Setting up a coolidor

**Kass** · 01-12-2007, 03:20 PM

I'm going to be setting up a coolidor eventually and I can't really find an answer to whether it needs to be seasoned or not? The only thing I can think of is that the boxes would compete with the cigars for the water. Would a styrofoam box work well?
Also, would it be best to use beads or a sponge?
Sorry for all the questions. Thanks for the help.

**chefchris** · 01-12-2007, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by Kass

I'm going to be setting up a coolidor eventually and I can't really find an answer to whether it needs to be seasoned or not? The only thing I can think of is that the boxes would compete with the cigars for the water.

no need for seasoning. when i got my cooler, i just put the beads in there and let em sit for about an hour until the rh leveled out. shouldn't take long. then load it up. no need to add spanish cedar, ecspecially if they're in boxes.

step one: put in beads
step two: put in cigars
step three: walk away

definately go with beads. you just set it .... *group* AND FORGET IT !
i believe you can buy these beads from Rosco.
or from heartfelt industries, either one.

**cls515** · 01-12-2007, 06:25 PM

How many quarts is the cooler? I think mine is around 75 and with half a pound of 65% beads, holds the humidity constant better than my desktop humidor. Which is why I just put my humidor in my coolidor. http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/products.asp?cat=14 The mesh bag to hold the beads in has been working well for me.

Chris is right, there really isn't much to do to set up a coolidor. If you line it with cedar, wipe the wood down with distilled water and activate the beads, and let it sit closed until the rh levels out near 65.

If you don't have any cedar lining, just add the beads inside the cooler. Like stated before, it won't take long for the rh to settle out, maybe an hour or so.

**Kass** · 01-12-2007, 06:43 PM

Sounds nice and easy. Thanks.

**Kass** · 02-15-2007, 04:10 PM

I picked up a cooler today and a sponge/puck. Also a cheap hygrometer ($1.99, just curious to see how good it is). Is it OK to put any cigar boxes in there? or should they be cedar? I have 1 box in there, its wood, not sure what kind its really light in weight. It came with a CAO sampler.

**heftysmokes** · 02-15-2007, 04:28 PM

I think you're fine with whatever cigar boxes. I wouldn't put any singles in to roll around wherever on the bottom of the cooler, but other than that you should be fine.

**chefchris** · 02-15-2007, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by Kass

I picked up a cooler today and a sponge/puck. Also a cheap hygrometer ($1.99, just curious to see how good it is). Is it OK to put any cigar boxes in there? or should they be cedar? I have 1 box in there, its wood, not sure what kind its really light in weight. It came with a CAO sampler.

if it came with the cigars it should be fine. there are certain kinds of wood that will have a scent, which is not good for your cigars. i would think CAO wouldn't pack something that wasn't safe for cigars.

**Kass** · 02-15-2007, 04:36 PM

Thanks.

**Kass** · 02-15-2007, 08:07 PM

Suprisingly the cheap hygrometer is reading the exact same as the one in my humidor, which I recently (last month) checked its accuracy (salt test). Which is weird because there were probably around 30 of them at the store and they were all reading different levels.

**dHUTCH** · 02-15-2007, 08:39 PM

you know why i love beads...................cause ive had them for about 6 or 7 months and i havnt had to touch them yet

**Kass** · 02-15-2007, 09:12 PM

Yeah I should have gotten some beads.The cigar store I got it from had some sort of crystals, but no beads. I probably will get some when I get back from Dominican next week. The sponge I got doesn't look like it will be able to take care of business, the coolidors sitting at around 55%, but there is the box I just put in which is probably soaking up some of the humidity. I guess I should have wipped it down with water. But theres no cigars in there yet, was just bored today so I thought I'd set it up.

**UpStateMike** · 02-16-2007, 01:10 PM

I just go to the florist and get odd chunks of floral foam (oasis) used for wet flower arrangements. This time of year is PRIME for getting chunks. In fact, go and get the honey some left over roses or other flowers for cheap, and ask them for some of the foam. They should give you a lifetime supply for nothing.

**Kass** · 02-16-2007, 01:40 PM

Not a bad idea. But I wipped down the box and its sitting at ~68% now. So it should be good.

**cls515** · 02-16-2007, 05:25 PM

There really is no point in wiping down empty boxes, or taking cigars out of a box just to wipe the wood down.

Also, the box the Famous Maduritos came in, really stunk up my coolidor. Luckily I noticed it pretty quick and yanked that box out and just filled my desktop with the cigars.

**chefchris** · 02-17-2007, 01:34 AM

Originally Posted by cls515

Also, the box the Famous Maduritos came in, really stunk up my coolidor. Luckily I noticed it pretty quick and yanked that box out and just filled my desktop with the cigars.

really? i haven't smelled anything from mine. weird.

**Kass** · 02-27-2007, 02:51 PM

The cooler is all out of whack now. The hygrometer is now reading 10% off. The rh is at 80. So I took the sponge out and it slowly worked its way down to 70. I just bought a pound of 65% beads from heartfelt and I'm gonna go out and look for a better hygrometer.

**nhcigarfan** · 02-27-2007, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by chefchris

really? i haven't smelled anything from mine. weird.

mine was fine also.

**Kass** · 03-03-2007, 05:17 PM

Man, I'm glad I ordered those beads. I can't get the damn rh stable. Without the puck its at ~55 and with the puck its ~80!
Whats best until the beads come, around 55 or 80?