Coolidor Question

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by CasaDooley

Toss the cedar in the bottom of your cooler (no need to line it) get some Heartfelt beads (I suggest 65%),some distilled water, a good adjustable hygrometer and you're good to go. Go with wood boxes over cardboard. Just my

You can also use Shialal's beads; they are very effective in a coolidor. No matter whose beads you get, you definately need a good, adjustable hygrometer.

[QUAZY50]

I have an adjustable hygro I got from Heartfelt a while back. I hope to get this rolling this weekend. Do I need to "season" the cedar, like when you season a humidor?

Originally Posted by CigarNut

You can also use Shialal's beads; they are very effective in a coolidor. No matter whose beads you get, you definately need a good, adjustable hygrometer.

I don't have any experience with the heartfelt beads but my Shialal beads work like a charm. very easy to chance the RH% that they're set to and best of all they come from a friendly BOTL that ships quickly.

[jmsremax]

Question...anyone prefer Igloo or Coleman coolers? Standard cooler vs marine?

I think I want to keep it under 80 qts so I can throw it in a closet. How many boxes can you get in a ~50 qt cooler or ~70 qt cooler roughly? I saw a link in one of the other threads about a coleman coller for $35 shipped, but didn't know if I should spend a few more bucks for a better one (or is it even necessary).

[XTRazzer]

Originally Posted by jmsremax

Question...anyone prefer Igloo or Coleman coolers? Standard cooler vs marine?

Coleman, Igloo, and Rubbermaid all make good coolers.

In my post above is a Rubbermaid 48qt. Without knowing what size of boxes, I would take a guess that up to 12 is possible. The nice part about the Rubbermaid is it has a pin-hinge design versus a plastic strap. Granted there's no harm to a coolidor if the lid straps break just an annoyance.

Igloo Marine coolers work good if you're going to stand it upright and add shelves. These have molded in grooves that allow for easy shelves (as shown in J0eybb's post).

The Coleman Extreme and the Coleman with radio are thick walled coolers (more insulation). Not really something that is needed for a coolidor but won't cause any harm. A benefit to the design of these coolers is having good areas to install weatherstrip material because of how the lid fits with the bottom.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by jmsremax

Question...anyone prefer Igloo or Coleman coolers? Standard cooler vs marine?

They are all good; I prefer the Coleman Extreme coolers because the lids have a good seal.

[jmsremax]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

They are all good; I prefer the Coleman Extreme coolers because the lids have a good seal.

My only concern is no straps to keep it shut.

[KenyanSandBoa]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

Figures I would make a typo (Shialal instead of Shilala -- apologies to Scott!)... Just call me fumble-fingers

Originally Posted by CigarNut

They are all good; I prefer the Coleman Extreme coolers because the lids have a good seal.

I agree with Fumble-Fingers ...if you go Coleman, make it the Extreme.

Originally Posted by jmsremax

My only concern is no straps to keep it shut.

I have a Marine Igloo (obviously you know that Jon ), and the seal on that is good enough where you wouldn't even need the straps. If you decided to go with the Extreme, you would be fine. The main decision maker for me was that I could pick up a 150qt Marine Igloo at Sam's for $68.

[jmsremax]

Originally Posted by KenyanSandBoa

The main decision maker for me was that I could pick up a 150qt Marine Igloo at Sam's for $68.

Which is now $64.88

I might go for the Coleman extreme......half the price on the cooler, the size is probably the biggest I could get into my closet, and the money saved will get me more beads.

[XTRazzer]

Originally Posted by jmsremax

My only concern is no straps to keep it shut.

If it was my post, I meant the plastic straps some companies use for hinges on the lid. Some coolers use an actual hinge and others use a piece of plastic that is cut to flex (sometimes breaks). Regardless of brand, the cooler shouldn't need any sort of latch or strap opposite the hinges to keep the lid shut tight.

[CigarNut]

Originally Posted by jmsremax

My only concern is no straps to keep it shut.

Originally Posted by XTRazzer

If it was my post, I meant the plastic straps some companies use for hinges on the lid. Some coolers use an actual hinge and others use a piece of plastic that is cut to flex (sometimes breaks). Regardless of brand, the cooler shouldn't need any sort of latch or strap opposite the hinges to keep the lid shut tight.

The deterioration of the plastic hinges could be an issue if the cooler was sitting out in the sun and cold -- exposed to the elements -- for an exteneded period. Somehow I don't think that is an issue with a coolidor

I picked my 120 quart up at Walmart for around $50 a few months back. Actually, I got two