Humidor Question

**Stogster** · 09-19-2005, 01:23 PM

I am new here to the forum though i have been reading through many of the posts for awhile now. i am looking to buy myself my first humidor and im unsure of where to get a good quality one that looks nice. Thompson and Cuban crafters are the top places i have been able to find so far. my main concern is that i dont want to get ripped off and end up buying a very unreliable, low quality humidor. I know about getting a cooler-dor and that seems like it might be something for me in the future when i start stockpiling boxes. but for now my simple focus is on a quality, good looking humidor. Any input would be greatly appreciated such as opinions about thompson and cuban crafter, or any other manufacturer information. thank you in advance for those who help.

**Corona Gigante** · 09-19-2005, 01:33 PM

Welcome to cigarsmokers.com!

This is a question that seems to have come up several times before. Remember as a newbie that the Search button is your friend.

My first humidor was a Thompson's deal. People generally don't seem to like Thompson's too much, especially their house-brand cigars, but I've been happy with the humi and it still seems like an OK deal.

There's a guy somewhere round here (MMAB?) has some every good things to say about Cuban Crafters.

Whatever you get, I'm willing to bet that once you discover cigarbid and start buying some fivers and getting in on some box splits with the Brotherhood, you'll eventually start thinking about a tupperdor/coolerdor. But even then, a nice-looking humi is not going to be wasted. You'll keep it in view for your daily smokes and keep the coolerdor out of sight for longer term/larger scale storage.

**godfather** · 09-19-2005, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Stogster

I am new here to the forum though i have been reading through many of the posts for awhile now. i am looking to buy myself my first humidor and im unsure of where to get a good quality one that looks nice.

I'm also a newbie too and joined this forum 3 weeks ago. After careful research and asking the guys on here, I went with a humidor from cubancrafters.com.

This humidor is really nicely made, it holds the seal VERY well, and more importantly they have some of the BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE I have ever come across. They definitely want to make sure you're COMPLETELY SATISFIED with their products (I was treated like I really mattered), and if you're NOT, they will go out of their way to make it right. Having guarantees like that really make it easy to buy with confidence.

They sent me a humidor that was damaged in transit. To make it up to me, they had UPS come pick up the bad one, they sent me some cigars and offered to send it two day shipping. I wanted overnight shipping, so I paid the difference, and it was there the next day! On top of it all, the guy said he's PERSONALLY inspect it himself and he did!

I'd also check out cheaphumidors.com. From reading their site, they sound very good too.

Whatever humidor you get, purchase one that holds AT LEAST 100 cigars, it will begin to fill up fast...TRUST ME :). DO NOT go small :).

And welcome to cigarsmokers.com! Enjoy your stay, there are a lot of knowledgeable people willing to help you :).

**Jonsey5484** · 09-19-2005, 01:47 PM

Welcome to the board. My first Humidor came from CigarsInternational.com. It was a 60 count humi with a humidifier and a hygrometer. Two important things that you need, that some humi's do not offer. I am outgrowing this humi now, and in the process of building a very large humidor to house boxes of cigars. Temporarily I will be keeping the boxes in a coolidor. I would start out with a nice looking humi in the 60 to 150 count range. Good luck!

**BigMacFU** · 09-19-2005, 02:07 PM

Read a little more carefully. If you've been reading, you'll notice that EVERY time someone asks this exact question, the same answer is given: DON'T BUY A HUMIDOR, BUY A COOLER, BUY HUMIDITY BEADS, DON'T WASTE MONEY ON A HUMIDOR. You're going to grow past 150 count cooler within 6 months guaranteed, then you have a nice wood box filled to the brim and cigars without a home. Instead, spend money on a huge cooler (120 qt. preferable) which will be really cheap right now since summer is over, and buy a 1-lb. bag of humidity beads. IF you insist on doing the noobie thing and not listen to more experienced folk, you're going to find yourself buying another humidor or 5 6 months down the road because you don't have any room left. This hobby is addictive and fun, prepare for it and just get a big cooler now.

Welcome to the boards, and again, if you decide to refuse good advice, then mediocre advice is go with cubancrafters not thompson.

**Mazeman** · 09-19-2005, 02:26 PM

I feel that a nice humidor is a great thing to have as a stylish "accent piece" on a desk, or livingroom hutch, or whatever.
I keep the cigars that I plan to smoke in the relatively near future, or those that I want to showcase, in mine. It also makes the cigars easily accessible. I prefer not to pull out a cooler when I want to offer someone a cigar.
My coolidor is for the overflow and backup stock, and is kept in a closet.

I bought a Savoy humidor (I have the "cigar top" model). They're nicely made, and not as expensive as some of the others. I display it proudly.

That said, if cost is an issue, or if you're going to only have one place to store cigars, then BigMacFU is right. You can't beat the price and the storage capacity of a cooler. A sole humidor WILL fill up fairly quickly.

**godfather** · 09-19-2005, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by BigMacFU

Read a little more carefully. If you've been reading, you'll notice that EVERY time someone asks this exact question, the same answer is given: DON'T BUY A HUMIDOR, BUY A COOLER, BUY HUMIDITY BEADS, DON'T WASTE MONEY ON A HUMIDOR. You're going to grow past 150 count cooler within 6 months guaranteed, then you have a nice wood box filled to the brim and cigars without a home. Instead, spend money on a huge cooler (120 qt. preferable) which will be really cheap right now since summer is over, and buy a 1-lb. bag of humidity beads. IF you insist on doing the noobie thing and not listen to more experienced folk, you're going to find yourself buying another humidor or 5 6 months down the road because you don't have any room left. This hobby is addictive and fun, prepare for it and just get a big cooler now.

Welcome to the boards, and again, if you decide to refuse good advice, then mediocre advice is go with cubancrafters not thompson.

Sorry, but I don't think that it's 'mediocre' advice at all, and it's more personal preference. That's exactly what this user is 'a newbie.' You shouldn't attack people's standpoints without first ASKING where they're coming from and please drop the arrogance of "I'm more experienced than you b.s."

I can give you pretty sound advice as to why I bought a humidor over a coolidor:

If you're a newbie and you're getting your 'bearings' to start off collecting cigars, there's nothing wrong with starting out small. If you want to take it to the NEXT level, then buy the coolidor. I think a coolidor is for the more 'experienced' user and it seems to me you buy one of these when you're ready to buy BOXES of cigars (I see mostly boxes in the pictures I've seen from people's coolidors). I'm a long way away before deciding to do that.

I personally don't know where I plan to take this hobby. All I know is that I'm enjoying it and want to keep it small for the time being....buy a 5 pack here, a sampler there, and invest in boxes much further down the road once I figure out what I REALLY enjoy.

With that logic in mind, it certainly is NOT going to break the bank investing $50 in a humidor and then spending another $50 in a coolidor down the road (you're going to be spending a HELL of a lot more money on cigars, that's for sure). Personally, a coolidor also takes up a lot of space (I live in a condo), so that's another reason I opted against one until I'm ready to 'step up' and buy boxes of cigars.

**Stogster** · 09-19-2005, 04:35 PM

Thanks for the input everyone! I'm going on the same note of godfather on this one. I want to start off small. and while i am certainly not bashing the idea of a coolidor i just dont think i'm ready to take it to that level. i plan to get a humidor in the range of about 150+ct capacity. because, like i said, im still a newbie at all of this and i want to spend a significant amount of time just picking around different cigar styles and flavors and accessories in order to find my true favorites.

I was aware too that in posting this i was going to be told to go straight to the coolidor. but as a matter of preference i would enjoy the look of a nice humidor to start. i just wanted feedback on some of the companies i had checked out and figured with the help of those more experienced in the same interest i may be able to get some advice and i did.

I think through some of the reviews and responses ive heard around the web and here as well that i plan to go through cubancrafters for purchasing my humidor. I am still glad though that through here i have been introduced to the coolidor and i know the necessary procedure to take once i plan to invest heavily into boxes of cigars, and take it to the next level. i appreciate your time and help!

**Stogster** · 09-19-2005, 04:47 PM

El Diablo Humidor

The link above is to a humidor i stumbled across and just wanted t oget a second opinion on it. (for a picture i think you have to click the 'click image to enlarge')

**SuperChuck** · 09-19-2005, 07:12 PM

That's starting off small? I could fit my girlfriend in that thing. :)

You MAY (personal preference, of course) want to get a smaller 40-100 stick humidor (or tupperdor) to start out with. I say this only because you're going to want to try out a lot of different products before you start buying boxes...

I've been in this hobby for about 6 months and I'm just starting to find cigars I'd like to buy boxes of ('course, that means I'm looking at getting a large humi or coolidor...).

**BigMacFU** · 09-19-2005, 07:56 PM

Godfather, I'm not claiming any arrogance in being more experienced, only claiming the fact that I'm more experienced. The reason getting a regular humidor is mediocre advice is because I've seen this happen on this and other boards many times. People get hooked on the hobby. It's like when you're a kid and you start collecting baseball cards, you start off with a small little book that can hold 30 cards in an acid free plastic, then you start getting more the more you participate in the baseball card loving community. Well, the man has found his way on to cigarsmokers.com community and it's a great community. He'll probably start getting involved with trades, box-splits, etc... Buying the humidor in the mean time is a waste of money plain and simple. I can spend 60 bucks on a cooler, beads, and some spanish cedar and hold 5 times as much as any humidor for that amount of money. Who cares about the look when I'm looking for a place to store my new cigars and have a bunch to tupperwares set up to hold the overflowing smokes. And don't tell me size is a reason, I live in a closet in NYC, I know about having to squeeze things in.

The fact is godfather, it's not arrogance, it's simply advice from somebody whose been around. Next time you want to throw the arrogance label around think twice and just don't say anything. The community is here to try and help people avoid "mistakes" or wanton spending of money. Just because you decided to do a humidor, you don't have to feel that my response is an attack on you. You should have gone with a coolidor too, trust me, I know because I had the same stupid idea when I got into cigars, that I'd be fine for a while with a 150 count humidor, and that it would hold plenty. Then I met awesome BOTL's like ggiese, coventry, sarge, diesel, jaewing, alexgtp, etc.... I've got way beyond what a 150 count can hold and thank goodness for my coolidor. No longer do I have to take out half my cigars to get to that one I wanted tonight.

Sorry for all the extra words here stogster, but godfather made a mistake by calling someone more experienced who is just trying to help out arrogant. You just don't throw around ad hominem attacks on this board unless the facts are on your side. All i was doing was trying to help you avoid the same mistake I've made and have seen many others make. If you're going to be involved with a great cigar community like the one here on cigarsmokers.com and others like at cigarpass.com, then be ready with a big coolidor, because there are too many generous people out there with lots of cigars.

**Mazeman** · 09-19-2005, 08:02 PM

Stogster,
Holt's is having a nice sale on selected Savoy humidors.
The red and blue ones are 40% off (large size is regularly $180, now $108). Check it out to see if you like the style or if it's right for you.

**godfather** · 09-19-2005, 08:22 PM

Originally Posted by BigMacFU

Godfather, I'm not claiming any arrogance in being more experienced, only claiming the fact that I'm more experienced. The reason getting a regular humidor is mediocre advice is because I've seen this happen on this and other boards many times. People get hooked on the hobby. It's like when you're a kid and you start collecting baseball cards, you start off with a small little book that can hold 30 cards in an acid free plastic, then you start getting more the more you participate in the baseball card loving community. Well, the man has found his way on to cigarsmokers.com community and it's a great community. He'll probably start getting involved with trades, box-splits, etc... Buying the humidor in the mean time is a waste of money plain and simple. I can spend 60 bucks on a cooler, beads, and some spanish cedar and hold 5 times as much as any humidor for that amount of money. Who cares about the look when I'm looking for a place to store my new cigars and have a bunch to tupperwares set up to hold the overflowing smokes. And don't tell me size is a reason, I live in a closet in NYC, I know about having to squeeze things in.

The fact is godfather, it's not arrogance, it's simply advice from somebody whose been around. Next time you want to throw the arrogance label around think twice and just don't say anything. The community is here to try and help people avoid "mistakes" or wanton spending of money. Just because you decided to do a humidor, you don't have to feel that my response is an attack on you. You should have gone with a coolidor too, trust me, I know because I had the same stupid idea when I got into cigars, that I'd be fine for a while with a 150 count humidor, and that it would hold plenty. Then I met awesome BOTL's like ggiese, coventry, sarge, diesel, jaewing, alexgtp, etc.... I've got way beyond what a 150 count can hold and thank goodness for my coolidor. No longer do I have to take out half my cigars to get to that one I wanted tonight.

Sorry for all the extra words here stogster, but godfather made a mistake by calling someone more experienced who is just trying to help out arrogant. You just don't throw around ad hominem attacks on this board unless the facts are on your side. All i was doing was trying to help you avoid the same mistake I've made and have seen many others make. If you're going to be involved with a great cigar community like the one here on cigarsmokers.com and others like at cigarpass.com, then be ready with a big coolidor, because there are too many generous people out there with lots of cigars.

BigMacFu,

I appreciate you taking the time to clarify what you meant by your post. It is pretty common for words to be taken out of context and with all honesty, this quote:

"...if you decide to refuse good advice, then mediocre advice is go with cubancrafters not thompson."

made it seem like I was being 'talked down' to with your choice of wording with that last sentence because you were more 'experienced' than myself (and I don't disagree you are more experienced).

I see your advice and point to the OP...but again, it's a difference in opinions. All opinions should be respected the same and it's up to the original poster to make his decision on what's right for him.

It appears what is right for him is to take the suggestion of buying a humidor, and if he agreed with you that would be fine with me.

Again, thanks for taking the time to clarify your post and I can see that your intentions were NOT to 'talk down to me,' but that is how I INITIALLY viewed it. You do give good advice and I've appreciated the responses to my threads that I have posted in the past.

Have a good rest of the evening! I'm heading to the beach to read my book and smoke a stoagie.

**Mazeman** · 09-19-2005, 08:23 PM

Stogster,
To simplify the argument between BigMacFU and godfather; If all you're looking for is the least expensive way to store a large number of cigars, then the coolidor can't be beat.

If you'd like to store some cigars stylishly, and be able to tastefully display them in your living room for yourself and guests (and not need to pull out a Coleman when offering a cigar), AND you really don't think you'll you'll amaas more than 100 cigars in the foreseeable future (unlikely), then a humidor is the way to go.

My bet is you'll land up having both (like me). So the only question is which one you get first.

One final option, that provides both style and storage capacity, is this.

**Stogster** · 09-19-2005, 08:33 PM

you guys have been a great help. and i apologize for any turmoil that has risen from this post. the El diablo humidor I had mentioned a view messages ago here is looking like what i'm going to go for. i completely understand and also fully trust what i hear about having a cooler to store everything but as a preference of mine i enjoy the look of a nice humidor over a cooler. from what i hear odds are i will end up with a cooler to store everything eventually anyways but i still only see that far ahead in the future.

I would really appreciate some opinions about the Eldiablo humidor and possibly some reassurance that it wont be a poor choice or if its a piece of

humidor and i am simply unable to tell.

El diablo

Sorry for the continuous humidor nagging (im new to all of this and rely on the wisdom of all of you veterans)

**Baron Porthos** · 09-19-2005, 08:36 PM

I went with the cigar top humidor as well. You have to decide based on your preference. I like having the humidor. Access is easy and I am not buying boxes yet. Still trying to figure out what is going on first. The people here are generous with advice and cigars. Don't get caught up in who has the biggest ring guage stuff. And whatever you do don't go on www.cigarbid.com until you know how much a month you want to spend. I stick with 5 packs and samplers. You can pick up great deals there. Hence I have a small coolidor as well and am working on the wife for a large one for a christmas present. The cigars seemed to come in fast for me and I was educated about the benefits of letting cigars rest before smoking them. So then you need to plan for long term storage or smoke faster.
Good Luck and Welcome aboard

**Mazeman** · 09-19-2005, 08:58 PM

I wish I could help you with the El Diablo question, but I don't know anything about the brand.

What I can tell you is that it'll be bigger than it looks. With a 300 cigar capacity (that's 12 boxes) it's a monster. Make sure you have a place to put it. Double check the dimensions.

**8-5-8** · 09-19-2005, 09:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mazeman

Stogster,
If you'd like to store some cigars stylishly, and be able to tastefully display them in your living room for yourself and guests (and not need to pull out a Coleman when offering a cigar), AND you really don't think you'll you'll amaas more than 100 cigars in the foreseeable future (unlikely), then a humidor is the way to go.

Mazeman makes a good point... I'm of the opinion that a nice humi is something we should all have, as dragging a cooler out of a closet to offer cigars to guests loses a bit of the class we associate with our hobby. A coolidor is an excellent thing to have, when you get to the point of owning several boxes of cigars, and even when you pass that point, I think having a nice humi out on a table stocked with some of your finest is good for show as well as convenience.

And I'll go ahead and throw out my recommendation for cubancrafters... excellent product at an excellent price, fast shipping too.

bigpoppapuff · 09-20-2005, 12:03 PM

humidor
A humidor is any kind of box or room with constant humidity (and often, temperature as well). Humidors are usually used to store cigars. For private use, small wooden or acrylic glass humidor boxes for a few dozen cigars are appropriate, while cigar shops often have walk-in humidors, sometimes covering a whole floor. Humidors of all sizes use hygrometers to keep track of the humidity levels.

Quick tips to maintain your humidor. Get one that has Spanish cedar, or get some for any plastic humidors that you may be using. You don't have to buy any, cigar shops should have some cedar blocks that come with most cigar boxes. They are usually thrown away since they have little use to the cigar shop after the box has been sold. Spanish cedar is good to have while aging your cigars for three reasons. The cedar holds more moisture than most woods, it will help you maintain your humidity. Second, the cedar aroma will impart itself on your cigars if you age them long enough. That is also why some cigars are wrapped in cedar planks when you buy them. The blender knows that this will give his cigars an extra deminsion in flavor. Last, the sap of the Spanish cedar wood repels tobacco beetles. These pinhead sized bugs can eat through cigars like a buffet. Another way to combat these beetles is to make sure your humidor does not get hotter that 75 degrees F. The beetles will hatch at around 80 degrees F.

If you have trouble keeping your humidor around 70% humidity, the ideal level, then try to fill your box close to the rim. You can either get more cigars or as above, get some Spanish cedar blocks. They will help take up space and age your cigars. The more empty space exists in your humidor, the faster your humidification device will dry out.

Each humidor has to be seasoned after being bought or having been dry for a while. Take a moist cloth and wipe down the interior to remove any dust. Then place a shot glass or an container of similar size in the humidor and fill it with water. Keep the humidor closed overnight. If the water is gone or mostly gone, then repeat for another 24 hours. When it seems as thougth the humidor is not absorbing anymore humidity, you can place your cigars in the humidor. Remember, your humidifying element or "sponge" does not keep the cigars moist. The wood in the humidor does that. The humidifying element keeps the wood itself moist. If you have dry cedar in your humidor, then you will have dry cigars also.