building a coolidor

[BlindedByScience]

Most guys tend to overthink this process. I had five coolers up and running before I moved into my cabinet, and this is basically what I did:

Originally Posted by Drez

Coolers are very simple to set up.

1. Buy coole
2. Air out cooler for a couple days
3. Buy beads (or other humidification device)
4. Put beads in cooler
5. Add boxes and a hygro
6. Sit back and relax

A couple of other points;

• I would rinse the cooler out with very hot water to help it outgas the plastic a bit. I found that if you rinse it out and let it stand open for a couple days (in the sun helps too) they pretty much lose the plastic smell. Not that I think the smell would be that big of a deal, but some guys really worry about it. I am one of the guys that do not believe the plastic smell will "permeate" your smokes. I had tons of cigars in more than one cooler for years and never had a problem.
• I would NOT use chlorine bleach to clean out the cooler...!! Some guys recommend using a weak bleach solution, but I think the use of ANY chlorine in a cigar container is a very bad idea. Chlorine is an incredibly powerful oxidizer and just doesn't strike me as the right stuff for the job. Very hot water, a couple of days to outgas, and you will be good.
• I also would NOT line the cooler with any cedar. You'll be occupying valuable humidified space and there is simply no need. Every one of my coolers held humidity flawlessly (and I used Heartfelt beads as well). Use the space for cigars, not linings.
• If your cooler isn't full when you start it up, I always had good luck filling the unoccupied space with bubble wrap. No need to humidify airspace that isn't being occupied by cigars, I think.

A very famous cigar cabinet maker once posted that "....anything other than a cooler is an extravagance...." and I have to agree. Coolers are the best storage for the money there is....period.

Good luck - don't worry.....

N.F.H.