A Basic Humidor Buying Guide

[MortonMilo]

Thats exactly what I ended up doing. Will hopefully look just as nice, at an 1/8 the price!

Just gotta figure out how to keep myself from going crazy while I wait for my chasden drawers....

[Big_Ern]

I was given a small bar fridge today and would like to turn it into a Fridgidor.
what is the process that I have to go through? are there things that I should look out for?

[bobarian]

Originally Posted by Big_Ern

I was given a small bar fridge today and would like to turn it into a Fridgidor.
what is the process that I have to go through? are there things that I should look out for?

You will need to get an external temperature control like a Johnson controller, to raise the temp high enough for cigar storage. Also, you will need to try and disconnect the freezer portion. Plug the drain hole, add beads and fill.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by bobarian

You will need to get an external temperature control like a Johnson controller, to raise the temp high enough for cigar storage. Also, you will need to try and disconnect the freezer portion. Plug the drain hole, add beads and fill.

Typically, you can't disconnect just the freezer portion on those little units as they only have one set of evaporator coils, usually comprising the floor or floor and side(s) of the freezer and the "top" of the refrigerator section simultaneously. They control freezing spaces and refrigerated spaces simply by volume of space requiring cooling versus the amount of heat the evap can remove for that space. Very primitive design.

Now, if you want to rip the entire freon cooling system out and cut a few holes to mount thermoelectric coolers and a controller, then yeah, totally different game, but it will work.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Big_Ern

I was given a small bar fridge today and would like to turn it into a Fridgidor.
what is the process that I have to go through? are there things that I should look out for?

Simple.

Steps
1) Defrost and clean thoroughly.
2) Plug back in and allow to cool down.
3) Fill with beer.
4) Take cold beer from fridge, open it, drink it while smoking a cigar and searching online for a good deal on a vinotemp or edgestar.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Lear31MX

So I have a 50 count humi and i'm looking at upgrading to a 250 or 300 count. does it matter that I don't have that many cigar YET! but I planing on stocking up over the summer. The 50 is full right now should I just leave it alone until I have enough to fill an 250?

If you're definitely planning on increasing your stash of cigars within the next few months, you might as well just get the larger humidor now as this will give it time to settle in and you'll have it to put the cigars in, rather than having bags or boxes of cigars lying around waiting for it. Plus, start looking for a humidor now and you increase the chances of finding a good deal on something you like.

[Lear31MX]

Originally Posted by T.G

If you're definitely planning on increasing your stash of cigars within the next few months, you might as well just get the larger humidor now as this will give it time to settle in and you'll have it to put the cigars in, rather than having bags or boxes of cigars lying around waiting for it. Plus, start looking for a humidor now and you increase the chances of finding a good deal on something you like.

Good point, thanks, any suggestions?

[Kreth]

Originally Posted by Lear31MX

Good point, thanks, any suggestions?

Treasure Dome and Havana Footlocker are popular choices. Or you could go the low-cost route: snag a huge cooler and spend the difference on cigars.
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[Lear31MX]

looking at the teasure dome right now, CI got on sale for 159.95 I like it. Good suggestion, thanks. witch do you think is better the digiatal or analog hydmeter?

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Lear31MX

looking at the teasure dome right now, CI got on sale for 159.95 I like it. Good suggestion, thanks. witch do you think is better the digiatal or analog hydmeter?

Most of the analog hygrometers sold for cigar use are not good quality. There are a few exceptions though.

Don Salvatore, Xikar and Hygro-Set all market good adjustable digital hygrometers. (CI / Cbid sell the Hygro-Sets) There are other decent ones too, I just don't remember the names offhand.

There's a $9 adjustable Accurite hygrometer with temprature and min-max recording that you can find at Wal-Mart and Home Depot that works quite well. Acu-Rite 00613W.


Don't get too wound up on needing a hygrometer though. If the cigars feel and smoke right, right being to your liking, then the humidity is fine. Doesn't matter what number it is.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by Lear31MX

Good point, thanks, any suggestions?

Yeah, buy a 500 or 600 count humidor.




I'm actually kind of serious. A lot of the 250-300 count humidors really aren't going to hold that many cigars unless the cigars are smaller vitolas and they are unboxed or in very compact boxes. Once you start looking at humidors, you'll probably quickly notice the great disparity in physical sizes of the various so called "x# count" humidors.

All of Mark's (N2Advnture) advice at the beginning of this thread is good as a buying guide. Mark also has some good humidors on his site.

How much do you want to spend? Ed (WaxingMoon) makes some gorgeous custom humidors, they aren't that expensive, but they are going to cost you more than a mass produced one, but the quality is going to far exceed most, if not all, of the mass produced products.

If you want to go to 500-600 size, CI sells a humidor called the "Club Chairside" which is well built and really does hold the claimed 600 cigars, maybe even a bit more - you have some drawers for singles and plenty of room for boxes. You used to be able to pick them up off Cbid for around $200-300, I haven't looked lately at what they are going for.

Depending on where you live, maybe a Vinotemp or Edgestar and some shelves & drawers from Chuck (ChasDen) is the better solution.

Or maybe a 48qt Rubbermaid coolers and a jar of Humicare gel will suit or please you.

Ultimately, a humidor is kind of like a car. Pick one that suits your needs, budget and personalty.

[Ogre]

Originally Posted by T.G

Yeah, buy a 500 or 600 count humidor.




I'm actually kind of serious. A lot of the 250-300 count humidors really aren't going to hold that many cigars unless the cigars are smaller vitolas and they are unboxed or in very compact boxes. Once you start looking at humidors, you'll probably quickly notice the great disparity in physical sizes of the various so called "x# count" humidors.

All of Mark's (N2Advnture) advice at the beginning of this thread is good as a buying guide. Mark also has some good humidors on his site.

How much do you want to spend? Ed (WaxingMoon) makes some gorgeous custom humidors, they aren't that expensive, but they are going to cost you more than a mass produced one, but the quality is going to far exceed most, if not all, of the mass produced products.

If you want to go to 500-600 size, CI sells a humidor called the "Club Chairside" which is well built and really does hold the claimed 600 cigars, maybe even a bit more - you have some drawers for singles and plenty of room for boxes. You used to be able to pick them up off Cbid for around $200-300, I haven't looked lately at what they are going for.

Depending on where you live, maybe a Vinotemp or Edgestar and some shelves & drawers from Chuck (ChasDen) is the better solution.

Or maybe a 48qt Rubbermaid coolers and a jar of Humicare gel will suit or please you.

Ultimately, a humidor is kind of like a car. Pick one that suits your needs, budget and personalty.

, the advise given in this thread is all correct. Get what suits your needs.

[waffle]

Hi, just joined this forum specifically because of this thread. It has been incredibly helpful and I'm just getting into the hobby. I got a a humidor off of famous-smoke.com about 2 months ago and I already want to upgrade. I'm trying to decide between the foot locker and the treasure dome. These will most likely end up hiding in my basement so my wife doesnt castrate me... I originally planned on a small humidor to go on top of our wine fridge, but by the sounds of these, I don't think they'll fit. Again I want to say thanks!

[T.G]

Originally Posted by waffle

Hi, just joined this forum specifically because of this thread. It has been incredibly helpful and I'm just getting into the hobby. I got a a humidor off of famous-smoke.com about 2 months ago and I already want to upgrade. I'm trying to decide between the foot locker and the treasure dome. These will most likely end up hiding in my basement so my wife doesnt castrate me... I originally planned on a small humidor to go on top of our wine fridge, but by the sounds of these, I don't think they'll fit. Again I want to say thanks!

Welcome to CA & cigars!

Yeah, Havana Foot Lockers and Treasure Domes are bigger than they look in the pictures.

Another option for you is to get a smaller humidor for on top of your wine fridge and get a big cooler to hide in the basement and put smokes in. Best of both worlds. Small, classy looking storage where people see it atop the wine fridge, and lots of reserve storage for not a lot of money down out of sight in the basement.

There are also some combination wine racks with humidors built in at the top.

[waffle]

Originally Posted by T.G

Welcome to CA & cigars!

Yeah, Havana Foot Lockers and Treasure Domes are bigger than they look in the pictures.

Another option for you is to get a smaller humidor for on top of your wine fridge and get a big cooler to hide in the basement and put smokes in. Best of both worlds. Small, classy looking storage where people see it atop the wine fridge, and lots of reserve storage for not a lot of money down out of sight in the basement.

There are also some combination wine racks with humidors built in at the top.

Our wine Fridge is actually a dual zone fridge, however, somehow I doubt my wife would actually allow me to take over the red section of it, as that's about all she drinks. I would love to store the humi I currently have there, but it looks a bit cheap and I'm almost ashamed of it! It looks like I may be in the market for two humis... oh well, thats what impulse buys with not enough knowledge do to me!

[T.G]

Originally Posted by waffle

Our wine Fridge is actually a dual zone fridge, however, somehow I doubt my wife would actually allow me to take over the red section of it, as that's about all she drinks. I would love to store the humi I currently have there, but it looks a bit cheap and I'm almost ashamed of it! It looks like I may be in the market for two humis... oh well, thats what impulse buys with not enough knowledge do to me!

I meant get something like a 150 count humidor and set it on top of the fridge, not in the top section.

[waffle]

Sounds like a plan... any suggestions?

[T.G]

So many ones out there to pick from, you need to find one that fits the space on top of the wine fridge, your needs, your budget and your personality. I would start with Mark's site or CI for mass produced, or get in touch with Ed (waxingmoon) if you want a custom humidor made. Humidormister also makes some very fine custom humidors, but his cost bank because of all the hand fitted wood detail work.

Depends what you want to store there, boxes or just a diverse selection of singles or like three or four of each cigar from your collection, while the boxes stay down in the cooler, or a combination of boxes and loose cigars.

Do you want them displayed (glass humidor) or do you just want a wood humidor?

I would be cautious of the humidors with many pull out drawers though, some do seal, but a lot of them leak like sieves.

[waffle]

I appreciate the help T.G, I ended up going with The Cordoba Humidor - 125 Capacity after talking with my loving bride who said for Christmas and she'll get me a big one!!! I have a crazy awesome bride and she's as big of enabler as anyone!

[T.G]

Just looked up the Cordoba, nice looking humidor, with a simple, reliable, proven design.