Next best thing to an Aristocrat?

Goldie · 10-25-2015, 08:20 PM

Hey everyone,

I'm in need of a little bit of help. My ever so lovely wife wanted to surprise me with a new humidor for our anniversary, but didn't realize how expensive a replacement for my 28 bottle Vino would be. It's been giving me troubles keeping a decent humidity level, and I think she's just tired of hearing me complain about it. A friend recommended Aristocrat when she reached out to him for a recommendation. Fortunately for him, the price of an Aristocrat is within budget, but not so much for me, unfortunately.

I was hoping someone here could give a recommendation on a humidor that has cooling and humidification built into it, but doesn't run in the four figure price range. If I could find something that held 750 loose cigars that would be pretty cool. Or something thereabouts. Does anyone here have something like this that wasn't so expensive? Perhaps around $500? Perhaps I'm crazy to think this is possible?

Any help is appreciated.

Drew

MarkinAZ · 10-25-2015, 09:06 PM

How many loose cigars do you actually have Drew? 750 loose cigars (and depending on the rg and size) would translate somewhere between 30 and 37.5 boxes (depending on whether you are looking at 20ct or 25 ct boxes)...

WhiteMamba · 10-25-2015, 09:56 PM

Put a cooler in the garage. Should be cool in the Ohio winter

AdamJoshua · 10-25-2015, 10:23 PM

Hey Drew, a few guy here have had luck with keeping an eye on craigslist. I've seen some real steals so if you can use a cooler for now and can take your time looking you might find a great deal.

I don't know if this is close to you and might be a bit out of price range, but there are some out there, this was right on the first page of results.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/5283421461.html

irratebass · 10-26-2015, 08:46 AM

I have to agree with Mamba, a 120qt cooler is perfect, but if you are looking for something with more pizzazz to showoff....go with the Galleria or Lauderdale, but they do not have built in humidification system, but a couple of lbs of beads will be perfect:

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/humidor...-humidors.html

They used to have an "Make me an offer" option, but I'm not sure if they do or not, but when I got my Tower I offered them 15% which they accepted.

If you don't want to go the beads route you could spurge & get the Set It & Forget It from Avallo

http://www.avallohumidors.com/Accumonitor.html

mosesbotbol · 10-26-2015, 09:49 AM

Why do you need cooling? I have two friends with them and I think it is a waste of money; takes up a lot of room, noisy, and of little use if the power goes out.

Stevez · 10-26-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamJoshua

Hey Drew, a few guy here have had luck with keeping an eye on craigslist. I've seen some real steals so if you can use a cooler for now and can take your time looking you might find a great deal.

I don't know if this is close to you and might be a bit out of price range, but there are some out there, this was right on the first page of results.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/5283421461.html

Wow; this darn thing is within a few miles of my house. Never priced one like this before; do you all think this is worth $1,000 for a VinoTemp? Not sure I would spend this much, but it's tempting.

Porch Dweller · 10-26-2015, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevez

Wow; this darn thing is within a few miles of my house. Never priced one like this before; do you all think this is worth $1,000 for a VinoTemp? Not sure I would spend this much, but it's tempting.

Yeah, wow. A new one shipped is $4000+. That's quite a bargain. But I can't find any reviews online that speak to its quality, reliability, etc.

AdamJoshua · 10-26-2015, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevez

Wow; this darn thing is within a few miles of my house. Never priced one like this before; do you all think this is worth $1,000 for a VinoTemp? Not sure I would spend this much, but it's tempting.

Looks great but that is a stock picture, could be worth it to go take a look make him an offer and see if you can haggle him down.

Stevez · 10-27-2015, 07:20 AM

Thanks for the feedback; may do that this weekend if it's still available.

mosesbotbol · 10-27-2015, 12:54 PM

That one in the CL ad looks great. If you haggle, get on splitting the delivery charge or see if he can deliver it. That looks like a b**** to move and you don't want to f it up while doing it.

AdamJoshua · 10-27-2015, 01:05 PM

You could probably hire a local mover / truck for an hour if they are that close to your house, maybe you can get him to knock the 100 bucks off the price that you'd pay to move it, that being said it looks like it's a pretty good steal to start with.

AlohaStyle · 10-27-2015, 02:08 PM

You are not going to find a large cabinet humidor with cooling unit for $500 unless you get absolutely lucky. If I were you, make sure you have an A/C in your house/apt and buy a nice cabinet without cooling.

Be careful with that Vinotemp on CL... it looks like a traditional compressor cooled unit which many people would not use for cigars.

There is a nice looking, large cabinet being sold in Cincinnati for $725.
Dimensions: 6ft 8.5inch Tall, 3ft 6inch wide, 1ft 5inch deep

mosesbotbol · 10-27-2015, 02:27 PM

AC in a humidor is a waste of money unless it's connected to generator when the rest of the house is not.

CRIMPS · 10-27-2015, 02:53 PM

Consider a non temperature controlled humidor, maybe? This would definitely cut the cost of a new humidor.

I'm not so sure there is a lot of benefit in keeping the temperature < 70 degrees if the humidor is located in a temperature controlled building. If you are concerned about beetles, then freeze your cigars?

AlohaStyle · 10-27-2015, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

AC in a humidor is a waste of money unless it's connected to generator when the rest of the house is not.

I lived in a house with no A/C and my cooled Aristocrat was a life saver.

Goldie · 10-27-2015, 08:27 PM

Evening everyone,

Sorry for my absence since asking for some advice. That's the life of a small business owner I suppose.

750 may be a little large for what I need currently. But I like the idea of having space to grow into. I would estimate now that I have somewhere between 425 - 475 sticks.

The reason that I am looking for something similar to my Vino is that we live in a 110 year old house. The HVAC isn't awesome, and due to the age of the house would require a load of money to upgrade. My Vino sits in my office that receives minimal AC or heat, so the temp in the room can be 8 or 10 degrees above/below the rest of the house. It isn't a real problem in the Fall and Winter in that the temp drops to the mid to low 60s. In the Summer when the room sits at 78 or so the cooling takes care of the climate inside the Vino. We unfortunately don't have a garage for a cooler, and don't have a basement that I would feel comfortable using for storage.

I like the idea of having the Vino in an area where I can easily grab a smoke if I find myself with a little extra time in the evening. Someone commented that the possibility of finding a cooled cabinet for $500 would be sheer luck, and I agree. I like the idea of having some room to grow, but an actual cabinet would be far too much room. It would be pathetic at how empty one would look.

I was hoping someone here had something they could recommend. If I Google for some options I can find some vendors who sell lower than others, but what I really wanted to avoid was dropping some cash on a humidor that just wasn't up to par. I love my Vino, I just hate that my RH is all over the place.

Wharf Rat · 10-28-2015, 04:37 AM

Just as a kookie thought - Maybe you could put a packaged HVAC system, like what you might find in many hotel rooms into your office. Then, both you and your cigars would be more comfortable.

mosesbotbol · 10-28-2015, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wharf Rat

Just as a kookie thought - Maybe you could put a packaged HVAC system, like what you might find in many hotel rooms into your office. Then, both you and your cigars would be more comfortable.

This is what I would focus on too. Great, your cigars ar 70 degrees, but the rest of the house is sweltering... Get the house or room comfortable and then you're all set!

AlohaStyle · 10-28-2015, 12:41 PM

Exactly, go to Costco or Walmart and buy a portable A/C unit. Turn it on when needed, save energy when you don't. That is what I was going to do before buying a new house.

10-25-2015, 08:20 PM	#1
Goldie Bring the pain! Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Drew Location: Ohio Posts: 808 Trading: (13)	Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Hey everyone, I'm in need of a little bit of help. My ever so lovely wife wanted to surprise me with a new humidor for our anniversary, but didn't realize how expensive a replacement for my 28 bottle Vino would be. It's been giving me troubles keeping a decent humidity level, and I think she's just tired of hearing me complain about it. A friend recommended Aristocrat when she reached out to him for a recommendation. Fortunately for him, the price of an Aristocrat is within budget, but not so much for me, unfortunately. I was hoping someone here could give a recommendation on a humidor that has cooling and humidification built into it, but doesn't run in the four figure price range. If I could find something that held 750 loose cigars that would be pretty cool. Or something thereabouts. Does anyone here have something like this that wasn't so expensive? Perhaps around $500? Perhaps I'm crazy to think this is possible? Any help is appreciated. Drew __________________ Come in here dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far - Pink Floyd I like my draw, like I like my women, a little loose - Goldie

10-25-2015, 09:06 PM	#2
MarkinAZ Formerly MarkinOR Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Sun City West, AZ Posts: 6,221 Trading: (40)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? How many loose cigars do you actually have Drew? 750 loose cigars (and depending on the rg and size) would translate somewhere between 30 and 37.5 boxes (depending on whether you are looking at 20ct or 25 ct boxes)... __________________ "Don't worry, God will work out His plan for your life..." Psalm 138 8

10-25-2015, 09:56 PM	#3
WhiteMamba I'm scared of Neil. Join Date: Mar 2014 First Name: Michael Location: Catawba, NC Posts: 2,135 Trading: (28)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Put a cooler in the garage. Should be cool in the Ohio winter __________________ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10

10-25-2015, 10:23 PM	#4
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Hey Drew, a few guy here have had luck with keeping an eye on craigslist. I've seen some real steals so if you can use a cooler for now and can take your time looking you might find a great deal. I don't know if this is close to you and might be a bit out of price range, but there are some out there, this was right on the first page of results. http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/5283421461.html

10-26-2015, 08:46 AM	#5
irratebass EMPEROR TOMPKINS Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Mickey Location: Mooresville, Indiana Posts: 8,313 Trading: (48)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? I have to agree with Mamba, a 120qt cooler is perfect, but if you are looking for something with more pizzazz to showoff....go with the Galleria or Lauderdale, but they do not have built in humidification system, but a couple of lbs of beads will be perfect: http://www.cheaphumidors.com/humidor...-humidors.html They used to have an "Make me an offer" option, but I'm not sure if they do or not, but when I got my Tower I offered them 15% which they accepted. If you don't want to go the beads route you could spurge & get the Set It & Forget It from Avallo http://www.avallohumidors.com/Accumonitor.html __________________

10-26-2015, 09:49 AM	#6
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Why do you need cooling? I have two friends with them and I think it is a waste of money; takes up a lot of room, noisy, and of little use if the power goes out. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-27-2015, 07:20 AM	#10
Stevez Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Steve Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 487 Trading: (7)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Thanks for the feedback; may do that this weekend if it's still available.

10-27-2015, 12:54 PM	#11
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? That one in the CL ad looks great. If you haggle, get on splitting the delivery charge or see if he can deliver it. That looks like a b**** to move and you don't want to f it up while doing it. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-27-2015, 01:05 PM	#12
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? You could probably hire a local mover / truck for an hour if they are that close to your house, maybe you can get him to knock the 100 bucks off the price that you'd pay to move it, that being said it looks like it's a pretty good steal to start with.

10-27-2015, 02:08 PM	#13
AlohaStyle Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: WA Posts: 1,168 Trading: (40)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? You are not going to find a large cabinet humidor with cooling unit for $500 unless you get absolutely lucky. If I were you, make sure you have an A/C in your house/apt and buy a nice cabinet without cooling. Be careful with that Vinotemp on CL... it looks like a traditional compressor cooled unit which many people would not use for cigars. There is a nice looking, large cabinet being sold in Cincinnati for $725. Dimensions: 6ft 8.5inch Tall, 3ft 6inch wide, 1ft 5inch deep

10-27-2015, 02:27 PM	#14
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? AC in a humidor is a waste of money unless it's connected to generator when the rest of the house is not. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

10-27-2015, 02:53 PM	#15
CRIMPS Benn/Seguin best friends Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Zach Location: North Texas Posts: 1,520 Trading: (50)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Consider a non temperature controlled humidor, maybe? This would definitely cut the cost of a new humidor. I'm not so sure there is a lot of benefit in keeping the temperature < 70 degrees if the humidor is located in a temperature controlled building. If you are concerned about beetles, then freeze your cigars? __________________ I'm a Dallas Stars fan. So, yes, this is a confusing time for me.

10-27-2015, 08:27 PM	#17
Goldie Bring the pain! Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Drew Location: Ohio Posts: 808 Trading: (13)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Evening everyone, Sorry for my absence since asking for some advice. That's the life of a small business owner I suppose. 750 may be a little large for what I need currently. But I like the idea of having space to grow into. I would estimate now that I have somewhere between 425 - 475 sticks. The reason that I am looking for something similar to my Vino is that we live in a 110 year old house. The HVAC isn't awesome, and due to the age of the house would require a load of money to upgrade. My Vino sits in my office that receives minimal AC or heat, so the temp in the room can be 8 or 10 degrees above/below the rest of the house. It isn't a real problem in the Fall and Winter in that the temp drops to the mid to low 60s. In the Summer when the room sits at 78 or so the cooling takes care of the climate inside the Vino. We unfortunately don't have a garage for a cooler, and don't have a basement that I would feel comfortable using for storage. I like the idea of having the Vino in an area where I can easily grab a smoke if I find myself with a little extra time in the evening. Someone commented that the possibility of finding a cooled cabinet for $500 would be sheer luck, and I agree. I like the idea of having some room to grow, but an actual cabinet would be far too much room. It would be pathetic at how empty one would look. I was hoping someone here had something they could recommend. If I Google for some options I can find some vendors who sell lower than others, but what I really wanted to avoid was dropping some cash on a humidor that just wasn't up to par. I love my Vino, I just hate that my RH is all over the place. __________________ Come in here dear boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go far - Pink Floyd I like my draw, like I like my women, a little loose - Goldie

10-28-2015, 04:37 AM	#18
Wharf Rat I'll get up and fly away Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Bob Location: Florence, SC Posts: 786 Trading: (7)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Just as a kookie thought - Maybe you could put a packaged HVAC system, like what you might find in many hotel rooms into your office. Then, both you and your cigars would be more comfortable.

10-28-2015, 12:41 PM	#20
AlohaStyle Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: WA Posts: 1,168 Trading: (40)	Re: Next best thing to an Aristocrat? Exactly, go to Costco or Walmart and buy a portable A/C unit. Turn it on when needed, save energy when you don't. That is what I was going to do before buying a new house.