COSTCO Wine Cooler into Humidor?

[Morgan]

Costco has these really nice looking wine coolers www.costco.com/product.100102202.html My question is can these be easily turned into Humidor for cigars? If yes what's required?

I saw these in the store and there even cheaper this was only $149.99 at the store

[Baldy]

Anything that have a good seal will be an good humidor.  Many a tupperware and Coleman coolers have served this purpose well.  So, while in store, check the seal.  If you need refrigeration, then check that it has a thermometric cooler.  With regards to cigars, these do a better job than a compressor cooler.  Most of us in Canada use converted wine coolers without the refrigeration unit as wine coolers have a good seal.  The coolers are stored in the basement which are temperature stable and most of time is dark.  Simply leave the cooler unplugged and plug the drain hole and viola!

When searching for a humidor I don't worry at all about name.  I look for something that have a good seal, large enough volume, and is dark inside. It will be in the basement where no one but myself will see it.  Spend the money on cigars.  If you do need to show, there's some gorgeous $100K+ wood humidors you should look at.  That will really impress where as a Costco cooler won't.

[Morgan]

35 minutes ago, Baldy said:

Anything that have a good seal will be an good humidor.  Many a tupperware and Coleman coolers have served this purpose well.  So, while in store, check the seal.  If you need refrigeration, then check that it has a thermometric cooler.  With regards to cigars, these do a better job than a compressor cooler.  Most of us in Canada use converted wine coolers without the refrigeration unit as wine coolers have a good seal.  The coolers are stored in the basement which are temperature stable and most of time is dark.  Simply leave the cooler unplugged and plug the drain hole and viola!

When searching for a humidor I don't worry at all about name.  I look for something that have a good seal, large enough volume, and is dark inside. It will be in the basement where no one but myself will see it.  Spend the money on cigars.  If you do need to show, there's some gorgeous $100K+ wood humidors you should look at.  That will really impress where as a Costco cooler won't.

Baldy appreciate the outstanding reply 

I need the refrigeration in Florida it gets hot and even w A/C temp gets above 75* to 78* in summer

Yes these are thermoelectric I presume that's the same as thermometric

I need a humidifier yes any recommendations and what else would I need.

Actually for $149.99 this wine cooler looks really good. Costco has some excellent products at great value 

[BarryNY]

2 hours ago, Morgan said:

Costco has these really nice looking wine coolers www.costco.com/product.100102202.html My question is can these be easily turned into Humidor for cigars? If yes what's required?

I saw these in the store and there even cheaper this was only $149.99 at the store

that 18 bottle is way too small.  trust me.

look at this unit - a steal at $156 shipped after the 40% off (don't know how long the discount lasts).  I have 2: http://www.air-n-water.com/thermoelectric-wine-cooler/newair-aw-281e-28-bottle-wine-fridge.htm

 

[Baldy]

Ooops you're right it's thermoelectric not thermometric. I agree with BarryNY, get the biggest unit you can afford then save some more and get an even bigger one.

I don't use anything fancy for humidification.  Just 3-4 packs of Boveda 65% packs in each winodor.  In a sealed environment the Boveda packs lasts a long time.  Without any humidification whatsoever my 2 wine coolers is around 65-68% humidity just from the cigars.  Before using the Boveda packs, every 6-8 months I'll put a shot of distill water to evaporate inside the winodor.  Temperature fluctuate between 19-21 deg C while humidity fluctuate between 65-68%.   With any setup up be careful when the cooling units works hard or when there's a high temperature swing.  That's when it's most likely to condensate.  Even a thermoelectric unit will condensate in certain circumstances.

[BarryNY]

unplugged (for the winter) winedor with 1 pound of HF beads packed to about 75% full:

[Morgan]

3 hours ago, BarryNY said:

that 18 bottle is way too small.  trust me.

look at this unit - a steal at $156 shipped after the 40% off (don't know how long the discount lasts).  I have 2: http://www.air-n-water.com/thermoelectric-wine-cooler/newair-aw-281e-28-bottle-wine-fridge.htm

 

Barry thanks for the advise greatly appreciate