Looking for my 1st Humidor

Hello all, Im new to the site and this is my first post on here. I have been smoking cigars for a couple of years although I just recently decided to take the leap and buy a humidor. I am pretty new to all of this relating to humidors and aging cigars, although I have read through the Herfers Guide to Setting up a Humi and some what understand how to get a humi set up.

I need some help picking out a nice "starter" humi. Something around 75 - 150 capacity should do me fine. Ive been looking at a few at Thompson Cigar but Im not sure if any of them are good or not. I kinda have my eye on this combo deal Humidor + 100 cigars. Now Im not worried about the quality of the cigars, as I can give them to my friends when they come over or something if I dont like them, but Im wondering how good of a Humi it is. I have also been looking at Cigarmony.com and Heartfelt Industries at humis as well. They have a few that catch my eye to. Any tips, pointers, or recommendations on what humidor to get would be greatly appreciated.

Also I have seen a few posts regarding the use of a tube of beads to control the humidity, im not sure of the name, but do these simply replace the device in the humidor that controls the humidity? Or do you place them in there along with it?

I purchased both of my humis from
http://www.tampahumidor.com/
Great selection and prices, I like the humis with the glass top. You should get a digital hygrometer also. You can keep an eye on the humidity and temp without having to open your humi. I stayed away from the combo deals because they seemed overpriced and I wanted to pick out all of the smokes myself. I used the heartfelt 70% beads with the tubes. You do not need the sponges that come with the humi if you use the beads.

I seasoned my humi, and ordered most of my smokes the day I finished seasoning this way it would be about 70% full. I let them sit for about 2 weeks before smoking to give the humi time to stabilize. Hope this helps. I order most of my smokes from http://www.seriouscigars.com/ or http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/

Welcome from VA!

If you are a cigar-fanatic, you may just want to skip the "starter" humidor and go for a nice big cooler. You can get a decent size cooler for the same price as a nice disply humidor, but you decide.

The beads can support the humidification system in the humidor you buy, OR you can just chuck that humidification system and the beads can do all the work. IT's really up to you. The beads will be the most efficient form of humidification you can have. I've stopped using the humidification system that came with my humidor, once I've started using the beads.

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14

I get my beads from there. Good luck!

Andrew

check these humi combo's out::

http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/2863

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...-5VASST2&cat=6

http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/331

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...P-CIEG13&cat=6

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...6&cat=6&page=2

http://www.cigarsinternational.com/p...5&cat=6&page=3

http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/280

http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/323

http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/2862


never heard any complaints about Cuban Crafters or CI's products or service and i've had nothing but good experiences myself... plus all the cigars in those combos are great.

I actually just traded a member here (Wingfan) for the humi in the second link in my last post... but FunkyCold5 brings up a good point... try one of these::

http://www.academy.com/products/outdoors/camping/hard_side_coolers

http://www.academy.com/products/outdoors/camping/hard_side_coolers

http://www.academy.com/products/outdoors/camping/hard_side_coolers

AND this::

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/p...od=HB%5F1%5F65

Add a few empty cigar boxes, a hydrometer of your choice... and for the cigars, you can't go wrong with these::

$128.19
http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/28

or theses::

http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/351

its like a create your own combo deal... plus you can fit a rediculous amout of sticks in a cooler like that.

Oh yeah, and you're gonna need one of these...

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/p...%5FREC%5FCombo

and if you order the biggest cooler i listed, the hydrometer with calibration kit, the humi beads, and the 25 ct bundle of Don Kiki red lables, total retail price comes toooooo.... $128.19!!!

Thanks for all the replies.

I understand the benefits of using a cooler (I think) but I dont really want to use one to start out with. Because I kinda like the idea of having a nice good looking wood humi. Althouugh as my collection grows I will most definitely use a cooler eventually. I want to start with a humidor though, Im just stubborn like that I guess.

I think I am down to btw these couple humis.
Il Duomo - This is my favorite one so far. I am really leaning towards buying this one.
MUSEOROSA
COMBO BRAVO - I really like this combo, thnx for finding it ReV
Reflection

As for the beads, I see they come in 60%, 65%, and 70%. How do I know which ones to get? I assume the different % are for fine tuning to your tastes or something like that, am I correct? And I read in a few others posts that you can never have enough beads, so if my humi that I get needs 3oz going by the calculator on Heartfelt.com could I just get 4oz and be done with it? Do I just put the tube in the humi just like a cigar or is there some special positing you have to do with it?

Also what about caring for the humi? Or dont you have to worry about it too much once its setup and stabilized?

I just got myself a 2nd humidor, was thinking about doing the coolidor thing but don't think I need that many cigars, I mean how many can I smoke anyway. Besides I love the look, feel and smell of a humidor. What ever you decide on I'm sure you will enjoy it. Oh the 100 cigars you may not like, glad I'm not your friend LOL I hate it when somebody gives me a bad cigar!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by njsarge54

I seasoned my humi, and ordered most of my smokes the day I finished seasoning this way it would be about 70% full. I let them sit for about 2 weeks before smoking to give the humi time to stabilize. Hope this helps. I order most of my smokes from http://www.seriouscigars.com/ or http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/

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My local B&M is Serious Cigars, and I have to tell you it is an Awesmoe place. Has the biggest Humidor in Texas and the shop is just great, including smoking area etc. The owner Ron is the best guy you will ever meet and does a ton for his customers. He just opened a Wine Bar next door to his shop. If you ever get a chance to come to Houston you need to make it by there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tx_tuff

I just got myself a 2nd humidor, was thinking about doing the coolidor thing but don't think I need that many cigars, I mean how many can I smoke anyway. Besides I love the look, feel and smell of a humidor. What ever you decide on I'm sure you will enjoy it. Oh the 100 cigars you may not like, glad I'm not your friend LOL I hate it when somebody gives me a bad cigar!

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Well they really dont smoke cigars that often. Only when they are with me mostly, so they pretty much smoke what ever. Only recently has my one friend started to acquire a taste for the finer smokes.

Couldn't tell you about your 100 stick deal... but if you can buy the humi out right for less, i'd do that an order a good bundle stick like Don Kiki's or Tampa Sweethearts... combo isn't worth it unless the sticks are decent, investigate whatever cigars you're getting first.

Serious cigars has a great selection and great prices. If I am ever in Texas it will be on my list of places to stop. I like the fact you can order single cigars at they don't jack up the price. I also like the fact if you order over $100 they have some hard to get smokes as promos. On my last order I got a 4 pack of AF Hemingway Work of Art for $32.00. Tell Ron he has a great thing going there.