To run a fridgador or no?

[gmm213]

I have found mixed results with rather to run a fridgador. People that do say to go thermoelectric and either get a temp control or run it here and there for short periods. I don't have a/c and regularly get temps in the 80s and 90s where I live. I see mini fridges for $30ish on CL all day.

I figure if condensation is a problem I'll put a few tuppadors in it.

 

[jasonatjl]

The compressor style refrigerator is generally avoided due to condensation.
Not to mention, the fridge might be too cold and too dry if you can’t adjust the temp.

Are you thinking a full size fridge? Or a smaller “wineador”? There’s a ton of threads and info on both.

I personally use a wineador (thermoelectric) and never plug it in. Temp stays just north of 70 and humidity holds perfect since there isn’t any cooling. I open it once a week (or more) to let the air change out a bit. I might run it in the summer if it gets to warm (75+), but that hasn’t happened yet.

 

[gmm213]

The compressor style refrigerator is generally avoided due to condensation.
Not to mention, the fridge might be too cold and too dry if you can’t adjust the temp.

Are you thinking a full size fridge? Or a smaller “wineador”? There’s a ton of threads and info on both.

I personally use a wineador (thermoelectric) and never plug it in. Temp stays just north of 70 and humidity holds perfect since there isn’t any cooling. I open it once a week (or more) to let the air change out a bit. I might run it in the summer if it gets to warm (75+), but that hasn’t happened yet.

Im looking at one of those dorm/hotel mini fridges. Looking on CL most of them are thermoelectric.

 

[jasonatjl]

Im looking at one of those dorm/hotel mini fridges. Looking on CL most of them are thermoelectric.

But probably no temp control? These are the kind with the “mini freezer” style drawer in the top corner?

I’d say if that’s what you’re thinking and the seal is good, use it, but I doubt I’d plug it in. A compressor type will put out a lot of “cooling” and in turn, you’ll get condensation. If you’re planning on putting Tupperware inside, you’re defeating the use of a mini fridges seal (since it’s in Tupperware) and only getting the cooling.

I imagine you could probably pick up a smallish “wine fridge” for a few bucks more, which would provide a glass panel to keep an eye on your stash, along with the “grooves” for shelving. And often these have “temperature control” ranging from 35-65 degrees. I knew a guy who used an old wine cooler and got plexiglass cut at Lowe’s to fit for shelves.

Check your “free” section on Craigslist. There was just a wine fridge that was given away over here in SD, I missed out on it.

 

[Boudie]

I have and am quite happy with a "fridgedor". New term for me though.
You can use a standard refrigerator if you buy the weather resistant tupperdors. They have a seal under the cover and will hold your RH without a problem. I use a bed of kitty litter and bovedas in each tupperdor.
You will need a "kegerator" type temperature controller. I set mine to start cooling when the internal temperature of the refrigerator hits 68 and turn off at 65
If your refrigerator is outside you may need a very small ceramic heater that will come on during the winter when the temp falls below your lower setting. With my case it kicks on at 65 and goes off at 68

You may as well find the largest used refrigerator you can afford or have room for because you will grow into it. I'm in SE Louisiana and my house temperatures stay in the mid 80s when we are not home and in the low 80s when we are. The Newair is only good for about an 8 degree temperature drop while the refrigerator powers through the hottest weather.

 

[WatchmanUSA]

Check these out, it’s hard to beat the package price that has the finished storage ready to go....http://www.wineadors.com/index.html

 

[jasonatjl]

Check these out, it’s hard to beat the package price that has the finished storage ready to go....http://www.wineadors.com/index.html
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Agreed; I spent roughly that on mine to get it how I wanted (with shelves and such). I think the OP is trying to find a more cost effective solution though?

 

[Glassman]

The problem is not just condensation with compressor fridges, but the fact that they suck the humidity out of the air. So if you use one it needs to be big enough to keep the cigars in Tupper inside it. And run it like Boudie recommended..
I'm afraid with those temps a regular thermoelectric wineador won't be able to keep up.

 

[WatchmanUSA]

Agreed; I spent roughly that on mine to get it how I wanted (with shelves and such). I think the OP is trying to find a more cost effective solution though?

I get the point, but like you, my experience is I usually end up spending more money and effort starting small and cheap. I always end up tweaking things and changing. It seems you never buy big enough.

 

[Fusion555]

I run a full size Fridgadore, its hooked up to a digital temp/humidity controller set for 65/65, when the ref kicks in it sucks out all the humidity so all my cigars are in tups, when that happens my humidifier kicks in and soon has the humidity back up again, i also have KL in there to help it along, never have much trouble with it, i also have a Wineadore that is a lot more work to keep stable but it can be done, they are both in a unheated/uncooled garage (gets pretty hot in summer)

 

[WatchmanUSA]

The problem is not just condensation with compressor fridges, but the fact that they suck the humidity out of the air. So if you use one it needs to be big enough to keep the cigars in Tupper inside it. And run it like Boudie recommended..
I'm afraid with those temps a regular thermoelectric wineador won't be able to keep up.

The temp in the fridge has to be maintained above the dew point of the room it is stored in. If your dew point temp is at 65 degrees the fridge temp has to be above 65. Otherwise, there will be condensation every time the door opens and when to take cigars out and expose them to room temp.

 

[gmm213]

My concern is temperature really with tupperdores for humidity. With no a/c in my house it gets bad. My two considerations are price and size. My place is tiny, like 2 bedroom 800 sp ft and a roommate tiny. I could probably swing $150 before it gets hot enough to worry. I'm a broke college student paying child support.

 

[Fusion555]

My concern is temperature really with tupperdores for humidity. With no a/c in my house it gets bad. My two considerations are price and size. My place is tiny, like 2 bedroom 800 sp ft and a roommate tiny. I could probably swing $150 before it gets hot enough to worry. I'm a broke college student paying child support.

How about a Cooladore? Walmart sell a 48Qt igloo cooler for $15.88, ice packs sealed inside ziplocks and not touching the cigars will help keep it cool in summer
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Island-Breeze-Cooler-Red-48-qt/23735484

 

[Boudie]

Ok so you have a very tight situation. In your case you can get by with double/triple wrapped ziplocks and boveda packs in a drink refrigerator for the hottest part of summer. It's better to have them a bit too cool then way too hot. Until you get on your feet our best advice would be to keep your stash small especially during the summer. Excessive heat and humidity will ruin your cigars. A small well sealed ice chest will work fine for 9 months a year but during he heat of the summer you need to keep your smokes no higher 70 - 72 degrees. Good luck, keep enjoying your cigars and keep learning, when things change you'll be experienced enough that you'll really begin to enjoy and appreciate the hobby.

 

[gmm213]

Assuming its thermoelectric Im looking at something like this https://norfolk.craigslist.org/app/d/small-refridgerator/6491909669.html

 

[NMPokerDealer]

You might want to shop Letgo. It's an online garage sale, and search wine coolers.
They can usually be found for less than 100. and are small and efficient for keeping temps under 70.
Add a few large Bovedas and you are good for a while. Good Luck!

 

[gmm213]

I keep looking. There few and far inbetween. It seems like theyre either overpriced or to good to be true. Whats the benefit to a wine cooler over a thermoelectric mini fridge? Temp control? I found a few sub-$100 wine coolers on amazon. One has a few reviews from people using them as humidors stating they fit 2-300 in it.

 

[Rooney77]

Wine fridges will mostly be thermoelectric. The fridge you posted is not. Most mini-fridges aren't thermoelectric in my experience.

 

[Glassman]

I keep looking. There few and far inbetween. It seems like theyre either overpriced or to good to be true. Whats the benefit to a wine cooler over a thermoelectric mini fridge? Temp control? I found a few sub-$100 wine coolers on amazon. One has a few reviews from people using them as humidors stating they fit 2-300 in it.

Thermoelectric is usually better as it doesn't dehumidify. But it's only good for about a ten degree differential. And if it's trying to push that, will create condensation. If room temps are gonna be in the 80s and 90s then you need tuppers in an actual fridge.