Coolidors

Hi all,

I recently set-up a coolidor, and I was hoping on some advice...

In my haste to get the thing set-up, I didn't clean the inside of the wine fridge at all. Having done some reading since, I learned that the new plastic smell that coolers and fridges generally have can be pretty bad for you cigars (in terms of them soaking up the odour).

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by forms

Hi all,

I recently set-up a coolidor, and I was hoping on some advice...

In my haste to get the thing set-up, I didn't clean the inside of the wine fridge at all. Having done some reading since, I learned that the new plastic smell that coolers and fridges generally have can be pretty bad for you cigars (in terms of them soaking up the odour).

Just take out your smokes and store them in ziplocks or tupperware, they will last up to a week without any need for humidification. Wipe down the inside walls with a new damp sponge and baking soda. Let it dry for a few hours with the door open, then put your smoked back.

Originally Posted by bobarian

Just take out your smokes and store them in ziplocks or tupperware, they will last up to a week without any need for humidification. Wipe down the inside walls with a new damp sponge and baking soda. Let it dry for a few hours with the door open, then put your smoked back.

Thanks for that. So, is detergent a bad idea then? Should I be in a hurry to get the cigars back out of the coolidor, or can I leave them over-night? Will smells be absorbed that quickly by the cigars??

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by forms

Thanks for that. So, is detergent a bad idea then? Should I be in a hurry to get the cigars back out of the coolidor, or can I leave them over-night? Will smells be absorbed that quickly by the cigars??

No rush, overnight is fine. Detergent just adds an extra step as you will need to rinse out the detergent. Be sure and use a new sponge so you dont get any smells from an old sponge. Just sprinkle the damp sponge with baking soda, dont scrub too hard just wipe it down and it should be fine.

(Sorry about the above, hit enter accidently before I was done...)

Hi all,

I recently set-up a coolidor, and I was hoping for some advice...

In my haste to get the thing set-up, I didn't clean the inside of the wine fridge at all. Having done some reading since, I learned that the new plastic smell that coolers and fridges generally have can be pretty bad for your cigars (in terms of them soaking up the odour).
I opened the coolidor to find that it did have a slight plastically smell. I removed all cigars (which were all in their original boxes), and wiped down the inside of the fridge with a cloth and a little distilled water - the smell still remains, though only very slightly. My cigars are now back in the coolidor.

I'm worrying about whether I should again, get the cigars out, but this time clean it down with water and a little washing up liquid. I've read that if I do this, I'll have to then re-wash it with just water to ensure that the smell from the detergent doesn't get into the cigars, and then leave the coolidor off and open for a few hours while it dries fully. Firstly, if I have to use distilled water for all of this, I'm confident that there won't be much left in the bottle , and it was quite hard to come by. I'm also anxious that my heartfelt beads may be affected. If I leave them out in my house, will they absorb impurities from the air? If so, can this be avoided by putting them in a zip-lock bag?

The cigars have only been in the coolidor for about 3 days, I smelled a few of them, and couldn't pick up a scent of the plastic on them, which I'm taking as a good sign - I'm yet to smoke any though...

Sorry if there is already a post on this topic, I have searched, but to no avail.

Any advice will be much appreciated!

Thanks.

[14holestogie]

I believe you can use tap water and detergent to clean the cooler as long as you let it air dry before adding the cigars and beads.

[Cornrow_Wallis]

Another fan of the coolidor checking in. Much happier with my igloo than my desktops.

Originally Posted by forms

if I have to use distilled water for all of this, I'm confident that there won't be much left in the bottle , and it was quite hard to come by.

Have you checked your local grocery store? If you need more it might be worth a shot.

Would maybe an older Coleman metal type cooler be better than say the newer all plastic things?

[14holestogie]

Originally Posted by Springsman

Would maybe an older Coleman metal type cooler be better than say the newer all plastic things?

Either will work fine. The metal ones do have a latching system, but most of the newer plastic coolers seal extremely well without.

[Bill86]

I just used soap and water with mine. Never smelled any plastic in the first place...certainly don't smell it now.

[Zeuceone]

good tips. I'll need this info pretty soon if all goes well.

[Drez]

When I set up my old cooler and vino I just wiped it down with water and soap then Dried it real good and left the door open for a day.

After a day I put 2 boxes of arm and hammer baking soda in there to absorb the smell if by for a few days.

Then removed everything threw beads in waited a day or two and put the smokes in.

Never had a issue ever.

OK, I've washed down my fridge with some warm water and some bicarbonate of soda. It still seems to have a faint odour of plastic/rubber - I'm going to let it dry fully over-night, and then put a small plate with some soda on it in the fridge for a few hours. If that doesn't clear the smell, then screw it, it'll have to do!

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by forms

OK, I've washed down my fridge with some warm water and some bicarbonate of soda. It still seems to have a faint odour of plastic/rubber - I'm going to let it dry fully over-night, and then put a small plate with some soda on it in the fridge for a few hours. If that doesn't clear the smell, then screw it, it'll have to do!

Sounds like a plan! Its unlikely the faint smell will ever get into your cigars. We are all just a bit anal when it comes to our babies.

I eventually managed to get a litre bottle from from a model-train company. I had tried chemists, hardware/motoring shops, petrol stations, supermarkets (grocery stores as well) with no luck. The bottle I bought ended up being about £9 with postage - would've lasted for ages if I hadn't cleaned my fridge with it, but there's still a fair bit left so it's not the end of the world. I'm not certain, but it seems that distilled water is harder to get hold of in the UK, than in the States...

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by forms

I eventually managed to get a litre bottle from from a model-train company. I had tried chemists, hardware/motoring shops, petrol stations, supermarkets (grocery stores as well) with no luck. The bottle I bought ended up being about £9 with postage - would've lasted for ages if I hadn't cleaned my fridge with it, but there's still a fair bit left so it's not the end of the world. I'm not certain, but it seems that distilled water is harder to get hold of in the UK, than in the States...

http://www.thedistilledwatercompany.com/

Originally Posted by bobarian

http://www.thedistilledwatercompany.com/

Only had a brief look, but it seems really expensive. I like the idea of getting an 'at home' distallation kit, but for 150 quid I think I'll pass. £9 every couple of years seems fine to me... Who knows, in 16 years I might be kicking myself for not having splashed out on the kit.

[bobarian]

The cost per 10 litre plastic container is £10.99 + VAT – but we offer discounts for customers purchasing more than four containers.

They may sell smaller bottles as well, give them a call.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by forms

I eventually managed to get a litre bottle from from a model-train company. I had tried chemists, hardware/motoring shops, petrol stations, supermarkets (grocery stores as well) with no luck. The bottle I bought ended up being about £9 with postage - would've lasted for ages if I hadn't cleaned my fridge with it, but there's still a fair bit left so it's not the end of the world. I'm not certain, but it seems that distilled water is harder to get hold of in the UK, than in the States...

Can you get De-Ionized water? It's similar in purity.

In a pinch, you can use reverse osmosis purified water, but the problem is that the purity of RO water can vary greatly by the equipment used to produce it. Some of the larger, higher pressure systems are very close to distilled in purity, but some of the lower pressure or poorly maintained rigs can leave quite a bit of impurities in the water. Another thing to watch for is bottled RO water that states "Minerals added for taste", while I doubt that these minerals will affect your cigars in anything but an extremely long exposure (many, many years), they might plate out on your humidifier.

Originally Posted by T.G

Can you get De-Ionized water? It's similar in purity.

In a pinch, you can use reverse osmosis purified water, but the problem is that the purity of RO water can vary greatly by the equipment used to produce it. Some of the larger, higher pressure systems are very close to distilled in purity, but some of the lower pressure or poorly maintained rigs can leave quite a bit of impurities in the water. Another thing to watch for is bottled RO water that states "Minerals added for taste", while I doubt that these minerals will affect your cigars in anything but an extremely long exposure (many, many years), they might plate out on your humidifier.

According to the guys at Heartfelt, purified water isn't good for their beads. You can pick up purified water from pretty much any chemist in London, but it's not guarenteed to have it's trace elements (like calcium etc.) removed...