Humidors

[jeff]

What are the basic requirements for a good humidor? Obviously a good seal and cedar lined, but what else should a newbie cigar enthusiast look for when purchasing his first humidor? I am getting tired of going to the Liquor Barn every time I want to have a cigar, so I though I would keep a few around the house. I guess I need something that will hold 25-50. Is there a good place to buy these on the Net for a good price? I would like to keep it under a hundred if possible.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Jeff check out www.bargainhumidors.com. I bought an El Rey from them and it is very nice. Good quality at a low price. They have their humidors manufactured to their specifications in Communist China.

[pepcycle]

Jeff,
Hinges are important. They be hidden and allow the seal to be complete when close. Humidifier is important. I found that in during the winter, one is not enough, so I've supplemented the built-in with another from Liquor Barn. The hydrometers that come in most humidors are analog and pretty useless. I suggest going to Radio Shack and buying a portable digital model. I think I paid about $12 dollars and its half the size of a deck of cards. The secret to humidors is that the wood acts as a humidity cushion absorbing and releasing moisture to balance the humidity in the chamber. For that reason, you must have wood, not metal or glass or Tupperware. Be sure and season your humidor by bringing up the humidity slowly for about a week before placing cigars into it. Cedar lining is a must. Trays and dividers make sorting and finding easier but rate as added luxuries for me. I suggest you try E-Bay and purchase a Used one. I got an inlaid walnut, cedar lined with Brass hinges, two trays, humidifier, hygrometer, cutter, torch, ashtray and humidifying solution for about $30. Doctor told the previous owner he had to quit NOW.
Be careful. It starts with one cigar and the next thing you know, you've got 100.

[Aahzz]

Another vote for Bargain Humidors. Good stuff at good prices - I'm thrilled with mine.

[Pill_Man]

And yet another vote for www.bargainhumidors.com - good people and good product.

[redwizard6]

What pepcycle siad. Another thing to look for if you buy in person is when you shut the lid, listen for that whoosh of air being pushed out to indicate a good seal. Also, take a small flashlite with you. Turn it on, put it inside and close the lid.Look at the edges. No lite, good box!! This is one thing where paying for quality is a good thing. Keeping your sticks fresh makes all that more enjoyable when you get em out and lite em up!! And BArgain humidors is a good place to buy. Mike is good people!! JMHO Tim

[century451]

All the advice given here is second to none but you must ask yourself how many smokes do you want to keep at home. I have a very nice mahogany and oak humidor that holds 125 PC to maybe 100 lonsdales depending on manufacture. My favorite size's are the rothchild, robusto and the toro. At that size I can get maybe 60-65 sticks in there.

The problem is I smoke em as fast as I get them but have come to appreciate the aged cigar just as we enjoy aged bourbon. I now have a couple of coolidors that I made that is home to about 300 cigars. I have less than 40 dollars tied up in them and all the cigars are aging nicely in cedar boxes at 70/70.

So the question is how many cigars do you want to keep at home.....?

Steve

[jeff]

Steve,

I ended up buying an inexpensive small humidor @ Premium Humidors on the Net. It holds about 25 rothchilds or about 15 Churchills. For the time being this is working out fine, as Leslie doesn't want me smoking too much in the house. So only 1 or 2 a week at present. I figure that to change once spring and summer permit some leasurely tastings out back on the deck. I have thought about the coolerdor you mentioned. Where did you get your spanish cedar?

[mickblueeyes]

Though I hate to do this, don't buy from www.bargainhumidors.com The individual that owns this site has been run off several Cigar BBS for constant violation of the rules and his general attitude toward customer service.

If you want a cheapie, buy a humidor at Sams Club. They carry the IDC brands and you can pick up one cheaply.

My advice is to save your pennies and buy the best you can afford. Diamond Crown is one of the best on the market and I can direct you to several specialty custom builders for even better humis.

[B_Dub___Cigar_Ambassador]

I have gotten most of my humidors from TopShelfHumidors.com because they are so competitively priced. They have a beautiful glass-top 300-count model with legs, and this guy sells them cheaper than anyplace I've seen. Check it out!

As for cigars, I like two retailers:
JRCigar.com is the largest retailer of cigars in the USA. Because of the volume, their prices are the lowest around bar none. For great service (like personal help putting together samplers, or advice on which cigars you might like, or the little stuff like double shrink wrapping your cigars so that they come ready to smoke) I like to order from TBS-Cigars.com The proprietor's name is Eric Turner, and he is the owner of StogieChat.com as well.