Cheap Humidor Question

**Nataku** · 06-04-2006, 09:12 PM

I love cigars, but smoke them rarely. I recently purchased a few at a casino thinking that a friend was coming back from egypt this week. I then found out that he wont be back until early july. I am looking for a humidor to hold these cigars now due to the fact that I dont plan on smoking them all ...11 in total...anytime soon. I plan on investing in a better humidor when i have more money..i am currently a college student and the income isnt that great. I have however found this humidor, but I do not know if it is any good.

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...ode=SMHUMIDORS

If this humidor isnt good enough could anyone recommend a better humidor for under 50 dollars.

Any input is appreciated...thank you

**guado** · 06-04-2006, 09:31 PM

Originally Posted by Nataku

I love cigars, but smoke them rarely. I recently purchased a few at a casino thinking that a friend was coming back from egypt this week. I then found out that he wont be back until early july. I am looking for a humidor to hold these cigars now due to the fact that I dont plan on smoking them all ...11 in total...anytime soon. I plan on investing in a better humidor when i have more money..i am currently a college student and the income isnt that great. I have however found this humidor, but I do not know if it is any good.

http://www.cheaphumidors.com/Merchan...ode=SMHUMIDORS

If this humidor isnt good enough could anyone recommend a better humidor for under 50 dollars.

Any input is appreciated...thank you

It looks fine to me. Just season it properly. Also keep in mind if you do not NEED all the accesories it comes with save your self the money and buy a bare humidor. Then go out and buy a digital hygrometer the standard ones most of the cheaper ones bring are crap.

bigpoppapuff · 06-04-2006, 09:39 PM

where are you located....this time of year,humidors might not be necessary...do you have a basement where you live??.....they can stay down there...tell us more...

**Tolije** · 06-04-2006, 09:44 PM

I bought this one as my first. I still use it on my desk. Once it is properly seasoned, it works great. It actually has small magnets on the lid to help it seal and close tightly. For the money, it is hard to beat.

http://www.neptunecigar.com/accessor...ry.asp?id=1176

**n2advnture** · 06-05-2006, 07:37 AM

A small igloo cooler and some Humidi-Pucks or "beads" is all you need bro

**mauied1101** · 06-05-2006, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Nataku

...snip... I am looking for a humidor to hold these cigars now due to the fact that I dont plan on smoking them all ...11 in total...anytime soon. I plan on investing in a better humidor when i have more money..snip

Sounds like you just need storage for the cigars. For that and your budget, I wouldn't even get a humidor - and since you're in college, I'm guessing space might be a premium.

Go to your local grocery store and pick up a tupperware or similar (not the disposable kind), a kitchen sponge, single sandwich bag and (maybe) a bottle of distilled water. Cut about an inch off the sponge and moisten (not drench) it in distilled water. Put that sponge on or in a sandwich bag, don't seal/close the bag, and place that and your cigars in the tupperware. That's all you need - really. You'll find that everyone on the board recommends distilled water (no minerals or gunk that you see in crudded up in you iron or drinking glass which will eventually permeate into your sticks) - but sounds like this is a temporary one-shot deal for the moment so I'm not bothered about it. If you plan on using anything for longer term storage, get the distilled water. Total should run you under $5. Good luck.

**thepyrofish** · 06-05-2006, 09:10 AM

Originally Posted by bigpoppapuff

where are you located....this time of year,humidors might not be necessary...do you have a basement where you live??.....they can stay down there...tell us more...

This is true, in my apartment with the A/C running sporadically it keeps around 67-70%. A tad high but I'm not worried. My cigars sit in a drawer since I left my humidor back home. I haven't had a problem yet.

**basil** · 06-05-2006, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by mauied1101

Sounds like you just need storage for the cigars. For that and your budget, I wouldn't even get a humidor - and since you're in college, I'm guessing space might be a premium.

Go to your local grocery store and pick up a tupperware or similar (not the disposable kind), a kitchen sponge, single sandwich bag and (maybe) a bottle of distilled water. Cut about an inch off the sponge and moisten (not drench) it in distilled water. Put that sponge on or in a sandwich bag, don't seal/close the bag, and place that and your cigars in the tupperware. That's all you need - really. You'll find that everyone on the board recommends distilled water (no minerals or gunk that you see in crudded up in you iron or drinking glass which will eventually permeate into your sticks) - but sounds like this is a temporary one-shot deal for the moment so I'm not bothered about it. If you plan on using anything for longer term storage, get the distilled water. Total should run you under $5. Good luck.

This is your best bet.

**Nataku** · 06-05-2006, 04:39 PM

I live in upstate NY and i have no basement. I like the tupperware idea, but I would like to get a humidor. I am currently checking out the one recommended from neptunecigar.com that was suggested above. I am still thinking of maybe getting the one that i found earlier as well. If i do get either of these how do i go about seasoning them and such?? Also, is there a digital hydrogemeter that anyone recommends?

**mauied1101** · 06-05-2006, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by Nataku

I live in upstate NY and i have no basement. I like the tupperware idea, but I would like to get a humidor. I am currently checking out the one recommended from neptunecigar.com that was suggested above. I am still thinking of maybe getting the one that i found earlier as well. If i do get either of these how do i go about seasoning them and such?? Also, is there a digital hydrogemeter that anyone recommends?

here's where we tell you to use the search function...

i'll help you with your seasoning question, but search "digital hygrometer" and you'll get everything you need...

http://www.cigarsmokers.com/showthread.php?t=3814

**Stryprod** · 06-05-2006, 05:05 PM

Also check out cuban crafters.... great prices and typically they send you a freebie cigar and cigar cutter even on the humidors where it is not mentioned. I cant say count on it, but the two I have recieved did. Good quality too.
http://www.cubancrafters.com/

**bigtoys** · 06-05-2006, 10:35 PM

I'd recommend a plastic case like X-treme or Cigar Caddy. Granted they don't look "cool" like a wood humi, but they work great. I bought one (X-treme 15); they have a little piece of florist foam in the top that you wet with 50-50 solution initially and replenish with distilled water or 50-50. I keep a little hygrometer in mine and it stays between 60 and 70% RH. If you only add 50-50, eventually the RH will fall as all the water gets replaced. Throw some cedar scraps in so your cigars get a little feel of wood, if you like, and take out the foam inserts.

I bought a cheap wood humi and can't get the RH up past 60%--they probably don't seal as well as they should.

**PuffTheMagicDragon** · 06-06-2006, 08:06 AM

If your keeping these things for a length of time and are possibly thinking about getting more and/or into the hobby, I say go ahead and invest in an ounce or two of Heartfelt beads and use those in your tupperware or whatever storage vessel you decide to use. They are cheap insurance for your smokes.

**Nataku** · 06-06-2006, 04:24 PM

I ended up going to cubancrafters.com and purchasing this humidor last night:
http://www.cubancrafters.com/products.php/item_id/280

I think that it isnt too bad for the price and that the added bonus of cigars is nice. I also purchased the PG 50/50 activator solution along with it as recommended in the product description. I am wondering however what this solution does and if i need it. I have looked up how to season a humidor and it mentions only using distilled water, so i dont think the PG 50/50 is used for that. I am just wondering what exactly I am supposed to do with this solution when everything arrives or if I should use it at all?

**Stryprod** · 06-06-2006, 04:30 PM

Nice humidor and welcome to cigars! I would avoid the 50/50 solution and use the beads. Just search the site for beads and you will find a wealth of knowledge and it is WAY easier than the solution apparently (apparently because Ive been usuing beads only)

**Nataku** · 06-06-2006, 04:39 PM

I am also wondering about these heartfelt beads. I have checked them out but still do not quite understand them. Would a 1/2 ounce tube of these replace my humidifier or work along with it?

I have been looking at the tubes and i am also wondering whether i should get the 65 or 70 if i do end up with the beads once i have a little better understanding.

**SuperChuck** · 06-06-2006, 04:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nataku

I am also wondering about these heartfelt beads. I have checked them out but still do not quite understand them. Would a 1/2 ounce tube of these replace my humidifier or work along with it?

It would replace your current humidifier.
Do yourself a favor and get a 1 ounce tube unless you have a 25-count humi.

I have been looking at the tubes and i am also wondering whether i should get the 65 or 70 if i do end up with the beads once i have a little better understanding.

65%

**Nataku** · 06-06-2006, 04:59 PM

The one that i ordered is the 25 count. I will order the 1/2 ounce tube from heartfelt tonight. Thank you for all of your help.

**PuffTheMagicDragon** · 06-06-2006, 06:54 PM

I would go for the 1 ounce so that you have plenty of beads and just in case you upgrade to a larger humi you will still have enough beads. Also, 65% is likely what you will want as your cigars will smoke better slightly dryer than 70%.

I wouldn't use the 50/50 solution unless you get you humidor before your beads. Then you will only add some of the solution to the green foam that comes with the humidifier and you will season the wood with the distilled water only.

**n2advnture** · 06-07-2006, 05:37 AM

The "beads" are an engineered moisture sensitive silica media that is designed to BOTH absorb and release water vapor to precisely maintain a predetermined RH level.

They are by far the best thing going.

Check out the Humidi-Puck that Heartfelt carries!

~M