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My Copper Humidor
Fourtotheflush
Posts: 2,555 ✭
Ok,
So I have a 25-50ct logo humidor that I use for my sticks. It is almost at max capacity.
I just put in my 1st order from ccom (6pack of Nubs - I couldnt resist the deal and I wanted to try these shorties out). Anyway this is going to push me over my limit in my humidor.
I also have an end table that has a copper lined humidor that was handed down to me from my grandfather. I havent used it or tested it out to see if and how it works. Has anyone here or does anyone here have a copper lined humidor?
I plan on ordering some cedar trays, some beads and a humidity/temp reader. I am thinking about moving all my smoke to this one, then when I get filled up I will have a smoking and an aging humi.
Can anyone give some insight to the pro's/cons of a copper lined humidor vs. traditional spanish cedar? I know a fairly good amount about the spanish cedar so if anyone can add any insight into the copper lined type. Id upload a pic, but dont know how to do that on this forum
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But to be honest, I have no idea how copper would work for a humidor, I'm sure the more experienced members here would.
The only potential gotcha I can think of is the fact that copper, of course, tarnishes in contact with air (hence the patina). I don't know if that chemical process would affect any cedar or cigars in contact with it, or not. Even if it did, say, stain the cedar, I don't know if that would have any effect on the cigars.
Short of anyone with actual experience using one of these, I can tell you what i think will likely be the case, from my sci/eng background.
-Copper has a higher thermal conductivity than wood, but, i presume its still wood insulated, so, temperature changes shouldnt be a significant factor. On the other hand, wood has a higher conductivity than air itself, so..the copper might actually function as a temperature stabilizer assuming the wood as at the desired equilibrium temperature, but this is a guess. In other words, if you put the humi in an ambient temperature of around 70, the copper will ensure that temperature wont spike around. However, DO NOT put this in the path of the sun or by a heater or your cigars will cook.
-Copper isnt porous and absorbent like wood, the humidity likely will be fairly erratic as it will be based directly on the air quality inside the humidor itself and will change dramatically once opened, as the lack of wood wont keep it towards an equilibrium. The other side of this is, theres no seasoning period required, just pop and go and see what happens.
-Given my earlier comment about the restriction of air circulation using copper, I would also highly suspect that a copper humi would be far far more susceptible to mold, also with respect to humidity issues.
So to sum it up, heres my hypothesis-
-Temperature should be no problem
-Humidity will have to be closely monitored
-Mold will have to be closely monitored
P.S.: As a side note, id keep your cigars wrapped if you put them in there, you dont want your cigars gaining a rust taste when rubbing against a sheen that forms on copper due to corrosion from the humidity.
Dont take any of this to mean its a bad idea necessarily, it should work fine as long as you pay attention to it regularly, but, these ideas indicate why copper was probably phased out in favor of cedar.
not because it wont work, but because its an antique. there may (or may not) be collectors out there that would be willing to pay a pretty penny if you were willing to give it up.
look and see if you can find any names on the humidor. if you do, google it. see what turns up. you may have a small fortune and not even know it.
or its a worthless POS that wont even hold RH anymore.
but seriously, find out the value of it first. Decide what to do with it then. Just know what you are getting into.