Making the most of limited space

[hed]

I just bought a 12-bottle (appx. 2 cubic feet), thermoelectric wine cooler. I know it's small, but my smoking budget doesn't allow me to accumulate much. I could easily continue to get by with only my 50-count humidor, but temp control is becoming an issue. The plan is to use it for my current rotation as well as for the odd box or two that must wait until room is available in the humidor.

The only mod I'll have to make is to add a custom shelf with extendable rails that will allow me to slide/roll out my 50-count humidor (end first) far enough to allow me to open the lid. The cooler will be stocked with one pound of 65% beads while the humidor has 60%.

1) Is it best to place the beads at the top, bottom, or middle, or a combination of those locations?
2) Would there be any adverse effects from placing individual sticks directly on the metal racks or should I keep them in their boxes until ready to move into the humidor?

[badwhale]

1) I'd say a combination of locations would be best.
2) The boxes offer protection, and will make it easier to pull some out without spilling a pile on the floor, however they take up space. If budget is an issue, why not just keep them in their boxes until a point where the boxes are taking up too much real estate?

Will

[hed]

If budget is an issue, why not just keep them in their boxes until a point where the boxes are taking up too much real estate?

That's the plan, but I'm sure I'll have some odd singles from samplers and what not. I'd hate to find out the hard way that the metal racks would transfer a metallic taste.

[badwhale]

That's the plan, but I'm sure I'll have some odd singles from samplers and what not. I'd hate to find out the hard way that the metal racks would transfer a metallic taste.

Have a box for mixed singles.

[ashauler]

So, find a box with a half-way deep lid. Rip the lid off. Wha-la, two singles trays.

[hed]

Simple and effective! Thanks guys.

On another note, is the Newbie Sampler trading still active? I noticed there hasn't been any recent posts. I sent a PM to the "next up" a week or two ago but it remains unread. Perhaps he's on vacation. I have since made my purchase for the month but would like to try again next month if it's still active.

[craig]

Yes on the metallic taste, but not everyone can taste it. (I can taste stainless steel flatware, but most can't.)

As for bead location, water is heavier than air, and so moist air sinks, and dry air rises. Thus, beads up high release moisture faster, and beads on the bottom absorb moisture faster. Thus, bead location depends on ambient conditions (and impediments to circulation, fans, etc.)