Making my own Coolerdor

[TravPSU]

I priced out materials for a coolerdor and it came out to $160+. Sounds a bit off to me. I didn't really expect it to be more than $75.

Cooler $40
Cedar Trays $15 x 4
Beads $35
Digital Hygrometer $25

[mrtr33]

Seems a little high.

First of all, how many smokes are you going to be putting in there? What capacity is that cooler?

Having both the beads and the hygrometer is redundant.

Aren't there cigar boxes from your B&M you can use instead of the cedar trays?

Just wondering.

[TravPSU]

Seems a little high.

First of all, how many smokes are you going to be putting in there? What capacity is that cooler?

Having both the beads and the hygrometer is redundant.

Aren't there cigar boxes from your B&M you can use instead of the cedar trays?

Just wondering.

For now it would only be between 35-40 cigars. The cooler is the 50qt. Coolman found in the sticky. Having both the beads and hygrometer is for peace of mind, but I can see your point. A cheapo analog would work. My B&M charges $3 for the cardboard boxes and up to $12 for the wood boxes. Empty.

[mrtr33]

That's INSANE. If you want, I'll look around here for solid wood boxes, but I'm pretty sure he'll give them to me for next to nothing. Let me know if you're interested in the meantime, and maybe we can work out a deal.

[ashauler]

I priced out materials for a coolerdor and it came out to $160+. Sounds a bit off to me. I didn't really expect it to be more than $75.

Cooler $40
Beads $35

I'm with Mark......why trays? They're cool and all, but if $$ is a concern, empty boxes work great, especially if you seperate the top and bottom. There are even little plastic bins at the dollar store that work great.

Cost of beads sounds reasonable.......I also agree, that once you convince yourself that the beads work, you won't even look at the hygro any longer.

Whala....$75.

[TravPSU]

I'm with Mark......why trays? They're cool and all, but if $$ is a concern, empty boxes work great, especially if you seperate the top and bottom. There are even little plastic bins at the dollar store that work great.

Cost of beads sounds reasonable.......I also agree, that once you convince yourself that the beads work, you won't even look at the hygro any longer.

Whala....$75.

I was under the impression they helped moderate humidity swings from opening and closing the coolerdor, deter tobacco beetles (not that I'm worrying about beetles), and help season the cigars with the cedar smell. If they aren't needed then I won't worry about them... for now.


mrtr33 - I'd really appreciate that. Let me know what you find.

[mrtr33]

No problem at all. Should get there by tomorrow. Can't swing it today. I'll have an answer for you then.

Most quality wooden cigar boxes will be made of the same material those trays are - they might not look as pretty, but it's the same damn thing.

[ashauler]

I was under the impression they helped moderate humidity swings from opening and closing the coolerdor, deter tobacco beetles (not that I'm worrying about beetles), and help season the cigars with the cedar smell. If they aren't needed then I won't worry about them... for now.


mrtr33 - I'd really appreciate that. Let me know what you find.

There you go. Big fancy cabinets are sweet, and contain lots of spanish cedar, but, I'd argue that my coolidor just does just as good a job at keeping my cigars in great, smokeable condition.

ETA: Not that I wouldn't love to have a big, beautiful cabinet, cause I would. At this point, I just choose to spend my $$ on cigars instead of accessories.

[daredog4]

From all the research i have done on this board and others I just thought i should have some Spanish cedar in there. If you don't have something else besided beads to soak up some humidity then when you open and close the cooler it will cause the RH to swing low and then have to catch up. Also it is good for keeping out bugs and such. I only decided to spend the extra money on trays because i needed some trays anyways, and since i knew i wanted some spanish cedar in there it just made sense. Plus, some day if i buy or build a Large Humidor i can reuse the trays in it.

Also, I know that everyone likes their RH at a different level and I understand and respect all of your opinions. For me i think keeping the RH at 70% and then dry boxing for a day is the best way to go. Many of the cigar makers list on their websites that they reccomend 70% humidity as seen here http://www.olivacigars.com/fundamentals.aspx All in all it just boils down to what you like best.

[FactoredReality]

I have a bag full of empty bags taking up some space in the cooler right now. Having a full cooler will help reduce the ammount of air the beads have to re-humidify upon opening and closing. But don't worry about that, it will solve itself faster than you can imagine.

[bigwhiteash]

Go to home Depot or Lowes, and pick up a sheet of "luan' plywood, made from low grade mahogany, a close relative of Spanish cedar, and equally hygroscopic.

That is, if you're convinces you need a bunch of wood in your cooler. I just have a bunch of boxes in mine.

[craig]

From all the research i have done on this board and others I just thought i should have some Spanish cedar in there. If you don't have something else besided beads to soak up some humidity then when you open and close the cooler it will cause the RH to swing low and then have to catch up. Also it is good for keeping out bugs and such. I only decided to spend the extra money on trays because i needed some trays anyways, and since i knew i wanted some spanish cedar in there it just made sense. Plus, some day if i buy or build a Large Humidor i can reuse the trays in it.

Also, I know that everyone likes their RH at a different level and I understand and respect all of your opinions. For me i think keeping the RH at 70% and then dry boxing for a day is the best way to go. Many of the cigar makers list on their websites that they reccomend 70% humidity as seen here http://www.olivacigars.com/fundamentals.aspx All in all it just boils down to what you like best.

"Good" beads, e.g., RH beads from cigarmony (on sale now IIRC), outperform wood as a buffer. (You would need wood if you went with crystals. Just to confuse the issue, "beads" are actually silica gel (preferably doped with Lithium Chloride), and crystals are often called gel, but are typically polymers ...)

Also, cedar doesn't keep bugs out; the beetles just don't like the taste of that wood, so they won't eat cedar - they'll just crawl around it.

Lots of folks do like the cedar taste in cigars - witness cedar-wrapped cigars (and note that the cedar wrap is on the inside of the cello ...)

If it is important to the way you are planning to use your cooler to address RH swings, then the best way in a large volume of space is to use fans. However, putting cigars in boxes effectively eliminates that concern, i.e., the RH swing from opening and closing isn't going to affect a cigar in a box like it would a cigar in an open tray (assuming cigars without cello).

YMMV.

[TravPSU]

So keeping the cigars in the box they came in closed inside the coolerdor will still allow the humidity to get to them? Or should you sit the box in the coolerdor and keep it open to allow the humidity in?

[mrtr33]

mrtr33 - I'd really appreciate that. Let me know what you find.

That's INSANE. If you want, I'll look around here for solid wood boxes, but I'm pretty sure he'll give them to me for next to nothing. Let me know if you're interested in the meantime, and maybe we can work out a deal.

Okay, maybe I'm insane. The guy at my local shop wants $2 for the paper wrapped boxes, and $5 for the all-wood boxes. I may have a few around the house as well; I brought some with me from Oregon to help my brother with an OtterBox/humidor project around Christmastime - they may be a bit cannibalized, however.

Anyway, if you're still interested, shoot me a PM.

[Galvanicfish]

I too have started getting my coolerdor going. So far my costs have been: 28 qt cooler $17, 65% heartfelt beads in tube, 23$. I haven't invested in a hygro yet, since I was wondering if there was any reason I couldn't use my weather sensor for as long as it takes for me to be reassured that all is well inside my cooler.

[daredog4]

Here is what i have so far. I know its not perfect but it is my first Coolerdor and I am very happy with how it has turned out. Once i fill this one my wife is gonna kill me Thanks for the help and the Coolerdor thread. This has been a very fun and easy project.

[TravPSU]

Very nice! I was looking at the cooler on my way out of Wal-mart. Should have bought it. I was worried about boxes not fitting in. Does it have wheels and a handle?

[TravPSU]

Here is what i have so far. I know its not perfect but it is my first Coolerdor and I am very happy with how it has turned out. Once i fill this one my wife is gonna kill me Thanks for the help and the Coolerdor thread. This has been a very fun and easy project.

Your pics convinced me to start a coolerdor. Just got back from Wal-mart with the cooler and now I'm ordering beads online.

[craig]

I too have started getting my coolerdor going. So far my costs have been: 28 qt cooler $17, 65% heartfelt beads in tube, 23$. I haven't invested in a hygro yet, since I was wondering if there was any reason I couldn't use my weather sensor for as long as it takes for me to be reassured that all is well inside my cooler.

That's what I use (mine are Oregon Scientific). Like any hygrometer, calibrate (salt test) if you're interested in absolute readings.

The essential difference between a weather hygrometer and a digital hygrometer designed for humidor use is the case. A weather unit has a few small holes for air to enter/exit the unit, whereas a cigar hygro has a bunch of holes/grills - you can sometimes see the RH measuring surface (usually looks like a little white wafer with foil lines on it). The restricted airflow means that the weather unit moves a little slower in response to change - but it does move fine.

FWIW, my costs for the last cooler were (roughly):
- 70qt Coleman Extreme: $40;
- pound of beads: $30;
- used (clean) pantyhose to cut up to make a bunch of bags for the beads: 'free' from girlfriend;
- Oust fan: $15;
- wireless weather sensor (w/local display): $40;
- roll of 1/8" thick closed-cell weatherstripping: $5.

[Galvanicfish]

Thank you Craig, as usual you are a veritable font of information.