Cabinet Suggestions

[njstone]

I'm in the market for a cabinet humidor, hoping to get one sometime this year. I'm thinking I'd like a 2000-ct count tower. Glass-front is optional but not necessary, and I also don't really need "display" oriented shelves...this is just for safe storage and easy access. Also, I tend to store my cigars in boxes right now, but I'm sure I'd use some drawers, etc., if I had them.

I essentially know nothing about what to look for (obviously cedar, good seal, etc.). I know of no local (Dayton, OH) dealers so this would be a purchase from an individual or from the internet.

I'm looking for suggestions on specific items as well as price ranges...I'm a total cheap skate, btw, and tend to hunt for as long as it takes to find a fantastic deal.

So far the best cheap option I've found is probably this:
http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=658287
which seem to go around $450 or so.
Or this one:
http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/lot.cfm?lotID=658220
which has occasionally gone for as low as the Tower of Power. The descriptions claim that the Chancellor is a 3000ct, but it looks to be about the same size to me so I don't know.

So if anyone has any experience with these two or suggestions on others, or just general advice, please let me know!
Thanks!
--Nate

 

[Angry Bill]

Buy an Avallo...It already has the humification in it. More money, but better made. IMHO... I already have one, but want to get a cooled version.. hehe

 

[njstone]

Buy an Avallo...It already has the humification in it. More money, but better made. IMHO... I already have one, but want to get a cooled version.. hehe

I have a total of 2 pounds of Heartfelt beads in my bins now and am loving those, so I'd prefer to just stick with that (or buy another pound if needed) for the sake of cost. I have 2 Oust fans as well.

 

[uncelnino]

I would strongly consider an active humidification system like the Oasis XL if you are getting a cabinet humi that large, once you get everything set up it runs itself, all you have to do is add some distilled water every now and then.

 

[AZsteelman]

I've got a cooled Aristocrat - it's an awesome piece of furniture and it does a fantastic job! Check them out before you do anything...

 

[MichiganM]

I bought a Conni from cheaphumidors. It was about 400 bucks plus shipping for an Avallo 1200 size humidor. Is it anywhere near the quality of an Avallo or Aristo? No way! But it's a cheap cabinet to get my by until I can afford a cooled 1200 or something along those lines. The one you're looking at is the "Tower" or whatever....I've heard good things about them. I use about 2lbs of beads in my Conni and it seems to work well. You'd obviously need more. I currently don't use any active humidification, it's all passive beads and I'm ok. I hold 65% fairly easily since I've fixed the seal. Those cheap cabinets are well known for seal issues, so know that going into it and plan on a trip to Home Depot.

All in all, I'd recommend an Avallo or Aristo if you can afford it. If you absolutely want a decent cabinet and can't afford more then that should suffice for a while.

ETA: The conni is the humi in my avatar if that helps you.

 

[Volusianator]

and I also don't really need "display" oriented shelves...

Good thinking, the display style cabinets severely decrease the amount of storage possible in a cabinet, just to much wasted space.

That being said, one thing to consider is that with a cabinet of that size, (say 2000ct like you said) if you come even close to filling it, you'll have a very substantial amount of cash tied up in those smokes. Do you really want to trust the proper storage of those cigars in a $200 cigar bid humidor? Avallo, contact Ron, he'll take care of you.

 

[Boston Matt]

Do you really want to trust the proper storage of those cigars in a $200 cigar bid humidor?

I tend to agree. This strikes me very much as one of those "you get what you pay for" type of things...

 

[Jfire]

NJ
I should of posted the listing but I thought no one would be interested.
2 weeks ago on Chicagoland CL. a guy 1 hr south of me 2 hrs south of Chi town was selling 2 active Cab humidors. Both were the brand that Cigar Aficionado uses in there office. They retail for 2500- 3500 for both sizes. I belive one was 2000 and the other was 4000 sticks. They were Man. in I think Racine WI(Wade maybe you know the brand). Bottom line is he wanted 699&999 for both units but stressed any reasonanle offer would be consider. I think it was one of those drive because it was worth it type things. Ill keep my eye out to see if he relists them. I should of jumped on the smaller one but with 2 g in cigars buys this year i'm already pushing the envelope.

Found the article Pendergast Humidors.
http://www.cigaraficionado.com/Cigar/CA_Features/CA_Feature_Basic_Template/0,2344,12,00.html

 

[Volusianator]

Bottom line is he wanted 699&999 for both units but stressed any reasonanle offer would be consider.

That's a hell of a deal!:thumbsup:

 

[njstone]

Good advice, all. I agree that someday I'd love a really nice one, but for now a "cheap cigar bid humidor) would probably be better than my 3 tupperware bins. Even upgrading to the large coolers would cost me at least $225, and would be much harder for me to store than a towers-style cabinet.

I'll check out the brands you mentioned and get back to you...

 

[dpricenator]

Do you have a spot to plug in a wine fridge? That's an inexpensive route to cooled storage

 

[Volusianator]

Do you have a spot to plug in a wine fridge? That's an inexpensive route to cooled storage

That's a good idea, but a wine fridge to hold the number of sticks he's looking for would cost a fortune.

 

[Tegu]

Check out the Montegue End Table, I got mine awhile ago on cbid for $400 delivered, I couldn't be happier. 1500+ capcity I think they say, I have a pound of beads and a hydra and have no problems.

 

[njstone]

Check out the Montegue End Table, I got mine awhile ago on cbid for $400 delivered, I couldn't be happier. 1500+ capcity I think they say, I have a pound of beads and a hydra and have no problems.

Do you find that 1500+ estimate to be pretty accurate? How many sticks do you have in yours? I really like the looks of this item (I've seen them on cbid before but they looked much smaller than the boasted 1500+ capacity).

Thanks!

 

[_Lac_Man_]

I'm with AZsteelman - Aristocrat humidors are fantastic. A guy I know has a full cabinet and a smaller end-table-cabinet and they are both amazing. They come with active humidification, circulation fans, and you can customize every little aspect of the humidor: wood (nearly any type), glass (frosted glass, text, design, etc.), hinge color, and size, obviously. They are super duper!

 

[CWS]

Not big enough. I like Wades.