Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ?

Outlaw God · 08-11-2013, 02:16 PM

I was wondering over the years in having a cooler or cabinet the extra work and care a wine cooler humidor is and worth the effort over a standing cabinet, needing no electricity but for maybe a humidifier or beads and kept in a cool place.
Considering a wine cooler has more plastic them cedar and condensation issues at times over a regular humidor
Thanks

688sonarmen · 08-11-2013, 02:28 PM

I have owned both and have lived through several Va summers in houses with less than adequate insulation. This year my cabinet averaged 75f actually a bit lower than other years. Having kept humidors for 10 years now I have had one beetle that more than likely came from a stick I received as a bomb, that was 8 years in. After that I freaked out froze everything and spent about 200$ on a wine cooler setup. I sold it after a year. I still have my end table cabinet and it will last me forever, a wine cooler will not.

AdamJoshua · 08-11-2013, 02:28 PM

Well most winecoolers, at least the ones I have seen used, have Thermoelectric cooling so there is no compressor and there is no condensation build up in the box.

kelmac07 · 08-11-2013, 02:31 PM

BLUF: A cabinet will last a lot longer than a wine cooler. Granted, they are more expensive...but IMHO well worth the money.

CigarNut · 08-11-2013, 02:33 PM

The biggest advantage to wine coolers is that they seal real well and therefore hold humidity real well. The larger the wooden humidors -- especially those with glass can be leaky. This is the same reason that a lot of people use Coleman or Igloo coolers for cigar storage. The coolers are relatively inexpensive and seal very well.

I am not saying that all wooden humidors leak, because there are some very nice humidors made of wood that seal well. However, you have to put more effort and money into finding one that does not leak.

On the other hand, nothing beats the look of a really nice wooden humidor.

Outlaw God · 08-11-2013, 03:12 PM

Thanks all for your input, I bought out a friends cigars and his Frigidaire Humidor that has a compressor and has a condensation issue at times.

He solved it (supposedly) with the use of desiccant rocks in the back of the cooler, photo 1

I read that increasing the temperature in the cooler by a few degrees will solve the condensation using a Single Stage ETC Temperature Control w/ Sensor

I wish I hadn't bought the cooler now but I did get some great cigars with it, worth $1500

Its just so much work to me and would rather go with a cabinet but will make the most of it for now.

aaron72 · 08-11-2013, 08:19 PM

Neither setup should be "work" once you have it setup right. If you have a compressor unit, you will want to use an ETC to control the amount of time it runs. Some people don't run them at all, rather they just use them as an enclosure.

Find a good humidity media of your choice and once the inside is seasoned, as long as you don't have large swings in temperature, it should stay pretty solid with the humidity.

AdamJoshua · 08-11-2013, 08:29 PM

As as said you don't even have to plug it in, just make sure any drainage 'holes' are sealed up, food grade silicon is what to use, throw in a couple pounds of beads and your sticks. Unless it's crazy hot where you are, then you might consider using the cooling feature, if not, why bother?

Is that KL in a drip pan type area? If you keep it unplugged you can get rid of that as well.

It's a nice enough box no reason for any buyers remorse, you might even find you like having it.

Outlaw God · 08-11-2013, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

As as said you don't even have to plug it in, just make sure any drainage 'holes' are sealed up, food grade silicon is what to use, throw in a couple pounds of beads and your sticks. Unless it's crazy hot where you are, then you might consider using the cooling feature, if not, why bother?

Is that KL in a drip pan type area? If you keep it unplugged you can get rid of that as well.

It's a nice enough box no reason for any buyers remorse, you might even find you like having it.

That's some kind of gravel stuff that drys out excess moisture
Thanks

AdamJoshua · 08-11-2013, 09:54 PM

Edit: Nm.

Sadden · 08-11-2013, 09:15 PM

Regular cabinet.

Lasts way longer. If you get an aristocrat you can get them cooled so that kinda negates the cooled vs. uncooled issue...

Now costwise that's an interesting discussion. A quality cabinet will be a piece that your grandchildren will fight over. I don't know what the average life of a winecooler is but I would imagine that most aren't gonna last anywhere near that long.

So how many winecoolers will you go through in a lifetime?
You can go through one quality Cabinet , or several winecoolers.

Roughed out id imagine over the course of ones life they will add up to about the same. Maybe more for the winecoolers. But call Frigidaire when you have a problem.... I can get ahold of Bob Staebell at aristocrat 6 days a week.

This is something I looked at when I was getting ready to move into larger humidor. I wanted to do it once and do it right. When I did the math I was looking at my lifetime. Me being 21 I have a lot of years ahead of me yet (I would hope) So I opted fore more cash up front but less worry / hassle later one. (what do you do with all your boxes when your winecooler dies?)

All in all I would say your well enough off for now. But in the future theres no harm in planning on upgrading when the wineador dies.

Outlaw God · 08-11-2013, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadden

Regular cabinet.

Lasts way longer. If you get an aristocrat you can get them cooled so that kinda negates the cooled vs. uncooled issue...

Now costwise that's an interesting discussion. A quality cabinet will be a piece that your grandchildren will fight over. I don't know what the average life of a winecooler is but I would imagine that most aren't gonna last anywhere near that long.

So how many winecoolers will you go through in a lifetime?
You can go through one quality Cabinet , or several winecoolers.

Roughed out id imagine over the course of ones life they will add up to about the same. Maybe more for the winecoolers. But call Frigidaire when you have a problem.... I can get ahold of Bob Staebell at aristocrat 6 days a week.

This is something I looked at when I was getting ready to move into larger humidor. I wanted to do it once and do it right. When I did the math I was looking at my lifetime. Me being 21 I have a lot of years ahead of me yet (I would hope) So I opted fore more cash up front but less worry / hassle later one. (what do you do with all your boxes when your winecooler dies?)

All in all I would say your well enough off for now. But in the future theres no harm in planning on upgrading when the wineador dies.

That's smart and wish I did get a aristocrat to begin with

Sadden · 08-11-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw God

That's smart and wish I did get a aristocrat to begin with

Its probably paid for itself just in the cigars that came with it. That's not to trash wineadors at all , they work well for many people.

Outlaw God · 08-12-2013, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadden

Its probably paid for itself just in the cigars that came with it. That's not to trash wineadors at all , they work well for many people.

Maybe your right........
Got this all with a wine cooler I may not use for $1000 plus 50 moldey cigars
All 4 years old
Vegas 5 Gold 2008, 2009 2010 and Nubs

72, 3 kinds of Cain Ligero

Box of 10 MOW

20 MOW Robusto's

One short of a full box of "God of Fire"

pnoon · 08-12-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outlaw God

Maybe your right........
Got this all with a wine cooler I may not use for $1000 plus 50 moldey cigarsAll 4 years old
Vegas 5 Gold 2008, 2009 2010 and Nubs

72, 3 kinds of Cain Ligero

Box of 10 MOW

20 MOW Robusto's

One short of a full box of "God of Fire"

Are you sure it's mold and not plume?

Blak Smyth · 08-12-2013, 06:30 AM

I would rather have a nice Aristocrat but I have a small wineador and coolers.
If I could afford an Aristocrat and the cigars to fill it, I would.
I have no consistency yet, need more practice!

.cigardude. · 08-12-2013, 09:32 AM

Down here in Miami if you don't have something to keep the cigars at 70f you will have problems.
The lowest i turn down my ac at is 76f and that's not for too long, not a good temperature for cigars.

equetefue · 08-12-2013, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .cigardude.

Down here in Miami if you don't have something to keep the cigars at 70f you will have problems.
The lowest i turn down my ac at is 76f and that's not for too long, not a good temperature for cigars.

Same here in Orlando, so I pay more in the electric bill and keep house at 72 year round. Because of this I chose a large cabinet and very happy with it.

.cigardude. · 08-12-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by equetefue

Same here in Orlando, so I pay more in the electric bill and keep house at 72 year round. Because of this I chose a large cabinet and very happy with it.

That's another option, a bit more expensive in the long run but if you're comfortable in your house at 72f all year round then you're good.

AdamJoshua · 08-12-2013, 03:22 PM

Don't look too bad, just give them a little wipe down and good to go. (keeping them separate if that's what you prefer of course).

View Poll Results: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ?
Wine Cooler Humidor	10	40.00%
Regular Cabinet Humidor	15	60.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

08-11-2013, 02:16 PM	#1
Outlaw God John 3:16 Join Date: Jun 2013 First Name: Daniel Location: California Posts: 537 Trading: (2)	Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? I was wondering over the years in having a cooler or cabinet the extra work and care a wine cooler humidor is and worth the effort over a standing cabinet, needing no electricity but for maybe a humidifier or beads and kept in a cool place. Considering a wine cooler has more plastic them cedar and condensation issues at times over a regular humidor Thanks __________________ There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar

08-11-2013, 02:28 PM	#2
688sonarmen Shipmate! Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Jake Location: Norwich, Ct Posts: 2,698 Trading: (17)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? I have owned both and have lived through several Va summers in houses with less than adequate insulation. This year my cabinet averaged 75f actually a bit lower than other years. Having kept humidors for 10 years now I have had one beetle that more than likely came from a stick I received as a bomb, that was 8 years in. After that I freaked out froze everything and spent about 200$ on a wine cooler setup. I sold it after a year. I still have my end table cabinet and it will last me forever, a wine cooler will not.

08-11-2013, 02:28 PM	#3
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Well most winecoolers, at least the ones I have seen used, have Thermoelectric cooling so there is no compressor and there is no condensation build up in the box.

08-11-2013, 02:31 PM	#4
kelmac07 Resident Maduro Whore!! Join Date: Apr 2009 First Name: Mac Location: Newport News, VA Posts: 27,322 Trading: (218)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? BLUF: A cabinet will last a lot longer than a wine cooler. Granted, they are more expensive...but IMHO well worth the money. __________________ Dom in the MLB thread "I could probably get you to wear a Yankee hat for a Maduro!"

08-11-2013, 02:33 PM	#5
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? The biggest advantage to wine coolers is that they seal real well and therefore hold humidity real well. The larger the wooden humidors -- especially those with glass can be leaky. This is the same reason that a lot of people use Coleman or Igloo coolers for cigar storage. The coolers are relatively inexpensive and seal very well. I am not saying that all wooden humidors leak, because there are some very nice humidors made of wood that seal well. However, you have to put more effort and money into finding one that does not leak. On the other hand, nothing beats the look of a really nice wooden humidor. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

08-11-2013, 03:12 PM	#6
Outlaw God John 3:16 Join Date: Jun 2013 First Name: Daniel Location: California Posts: 537 Trading: (2)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Thanks all for your input, I bought out a friends cigars and his Frigidaire Humidor that has a compressor and has a condensation issue at times. He solved it (supposedly) with the use of desiccant rocks in the back of the cooler, photo 1 I read that increasing the temperature in the cooler by a few degrees will solve the condensation using a Single Stage ETC Temperature Control w/ Sensor I wish I hadn't bought the cooler now but I did get some great cigars with it, worth $1500 Its just so much work to me and would rather go with a cabinet but will make the most of it for now. __________________ There are five things, above all else, that make life worth living: a good relationship with God, a good woman, good health, good friends, and a good cigar

08-11-2013, 08:19 PM	#7
aaron72 Still Watching My Back Join Date: May 2011 First Name: Aaron Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 176 Trading: (4)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Neither setup should be "work" once you have it setup right. If you have a compressor unit, you will want to use an ETC to control the amount of time it runs. Some people don't run them at all, rather they just use them as an enclosure. Find a good humidity media of your choice and once the inside is seasoned, as long as you don't have large swings in temperature, it should stay pretty solid with the humidity.

08-11-2013, 08:29 PM	#8
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? As as said you don't even have to plug it in, just make sure any drainage 'holes' are sealed up, food grade silicon is what to use, throw in a couple pounds of beads and your sticks. Unless it's crazy hot where you are, then you might consider using the cooling feature, if not, why bother? Is that KL in a drip pan type area? If you keep it unplugged you can get rid of that as well. It's a nice enough box no reason for any buyers remorse, you might even find you like having it.

08-11-2013, 09:54 PM	#10
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Edit: Nm.

08-11-2013, 09:15 PM	#11
Sadden Its only money... Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Colin Posts: 367 Trading: (0)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Regular cabinet. Lasts way longer. If you get an aristocrat you can get them cooled so that kinda negates the cooled vs. uncooled issue... Now costwise that's an interesting discussion. A quality cabinet will be a piece that your grandchildren will fight over. I don't know what the average life of a winecooler is but I would imagine that most aren't gonna last anywhere near that long. So how many winecoolers will you go through in a lifetime? You can go through one quality Cabinet , or several winecoolers. Roughed out id imagine over the course of ones life they will add up to about the same. Maybe more for the winecoolers. But call Frigidaire when you have a problem.... I can get ahold of Bob Staebell at aristocrat 6 days a week. This is something I looked at when I was getting ready to move into larger humidor. I wanted to do it once and do it right. When I did the math I was looking at my lifetime. Me being 21 I have a lot of years ahead of me yet (I would hope) So I opted fore more cash up front but less worry / hassle later one. (what do you do with all your boxes when your winecooler dies?) All in all I would say your well enough off for now. But in the future theres no harm in planning on upgrading when the wineador dies. __________________ If you want to party with the boys , be prepared to get up and work with the men the next morning. -Colin

08-12-2013, 06:30 AM	#16
Blak Smyth Think Blue! Join Date: Jun 2011 First Name: SD Location: THE WOOD Posts: 8,486 Trading: (52)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? I would rather have a nice Aristocrat but I have a small wineador and coolers. If I could afford an Aristocrat and the cigars to fill it, I would. I have no consistency yet, need more practice! __________________ SUPPORT OUR TROOPS

08-12-2013, 09:32 AM	#17
.cigardude. Still Watching My Back Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Miami, FL. Posts: 171 Trading: (0)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Down here in Miami if you don't have something to keep the cigars at 70f you will have problems. The lowest i turn down my ac at is 76f and that's not for too long, not a good temperature for cigars.

08-12-2013, 03:22 PM	#20
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Wine Cooler or Regular Cabinet Humidor ? Don't look too bad, just give them a little wipe down and good to go. (keeping them separate if that's what you prefer of course).