Wine locker storage for cigars

[Bucky McSwensen]

I am looking into renting a locker or storage unit for my excess overflow aging stock as my storage temps have occasional gone past 70F (21C).  A spot near me does wine storage with temp and humidity control but they have been taking a while to get back to me on if they allow cigars (non wine storage).  Temp goal is 57 F (14 C) and a RH goal of 60 with some minor fluctuations that I think the stock can handle.

My questions:

If they allow it should I place stock in tupperwares so as to keep any humidity (mine at 62-65 rh) and temp fluctuations down or just place boxes in there "raw"?

Im still waiting to hear back on their insurance for damaged items (heat wave, power outage, fire, theft, etc).  Would you trust your stock in an outside facility?

Am I overthinking this short term solution?  I am short on space and fearing that the upcoming summer will put my stock in dangerous temp since all I can do is place ice packs in the area (swampcooler style).  But if sticks with good humidity can take a little time above 70F (21C) then maybe I'll just let it happen.  I eventually will build a large cabinet or walkin but no time soon.

 

Thanks!

[jackupster]

57F is too low and 60RH is the bottom of what would be acceptable. 65-70F would be the preferred range with 62-68RH IMO. 

 

[CaptainQuintero]

  You can always freeze your stock then you eliminate the need worry about temperature when you've worked through it all, then just freeze new boxes coming in as and when they do.

  Seems a lot less stressful to me

[Phillys]

oups!

[PartagasIV]

I keep some stock in my wine locker. Holds rock solid at 58F/66RH. I keep a SensorPush in there and it syncs when I go to grab something by BT.

[Ken Gargett]

2 hours ago, Phillys said:

Aren't the FoH lockers in a wine storage space? (I might be way off base here @Elpresidente?)

seriously? don't poke the bear. 

its complicated. 

[Ken Gargett]

3 hours ago, Bucky McSwensen said:

I am looking into renting a locker or storage unit for my excess overflow aging stock as my storage temps have occasional gone past 70F (21C).  A spot near me does wine storage with temp and humidity control but they have been taking a while to get back to me on if they allow cigars (non wine storage).  Temp goal is 57 F (14 C) and a RH goal of 60 with some minor fluctuations that I think the stock can handle.

My questions:

If they allow it should I place stock in tupperwares so as to keep any humidity (mine at 62-65 rh) and temp fluctuations down or just place boxes in there "raw"?

Im still waiting to hear back on their insurance for damaged items (heat wave, power outage, fire, theft, etc).  Would you trust your stock in an outside facility?

Am I overthinking this short term solution?  I am short on space and fearing that the upcoming summer will put my stock in dangerous temp since all I can do is place ice packs in the area (swampcooler style).  But if sticks with good humidity can take a little time above 70F (21C) then maybe I'll just let it happen.  I eventually will build a large cabinet or walkin but no time soon.

 

Thanks!

might depend on exactly what amount you have. 

a few thoughts. why wouldn't they allow you to put your stock in tupperware? 

forget the insurance details. every chance that if it goes wrong, to get anything back you'll need to go through hell. 

if we are not talking truckloads, instead of spending the money for short term storage, think about getting some wineador/wine fridges - small or large, depending on amount. that way, you have them forever, the costs will be more than offset by what you pay in storage fees and you'll have control. 

and if you build your walk-in, you have something for wine. 

[Bucky McSwensen]

Thanks everyone!

I dont think @Phillys is poking the bear, just validating the low temp low RH of wine lockers being acceptable since the pros here do it.  I keep getting advice on temp and rh of never do this high or this low that contradicts and doesnt leave feasible options.  One comment above was one saying keep it above 65 and 65.  Others say below 60 is ideal.  I'll assume everyones wrong and none of it matters much but I dont want to risk mold.

@Ken Gargett I live in california in a town with great wine but a disdain for smokers.  The receptionist said she wasn't sure if I can store anything other than just wine and would check.  I know side by side storage is fine especially when sealed but people hear tobacco and red flags go off.

Right now my setup is multiple coolers in the garage and airtight storage in the house.  Not enough real estate to get more coolers and the inside temps have been creeping past 70 for about a 24 hour period during little hot spells.  Garage get hotter but cooler helps regulate the swings.  We got another little heat wave coming and the summer will only get hotter.  My current plan of place ice packs in closet isnt sustainable long term.

I have a cigar fridge that's where I keep my ready to smoke stash (smaller just sticks, wrong geometry for boxes).  Bigger wine fridge will make a dent but not solve it and multiple fridges is kind of a no go for aesthetics (trying to keep my shameful addiction hidden).  I'm thinking short term (like couple months) until the heat drops while I build a shed to free up space in the garage.  Then immediately fill that new space with a diy 2ft x 2ft x 6ft insulated chest with peltior coolers.  Or once I give up a couple large wine fridges.

Easiest may be ac the house but that's further down the road.

[Ken Gargett]

4 minutes ago, Bucky McSwensen said:

Thanks everyone!

I dont think @Phillys is poking the bear, just validating the low temp low RH of wine lockers being acceptable since the pros here do it.  I keep getting advice on temp and rh of never do this high or this low that contradicts and doesnt leave feasible options.  One comment above was one saying keep it above 65 and 65.  Others say below 60 is ideal.  I'll assume everyones wrong and none of it matters much but I dont want to risk mold.

@Ken Gargett I live in california in a town with great wine but a disdain for smokers.  The receptionist said she wasn't sure if I can store anything other than just wine and would check.  I know side by side storage is fine especially when sealed but people hear tobacco and red flags go off.

Right now my setup is multiple coolers in the garage and airtight storage in the house.  Not enough real estate to get more coolers and the inside temps have been creeping past 70 for about a 24 hour period during little hot spells.  Garage get hotter but cooler helps regulate the swings.  We got another little heat wave coming and the summer will only get hotter.  My current plan of place ice packs in closet isnt sustainable long term.

I have a cigar fridge that's where I keep my ready to smoke stash (smaller just sticks, wrong geometry for boxes).  Bigger wine fridge will make a dent but not solve it and multiple fridges is kind of a no go for aesthetics (trying to keep my shameful addiction hidden).  I'm thinking short term (like couple months) until the heat drops while I build a shed to free up space in the garage.  Then immediately fill that new space with a diy 2ft x 2ft x 6ft insulated chest with peltior coolers.  Or once I give up a couple large wine fridges.

Easiest may be ac the house but that's further down the road.

good luck with it all. another solution for the storage, put the cigar boxes into a wine box and put the wine box into storage. they'll never know and none of their business.

phyllies was fine - it was more an inside joke about rob's storage. one rob may find less amusing than i do. always the best sort of inside joke. 

 

[Bucky McSwensen]

Now I get it.  The best kind of jokes are the ones delivered over text that need to be explained.

I like the trojan box of wine trick.  Keep a low profile, dont ask dont tell.  My airtight storage plan was gasketed plastic ammocrates which may have set off even more red flags than tobacco.  We have a whole bureau named after this triple combo.

 

[Çnote]

good luck with it all. another solution for the storage, put the cigar boxes into a wine box and put the wine box into storage. they'll never know and none of their business.

 

slick

[CaptainQuintero]

   It's a case of finding what works best for you. I prefer as less stress as possible so freezing my stock means I never have to worry about beetles. 

 I use 60% beads which leaves the humidor at around 64% on average. That realistically eliminates any chance of mould.

  You can do it other ways. Wine fridges will cool your stock but a by-product of the cold is that the fridge will introduce moisture into the sealed unit. You need a system in place to remove this added moisture or you're going to get mould. 

  Don't stress about Rh% too much, anything between 50-68 is going to be fine, it's a matter of taste inside that. Some people prefer the taste at 70, some at 58 but that brings in the risk of mould or wrapper damage.

[aphexafx]

I also freeze every incoming box and store everything locally.  I use a double barrier system with Boveda 60g and 320g packs and have spent exactly zero minutes worrying about RH.

@Bucky McSwensen If you choose to store your cigars yourself, you can easily monitor your temperatures over any time period using a temperature data-logger.  They are inexpensive and very helpful towards monitoring your storage conditions and evaluating any needed changes.  For instance, having frozen my stock, I am less concerned with excursions over 70 deg. F and more concerned with major, rapid fluctuations (daily, etc.).  A data-logger reveals all. 

I use one of these:  https://www.elitechustore.com/collections/temperature-data-logger/products/elitech-rc-5-pdf-usb-temperature-data-logger-32000-points-reusable

[Bucky McSwensen]

@aphexafx nice!  Right now I've been using the sensor push trackers and app.  That's been doing me pretty well.  Thanks for the recommendation! 

[TheMonk]

20 hours ago, aphexafx said:

I also freeze every incoming box and store everything locally.  I use a double barrier system with Boveda 60g and 320g packs and have spent exactly zero minutes worrying about RH.

@Bucky McSwensen If you choose to store your cigars yourself, you can easily monitor your temperatures over any time period using a temperature data-logger.  They are inexpensive and very helpful towards monitoring your storage conditions and evaluating any needed changes.  For instance, having frozen my stock, I am less concerned with excursions over 70 deg. F and more concerned with major, rapid fluctuations (daily, etc.).  A data-logger reveals all. 

I use one of these:  https://www.elitechustore.com/collections/temperature-data-logger/products/elitech-rc-5-pdf-usb-temperature-data-logger-32000-points-reusable

A data logger is great advice. The Boveda Butler's are a simple yet reasonably effective way to keep taps on your humidor's fluctuations.

On a side note, I always freeze everything as well, and used to think exactly as you do, but I've found that, for me,  higher temperatures can also have a negative impact on cigars, particularly in terms of flavour for long(er) time ageing. I've since gone down to 16-18º C, and noticed a definite improvement, within the same boxes.

[aphexafx]

1 hour ago, TheMonk said:

A data logger is great advice. The Boveda Butler's are a simple yet reasonably effective way to keep taps on your humidor's fluctuations.

On a side note, I always freeze everything as well, and used to think exactly as you do, but I've found that, for me,  higher temperatures can also have a negative impact on cigars, particularly in terms of flavour for long(er) time ageing. I've since gone down to 16-18º C, and noticed a definite improvement, within the same boxes.

Yes!  I fully agree.  I attempt to maintain < 65º F (~18º C) as much as possible.  This is very good advice.  

[Bucky McSwensen]

Thanks guys.  I know these sticks are resilient but wanted to make sure I did all I could to keep them ideal.  Ended up going with the wine locker.  After multiple manager discussions and calls while I gossiped with the receptionist they are good with airtight containers in the locker.

Really appreciate all the feedback and advice.