Another Newbie introduction

Hey everybody. First post on the site, been lurking a few days and finally registered. I'm David, live in Winston-Salem NC. A little about me, I'm 27, new to Cigars, having smoked a few so far, I do find that I enjoy them alot. I work for Norfolk Southern railroad as a freight train Conductor. My interest include firearms, cigars, sportscards, Boston Red Sox, etc.
I currently have about 15 cigars temporarily stored in a plastic Lock-N-Lock container thats fairly airtight with a couple of slices of apple in there to help keep some moisture in there. I just purchased them 3 days ago, so hoping they'll be ok for the time being. I keep the container slid back in a darker corner on a bookshelf because I read that direct light wasn't really good for them. I'm hoping to get a Humidor this weekend and get it ready to store them properly. I'm looking forward to getting to know you guys and learn all I can from you in the mean time! Anyone else from NC?

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Originally Posted by Namerifrats

I currently have about 25 cigars temporarily stored in a plastic Lock-N-Lock container thats fairly airtight with a couple of slices of apple in there to help keep some moisture in there.

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Now that's old-school right there.

Welcome to the board from the tip of MS. You may want to check out some humidity beads to replace that apple. They're cheap and easy to use.

Must be old school, I remember my great grandpa doing it years ago with his pipe tobacco in an old cigar box. Perfect example of the "tobacco kills" over hype. He was a tobacco farmer his whole life, smoked, and lived to be 96.
But anyway, about these beads. Where can I find them for the best price. I did a search on them and saw where they could be purchased in 1/2 and 1 lb bags as well as tubes. How would I calculate how many I would need for my "small stash"? I understand from what I've read that the 70% beads for "regular" cigars or 65% for Cuban? Correct? Since I don't own any Cuban's I'll look for the 70% if thats the case. I saw in the Humidor Pics thread pictures of people using the tube in some and others with a small bowl of the beads, is one better than the other or just personal preference? I live 20 minutes from a large JR Cigar store and I plan to buy my Humidor there, anybody have one from them? I'm hoping a Hygrometer comes with my Humidor so I can get the humidity right instead of trying to guess and ruining my sticks. Until I can get the proper items, will the apple slices in the plastic container work ok or do I need to do something else with them? I noticed in the pictures on here that some leave the plastic wrapper on the cigars in there humidors and others have them removed, is one way better than the other or again, just personal preference? Sorry about so many questions, I'm just trying to learn all I can as quick as I can so I can just relax and enjoy the hobby!

A keyword search on the word "beads" will give you a lot of threads with good info. To get you started either http://heartfeltindustries.com/ or http://www.cigarmony.com/ are two good places to get humidity beads from. I would recommend the 65% beads.

As far as cellophane on or off, that's a personal preference. I would recommend that you leave your cigars in cello at least until you get a better humidification system. The cello will help keep the wrapper protected from the r/h swings.

Thats good information, just ordered 1/2lb of 65% from Heartfelt. I've also done a bit of research on the forum here and I think I'm going to build myself a Coolerdor.

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Originally Posted by Namerifrats

Thats good information, just ordered 1/2lb of 65% from Heartfelt. I've also done a bit of research on the forum here and I think I'm going to build myself a Coolerdor.

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Welcome from Kansas. Yep, go for the cooler, :smiley20:.

Welcome from Northern New Jersey.


DG

Welcome from west Texas

Welcome from Central Texas. (That's some distance from West Texas).

That is a wise decision my friend. Many of us have started with 100-150 ct humidors (thinking we won't need anything bigger). In the end, we break down and end up getting/making a coolidor. I'm telling you, I don't smoke much, but I do have TONS of cigars on hand. You will end up having too many favorites and start buying a box of each. Kills your pockets, but boy is it a fun ride.

OH, welcome from Virginia.

Andrew

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Originally Posted by Namerifrats

Thats good information, just ordered 1/2lb of 65% from Heartfelt. I've also done a bit of research on the forum here and I think I'm going to build myself a Coolerdor.

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Welcome from SW Pa.

go with the cooler and a big one at that, the obsession really can grab you

welcome from Utah

Planning on a 120qt maybe. Hoping to make it so I might be able to stand it up on it's end similar to a refridgerator so I could install some type of shelves in it. Do most of you use peices of Spanish Cedar installed inside your coolers, or just the whole cigar boxes as they are? Thanks for all the greetings everybody!

Welcome from SC:smiley37:

I just stack my boxes in the cooler. It adds the entertainment factor of playing "COOLER-TETRIS" when I want something off the bottom. also adds plenty of wood as a humidity buffer.

Wal Mart sells small plastic trays that work great for singles.

Welcome from MT!

I saw where another member had pictures of his cooler with those little trays. I have thought about doing that myself. I'm gonna hit up a couple of local shops and see about buying some boxes off of them since I haven't got any myself.

Welcome from Cali... I'm sure we can learn a thing or two from a guy who knows more than one use for an apple.:smiley20: