Which cooler?

[Wil]

Hey guys

I'm thinking about making a coolidor to increase my storage capacity. I was just wondering what people think is the best cooler for the job. I'm in Melbourne, Australia, so something that's available locally would be good.

I had a look at 'Techni Ice' coolers and they look pretty damn good. Does anyone have experience with them? The insulation and seal look better than most coolers, which I'm hoping will help my sticks survive Melbourne's looming long hot summer!

Appreciate any advice!

Wil.

[Guest rob]

Hi Wil.

Mate, I'll be honest with you - for marginally more dollars - get yourself a thermoelectric wine fridge.

You can get fridge, that will keep your stock at below 20 degrees C (even in the height of the hottest summers) and help maintain piece of mind. They are perfect for us guys who have wicked hot summers.

Depending on capacity, they are available for between $70 - $200. Target is a good place to look.

Sharks (another Melbournian, who is a member of this forum) is a recent convert and if you ask him I think he'll tell you he has no regrets.

[Wil]

Hi Wil.

Mate, I'll be honest with you - for marginally more dollars - get yourself a thermoelectric wine fridge.

You can get fridge, that will keep your stock at below 20 degrees C (even in the height of the hottest summers) and help maintain piece of mind. They are perfect for us guys who have wicked hot summers.

Depending on capacity, they are available for between $70 - $200. Target is a good place to look.

Sharks (another Melbournian, who is a member of this forum) is a recent convert and if you ask him I think he'll tell you he has no regrets.

Cheers Rob.

I might pop into Target and have a look. The main reason I was leaning toward a coolidor was because it seemed relatively simple. Looking at some of the posts on FOH, the wine fridge thing seemed a bit complicated. Not too keen on having to make modifications etc. But maybe I'll have to pull my finger out and do it properly. A wine cooler is probably the safer thing to do given that it got to 48*C here last summer!

[Guest rob]

Mate, I have a number of fridges... and it is as simple as turning it on, opening the door, adding some humidity regulating beads (or similar) and putting your smokes in.

For about 3 weeks in summer you will have to keep an eye on your humidity... but its nothing major and easy as hell.

In Autumn I turn them off and turn them back on again in Summer.

Easy.

[armedak]

I would have to agree in a hot Summer climate, a cooler is not going to keep your temperature down to reasonable levels hence the wine fridge is the better option unless you have a few grand to throw around for a temp controlled cabinet. Now if you live in the arctic where I live, the coolers work great since even in the Summer my basement stays a nice cool 60 degree F and they do a great job of keeping humidity and an optimum temperature very stable.

[CigarmanTim]

Wil,

I'm going to rrestate what Rob already mentioned...very important. Make sure the fridge is a thermalelectric. Buy nothing else.

Tim

[tigger]

I guess I'm a bit of a throwback - I still use coolers, and have few if any difficulties with them. They are kept in a cool basement area which is dehumidified in the summertime.

As far as which one? The biggest you can find, or else you'll find yourself buying multiple smaller ones. So says the voice of experience.

[Guest rob]

Tigger, you are right - coolers are great. But most Australian homes (that I know of) don't have basements. And it gets ridiculously hot in summer. Temp control is a must imo.

[Wil]

Awesome advice guys - thanks. Will begin my search for a thermoelectric wine fridge today...

Cheers

Wil

[roughrider]

You can usually find coolers for cheap on Craigslist.