Another coolidor ques?...is it safe to...

CvilleE

Apologies from the get go...can't get my post to display the way i want......(compose and preview are different) Ok heres the deal...I'm gonna set up my first coolidor this weekend. I have read many forums here on how to go about setting one up, but there is a few questions I still have. I may be paranoid, but when i do this i want to make it right. 1. I had to order used cigar boxes since there isn't a store close to where i live. I assume all cigar boxes aren't made of cedar, so (all will be wood, but don't specify which will be cedar until i get them) is it still ok to use any wood boxes in a coolidor and hold the flavor? 2. In the coolidor is it safe to leave the lids on and put the whole box in, or does it need some air? 3. Can i or is the better word should i leave the cellophane on the cigars as i place them in the boxes that are going into the coolidor? Just wondering since they r made to keep air, and such from reaching the cigar. 4. Kinda pushing back to question 3, any cigar that doesn't have a cellophane, does it need to be in a plastic bag before i put it in the box? 5. Lastly, say I keep the humitity around 65% to 70%, can you suffocate the cigars by doing by wrapping them up too much? (In a cellophane or bag, put in a cigar box, that is in a coolidor.) I'm new to this hobby, but I can see from the post this site has that having a coolidor is the way to go since it holds more and is way cheaper that buying a bunch of humidors. Sorry to drag this out, but any help would be appreciated.

jr_p951

Wecome CvilleE! There is a ton of good scoop around! Just stick around and share your experience...others do the same and we all learn from each other, use/find new ideas.

1. Any cigar box will be fine. Spanish Cedar does smell great and hold moisture differently from other woods. I wouldn't worry too much about it. In any case, the wood will help stablize the Rh in your coolidor. If you want to change it up later and build Spanish Cedar shelve, we can steer you where to get your Spanish Cedar sheeting or premade shelves.

2. For the cooler lid...you'll need to close it. Cigar box lid...is your preference. Just "burp" the coolidor every so often and get some fresh air in there. You can also put in some small fans to help with air circulation.

3. Cellophane is up to you. Some leave it on, some remove it. I leave it on to help isolate the sticks from each other. Cellophane is a breathable plastic and your cigars will still get its humidity if the cellophane is left on. It will help protect the cigar from damage when moving them around or bumping the shelves and other cigars.

4.No need to put any loose cigars in a plastic bag unless you want to keep them from touching other cigars. Not having cellophane will not be a problem.

5.You won't suffocate the cigars, unless the bag is a ziplock bag. That would isolate the ciagrs and seal them from any humidity in the coolidor.

Hope that helps ya a bit. Someone else can chime in and add some input on their experience. I have a winedor and use the same techniquies as a coolidor, except it is temp controlled. As long as you are happy with your project...its perfect! Post up some pics and let us know how it goes.

docbp87

The cello used to individually wrap cigars is extremely porous, and breathes well... in fact it doesn't effect the humidity of a cigar at all. As for leaving the tops on boxes... Every single box in my 100qt. coolerdor (I think I have around 20 boxes in there at the moment) has the top, and is closed at all times. Cedar is also beathable. It doesn't matter. Leaving cello on cigars is all personal preference. I prefer to leave it on cigars if they come with it, as it tends to protect them better as I shift them around the humidor, digging for that one stick that I want, which is inevitably on the bottom. If you are buying by the box, just put the whole box in the cooler. I have bags of cigars, boxes, cardboard packs, tubos... all of it, in my coolerdor, exactly as they came from the vendor/shop. As for boxes being made of cedar or other wood... 99.9% of cigar boxes ARE made of cedar, even the paper covered dress boxes. They are paper covered cedar.

skweekz

I'll give the short and sweet answer..

Just throw them in there, as in. No need to overthink things and try to re-invent the wheel. This hobby is supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable...not stressful :0)

CvilleE

Thanks for the tips....I feel better about it all now.....

kuzi16

CvilleE:

Apologies from the get go...can't get my post to display the way i want......(compose and preview are different)

we can fix this by going HERE

CvilleE:

Ok heres the deal...I'm gonna set up my first coolidor this weekend. I have read many forums here on how to go about setting one up, but there is a few questions I still have. I may be paranoid, but when i do this i want to make it right.

1. I had to order used cigar boxes since there isn't a store close to where i live. I assume all cigar boxes aren't made of cedar, so (all will be wood, but don't specify which will be cedar until i get them) is it still ok to use any wood boxes in a coolidor and hold the flavor?

2. In the coolidor is it safe to leave the lids on and put the whole box in, or does it need some air?

3. Can i or is the better word should i leave the cellophane on the cigars as i place them in the boxes that are going into the coolidor? Just wondering since they r made to keep air, and such from reaching the cigar.

4. Kinda pushing back to question 3, any cigar that doesn't have a cellophane, does it need to be in a plastic bag before i put it in the box?

5. Lastly, say I keep the humitity around 65% to 70%, can you suffocate the cigars by doing by wrapping them up too much? (In a cellophane or bag, put in a cigar box, that is in a coolidor.)

I'm new to this hobby, but I can see from the post this site has that having a coolidor is the way to go since it holds more and is way cheaper that buying a bunch of humidors. Sorry to drag this out, but any help would be appreciated.

1) they should all be cedar. dont worry about it.

2) just put the box in. the boxes dont need to be open.

3) it doesnt matter if the cello is on or off. the cello is not put there to regulate/hold airflow or humidity. the very nature of cellophane makes the air restriction application implausible. they are there to protect the cigar from slightly careless hands while shipping or going through the humidor.

4) no.

5) no. there are cigars in (practically) airtight tubes. they just age slower. it wont hurt the cigar as far as being able to smoke it goes.


im sure someone already got you all the answers by the time i got to this, but hey, maybe i added something someone didnt.

CvilleE

OK...my stuff was delayed due to the holidays. Got the rest of my needed supplies yesterday, will update with pics as I get it seasoned and stocked.

xmacro

Like jr_p951 said, you need to "burp" the coolderdor about once a month - the reason is that cigars give off ammonia as they age; you wanna open the lid at least once a month to let this ammonia out and get some fresh air in there. Otherwise, there's no reason to open the lid, aside from plucking one out for a trip to the patio

Shaun.Harrison87

I posted my pictures under the Cigar Porn thread...I bought a 48qt cooler and it shows my setup. I keep my cooler around 68deg and 72% which is where I want it for aging and then I keep my Versailles at 65% as those are ready to smoke at any moment.

Russ55

I often see the suggestion offered in coolidor threads about using "old cigar boxes" to get some Spanish cedar in there. I'm not a fan of this suggestion, but if you're going to do it, or if you've already ordered some "old cigar boxes" make sure you smell them before you put them in there. A lot of times, depending on where they came from, they were in an environment where cigars are smoked, and they reek like ashtrays. You don't want that smell in your cooler.

I think the suggestion should be "Use old cigar boxes of your own, or that you know aren't contaminated". Better yet, order some trays. They can be had for pretty cheap as long as you don't want custom sizes. Like 10 bucks a pop.

Shaun.Harrison87

Russ55:

I often see the suggestion offered in coolidor threads about using "old cigar boxes" to get some Spanish cedar in there. I'm not a fan of this suggestion, but if you're going to do it, or if you've already ordered some "old cigar boxes" make sure you smell them before you put them in there. A lot of times, depending on where they came from, they were in an environment where cigars are smoked, and they reek like ashtrays. You don't want that smell in your cooler.

I think the suggestion should be "Use old cigar boxes of your own, or that you know aren't contaminated". Better yet, order some trays. They can be had for pretty cheap as long as you don't want custom sizes. Like 10 bucks a pop.

If you can get them from your local B&M they should be smoke free, unless they put them in the lounge after they go empty...Mine stores the empty boxes in a pile by the door in the walk in humi...the only thing I worry about it the infused cigars imparting their 'scents' on them.

CvilleE

Alright here we go. The set up I went with was fairly simple despite the worries I had from the start. The boxes I got were smoke free, came in great shape, practically new. This was a great fit for me so that I could seperate my smokes as needed. Got another order of 60+ on the way so I might throw in a few more pics later on. I can already tell if I keep this up, my closet will have to become a revamped closidor, lol....unless I get kick out of the house first.

I promise I will work on the size of these photos next time before I post.












This is my ready to smoke humidor. Put a few in there to keep me busy while the rest sleep for awhile.

CvilleE

For those intereted here is the link to my photos.

CvilleE's Coolidor.

CvilleE

Crap didn't work.

http://s1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd370/CvilleE/Coolidor/

JudoChinX

Looks great man!

granneja

Looks very nice.

BigT06

Looks pretty good. I'd be careful about putting that ACID box in there though... especially if you have any naked sticks. Wouldn't wanna accidentally infuse anything. lol

kuzi16

BigT06:

Looks pretty good. I'd be careful about putting that ACID box in there though... especially if you have any naked sticks. Wouldn't wanna accidentally infuse anything. lol

even if they arent naked i wouldnt put it in there.

CvilleE

kuzi16:

BigT06:

Looks pretty good. I'd be careful about putting that ACID box in there though... especially if you have any naked sticks. Wouldn't wanna accidentally infuse anything. lol

even if they arent naked i wouldnt put it in there.

Thanks for the info.....I had tought about that, but they didn't smell too overly scented. I mean they smelt like the others in comparison I guess. That being said can they still get infused?

BigT06

CvilleE:

kuzi16:

BigT06:

Looks pretty good. I'd be careful about putting that ACID box in there though... especially if you have any naked sticks. Wouldn't wanna accidentally infuse anything. lol

even if they arent naked i wouldnt put it in there.

Thanks for the info.....I had tought about that, but they didn't smell too overly scented. I mean they smelt like the others in comparison I guess. That being said can they still get infused?

Yes. It's more than just the scent. There are oils and such that linger in/on the boxes, and can get on your other cigars. Just pull that box out. It looks like you have enough storage without it, and you can always get more boxes if needed.

CvilleE

BigT06:

CvilleE:

kuzi16:

BigT06:

Looks pretty good. I'd be careful about putting that ACID box in there though... especially if you have any naked sticks. Wouldn't wanna accidentally infuse anything. lol

even if they arent naked i wouldnt put it in there.

Thanks for the info.....I had tought about that, but they didn't smell too overly scented. I mean they smelt like the others in comparison I guess. That being said can they still get infused?

Yes. It's more than just the scent. There are oils and such that linger in/on the boxes, and can get on your other cigars. Just pull that box out. It looks like you have enough storage without it, and you can always get more boxes if needed.

Took them out yesterday. Thanks again.