Humidor Wood

[forty_caliber]

Spanish Cedar appears to be THE choice when constructing humidors. Has anyone tried a different cedar like western red cedar instead. WRC is what fence pickets are typically made from. Is there a reason that this would not work, or have negative consequences?

forty

 

[Treinenwj]

Spanish cedar isn't cedar at all, closer to mahogany. Most cedars are aromatic, and (I think) will expand & contract more with rh variations. Personally, I wouldn't bother using anything other than spanish cedar. But if you must, perhaps look at something like mahogany.

 

[ilikefishes]

Spanish cedar isn't cedar at all, closer to mahogany. Most cedars are aromatic, and (I think) will expand & contract more with rh variations. Personally, I wouldn't bother using anything other than spanish cedar. But if you must, perhaps look at something like mahogany.

I have actually built many goodies and have used Spanish Cedar, Honduran Mahogany and Sapele. Ironically, the reason I stated making goodies is because some guy traded me a humidor he had made out of regular cedar and it died out and ruined all my stash. So I did some research and started making and selling high end humidors.

 

[dayento2]

Yes, Spanish cedar is much different from the red cedar found in Lowes or Home Depot. That type of cedar will ruin your cigars.

 

[javajunkie]

yup, the spanish "cedar" is a breed of slightly fragrant mahogany, IIRC. true cedar is TOO aromatic, and will tank your stash. and it doesn't hold it's shape and cut as well in reaction to moisture. as all the gentlemen have said.

you feel adventurous, you could use it for the EXTERIOR of a humi. still use spanish for the interior. also, caveat, you go all shop class, use breathing gear, as spanish cedar dust is not a good thing.

 

[Rupe]

I used to have a beautiful old 1950's vintage humidor that was lined with aromatic cedar. I stopped using it because my cigars started tasting funny and smelling like my Grandma's closet. :angeryell

Spanish cedar or mahogany is the only way to go. :thumbsup:

 

[forty_caliber]

Thanks for all the responses. I came across a craigslist wine cooler and am looking at converting it to a humi. Just trying to get a handle on making shelves/drawers.

forty

 

[mdwest]

How do you guys think teak would hold up/work out in a humi?

I spend a good bit of time in Africa in an area where teak grows wild everywhere... The locals use it almost exclusively in everything from woodcrafts to construction because it's so plentiful...

I'm heading back over in the next few weeks and thought about bringing a few pieces back to play with (really for nostalgia reasons more than anything...)

 

[sneak_a_cigar]

How do you guys think teak would hold up/work out in a humi?

I spend a good bit of time in Africa in an area where teak grows wild everywhere... The locals use it almost exclusively in everything from woodcrafts to construction because it's so plentiful...

I'm heading back over in the next few weeks and thought about bringing a few pieces back to play with (really for nostalgia reasons more than anything...)

I'd be very careful about taking plants/wood into the country from outside the USA. There could be insects, fungus, bacteria in there that's harmful to our area.

 

[mdwest]

you do realize that every piece of teak in your house.. whether a decorative box, or a dining room table.. came from Africa right? Africa is where it is grown.. it is all imported... (as is the spanish cedar in your humidor)..

before it gets put on a palate, loaded on a boat, and set next to a thousand other things ranging from kenyan coffee to to tanzanian ebony to ugandan rubber products, and then delivered to your local retailers.. nothing special is done to it shy of kiln drying (or alternatively a chemical process can be done, but this is rately the case in africa due to cost).. it is then simply loaded as either a raw product (boards, etc..) or as a finished product (boxes, or other decorative things)..

Im not talking about chopping down a tree with insects crawling all over fresh leaves.. and trying to put it in my check bags..

Im talking about picking up a couple of boards..

The FDA and USDA regulate bringing back agricultural and food products.. to included live plants.. they do not regulate bringing back wood (as an individual board)... the risk of insects, fungus, bacteria, etc in teak .. that are harmful to our ecology is almost zero..

USDA only regulates and requires licenses for import of wood in bulk... (something coming over on ships, planes, etc..).. there is no regulation that applies to small quantities for personal use.. (unless you are talking live trees, etc..)

the beetles in the cigars that you purchase from the carribean and central america are a greater risk.. (and they represent no risk to anything other than your stash)...

Import/Export is a significant part of what I do for a living.. I was in DC yesterday meeting with export compliance people at the Department of State.. I spend A LOT of time overseas, and my business requires me to "export" everything from services to products that are regulated by both Commerce (Export Administration Regulations... EAR) and by State (International Traffic in Arms Regulations... ITAR)...)

Sincerely not trying to be snooty here.. but the information you are putting out is not completely accurate...

 

[Treinenwj]

To be fair, the information he put out WAS accurate if talking about a chunk of a tree. Which, I could see how he may have interpreted your original statement to be just that.

 

[sneak_a_cigar]

What information? I just said I'd be careful. What do I know about tropical wood?

I'm not an expert but it sounds like you are. I'm glad you aren't doing anything ill advised. Sorry you took it that way.

 

[mdwest]

not offended or upset in any way.. no worries..

just putting out what the regs/rules are...

(highly possible my original post wasnt clear..)

:ccowboy: