Cooler-dor

DirtRider500R · 11-17-2013, 02:20 PM

Went shopping for some supplies today; came back with a cooler, electric hydrometer, beads, and a couple cigar boxes (but no sticks

). Plan on getting everything prepped so I can "season" it. It there any specific thing I need to do with the cooler in order to prep it? I've already read through some of the Humidor Seasoning thread, and I didn't see anything about cooler-dors. Do I just season the boxes and go from there?

Some pictures.

Gabe215 · 11-17-2013, 02:25 PM

Great start!!

MUNKY · 11-17-2013, 02:25 PM

Accessories section of the forums has some good stuff for coolidor!
http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=59952

big_jaygee · 11-17-2013, 02:27 PM

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=59952

http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=61524

the "search" function is your friend..

that should be enough to get you started, if you need more help let us know.

have fun on your new project and get ready for the ride

DirtRider500R · 11-17-2013, 02:42 PM

Good reads, thanks guys

Will be cleaning out the cooler with baking soda/water shortly. Already have the hydrometer being tested, so that should be good to go tomorrow.

I know that this is going to be a very, very long ride for me. I "go all the way" when I get started in new hobbies.

DirtRider500R · 11-17-2013, 04:53 PM

Put there cooler where I plan on keeping it and took a look at just how big the wood boxes are. I think I'm gonna be buying another cooler in the near future.

T.G · 11-17-2013, 05:53 PM

Those aren't beads. They're "gel" (super absorbent polymer treated with propylene glycol if you want to get technical) .

And, they are "meh".

They're great for releasing humidity, but only mediocre at maintaining a set RH and really sluggish to absorb excess humidity out of the air.

My recommendation would be to return them and get actual 2-way beads from either Michael (cigarnut) at HCMbeads.com or HF beads from heartfelt.com

MrClean · 11-17-2013, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.G

Those aren't beads. They're "gel" (super absorbent polymer treated with propylene glycol if you want to get technical) .

And, they are "meh".

They're great for releasing humidity, but only mediocre at maintaining a set RH and really sluggish to absorb excess humidity out of the air.

My recommendation would be to return them and get actual 2-way beads from either Michael (cigarnut) at HCMbeads.com or HF beads from heartfelt.com

I have the Coleman 150qt Marine cooler and with the lack of wood in these things, even with a bunch of boxes, there still isn't a lot of wood in them, you really need something that will absorb, as well as release humidity. If you buy a lot of sticks online, they normally arrive very 'wet'. Having beads are the only way to go, as they will stabilize your sticks (IMO) much faster. I use the HF beads in my cooler and in our climate (midwest) only have to add distilled water to them 2 or 3 times a year. The recovery time for a humi with beads in it is impressive. I used the gel in my small humi before upgrading to the cooler and they struggled to keep a stable level. If you do go with beads, go ahead and over estimate what you'll need, since they are 2-way, it'll help keep recovery times down.

big_jaygee · 11-17-2013, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrClean

If you do go with beads, go ahead and over estimate what you'll need, since they are 2-way, it'll help keep recovery times down.

i have a 28-bottle wineador with 3 pounds of HCM Beads and a 48 qt cooler for overflow with two pounds of HCM Beads, both are rock solid at 65% RH.

DirtRider500R · 11-17-2013, 06:46 PM

I'll be ordering in some HCM beads soon. I just needed something to keep everything near where it should be until then.

Dude Here · 11-17-2013, 08:30 PM

Looks like you're off to a great start man. Enjoy the journey, you'll have that sucker filled up in no time.

DirtRider500R · 11-18-2013, 09:52 AM

Hydrometer held steady at 65% during the test, which is 10% off, if I have read correctly. Will be adjusting it and putting it into the cooler shortly.

Dude Here · 11-18-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtRider500R

Hydrometer held steady at 65% during the test, which is 10% off, if I have read correctly. Will be adjusting it and putting it into the cooler shortly.

That's really not uncommon if you bought a cheapie hygrometer. If it's adjustable then it shouldn't be a problem. I've gotta say man, your thread has inspired me to start up a cooler myself!

Sadden · 11-18-2013, 12:04 PM

You cant be worse than me. I skipped from a 50ct desktop to a 60+ box Aristocrat....

DirtRider500R · 11-18-2013, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dude Here

That's really not uncommon if you bought a cheapie hygrometer. If it's adjustable then it shouldn't be a problem. I've gotta say man, your thread has inspired me to start up a cooler myself!

Ended up buying a less cheap-o hydrometer. The one showed in the picture is a piece of junk. Spent $10 at Lowes and got a much nicer one

It's in a bag calibrating right now.

Dude Here · 11-18-2013, 01:51 PM

You got a pic of the one you got from Lowe's? I was looking at the Accurite from Wally World, but from the reviews I've read it's completely hit or miss whether the one you get will be accurate. Some folks were saying that theirs were up to 15% off!

DirtRider500R · 11-18-2013, 01:57 PM

That's probably the same one I got. You have me worried now!

CigarNut · 11-18-2013, 02:09 PM

I'm a firm believer in getting what you pay for so I prefer the higher-end of the inexpensive hygrometers -- HygroSet, Xikar or Caliber. All of these can be calibrated and adjusted which is really nice and they can usually be had for $25 or less.

Having said that, many people use these cheap hygrometers or no hygrometer at all with great success. It's all about personal preference.

stearns · 11-18-2013, 02:13 PM

I use the older version of that cheap hygro. I've calibrated it a couple times, and its usually around 10% off. I don't really care what the precise humidity is, I just know that I have more beads than I probably should have, and that when that cheap number thing has a 52 on it they smoke great

Dude Here · 11-18-2013, 02:36 PM

Don't worry too much Eli, if it's a bit off just figure the difference between what it reads and 75%. If it bugs you too much just take it back and get a new one.

I ordered a pound of Heartfelt beads this morning. Think I'm gonna clean out my cooler this evening then head to the local tomorrow for some empty boxes.

11-17-2013, 02:20 PM	#1
DirtRider500R Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2013 First Name: Eli Location: Michigan Posts: 330 Trading: (2)	Cooler-dor Went shopping for some supplies today; came back with a cooler, electric hydrometer, beads, and a couple cigar boxes (but no sticks ). Plan on getting everything prepped so I can "season" it. It there any specific thing I need to do with the cooler in order to prep it? I've already read through some of the Humidor Seasoning thread, and I didn't see anything about cooler-dors. Do I just season the boxes and go from there? Some pictures. __________________ I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around

11-17-2013, 02:25 PM	#2
Gabe215 Have My Own Room Join Date: Nov 2012 First Name: Gabe Location: Philadelphia Posts: 1,120 Trading: (20)	Re: Cooler-dor Great start!!

11-17-2013, 02:25 PM	#3
MUNKY Resident Pig Hunter Join Date: May 2013 First Name: Brandon Location: Pearland, TX Posts: 1,169 Trading: (19)	Re: Cooler-dor Accessories section of the forums has some good stuff for coolidor! http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=59952 __________________ Proud member of the GMCGTPWHAFA

11-17-2013, 02:27 PM	#4
big_jaygee I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Dec 2012 First Name: Jason Location: Houston Posts: 3,914 Trading: (59)	Re: Cooler-dor http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=59952 http://www.cigarasylum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=61524 the "search" function is your friend.. that should be enough to get you started, if you need more help let us know. have fun on your new project and get ready for the ride

11-17-2013, 02:42 PM	#5
DirtRider500R Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2013 First Name: Eli Location: Michigan Posts: 330 Trading: (2)	Re: Cooler-dor Good reads, thanks guys Will be cleaning out the cooler with baking soda/water shortly. Already have the hydrometer being tested, so that should be good to go tomorrow. I know that this is going to be a very, very long ride for me. I "go all the way" when I get started in new hobbies. __________________ I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around

11-17-2013, 04:53 PM	#6
DirtRider500R Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2013 First Name: Eli Location: Michigan Posts: 330 Trading: (2)	Re: Cooler-dor Put there cooler where I plan on keeping it and took a look at just how big the wood boxes are. I think I'm gonna be buying another cooler in the near future. __________________ I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around

11-17-2013, 05:53 PM	#7
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Cooler-dor Those aren't beads. They're "gel" (super absorbent polymer treated with propylene glycol if you want to get technical) . And, they are "meh". They're great for releasing humidity, but only mediocre at maintaining a set RH and really sluggish to absorb excess humidity out of the air. My recommendation would be to return them and get actual 2-way beads from either Michael (cigarnut) at HCMbeads.com or HF beads from heartfelt.com

11-17-2013, 06:46 PM	#10
DirtRider500R Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2013 First Name: Eli Location: Michigan Posts: 330 Trading: (2)	Re: Cooler-dor I'll be ordering in some HCM beads soon. I just needed something to keep everything near where it should be until then. __________________ I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around

11-17-2013, 08:30 PM	#11
Dude Here I'm the Dude...Man! Join Date: Oct 2013 First Name: Steve Location: Texas Posts: 671 Trading: (3)	Re: Cooler-dor Looks like you're off to a great start man. Enjoy the journey, you'll have that sucker filled up in no time.

11-18-2013, 09:52 AM	#12
DirtRider500R Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2013 First Name: Eli Location: Michigan Posts: 330 Trading: (2)	Re: Cooler-dor Hydrometer held steady at 65% during the test, which is 10% off, if I have read correctly. Will be adjusting it and putting it into the cooler shortly. __________________ I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around

11-18-2013, 12:04 PM	#14
Sadden Its only money... Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Colin Posts: 367 Trading: (0)	Re: Cooler-dor You cant be worse than me. I skipped from a 50ct desktop to a 60+ box Aristocrat.... __________________ If you want to party with the boys , be prepared to get up and work with the men the next morning. -Colin

11-18-2013, 01:51 PM	#16
Dude Here I'm the Dude...Man! Join Date: Oct 2013 First Name: Steve Location: Texas Posts: 671 Trading: (3)	Re: Cooler-dor You got a pic of the one you got from Lowe's? I was looking at the Accurite from Wally World, but from the reviews I've read it's completely hit or miss whether the one you get will be accurate. Some folks were saying that theirs were up to 15% off!

11-18-2013, 01:57 PM	#17
DirtRider500R Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Nov 2013 First Name: Eli Location: Michigan Posts: 330 Trading: (2)	Re: Cooler-dor That's probably the same one I got. You have me worried now! __________________ I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around

11-18-2013, 02:09 PM	#18
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Cooler-dor I'm a firm believer in getting what you pay for so I prefer the higher-end of the inexpensive hygrometers -- HygroSet, Xikar or Caliber. All of these can be calibrated and adjusted which is really nice and they can usually be had for $25 or less. Having said that, many people use these cheap hygrometers or no hygrometer at all with great success. It's all about personal preference. __________________ 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.

11-18-2013, 02:13 PM	#19
stearns Dogbert Consultant Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ben Location: Park Hill Posts: 5,386 Trading: (50)	Re: Cooler-dor I use the older version of that cheap hygro. I've calibrated it a couple times, and its usually around 10% off. I don't really care what the precise humidity is, I just know that I have more beads than I probably should have, and that when that cheap number thing has a 52 on it they smoke great __________________ "Ignoring all the racket of conventional reality" - Keller Williams

11-18-2013, 02:36 PM	#20
Dude Here I'm the Dude...Man! Join Date: Oct 2013 First Name: Steve Location: Texas Posts: 671 Trading: (3)	Re: Cooler-dor Don't worry too much Eli, if it's a bit off just figure the difference between what it reads and 75%. If it bugs you too much just take it back and get a new one. I ordered a pound of Heartfelt beads this morning. Think I'm gonna clean out my cooler this evening then head to the local tomorrow for some empty boxes.