Coolidors

[colimo]

OK...maybe there isnt a need for this, but i have a couple questions....i am at the point where i am going to create a humidor/coolidor....have the beads, etc.....

question: Do i need to "season" the cooler prior to putting beads and sticks in? or what?

Can I convert one of my existing coolers, of which i have several, that previously had maybe food or beer in it, but havent had for some time? or should i go invest in a new one?

thanks....any other thoughts appreciated...

Doug
p.s. expecting to need accomodation for 100+ cigars...:5436::5421:

[b0rderman]

Others here may have some better suggestions but here's what I have done:

If you decide to go out and buy a new cooler check out a few things while you are in the store:

-stick your head in that bad boy and take a sniff...it shouldn't have a toxic smell to it. A little pvc odor isn't a big deal, but some types of coolers smell more than others so sniff around.

-check to see if the lid closes and seals well, as best as you can tell. Try to feel for that tell tale "whoosh" of air as you close it.

-consider wiping the cooler down with a mild soap and water, rinse it out good and then it air out/dry for 24 hours. This usually gets rid of most, if not all, of the pvc odor.

As for using used coolers, I've done that as well. Again, just make sure it doesn't reek of old tuna sammies in there. Also, you'll want to use a good disinfectant to kill any organics that could be hiding in the cooler, stuff like that could lead to molding.

100+ cigars eh? What size coolers are you looking at. Most will swallow those up in a heart beat. You should be good to go...you've got the beads in hand, which is the hardest part of the whole process. I don't think any coolidor post is complete without some sort of "buy bigger" advice, so....buy bigger than you what you think you need! :)

[zmancbr]

Others here may have some better suggestions but here's what I have done:

If you decide to go out and buy a new cooler check out a few things while you are in the store:

-stick your head in that bad boy and take a sniff...it shouldn't have a toxic smell to it. A little pvc odor isn't a big deal, but some types of coolers smell more than others so sniff around.

-check to see if the lid closes and seals well, as best as you can tell. Try to feel for that tell tale "whoosh" of air as you close it.

-consider wiping the cooler down with a mild soap and water, rinse it out good and then it air out/dry for 24 hours. This usually gets rid of most, if not all, of the pvc odor.

As for using used coolers, I've done that as well. Again, just make sure it doesn't reek of old tuna sammies in there. Also, you'll want to use a good disinfectant to kill any organics that could be hiding in the cooler, stuff like that could lead to molding.

100+ cigars eh? What size coolers are you looking at. Most will swallow those up in a heart beat. You should be good to go...you've got the beads in hand, which is the hardest part of the whole process. I don't think any coolidor post is complete without some sort of "buy bigger" advice, so....buy bigger than you what you think you need! :)

Very sounds advice! The only thing I would say for a cooler is it is probably better to go newer if the old one is stained or beat up real bad.

And the other thing I would advise... get the biggest one you can! :new_rofl: Hanging around this group is a good way to fill up several humidors quickly lol... trust me. I have only been seriously smoking cigars for about 2 years now and I went through 3 small humis before buying the large cabinet and the vinos. Now of course I am almost full again and might need to build the closet humi soon... :rofl:

[colimo]

Figured i would hear something like that from you zach my friend....what kind of cabinet did you get and where?

[sepp]

And the other thing I would advise... get the biggest one you can! :new_rofl: Hanging around this group is a good way to fill up several humidors quickly lol... trust me.
You got that right... A year ago I had a desk top humi and two boxes in baggies in the closet. Last June came the cabinet, much smaller than Zach's :rofl: , 6 months ago I met this bunch and today I recieved the beads and the cabs that put me over the top. As of this afternoon I have set up an overflow cooler.

Damn you all! :508:

[mojo65]

go big or go home.....!:sifone:

[Spect]

Then some day you'll have enough coolers to build a fort!

It stops after you die... I THINK. Unless your Zach, he'll have orders showing up for a few weeks after.

[opusfxd]

My .02, I scrub my stuff out with baking soda and distilled water. If it's used, I'll do it a couple times.

I've also heard that putting a flashlight inside and looking for light leaks is a good way to check for a seal as is putting a sheet of paper in the edge and seeing if you can pull it out. Now imagine doing this with equipment you have acquired while wandering around WalMart. :)

[zmancbr]

Figured i would hear something like that from you zach my friend....what kind of cabinet did you get and where?

Got it from the B&M up in fort collins... but its the generic Quality Importers one that looks like this:

http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hum2000c02a.jpghttp://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8616/hum2000c02a.jpg (http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hum2000c02a.jpg)

Problem is, that humi is 17 cubic feet and still not enough so my overflow is in a vinotemp right now... I have another vinotemp for when that first one is full... but after that, I'm toast! Need to get the closet humi done this summer. :D
http://www.cfrhn.com/%5BURL=http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hum2000c02a.jpg%5D%5BIMG%5Dhttp://img142.imageshack.us/img142/8616/hum2000c02a.jpg%5B/IMG%5D%5B/URL%5D

[zmancbr]

Then some day you'll have enough coolers to build a fort!

It stops after you die... I THINK. Unless your Zach, he'll have orders showing up for a few weeks after.

:new_rofl::new_rofl::rofl::rofl::D

You know I was thinking that will probably be true...