Wil Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 The last couple of days have been pretty warm here in Melbourne and my thoughts are starting to turn to keeping my cigars cool over summer. My question is: Is it possible to use a thermoelectric cooler as a humidor without making modifications to the unit? I would just buy a heap of beads and throw my boxes in. I'm not sure I have the time or skills to make the modifications that have been described so well in some of the other threads. My other, simpler, option is to get an ice box and some beads but I guess this won't help much in keeping things cool... Appreciate your thoughts... Wil
mbrody Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Wil, I believe the answer is yes. First clean the wine cooler with soap and water (I use some baking soda too). Leave it open to dry for a few days. You are doing this to get the plastic smell out. If it still smells like plastic, wipe it down again and leave it open for another few days. Plug the breathing hole up (usually in the back of the cooler). Get yourself 1.5x the amount of recommended beads or more. Put them in the cooler and set the cooler to your desired temp. Add a small bowl of distilled water and sit it next to the beads. Throw a digital Hydro in and let it stabilize a few days. Start stashing your smokes...
samb Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Wil, I believe the answer is yes. First clean the wine cooler with soap and water (I use some baking soda too). Leave it open to dry for a few days. You are doing this to get the plastic smell out. If it still smells like plastic, wipe it down again and leave it open for another few days. Plug the breathing hole up (usually in the back of the cooler). Get yourself 1.5x the amount of recommended beads or more. Put them in the cooler and set the cooler to your desired temp. Add a small bowl of distilled water and sit it next to the beads. Throw a digital Hydro in and let it stabilize a few days. Start stashing your smokes... Bingo, x2. Thats the setup I have now and its working great!!
aavkk Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 Yep, winecooler and a shitload of beads is the way to go.
dicko Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 ok say you went with like a large esky (ice box)... would a puckifier (100 count) do the trick?? or would you go the beads?
aavkk Posted November 2, 2009 Posted November 2, 2009 well, if you have to go with the ice box for budget reasons just know that it will keep the environments temp stable (not necessarily a good thing if its too hot). I dont know how big a large esky is, but I kept a 165 qt igloo cooler at a rock solid 65% with 3 pounds of beads. I have beads in the mest bags and really like this setup. Keep in mind that the more full the cooler is the easier it will be to keep it stable. Try to have as much cedar as possible in there. O and get a few "oust" fans to circulate the air inside the box.
dicko Posted November 3, 2009 Posted November 3, 2009 well, if you have to go with the ice box for budget reasons just know that it will keep the environments temp stable (not necessarily a good thing if its too hot). I dont know how big a large esky is, but I kept a 165 qt igloo cooler at a rock solid 65% with 3 pounds of beads. I have beads in the mest bags and really like this setup. Keep in mind that the more full the cooler is the easier it will be to keep it stable. Try to have as much cedar as possible in there. O and get a few "oust" fans to circulate the air inside the box. thanks for the tips
Wil Posted November 11, 2009 Author Posted November 11, 2009 I'm thinking of picking up this thermoelectric wine fridge http://www.bigshop.com.au/buy/Wine-Cooler-...IG-WINECOOLER28 Typed the dimensions into Heartfelt Industries calculator and it suggested just over half a pound of beads. Thinking I might get a pound and put half at the bottom and half at the top. This sound about right?
mbrody Posted November 11, 2009 Posted November 11, 2009 Looks good Wil. One thing I hear is that you can't over do it with beads, so getting more than they recommend is always a plus. Heck, some may tell you to use 2 lbs. in there! Another thing I have learned is to NOT cram the heck out of the cooler with boxes. If you stuff it wall to wall, then there is a good chance you will have uneven humidities. Allow some space for air to move around, and some would even recommend a battery powered OUST fan for good measure. Good luck!
Wil Posted November 11, 2009 Author Posted November 11, 2009 Looks good Wil. One thing I hear is that you can't over do it with beads, so getting more than they recommend is always a plus. Heck, some may tell you to use 2 lbs. in there!Another thing I have learned is to NOT cram the heck out of the cooler with boxes. If you stuff it wall to wall, then there is a good chance you will have uneven humidities. Allow some space for air to move around, and some would even recommend a battery powered OUST fan for good measure. Good luck! Cheers mate!
maalouly Posted November 11, 2009 Posted November 11, 2009 I'm thinking of picking up this thermoelectric wine fridge http://www.bigshop.com.au/buy/Wine-Cooler-...IG-WINECOOLER28Typed the dimensions into Heartfelt Industries calculator and it suggested just over half a pound of beads. Thinking I might get a pound and put half at the bottom and half at the top. This sound about right? Hey mat, That's exacty the same one that I pruchased few weeks ago. It works perfectly just remember to plug the back and 1 pound of beads more thn enough. Enjoy. Cheers, Elie.
Wil Posted November 11, 2009 Author Posted November 11, 2009 I've just found a nice Sicao wine fridge with oak (I think) shelves. Does anyone know if oak is ok for a humidor?
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