Is my humidor over-stuffed / too full?

[megladon8]

So I use this is as my main humi, and it was advertised as an 80-100 count humidor.

I'm just wondering if this is too full.

Also, is placing the 3/4 pound of beads in the side, underneath the cigars, good? Or should I take that amount of beads and spread it out (in smaller bags) through the humidor?

Also, separate question:

If I were to start up an Igloodor( with an igloo picnic cooler), what is the recommended way of, well, cooling?

Should I keep a rotation of dry ice packs? I don't think fans would be enough to lower the temp sufficiently.

 

[Jwrussell]

That's pretty stuffed. I think your beads placement is fine. Spreading them out wouldn't hurt, but probably not a big difference in that size humi.

As to cooling an igloodor...eh, I wouldn't try it. The concept of an igloodor is bulk storage cheap. The insulation helps to keep the temp even and a bit down from ambient, but that's about it.

 

[megladon8]

That's pretty stuffed. I think your beads placement is fine. Spreading them out wouldn't hurt, but probably not a big difference in that size humi.

As to cooling an igloodor...eh, I wouldn't try it. The concept of an igloodor is bulk storage cheap. The insulation helps to keep the temp even and a bit down from ambient, but that's about it.

So the cigars that are, say, at the bottom of the "pile" on the other side of the humidor, basically as far from the beads as possible, aren't in any danger of drying out?


And the igloodor - would you suggest skipping the igloodor, and just waiting 'til I can afford a wine cooler?

 

[jwyatt55]

If you need temp control you should invest in a wine fridge.

As for the condition of your stash just inspect them. Little sqeeze at the foot. If you hear the leaf crinkle then they are a little dry. Too soft and/or busted wrappers and your overhumidified.

 

[Steve]

Nice stash! Do you find that you get an "melding" of flavors between cigars with them all in together?

 

[GoingPostal]

Yeah i'd call that overfilled, if your concerned about some getting dry you can rotate your stock.
Best solution for temp control is a wine fridge. For a cheap quick solution use a small tupperware container .

 

[Le Buzz]

Yeah I'd say it's a little overstuffed. You want some circulation even if it's a medium humi such as yours. Also, I would suggest splitting that bag of beads in to 3 or 4 smaller bags and placing them in different spots.

If you're running out of room I suggest Lock & Lock tupperware. They're airtight, some of the bigger ones have vented trays at the bottom and they're affordable. It's all I use at the moment until I can afford a cabinet.

 

[megladon8]

Nice stash! Do you find that you get an "melding" of flavors between cigars with them all in together?

Not really, no.

The only melding of flavours I've experienced was when I stupidly put a flavoured cigar in with regular ones, and the couple around it kind of took on a bit of its flavouring.

 

[danthebugman]

Best solution...smoke 'em :grin:. But if you're going to do an igloodor I wouldn't think temps would be too much of a concern unless you keep your house really warm :dunno:. I locate my humidors in a closet in a back room during the winter, the temperature stays around 60-65 degrees. During the summer I move them to the closet next to our central a/c unit and they stay about the same temp.

Dan

 

[Thecatch83]

Agree with Dan......start smoking!

 

[thatjohnguy]

i mean if your really unsure about the humi i can take some of those sticks off your hands....lol

 

[L8A]

Looks like its time to move up for sure. I would second the Lock & Lock tupperware idea if you are looking for something economical. They work great.

 

[wowsley]

Nice collection you've got there!!

Are you currently worried about temperature? If so, what are you doing about it now? If not, nothing wrong with a coolerdor (imo). That's what I started with and wouldn't have changed a thing. There are plenty of primers on that topic so I won't add another. But Jwrussell, why advise against using a cooler (unless he needs temp control I don't see a problem .... am I missing something)?

 

[megladon8]

Yes, I am worried about temperature.

Our house stays at about 70-71F, but has been known to get a little higher if it's a REALLY hot summer.

 

[wowsley]

Ok gotcha. I wouldn't be TOO worried about 70-71F, but if it gets any warmer than that I'd be investing in a wine cooler. But since it is a bit warm, the tupperware won't do squat either.

I keep mine at 65/65, but 70 deg isn't anything to get in a bunch about (imo).

 

[orangedog]

I would say it is overstuffed, but that would be the pot calling the kettle black, and I try not to do that.

 

[Jwrussell]

So the cigars that are, say, at the bottom of the "pile" on the other side of the humidor, basically as far from the beads as possible, aren't in any danger of drying out?

Nope. You are talking about a fairly small space and while there may be a small variation in RH between where you have the beads and the farthest place from them, it should be small given a humi with a good seal. The beads should keep the entire humi environment about the same so long as you have the correct amount of beads for the space.

And the igloodor - would you suggest skipping the igloodor, and just waiting 'til I can afford a wine cooler?

Depends. See below.

But Jwrussell, why advise against using a cooler (unless he needs temp control I don't see a problem .... am I missing something)?

My comment on the cooler was because he stated his reason for considering one was to reduce the temperature. Cooler'dors don't do that all that well. I'm going to check to get an accurate reading just to cure my own curiosity, but I would guess a cooler is going to hold temps maybe 3-5 degrees lower than ambient at best? And again, I may be being generous there. I'll report back with what I see on mine.

Our house stays at about 70-71F, but has been known to get a little higher if it's a REALLY hot summer.

It's hard to judge these kinds of things without knowing your weather and temps or where in the world you are. Based on the above information I wouldn't be overly worried. That being said, a cooler would probably drop your temps a couple of degrees which might be worth it to you if you would feel more comfortable with the temps below 70. I'll get back to you and let you know what I'm showing as the difference in temps between ambient and my cooler so you have a better idea. But if you are worried about temps getting significantly higher and you want your temps much lower, then a wine cooler solution or cooled cabinet is the better solution.

 

[c1ark]

Looks like my desktop. Thats why I am in the process of a wine cooler.

 

[Jwrussell]

I'm going to check to get an accurate reading just to cure my own curiosity, but I would guess a cooler is going to hold temps maybe 3-5 degrees lower than ambient at best? And again, I may be being generous there. I'll report back with what I see on mine.

I was being quite generous. The differential between ambient and inside the cooler for me was between 1 and 2 degrees.

 

[Josh.CHI]

2 banded zip lock can work for a temp solution too