building a coolidor

Originally Posted by Wallbright

Those appear to be the 70% Heartfelt beads.

I'd go with the 65% beads over the 70% but some people like their cigars better around 70% so it is all personal preference. If you want the 70% just go with what your local B&M has as they do appear to be the exact same. If you want 65% just order online. They are shipped in a padded envelope priority mail and only take a few days. In all honesty the box would be fine in the cooler without beads while the beads are in transit for a few days. Just don't open the box or if you do just put a moist sponge in the coolidor. This is not really good for long term storage but for the 3 days it takes for the beads to get to you it is no problem.

Excuse my ignorance I'm still learning lol. But what would the advantages be with the 65% over the 70% beads? And anybody recommend a good cooler brand that tends to have a good seal?

[WittyUserName]

Originally Posted by gray8188

Excuse my ignorance I'm still learning lol. But what would the advantages be with the 65% over the 70% beads? And anybody recommend a good cooler brand that tends to have a good seal?

From what I have gathered based on other responses in this forum it is personal preference.

Originally Posted by gray8188

Excuse my ignorance I'm still learning lol. But what would the advantages be with the 65% over the 70% beads? And anybody recommend a good cooler brand that tends to have a good seal?

As far as a coolers go I have a Coleman and am really pleased. Like I believe I said before it was $16 for this 48QT. In all honesty just go ahead and buy one like this because a) it is dirt cheap b) you will need a bigger one before you realize. I thought I would never fill this one up and I am almost at maximum capacity.

I have the red but they also make it in the blue as shown here.


If you buy your cooler in person let the lid drop shut from like half way open. If you hear a swoosh when it closes or feel it push air when it shuts closed then it has a good seal. You can also do a dollar bill test I guess but that is more for wooden humidors.


As far as the beads go, the benefit is that with the 65% beads your cigars stay around 63-65% versus the 68-70%. (The ranges are as the beads start to need recharging but in my experience they hold about dead on for a while). Now this next part is just my opinion and I am sure some others agree and some disagree. In my opinion anything above 67% makes my cigars too moist for how I like to smoke them. I prefer around 63% to be honest. So the benefit of 65% beads is that they keep your humidor at a slightly lower humidity. It comes down to personal preference, like I keep repeating like a broken record haha, on how moist you prefer your cigars. Like anything in life people may tell you that one way is the sure way to go and others tell you the exact opposite is the way to go. It ultimately comes down to your preference really. It also isn't that big of a deal as all this makes it seem. Just buy a cooler and some beads and you are set.

[Boz]

Originally Posted by Wallbright

As far as a coolers go I have a Coleman and am really pleased. Like I believe I said before it was $16 for this 48QT. In all honesty just go ahead and buy one like this because a) it is dirt cheap b) you will need a bigger one before you realize. I thought I would never fill this one up and I am almost at maximum capacity.

I have the red but they also make it in the blue as shown here.


If you buy your cooler in person let the lid drop shut from like half way open. If you hear a swoosh when it closes or feel it push air when it shuts closed then it has a good seal. You can also do a dollar bill test I guess but that is more for wooden humidors.


As far as the beads go, the benefit is that with the 65% beads your cigars stay around 63-65% versus the 68-70%. (The ranges are as the beads start to need recharging but in my experience they hold about dead on for a while). Now this next part is just my opinion and I am sure some others agree and some disagree. In my opinion anything above 67% makes my cigars too moist for how I like to smoke them. I prefer around 63% to be honest. So the benefit of 65% beads is that they keep your humidor at a slightly lower humidity. It comes down to personal preference, like I keep repeating like a broken record haha, on how moist you prefer your cigars. Like anything in life people may tell you that one way is the sure way to go and others tell you the exact opposite is the way to go. It ultimately comes down to your preference really. It also isn't that big of a deal as all this makes it seem. Just buy a cooler and some beads and you are set.

This is exactly the cooler I have (i got mine from Bass Pro) with 1lbs of 65% heartfelt beads (overkill) and an accurite digital hygrometer from Walmart. I was planning on a nice cabinet but Im more than happy with my cooler setup.

Awesome thank you so much guys! I'm in love with the forum already. The responses are so fast. I can't wait to get this done. And ill be sure to post some pics!

Originally Posted by gray8188

Awesome thank you so much guys! I'm in love with the forum already. The responses are so fast. I can't wait to get this done. And ill be sure to post some pics!

Haha well we are pretty damn good at enabling, and quick too! Good luck and for sure post up some pictures. You can also check out the show us your humidor thread to see some of the guys setups. But like we have all said just buy a cooler, air it out or whatever, throw some beads in it, put your boxes in and fugetaboutit.

[BlindedByScience]

For singles, I would recommend stopping by your local B&M and picking up a couple nice cedar boxes. Or, PM me with your address and I am sure I can find a couple to send along....

Good luck with your project...!!....if I can pull off five of them, it ain't exactly rocket science.....

Cheers - N.F.H.

Originally Posted by NotFromHere

For singles, I would recommend stopping by your local B&M and picking up a couple nice cedar boxes. Or, PM me with your address and I am sure I can find a couple to send along....

Good luck with your project...!!....if I can pull off five of them, it ain't exactly rocket science.....

Cheers - N.F.H.

I just might have to take you up on that. Thanks man! This forum gets better amd better lol.

Originally Posted by Boz

This is exactly the cooler I have (i got mine from Bass Pro) with 1lbs of 65% heartfelt beads (overkill) and an accurite digital hygrometer from Walmart. I was planning on a nice cabinet but Im more than happy with my cooler setup.

I think with the dimensions we only need like 4oz. That thing must get back to 65% AS you are closing the lid with that amount of beads. You can never have too many beads on hand though and now if you buy another cooler you can just do 1/2 and 1/2. Wait I think I should probably get some more beads. Hm.....

[Boz]

Originally Posted by Wallbright

I think with the dimensions we only need like 4oz. That thing must get back to 65% AS you are closing the lid with that amount of beads. You can never have too many beads on hand though and now if you buy another cooler you can just do 1/2 and 1/2. Wait I think I should probably get some more beads. Hm.....

Haha that was pretty much my thinking. Now I have enough beads to spread em out a little bit if need be.

Alrite I'm looking at a few coolers at my local wallmart. These are the 2 I'm considering.
:http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-M...6437965?pos=30
:http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-I...ooler/16437961
Any thoughts? I like the marine one I think it would be a little easier to kinda hide in my closet and I'm thinking the seal might be better because there meant to not leak or allow odors out.

[Blak Smyth]

Originally Posted by gray8188

Alrite I'm looking at a few coolers at my local wallmart. These are the 2 I'm considering.
:http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-M...6437965?pos=30
:http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-I...ooler/16437961
Any thoughts? I like the marine one I think it would be a little easier to kinda hide in my closet and I'm thinking the seal might be better because there meant to not leak or allow odors out.

I think the marine cooler is a better unit, but the red one is larger and cheaper.

[T.G]

Originally Posted by gray8188

Alrite I'm looking at a few coolers at my local wallmart. These are the 2 I'm considering.
:http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-M...6437965?pos=30
:http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Igloo-I...ooler/16437961
Any thoughts? I like the marine one I think it would be a little easier to kinda hide in my closet and I'm thinking the seal might be better because there meant to not leak or allow odors out.

Do not buy the second one. The Island Breeze coolers leak like sieves. I picked two up last year for like $6 at the end of the year clearance from CVS, neither held humidity for squat. I just use them for food/drinks now since they were worthless for cigar storage.

[BlindedByScience]

Originally Posted by gray8188

Excuse my ignorance I'm still learning lol. But what would the advantages be with the 65% over the 70% beads? And anybody recommend a good cooler brand that tends to have a good seal?

• As has been mentioned, 65% vs. 70% beads is personal preference only. Get a hundred experienced cigar smokers and ask them what their preferred RH is. You'll probably get answers from 55% to 75%. Most guys run 65% as their set point, which actually means the box will be 63-63%. My cabinet runs about 68% during the summer months. Honestly I can't tell a whole lot of difference....
• For coolers, I found the type with the "loose" lid, rather than a lid on hinges typically seal better. With these types, if there's a seal issue, you can line the lip of the lid with weatherstripping tape (thin adhesive backed foam) and that will take care of it. I never had to, FWIW.