So I picked up a cooler

[Bill86]

This one
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Coleman-Xtreme-120-Quart-Cooler/14574678

Can someone give me a link to shilala's beads, and tell me how much to buy for 120 quarts.

Thanks
-Bill

[dwoodward]

http://www.hcmcigarbeads.com/

Product in Inches (L x W x H): 39.0 x 19.0 x 19.0

Volume = 14079 Cu. Inches

Beads Needed = 26.1 Ounces

[Bill86]

Wow those beads are much pricier then heartfelt.....

I'd need 4 bags of 8 ounces = $100

Heartfelt 2 pounds = $62 +2X bags = $70

Looks like I'm going heartfelt.

Thanks though. This coolidor idea is going to work out great.


EDIT wait a minute....since it looks like I'd be dropping $70-100 in beads wouldn't electronic humidification be better?

[bobarian]

No need for active humidification in a cooler. Two pounds of beads should give you many years of hassle free storage. I use 65% Heartfelt beads in my coolers and Vinotemps. :2

[NCRadioMan]

You could use a couple of water pillows. I use one pillow in each of my 77qt coolers. I recharge them every 3-4 months (if needed). Hassle free and cost is a whoping $1. Steady 65%

:2

[Bill86]

No need for active humidification in a cooler. Two pounds of beads should give you many years of hassle free storage. I use 65% Heartfelt beads in my coolers and Vinotemps. :2

I was looking at the fact of $70 for heartfelt beads + $20 digital hygro is the same price as a Hydra SM which dials in the humidity so I wouldn't really need a hygro, could always move the one from my smaller humidor if I wanted to. Then if I ever got a small cabinet I'd have a hydra already. So I guess what I'm wondering is would it work? Save me a bit of $$$ in the long run, or am I crazy...probably crazy, maybe drunk.

[smelvis]

IMHO
You need fewer beads in coolers than the normal calculations call for complete seals confirm this and they also go forever without recharging. pretty much a great way to store cigars. Not as purty as my wood humidors but boy do they work well.

Dave

[Bill86]

Yeah I was just looking at space to $$$ ratio. That and it seems you getting shipping raped with any cabinet. Coolers are readily available at walmart for like $55 after taxes.

[gijoey959]

I use a $5 little "jar" of humidity gel or whatever it is, it says crystals on the outside, but its gel. That is paired with a couple empty cigar boxes and the wood from a bunch of wood from some tubos, and I use an analog that I got before I got a cheapo digital from walmart, and both constantly read 65%

total to humidify probably cost me about $15

[Jbailey]

I'm running 1lbs of beads (65%) in each 120qt cooler and it's enough.

[Bunker]

Go kitty litter, a 4lb bottle of Exquisicat Crystals cost around $12 at Petsmart. Keeps my humi and cooledor right around 65 rh

[T.G]

I was looking at the fact of $70 for heartfelt beads + $20 digital hygro is the same price as a Hydra SM which dials in the humidity so I wouldn't really need a hygro, could always move the one from my smaller humidor if I wanted to. Then if I ever got a small cabinet I'd have a hydra already. So I guess what I'm wondering is would it work? Save me a bit of $$$ in the long run, or am I crazy...probably crazy, maybe drunk.


Active humidifier in a sealed plastic box (cooler) is just begging for problems unless you like things really moist or you happen to be in and out of there a lot. In which case, you probably would have to deal with condensation near the outlet of the humidifier. Great if you like your cigars stored in a swamp.

[lostark374]

two cases of budwiser and a couple bags of ice and your all set no beads needed.

[Bill86]

two cases of budwiser and a couple bags of ice and your all set no beads needed.

:pu I'll pass on the budweiser, but raise you a case of dogfish head or stones.

Got ya T.G I'll be ordering 2lbs of beads soon enough. I'm going to wash out the cooler first though. My allergies got my nose completely plugged but I'll bet theres at least a little plastic smell in there.

[CigarNut]

Active humidifier in a sealed plastic box (cooler) is just begging for problems unless you like things really moist or you happen to be in and out of there a lot. In which case, you probably would have to deal with condensation near the outlet of the humidifier. Great if you like your cigars stored in a swamp.Adam is correct, plus active humidifiers can drive the temperature in the cooler up. All-in-all, a bad combination for your cigars.

[Bill86]

Alright the coolers got 2 pounds of heartfelt beads in there now. Should be enough oddly enough the humidity is never rock solid 65% RH. Chilling at 61 RH now....we'll see how this goes. Either way my setup is good to go. Now I can store another 30 or so boxes :D.

[bobarian]

Alright the coolers got 2 pounds of heartfelt beads in there now. Should be enough oddly enough the humidity is never rock solid 65% RH. Chilling at 61 RH now....we'll see how this goes. Either way my setup is good to go. Now I can store another 30 or so boxes :D.

If you can get empty boxes from your B&M, put them in there until you can get full boxes. They will help stabilize the humidity and you can use them for singles storage as well. Non-varnished cabs(LFD, Tatuaje, etc) work the best, but even regular dress boxes will help. Trust in the beads, I rarely look at my hygrometers. :2

[Bill86]

Got ya brother that was my guess, that there was just a bunch of empty space, I only got 5 boxes in there now. There's 3 more boxes on the way I'll look into those non varnished cabs. Thanks again bob, the cooler idea is awesome. Except for my entire close now is humidors which isn't a bad thing.

[68TriShield]

Save the cedar sheets from boxes to put in there too.Not only will it help stabilize the humidity but the cooler will smell like a cabinet when you open it.
After time of course :)

I love coolers!

[dwoodward]

Anyone know where you can get a 150qt cooler with the ridges on the inside? Our walmarts both only have 50ish qt igloo's with the ridges, and the Sam's Club here has 150qt Igloo's with ridges that only extend a few inches.

I would love to find one so I can make a coolidor and add shelving.

Sorry to hijack btw...

[CigarNut]

You can make ridges (or slots) by gluing some spanish cedar to the inside of a smooth-sided cooler. Also Wally does not charge to buy something online and have it shipped to the nearest store...

[Bill86]

No need for sorries this threads about coolers, your question was about coolers. Cigarnuts right that 150 quart cooler you're wanting with slots is on walmart.com and they ship to stores. Also if you check walmart sometimes the larger coolers are in lawn and garden not near the hunting aisle. I found my 120 quart and the 150 quarts over there. I decided 120 was big enough.

[dwoodward]

No need for sorries this threads about coolers, your question was about coolers. Cigarnuts right that 150 quart cooler you're wanting with slots is on walmart.com and they ship to stores. Also if you check walmart sometimes the larger coolers are in lawn and garden not near the hunting aisle. I found my 120 quart and the 150 quarts over there. I decided 120 was big enough.

Yeah, all the coolers at both locations here were in the lawn and garden area. CigarNut brought up a good point tho, I guess I could always use cedar glued to the sides to make shelves.

[SvilleKid]

I found my 120 quart and the 150 quarts over there. I decided 120 was big enough.

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!:r:r

I once decided that two 70 quart coolers was big enough!!

OMG Where has all the space gone? I'm up to five 70 quart coolers, and they are all full! BTW, The discussion about not need any extra humidification inside the cooler is pretty much spot-on, unless you are in a really dry climate. I used to run two water pillows in my 70 quarts along with a pound or so of beads...... After finding mold on my maduros a couple of times, I pulled out ALL but the 65% beads. Now, they are rock solid, and need little attention. I went with the 70 quart size, mainly because they are much easier for me to stash in the back of a closet (under stairwell), they lessen the chance that an old fart like me will pull out my back moving them around, and I don't have to dig as deep to see all that I have in each cooler.

Just remember: Big enough IS NEVER enough!!! :banger

[BluesGuy]

Ok sense the OP does not seem to mind a couple of questions....

1. What do you use to glue in the ridges for your shelves

2. Do you use cedar for your shelves and were do you get it...Home Depot of Lowes?

[bobarian]

Ok sense the OP does not seem to mind a couple of questions....

1. What do you use to glue in the ridges for your shelves

2. Do you use cedar for your shelves and were do you get it...Home Depot of Lowes?

1-Hot glue gun works fine and has no odor

2-Spanish Cedar only not Red cedar, usually only available at stores like Rockler or Woodcraft that have specialty woods. http://www.woodcraft.com/catalog/productpage2.aspx?prodid=2754

But cedar is not necessary in a cooler. Adding cedar means less space for boxes. A cooler may seem very big, but it will be filled in a matter of months.
Its best to pick up empty boxes at your local shop and use those for singles storage. Shelves and trays may look better but they cost money that can be spent on cigars. :2

[Bill86]

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!!:r:r

I once decided that two 70 quart coolers was big enough!!

OMG Where has all the space gone? I'm up to five 70 quart coolers, and they are all full! BTW, The discussion about not need any extra humidification inside the cooler is pretty much spot-on, unless you are in a really dry climate. I used to run two water pillows in my 70 quarts along with a pound or so of beads...... After finding mold on my maduros a couple of times, I pulled out ALL but the 65% beads. Now, they are rock solid, and need little attention. I went with the 70 quart size, mainly because they are much easier for me to stash in the back of a closet (under stairwell), they lessen the chance that an old fart like me will pull out my back moving them around, and I don't have to dig as deep to see all that I have in each cooler.

Just remember: Big enough IS NEVER enough!!! :banger

It wasn't a size choice *that's what she said*....

120 quart cooler = $52
150 quart cooler = $80

30 more quarts for ~$30-$34 after tax. Just not worth it to me, cuts into my cigar $$$. That and I'm currently unemployed as of ...2 days ago.

Price decision, that and I have my desktop in my closet and the 120 fits in my closet as well, the 150 probably wouldn't. My entire floor is humidors.

I'm still quite young I don't mind hauling around the 120's.

P.S my 120 quart with 2 lbs of beads is holding a solid 64 RH...I'm very happy. My humidor eh 62 RH but to me I'm satisfied with both. Now I need a 2nd Digital Hygro.