My New Coolidor

[MemphisFred]

Ok, well I pulled the trigger on setting up a coolidor. I'm useing a cooler I already had, a Igloo 48qt. and it's old enough that it doesn't have the plastic smell. I still did a good cleaning on it anyway.

I made a trip to a couple of local B&M's to get some supplies. One stop, the shop owner gave me three empty boxes that he was gonna toss away. The other shop, I got a gel humidifer and some thin pieces of spanish cedar. The only cost was the humidifer.

I'm using the boxes as temporary trays until I can get some real stackable ones, got the humidifer activated and I also have a couple of small cups of distilled water. Right now I'm using a cheap analog but I've got a digital ordered online so shouldn't be long before I get it. And once I get around to the trays I'm going to get some of the Boveda humidifer packs.

Did a search but couldn't find the answers to a few questions I have.
1. Should I leave the lids to the boxes on or off?

2. As said I got a few pieces of thin sp. cedar to put around the sides, but is this really necessary?

3. I know I need to keep the lid closed right now my hygro is on 60 but it's climbing slowly. When I finally get the stackable trays, will I be basically starting all over again as they probably need to season also?

[ashauler]

1. I leave mine on.
2. I don't, but I know others that do.
3. Yes, the trays will need to season. They will suck down the Rh in the short-term.

[MemphisFred]

Thanks for the quick replies...I was wondering about the lids on or off question the most. Because the lids are always open for display in the B&M's humidors, and the stackable trays will be open too. Just didn't know.

[Irish79]

Did that Acid box have a smell to it? I was given one but I don't use it to store cigars in due to the strong odor.

[MemphisFred]

Didn't even think about the smell...I'll check it out. Thanks!
Edit: Nope, no smell

[MarineOne]

How do those Marine stogies smoke, or did you just order the bands?

Nice coolidor, BTW. I had a feeling you'd go that route.



S/F

Kris

[MemphisFred]

I bought them in a commerative set for the last birthday ball. Haven't even fired one yet could be a dog rocket...dunno

[VictorMJR66]

Looks great!
I have my boxes closed. I seasoned the inside as well as the outside before placing my cigars in them.
I also measured the inside of my cooler, and used the bead calculator at Heartfelt Industries to determine my bead needs. Stays a constant 65%rh with the 65%rh beads.

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/calculator.asp

Such a great system!

I know the other guys have tons more experience, but I wanted to share how I did mine, using plenty of advice from the Seniors.
Another peice of excellent advice from these guys; test your hygrometer....new or not.
I used the Boveda's One-Step Calibration Kit.

http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/p...asp?cat=Boveda

[buzz]

Good looking setup there, I will be starting my own coolidor project pretty soon, unless my computer breaks or I forget the url for the devil site.

-Buzz

[victory01]

Good choice! Coolidor is definitely the way to go. I keep my lids closed...I think the B&Ms have their lids open for display purposes.

I also keep thin pieces of cedar sheets in the coolidor that I have collected from boxes and cigars. I don't know if it does anything really, but I just love the smell of it. Kinda gives the illusion of opening up an actual cedar lined humidor to me.

As for the hygrometer and such...I would eventually get some beads. I used to have a hygrometer and tinkered with it for a while, but it honestly got too annoying. I trust the beads and have had no problems so far with split wrappers or bad burning sticks.

Great idea on the trays btw. I just have my boxes stacked. I should look into that....

[MemphisFred]

Great idea on the trays btw. I just have my boxes stacked. I should look into that....

I've been searching around and so far the cheapest trays I've found that fit are 10.00 ea + shipping. Plus I would still have some room at the end of the cooler for the boxes I already have. I'm good for now...will get them a little later.

[victory01]

Yeah, it's not a huge deal. It's just that boxes come in all shapes and sizes and it can get tough later on playing tetris in your coolidor. I have a pretty good lay out now, but i would still like a tray or 2 for loose singles.

[VictorMJR66]

I've been searching around and so far the cheapest trays I've found that fit are 10.00 ea + shipping. Plus I would still have some room at the end of the cooler for the boxes I already have. I'm good for now...will get them a little later.

Where are you thinking of ordering trays. I like the idea of having both trays and boxes.

[Cigarbear]

Depending on where you are specifically, check out Rockler and/or Woodcraft. They're specialty woodworking stores and carry spanish cedar of varying sizes and thicknesses. You can order online too. I made a few trays for my cooler. It was pretty cheap since I already had all the other tools and supplies. Then you can tailor them for the space.

[MemphisFred]

Hey Victor, Cigar Solutions has only one type of tray for 9.99, Cuban Crafters have some also but they don't list what size they are. Would probably have to call and ask them. That or do like Cigarbear said and make our own.

Fred

[camzben]

I tried a little different approach to my coolidor. I lined the bottom and sides with Spanish cedar and then bought some stainless steel basket containers at the dollar store. The kind that is used for holding shampoo bottles in the shower. They have about a half inch grid to them and were 7” long x 4” wide x 3” deep. I found a couple other similar basket containers that were about the size of cigar boxes and use them also. Once I fill the containers with my precious sticks. I then use a thin piece of Spanish cedar to cover it so I can stack another container on top. I have 2-3 layers in one coolidor. I have been doing this for about a year now and no problem yet.

[VictorMJR66]

Depending on where you are specifically, check out Rockler and/or Woodcraft. They're specialty woodworking stores and carry spanish cedar of varying sizes and thicknesses. You can order online too. I made a few trays for my cooler. It was pretty cheap since I already had all the other tools and supplies. Then you can tailor them for the space.

Hey Victor, Cigar Solutions has only one type of tray for 9.99, Cuban Crafters have some also but they don't list what size they are. Would probably have to call and ask them. That or do like Cigarbear said and make our own.

Fred

Thank you both!
I really enjoy the massive storage of my coolidor. Unfortunately, the devil site requires the addition of another.....
Trays may help me avoid that.

[Cigarbear]

Unfortunately, the devil site requires the addition of another.....
Trays may help me avoid that.

When I started seriously collecting I bought the biggest cooler I could find, 150 qt, thinking I'd never need another cooler. A year later and I'm very likely buying another

[MemphisFred]

Stopped by a small tobacco store today. Almost missed it but the sign in the window that said "Walk in Humidor" got my attention. I got a couple of sticks at retail for feeling quilty at what I was able to score. I asked him if he had any boxes, and he told me to take as many as I want, no charge...what Hell yeah, I got about half of what he had All wood boxes but I don't think I'm gonna go through the hassle of stripping paper off them A couple had some nice dividers and some others had some solid sticks of sp. cedar.

[VictorMJR66]

Nice score!
I enjoy the added cedar blocks for their scent and ability to hold humidity.