaining one damn bit.

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by Flounder

not sure how big yet, have to do some shopping, don't need anything huge for now, just curious if it's a hassle or relatively pain-free.

Go big to start with you will need the room soon enough.

Like Bill said get some beads for www.Cigarmony.com, www.heartfeltindustries.com or "Shilala" beads from Cigarnut (a member here) www.shilalasbeads.com. Kitty Litter may work but it doesn't perform like the beads.

Cedar is not necessary but I still throw my cedar sheets from old boxes in the bottom of my cooler. You may want to get a small electric fan to go in there to circulate the air as well.

[AlohaStyle]

Originally Posted by Flounder

not sure how big yet, have to do some shopping, don't need anything huge for now, just curious if it's a hassle or relatively pain-free.

Originally Posted by Flounder

Too bad I wasted $20 on a 20 count.

Here's another tip... don't waste your money on buying a smaller cooler. Buy something bigger than you think you need, you will be a happy man down the road. However, like a lot of people, if you buy something smaller now thinking that's all you need, you will soon fill it up and will need to buy another one. So just buy something bigger now and be happy.

[Drez]

Originally Posted by Bill86

60% "of them" are clear....roughly no exact science or counting involved.

Beads are IN the cooler, not in boxes.

There is no seasoning involved in any of this at all. That's why coolidors are so simple, effective and carefree.


EDIT Frank, you left out the most important thing...binge drink till you pass out.

Your right bill i forgot. You have to drink a six pack before you even start and then a beer after every step.

[Fordman4ever]

I'm working on that step right now~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!