Some advice from the botl

[Smokestack]

Ok so I've had a tower cabinet that I got from a buddy at a cigar shop about a year ago. I knew going into that it may not be the best air tight solution but I had a new oasis magna that was helping things stay in check, at least that's what my hygros always showed. Now from time to time I would stupidly let my oasis run low and the rh woukd drop to about 60% for a few days but usually things stayed at about 70-71.

Well recently I let it sit at 59 for about a week and I. Just getting frustrated with this cabinet. I checked my sticks and a lot of them seem to be getting dry now and I'm worried I ruined them.

2 questions, how can I restore these to be back to the proper rh or are they ruined?

Next, I want to quit using this tower and not sure what to use, I would like some sort of box like a cooler or maybe something else ? What's the best way to go?

 

[knw247]

Yes they can come back.... I recommend a wino

 

[squaresoft]

Wino seems to be the consensus on this site if you can afford it. And you just need to leave your sticks in at 72% for a while and they'll come right back.

 

[ZippoGeek]

Everything's better with a wineador; the girls are prettier, your sticks burn great, and there's peace in the middle east.

 

[Smokestack]

Ok guys thanks for the info. Is there a decent wino available for sale without building one

 

[ZippoGeek]

This is mine. I love it; @8ball has the same and is also happy.
http://m.homedepot.com/p/NewAir-400-Count-Cigar-Cooler-CC-300/205581392

 

[stin187]

While Wineadors are great (hell I ran two for a couple years) there are a few factors to consider before shelling out the coin for them instead of spending it on sticks instead.

1) Do you need the cooling abilities of the fridge? If the space where you store your sticks doesn't get over 70 on a regular basis then you don't really need it.

2) How much storage do you need? If you're moving from a tower to a wineador you are going to find the wino holds far less (usually) than the tower you have. Also if you plan on expanding your storage needs (if you stick around here your collection will find a way of outgrowing your storage). This would mean that you would have to build multiple wineadors which can be cost prohibitive.

3) Are you looking to display your cigars or simply store them in a consistent environment? If you are not looking to display them or the humidor itself then there are much more cost effective ways to maintain your stash (coolerdor, etc.)

Those are a few things to consider before dropping the coin on building one (or several) wineadors. Your cabinet could be an easy fix to get sealed and it's already paid for so that's a plus. Can you post some shots of it? I'm sure there would be some clever folks here who could help you get that thing up and running smoothly!
Truth be told I've run just about every type of cigar storage option out there. I have finally moved into my dream humidor which is a temp controlled Aristocrat cabinet which I truly love. I would have been in this cabinet much faster however If I didn't make some rash decisions toward the methods of storage I was using along the way. And finally you will hear a lot of folks around hear touting the "buy bigger than you need" mentality .... this is very true!!! If I had listened I would have saved a lot of money and headaches in the process. Hopefully this is somewhat helpful and feel free to reach out if there is anything else I can do to help.

 

[StogieNinja]

First, 59% isn't too bad. I've smoked CCs in that range that were just fine. I wouldn't recommend it long term, but you're probably fine. All you need to restore them is to bring them back up to where you want them, just do it slowly, don't force it.

Second, I would personally go get a 150qt cooler, just to get your stash into it and stable for now. They're inexpensive and a great long-term option. Put a bunch of 62% packs in there and get your stash up that 3%, then swap out for 65% packs to raise them the rest of the way. No need to get higher than 65%, that's where a plurality of BOTLs like their rH.

Then you can take your time figuring out the Wineador thing, whether you want to go pre-made or custom, etc. while your stash rests comfortably in the cooler.

 

[Smokestack]

Thanks for all the info guys so maybe the cooler thing is a good idea for now. I have about 200 sticks in my current humidor not a huge collection but big enough and some expensive stuff in there. I smoke one yesterday and noticed it was pretty dry so I'm a little nervous.

So you think just a cooler with some boveda packs will be good for a while? My house never goes above 72 degrees

 

[sofc]

Thanks for all the info guys so maybe the cooler thing is a good idea for now. I have about 200 sticks in my current humidor not a huge collection but big enough and some expensive stuff in there. I smoke one yesterday and noticed it was pretty dry so I'm a little nervous.

So you think just a cooler with some boveda packs will be good for a while? My house never goes above 72 degrees

Cooler is fine.
But in your case, I would check the seal of the tower. I would buy some Kitty Litter, put that in there. I would make sure my active humidification is on and watered and save my money for cigars.

 

[Smokestack]

Here's another strange question. So let's say my seal on the cabinet is not so great but my active humi runs and keeps the rh where I want it even though air is escaping or getting in to lower it fast than it should, would that still harm the cigars?

 

[Jesse]

You'll just find yourself checking the active humi more often because the RH is escaping. My wino had to run constantly cause my house was too hot, that made my Oasis XL unit constantly run and dry out. I had to refill it with dw once a week and that got annoying quick.