Alright, so I am about to embark upon my journey to build my first coolerdor. I have decided to keep a coolerdor for aging/storage, and then purchase a large desktop humidor to store what I'll actually be smoking. Right now, I intend on splitting up new boxes 75%/25%, with the larger portion kept for aging. At the end of the road, my goal is to have a large desktop humidor with plenty of smoking choices, and a vast array of aged cigars waiting to moved to the humidor when the time is right.
So, as the construction begins on Coolerdor V1.0, I have selected the following Coleman cooler.
I've opted not to line it, figuring that this will primarily be for storing boxes that are made of spanish cedar anyways. No shelving or fancyness to it, and it will not be stood upright. Now I've decided to go with heartfelt beads in a mesh bag to provide humidity. The website says that if I use MORE beads than recommended, that is fine and will just add to the beads ability to reach equilibrium again. So, according to my calculations, I'll need roughly 2lbs. of beads to properly regulate the 100 qt. cooler. Here are the beads I have chosen.
Now in efforts to keep from having to open the coolerdor more than necessary, I'll be using a wireless hygrometer, shown below. This will allow me to keep tabs on the conditions inside of my coolerdor, without having to disturb the environment inside of it. I will be mounting the center with velcro to the inside of the cooler, to attain a most accurate reading of the cooler.
Once I have it completed, I may post pictures, although you can pretty much picture it yourself. One thing I am pondering though, is removing the cigars from their boxes, and placing them in spanish cedar trays for better humidification and airflow. Here are the trays that I have in mind.
Looking good. I would leave the cigars in their boxes in the coolerdor for aging. The general consensus is that they will age better with less air, certainly if you're aging longer than a year or so. It makes sense to me, think of wine. You will also fit more sticks in there if you leave them in their boxes. Those trays will always take up more space. If you're buying cubans, the boxes will let you date the cigars, if not, write the date on the box. I think they also look nice. My two cents. Good luck with that. Andy
"If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks." Brendan Behan
Posts: 1426 | Location: Dublin | Registered: November 29, 2006
Now that's quite a project you're embarking on. I wish you a lot of good luck and seamless operation upon completion.
The wireless station in your project is an especially impressive and cool feature. And its price - man, for 35 bucks you wouldn't get even 2 of those small digital hygrometer/thermometers and you're getting whole a wireless weather station!
------- "And it is not just a business. It’s a love affair." Paul B.K. Garmirian about making cigars
Looks great! I was contemplating something like this and now the research is all done. Thanks for the post and especially for the "weather station," that thing is sweet.
Edit: Upon further review, that weather station can take readings from up to three sensors if you wanted to get really serious about your coolidor.
A few things. First, get a marine-style cooler with straight sides; the one you've pictured looks like the sides taper, which will give you less space at the bottom and make stacking boxes less efficient.
You can keep the cedar strips that come in boxes and slip them here and there between your boxes. This, and buying cabs and semi-boite nature boxes will help you regulate RH inside the coolerdor. (You problem in a coolerdor is keeping the RH down, because the seal is tighter than a wooden humidor.
Kitty litter pearls are much less expensive than the heartfelt beads, and are virtually the same thing. They will maintain ~64-67% RH-- a good RH IMO. No need for mesh bags; just put your beads in a shallow, cheap tupperware-type container from the supermarket, with a bunch of small holes punched in the top.
Good luck!
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"People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything."
Good point, however, if the kitty litter doesn't do the trick, I think I'll find it hard arguing with their customer service that their kitty litter ruined my cigars, haha! I think I may go with the marine cooler though, I just wasn't too fond of the handle style on those.
Posts: 334 | Location: Corpus Christi, Texas | Registered: May 08, 2007
Ben, nice informational thread! I was thinking about doing the same thing and was reading up on it this past weekend. I'm sure you've already done much research as many of the things you said were the same I got from this website, nevertheless, here's the link if you want one more reference:
Check your local Sports Authority store; I got my coolers there on sale for $45.00 each, and they are as big as the one you are showing. Remember, you don't need the extreme isulating properties, just size and straight sides.
The kitty litter pearls work. You are throwing money away going with bulk heartfelt beads, but it's your money.
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"People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything."
Quick question, I was under the impression u would want fresh air to circulate threw the coolerdor, am I wrong? Obviously opening once a week would work but someone mentioned less air better aging? please educate me on this one.
Thanks, Manny
Sir, I will put out my cigar when you put out your bad breath!
Posts: 202 | Location: Los Angeles, Ca. | Registered: May 11, 2002
Originally posted by Lionfish: Quick question, I was under the impression u would want fresh air to circulate threw the coolerdor, am I wrong? Obviously opening once a week would work but someone mentioned less air better aging? please educate me on this one.
Thanks, Manny
A wooden humidor will allow air in and out slowly, none seal perfectly. Those plastic coolers seal perfectly or as good as. Mold can take hold if there is not some air exchange. Closed wooden cigar boxes will also allow small amounts of air exchange over time, so they can be left closed and let the flavours build.
"If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks." Brendan Behan
Posts: 1426 | Location: Dublin | Registered: November 29, 2006
This is just a thought, but why wouldnt you want to get a mini fridge and do the same thing? I understand using a coolerdor if you already have a cooler but for 100 bucks, you can get a fridge and it looks alot better and in my opinion seems easier... just a thought... I've been thinking about doing this same thing so let me know your thoughts....
Posts: 370 | Location: Athens, GA | Registered: November 01, 2007
Originally posted by hdjaficionado: This is just a thought, but why wouldnt you want to get a mini fridge and do the same thing? I understand using a coolerdor if you already have a cooler but for 100 bucks, you can get a fridge and it looks alot better and in my opinion seems easier... just a thought... I've been thinking about doing this same thing so let me know your thoughts....
A fridge, at least the type of fridge that you would get for less than $100, will dry out cigars. As well as cooling, they remove moisture. You would have a very difficult time maintaining humidity. There are mini wine-coolers and other such machines that would do better but you'd be looking at more than $100. Although you have a point, at $100 and more you're into Havana Foot Locker money. If looks were an issue...
"If it was raining soup, the Irish would go out with forks." Brendan Behan
Posts: 1426 | Location: Dublin | Registered: November 29, 2006
To the air circulation problem, opening a coolerdor occasionally (I probably open mine once a week) solves the problem. I have had zero problems with mold. As for affecting the aging process long term, I can't tell you, but I will say this: the January '06 cigars (when I started with the coolerdors) have improved.
Of course a wooden cabinet would be better (I have one being built right now), but we're talking about an inexpensive solution, and a coolerdor is just such a solution.
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"People who enjoy meetings should not be in charge of anything."
I've had a Coleman coolerdor for awhile now and it works great. Mine holds about four boxes and is the backuip to my 100 count real humi. I also opted for the Heartfelt beads because I wanted 65% RH and wasn't sure what RH the kitty litter type were. The Heartfelt beads work great BTW. They keep the RH exaclty at 65%. And now that we're on the subject of RH, I would highly recommend running 65% RH instead of 70% RH.
Originally posted by Benjamin Alexander: On to that subject, they have three variety of beads, 60%, 65%, and 70%. Could someone explain to me what difference those make?
It's pretty straight forward, beads that keep 60, 65, and 70 for humidity... unless you're asking something else?
65% would be good if you smoke the cigars out of the coolerdor on a day-to-day basis, but 70% would be better for long term aging where you won't touch them for a few years. Looking at the size of Ben's cooler, I assume he's using it for aging?
