Expert Opinions Needed, Tupperdor

[SharkyZiff]

I have been lurking on this site for the past several months and decided to join since everyone seemed to be very knowledgeable and helpful.
I am an occasional cigar smoker and usually only smoke at football tailgates, BBQ's, etc. 20 - 30 ish times a year.

Well, the cigar bug has hit me and I am building my first large Tupperdor as my 40ct Traveldor has run out of space thanks to this forum introducing me to the "devil site."

Potential Set-up:
26.5QT Ziploc WeatherShield Storage box
3 12 x 13 Cedar Trays from Custom Wineador Creations
1 Extra Large (4oz) 65% Heartfelt Humidity Tube
3 Large (40g) 65% Boveda packs (one for each tray)
1 Hygroset hygrometer

This will be stored in the basement in my man cave hidden out of sight. I also thought about a Coolidor but thought this might be easier due to the wife factor.

Am I on the right track?
Thoughts or opinions?

Thanks in advance for your help! ( I am constantly learning new things about this "hobby.")

 

[marshall9779]

Souds like a pretty good plan. I have been using a similar setup using a 30qt Sterilite airtight container and cedar trays. I use 4 large 65 Bovedas and maintains rock solid. You probably don't need the beads.

 

[StogieNinja]

The only thing I would say is be aware that the custom shelves could take a while. Forrest is a nice guy and a BOTL, but due to high demand, he often has quite a backlog.

Personally, based on the size of the container you're looking at, I'd recommend going with a 28qt cooler (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000MPRU6A) for $20 from Amazon, and four of the pre-made trays by cheaphumidors for $12/ea (http://www.cheaphumidors.com/other/cedar-trays.html).

The cooler isn't much larger, but it is cheaper and provides better insulation against temp fluctuations and any exposure to sunlight, and the trays will be available now instead of in several months.

You can fit four trays plus a shallow tray underneath for KL if you want. I used a shallow drawer organizer I got at Fred Meyer as just stacked the trays on top.

I don't have one anymore, but when I did it looked like this:

 

[Shrody234]

I'm no expert by any means, but have 2 air-tight tupperdors which do the job. I use acrylic trays to hold Mimi kitty litter (from WallyWorld), two trays per unit. I spray the litter with distilled water, throw in some empty boxes, give it a couple days to make sure I have the proper humidity level and start loading it up. I keep all my smokes in their original boxes and put singles in old boxes. Keep an eye on the humidity level, burp it every few days and you should be good to go. This set up has been great for me....You are def on the right track.

 

[SharkyZiff]

Good call on the cedar trays. I did not realize the wait would be that long for standard trays.
Now to make a final decision on the cooler... Which color will be the easiest to disguise...

 

[StogieNinja]

Go for the $19 one... then if you're asked, "It was only $19!"

 

[SharkyZiff]

I am actually now thinking about picking up 2 of the 28qt Coleman coolers as Wally World has the marine version on sale right now for $18. That way I could divide up my secret stash... Hmmm...

 

[SharkyZiff]

Current set-up that is a bit more covert since I have a multitude of plastic green MTM Ammo Cans in the
basement already (mostly filled with ammo) but I had a few empties that have never been used. The ammo can seems to be holding RH% very nicely.
I would post up a few pics but I am not sure how to do so.
Do I need to host the pics on another site first?

 

[StogieNinja]

I would post up a few pics but I am not sure how to do so.
Do I need to host the pics on another site first?

Either click the "camera" icon to upload from your PC, or use a photohosting site like Photobucket to upload the shot and use the link they'll provide for sharing on forums.

 

[SharkyZiff]

I think I figured it out... 40 Count Traveldor and MTM .50 Cal Ammo Can

 

[danmdevries]

Nothing wrong with ammo cans either. I have several .30cal cans filled and a couple .50cal cans filled. Used as overflow from my main storage areas.

 

[SharkyZiff]

Good to hear that the .50 cal ammo cans work effectively as I have a few extras in the basement.
Thanks for the feedback Dan!
I was honestly going to Ziploc/ Boveda my recent cigar shipment until I remembered a few ammo cans were actually empty.
This should give me ample time to contemplate the ideal Coolidor. Maybe the 70qt marine Coleman that was also on sale would be a better solution... Crap I am going to end up with a monster cooler...

 

[jfettlol]

@sofc

 

[SharkyZiff]

I have been running an unscientific experiment all week. I have been monitoring temperature in the basement to see how much temp fluctuates during a 24 hour period. Temps run from 68 at 6:00am to a high of 71 at 6:00pm. The basement runs essentially 4-5 degrees cooler on average than the main level. I think these temps should be good for cigar storage unless the experts think otherwise.
With this in mind I picked up two Ziploc 44qt Weathertight tubs at Wally World today to use as Tupperdors vs. a Coolidor solution since temps seem to be pretty regulated in basement. The Ziploc tubs were only $12 ea. and they come in 4 different sizes (16, 26.5, 44, & 60qt.) As it happens my cigar trays from CheapHumidor showed up too, good discount as well with BOTL code. You can actually fit 8 cigar trays in the 44qt Ziploc. I think I am going to run 4 trays in each Tupperdor so I will also have room for boxes on the other side of the tub.
Now to season the trays. Distilled water in trays for now to season. I may throw in a 84% Boveda as well for good measure.
Thanks to everyone for their help and please feel free to comment or offer other suggestions!

 

[coppereagl]

@SharkyZiff that looks great man!

 

[Mr. McSquirelly]

Because you're using clear containers, be sure they receive no direct sunlight through windows. Otherwise, very smart set-up. I find that a combination of Heartfelt beads and Boveda bags works perfectly for that system. What will you use for humidification?

 

[SharkyZiff]

Because you're using clear containers, be sure they receive no direct sunlight through windows. Otherwise, very smart set-up. I find that a combination of Heartfelt beads and Boveda bags works perfectly for that system. What will you use for humidification?

Yes, I will be keeping the Tupperdors in the basement so they will not receive any direct sunlight. They will be in a cool, dark spot in the basement.
I am going to use four(4) 65% Boveda large packs along with some Mimi KL in a 4 or 5 ct cigar coffin with a screen cover to charge the Bovedas. I am trying to replicate StogieNinja's idea that I saw in another thread. Of course they will not look as cool as StogieNinja's, but I am still searching for some cigar coffins that are suitable for use, maybe even a 10 ct cigar coffin possibly/not sure.
Here is StogieNinja's cigar coffins with HFB I believe:

 

[SharkyZiff]

Update:
I oversaturated my cedar trays a little bit (they were at 82% RH after about a week of seasoning) so I decided to let them air out. I also decided to lightly sand them down since they were a bit rough and drill some holes on the bottom tray (sides) to allow it to breathe a little bit better. These trays are a bit fragile so I only drilled holes in one tray for each Tupperdor. They turned out pretty nice and will be the bottom layer.

 

[SharkyZiff]

I also finally located and received my cigar coffins. Partagas 1845 Collection. Fairly cheap purchase off of bid site. It is a 5 count slide box / coffin and should hold a quite of bit of KL or HFB. It also has a nifty magnetic closure that is an added bonus.

 

[SharkyZiff]

I took the boxes apart and put in about 2 cups of Mimi KL in each one. Mess plastic covers were made from plastic screens from a craft store. Thanks again to StogieNinja for the idea and letting me know where to get the screens!