Aristocrat help

[Lucass111]

Hey guys I'm trying to finalize my plans on my humidor and I'm debating whether to get the cooling system or not. I could probably get away with not but some opinions would help. For those that have one did you get the cooling system and are you happy you did? For the ones that didn't, do you regret not? Any opinions are greatly appreciated.

[GotaCohiba]

I purchased with the cooling feature

Keeps me from having to be concerned with house temps

Had it for several months now and I’m well pleased

My temp/rh hold steady at 64/64

[TBird55]

I have the cooling feature, and no issues with it. Was hesitant to purchase it, but glad I did. Would purchase it again....

[joeypots]

No refrigerator and I don't use the humidifier that came with my Aristocrat Plus. Excess humidity is the big issue. When the reservoir in the humidifier was charged the humidor was way over humidified. It's in in an air conditioned space so temperature isn't a problem.  About 5 months a year I need to use desiccant beads to remove moisture. The rest of the time I use 2 way  humidity beads in nylon bags to keep the RH where I want it.

[SMQQKIN]

I have the cooler option as well & it is a great set/forget feature. I live in a warm weather climate & without it I would have to pay closer attention to house temps. In addition to the cooling option, buy twice the size cabinet you think you need. They fill up quickly when you are aging stock & hanging out here looking at all this cigar porn.

[MasterShake72]

I see you live in Indiana, so I'm assuming temperature isn't a problem for at least half the year. I didn't spring for the cooling system as I live in Michigan and have a basement and A/C. If you plan on storing in a room thats regularly over 75 in summer then you should consider going with a cooling system, otherwise you should be fine.

[stogieluver]

11 minutes ago, MasterShake72 said:

I see you live in Indiana, so I'm assuming temperature isn't a problem for at least half the year. I didn't spring for the cooling system as I live in Michigan and have a basement and A/C. If you plan on storing in a room thats regularly over 75 in summer then you should consider going with a cooling system, otherwise you should be fine.

Agree with this. My M Plus doesn’t have temp control but my a/c runs almost constantly from March through October and my house stays a pretty constant 70-72 degrees during those months. 68-70 degrees the rest of the year.  

[Foulhook]

I live in northern PA so about the same climate as you. I have two aristocrat cabinets. Mine never cross the 70* mark. I see no need for the extra cost and loss of space from getting the temp version. People make things to complicated IMO. was 95 yesterday and the cabinets sat at 68* and 65RH 

[HabanosNJGuy]

I went with the temperature control in my M Plus.  Glad I did.  I got full length glass doors and keep the cabinet in my basement.  I believe the local environment in your home is as important as the climate you live in.  It has been hot and humid in New Jersey for several weeks now.  I keep the temp set to 68F and the coolers are running all the time.  My Nest thermostat turns off the air conditioning automatically when no one is home.  I don't want the AC running all time.

Also I've had a tough time keeping the humidity down.  I want it around 60%.  This summer it's been hovering between 64-67% usually on the higher end.  I've taken the humidifiers out and put in some damp rid.  I have a dehumidifier in the room.  This helps but the exhaust from the dehumidifier heats up the room.  So instead of chasing my tail, I've accepted the higher humidity, slightly softer cigars.  Hopefully by September things will stabilize.

Bob initially tried to talk me out of glass doors with the temperature control.  When I told him the cabinet was going in the basement, he thought it would be OK.  I wonder how full length wood doors would affect the internal environment.  No regrets though.  I like sitting in front of it and staring at my collection.

[anacostiakat]

Very humid conditions here.  Also the house is usually warmer than the outside temps in the summer.   So yes I have the cooling option.  Works well.