Instead of constantly telling folks how to build the cheapest/most effective humidor in dozens of threads, I figured I'd do a writeup for The Humidor so folks can get a step in the right direction.

Supplies:
1. A cooler, preferably one with a good seal.
2. Humidification device.  I prefer Heartfelt 65% beads from www.heartfeltindustries.com.  You'll also want a sock to hold your beads.
3. Empty cigar boxes.  These boxes should be from unflavored cigars and can be found, usually for free, from your local cigar shop.
4. A hydrometer
5. Cigars!

Total Cost: Varies, but this project can be completed for less than $150 with ease.

STEP ONE:  The Cooler





The model I have here is a Coleman Xtreme Cooler, 100qt.  AmyElizabeth purchased it for me from wal-mart for around $70.

In reality, any cooler will work, but the thicker the insulation and the better the seal leads to better temp/humidity control for your cigars.  

So, you've got a cooler...now what?


^Make sure the cooler's drain is closed tightly.

Clean it out with soap and water and let it dry thoroughly.  Even if it's brand new, give it a quick wash.

There, you're done monkeying with the cooler itself, wasn't that easy?

STEP TWO: Cigar Boxes

Go to your local cigar shop, buy a cigar or two, then ask politely if they have any spare cigar boxes you could have to keep your cigars in.  I've yet to be turned down.  If your cigar store says no, ask your cigar smoking buddies, craigslist...wherever.  You should never ever have to pay for cigar boxes or spanish cedar planks.

The reason you're using cigar boxes is because spanish cedar acts as a humidity medium for your cigars.  Not only will the boxes allow you to store your single cigars in, but the material they're made of will soak up humidity, thus regulating the humidity from your humidifying source more evenly throughout the humidor.  

Simply place your cigars in whichever boxes fit them, then place inside your humidor.



^View of my coolerdor.  Note the completely random boxes.  Free's free right?


^Example of a great coolerdor cigar box.  See all that cedar...that's what you want.


^You can also use a ziplock bag to hold your cigars in, tupperware, whatever SO LONG AS you have some cedar boxes in your coolerdor.  Here, you can see a ziplock with random cigars in it.  If you use a ziplock/tupperware/whatnot, simply make sure it's open a little bit so humidity can enter/leave.  A sealed bag will make its own environment which could be bad for your cigars.

STEP THREE: The humidification device

Let me start this by prefacing: I love Heartfelt beads.  Having used 3 different humidification systems (sponges, gels and one active system) I can emphatically say that there is no better method for controlling a humidor's humidity than using HeartFelt beads.  That being said, if you have a different system that works for you, USE IT.  

A Note On Humidity/Temps:  The ideal temperature/humidity numbers are 65DegF and 65%RH.  If your numbers go a bit higher or lower on either of these, don't stress.  If your temperature gets over 70deg and your humidity is at 65% or higher, you may run into cigar beetle or mold issues.  If you follow the steps in this writeup, you likely will never have to face these issues.




^These are Heartfelt 65% Beads which have been placed inside one of the bead socks they sell.  Total cost for 1/2 pound (which will modulate the 100qt cooler perfectly) was right at $30 shipped.

Once your beads arrive, place them in the sock and tie the sock closed tightly.




^Using distilled water, wet 65% of the beads.  There is a huge fudge factor in this technique: I always tend to wet 90+% of my beads and have yet to have an issue with over-humidification



^As you can see, I used very little water.  Don't overdo it, but when you do (and I mean when, not if), don't stress.  Just shake off the excess water, and put the sock in your humi.



^Now place the sock in your humidor.  If you're using the cooler, just place it on the bottom of the cooler.

From time to time, your beads will dry out.  I usually check my RH once a month and if it's dipped below 65%, I'll refill my beads.  Just keep a random eye on the RH and if it's more than 2pts below 65% (with 65% beads) refill your beads with distilled water.

STEP FOUR: The Hydrometer

Though not necessary, a hydrometer will help you determine what the temperature/RH is of your cigar storage device.  They are an inexpensive piece of mind for cigar hounds.



^This is a hydrometer I purchased for around $20 from HeartFelt industries.  They can be purchased virtually everywhere cigars are sold.  Try to get a digital model as analogue ones aren't quite as accurate.  

It may become necessary to calibrate your digital hydrometer, and if so, simply go to this link to learn how:  http://en.allexperts.com/q/Cigars-2143/2009/5/calibration-digital-hygrometer.htm

After calibration, place your hydrometer somewhere where you can see it when you open your coolerdore and you're set.

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There, that's it, you're done.  You can now relax knowing that for the price of a 200 count cedar humidor, you now have the capacity to store no fewer than a thousand cigars in perfect temperature and relative humidity.
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WHERE TO BUY:

Cooler: http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=coleman%20xtreme%20100&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wf
^I heartly recommend the coleman xtreme line.  Don't be afraid to get a large size, you'll fill it up...trust me.

Humidification beads: http://heartfeltindustries.com/proddetail.asp?prod=HB_1_65  Link is for one pound of beads, but you can get 1/2 pounds or less.

Humidification Bead Sock (Mesh bag): http://heartfeltindustries.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DB_2&cat=14  This is recommended to hold your beads for ease of refilling when the RH drops.

Hydrometer: http://www.heartfeltindustries.com/proddetail.asp?prod=DHYG_REC  This is the one I use and the one in the pictures above.

Cigar Boxes:  Your local cigar store for free.

Great deals on cigars: www.cigarbid.com  Sorry about showing you this link, it'll cost you $$$ in the future.  

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Authors Notes:

I keep hearing the mantra, "You have to keep your humidor's lid closed!  If you open it all the time, you'll kill the RH and your cigars!!"

This, frankly is rubbish.  If you have a humidor that has a proper humidification device, you can admire your cigars as long as you want.  Once you close the lid, the humidification device will simply aspirate more humidity and voila, your cigars are back to good.  Cigars are more hearty than people give them credit for.

Case in point:


^Calibrated hydrometer outside.  40% humidity outdoors today in STLMO.


^Dropped to 34% indoors.  This photograph was taken right as I placed the hydrometer in the humidor.  I then closed the lid.


^3 minutes later, humidity has climbed to 50% inside the coolerdore.


^Not two minutes after the 50% mark and we're back to 60% with 65 following a few minutes afterwards.  Now my cigars are back to an environment with proper RH, despite my having the lid open for 25mins or so while taking pictures.
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A few empty tubos would work as well.

I realize now I should have gotten a bigger cooler.  70qt just ain't cutting it.

Tried to tell you......

70 quarts?  Mine's 48 and I made a promise to my wife that I would not exceed it.  I've become creative at fitting sticks in it.

Mine is stuffed to the gills also.. I haven't made any purchases in awhile (until today) trying to thin the heard a little..
How many sticks do y'all keep in your coolers? Can you have to many sticks in one cooler?

Eta: I even went as far as cutting an re- glueing the cedar trays so that they fit better using the contour of the cooler as "shelves".

I must have about 250-300 in my 48 quart cooler.  That includes about 8 cedar cigar boxes and several things of humidifying beads.  But it is literally packed to the top. I have another box of Kinky Friedmans and I have no idea how it is going to fit in there.  Damn cold weather means I'm only smoking 1 stick a week.

I have around 300-350 in my coolerdor right now, and it is pretty much completely full. I could maybe squeeze a few more boxes in up right between the stack of boxes I have in there.

If you put a box of cigars in you coolerdor do you leave it closed?  I've seen some photos with he boxes still shrink wrapped.

I guess I'm confused on how a closed box benefits from the environment in the cooler.

The wrappings on cigar boxes is non-permeable and does not allow air and moisture to flow through it....it helps keep the cigars "factory fresh" through transport.
Some makers put a humi pack inside the box before it is sealed up while other will not.
Mostly it's just a shipping aid.

I remove the outer wrapper and then rotate the cigars inside the boxes form time to time.
But I do have several boxes that I just slit the ends and left the rest alone as I hve no intention on touching them for quite some time.

Do you have to???
NO!
Does it make a difference?
Some say hell yeah....others...nope.
The only thing that troubles me is that if I don't peek at them, I have no idea what is going on inside the box and as we all can relate....that can be very bad.
So I err on the side of caution and will remove the plastic at some point and start my normal "top to bottom and left to right" rotation quraterly.

I DO NOT remove cigars from their individual covers is they have them as they ARE PERMEABLE and allow exchange through them.

Just like most of what we do, it is all personal preference.


Echo

Im glad I listened to Echo and got the 150qt the first time. However I learned that by not listening to him and getting a small wine cooler instead of going with at least a 28 bottle.

As for cello if they come in it they stay in it til I smoke them. I always open boxes to check for damage and or mold.

Thanks for the replies...  I don't buy a lot of complete boxes which is why I asked, but I have a few now.   I was just making sure it wasn't best to leave the full boxes slightly propped open after you check them.

I went out and bought the 70 qt cooler this morning from WW. Making a Coolerdor. I only smoke 1-4 sticks a month, if that. But I will admit the humidor that I own is iffy at best. I keep maybe 30 - 40 sticks around at a time.

Thanks for a great idea. I am sure my sticks will stay fresher much longer.


Guys, anyone had/have troubles with the hinges on the Coleman cooler? They look aweful flimsy.

The hinges on mine are good to go.  I did put some thin foam weather strippin all the way around the rim of the cooler.  I haven't had any problems yet.  Well, except running out of room.

Thanks djsmiles. I went to a local cigar shop and picked up some cheep smokes for friends and family that like to smoke a cigar once or twice a year. Asked the sales lady if I could take a few cedar boxes and she said yes. Scored 3 nice boxes to go along with two that are laying aroung the place.
Tomorrow I will wash and dry the cooler and the build begins.

Thanks for the write up! saved me a lot of money!

I have a bunch of Arturo Fuente 8-5-8 boxes I found at the dump. Are these spanish cedar?

Yep....lined with the good stuff.

But if they were at the dump, watch for contaminants.
They will need hydrated properly and take your time bringing them up.
It is worth the wait.

Is there any advantage to going with the tubes rather than the beads from heartfelt?

Wanting to stay on the smaller side to limit the amount of cigars I buy vs what I'll smoke.. haha. 1/2 lb OK for like a 50qt cooler..?

I hate you guys, cooler this and cooler that. I have too many Tupperware containers and humidors at the moment I finally broke down.

It's a good start....but you really should have listened...


You should have gone bigger...

Like he said....told you!


Echo

That's the same cooler I have. My G/F has her own too.

You can fit quite a bit of cigars in it. 300 ish.

Welcome to the dark side

Starting point!!!!

I figured I'd start with a 70qt, if I out grow it its no biggie since it will always be usable as a cooler.

We are just messing with you.
We ALL did the same thing at one time.

Carry on!

Echo

Ive got my cooler in the coldest room of my house, and I cant get better than 74/64 RH with 65%HF beads...

Don't worry, they'll be fine.

That's the best I get right now here in FL.

You sons of bitches...

I think I need trays. The boxes are clumsy

Chuckle........

You just need WAY more boxes......good little start though

So when you buy a box of cigars do you just put the box in the cooler, or do you leave it open for a while? I've never stored boxes before I've always emptied them out into my humidor. I assume they will take longer to stabilize if I leave them closed.

So my cooler (pic above) keeps dropping RH to about 60. I rehydrate weekly it seems. Calibrated hygrometer.

Wondering if it's the boxes sucking it up.... I took a rag with distilled water to them prior to them going in.

I did the flashlight test on my coleman xtreme and there were a quite a few gaps I found, so I went to home depot and got some 3/8" wide by 3/16" thick foam weather stripping and lined the rim of the cooler with this and it fixed the problem.

Its a pain in the ass to open, so I figured I had a decent seal. It'll hold rock solid at 65 for a week, then drop to 60..

Wish I would have bought the largest one I could find in the first place
Cooler #2 is a 100 quart

Good posts.

Sounds like a good weekend project. My old humi is a piece of garbage.

Doesn't take long.  I started on New Year's eve, I bought some sampler packs and some 5-packs online.  Now that I know what I like, I've got about 20 sticks that are too mild for me to enjoy (I might rotate them out in a pass or something) and another 20ish that I know I like.  All of this in a 8x12x6 (approx) pelican box.

But I just tried a Brick House maduro and local B&M had a box deal. If I'd had room, I'd have gotten them.  But alas, I'm full.  

Maybe I'll have a poker night or something and bring out the mild selection.

Tagged.

This is awesome.  Now I have to make one... eventually.

And so it begins...  Coleman 150 qt. Xtreme - $70 at Wal-Mart.  I also ordered some Heartfelt beads last week.

I went to the local B&M to pick up a few sticks and ask for boxes - the guy said he throws them out every day...  To start,
I think I'm going to tear down the give-away branded humidors I have and will probably just grab some trays.

For those of you who keep the coolerdor vertical, how do you take care of the uneven end of the cooler?  Mine is either
very unstable if the handle is folded down, or if it's out, it tips the cooler back a bit and rubs against the lid when opening.  
How should I deal with that?


ETA:  I don't know why the stupid picture is sideways...  My iPhone pics are about half the time

Here's my start:  


I am still waiting on some beads from Heartfelt, and I only ordered 1/2 lb. so I figured the kitty litter would help.

I used the salt test to calibrate my new hygrometer overnight, and it was dead on, so I attached that to the lid of the coolerdor
this morning.  

Right now I basically have an Oliva box I just bought (tried the first last night - good cigar), two freebie cigar brand humidors
(took the lids off to use as trays), and a normal small humidor.  Eventually I want to put in shelving, get more boxes or trays,
and add a small computer fan running on low voltage.  I'm curious to see how its humidity is tonight when I get home from
work.

I plan to build the stand - I want to be able to keep the handle on there.

I checked the hygrometer last night and this morning - about 66-67 degrees and holding at 72% humidity

It's vertical now.  I still have a number of things to do to it before it's done though:

• Cut off the last shelf section and put it in


• Add a fan system (I have most of the parts, just need to get them together and find a plug for the drain)


• Build a rack or just put a couple sections of 2x4s under it to keep the handle out of the way


• Get a butt-ton more boxes or trays; I'll probably slowly get a tray or two here and there until it's mostly trays since they're all the same size and would make organization easier

Just cleaned out an old military footlocker I had lying around.  Not really insulated but, my basement stays pretty cool year round so I think it will be ok down there.

Hardigg Footlocker

Thanks to the great info. from this thread, I "built" a 70qt. Extreme.  Since I'm not very adventerous when it comes to new sticks, the 70 will do.   1/2lb of HF 65% beads and 7-8 boxes seem to do the trick so far.

My local Malwart was kind enough to donate the cooler to me for nothing.  I've got a hygrometer inbound from HF also.

I'll relagate the desktop I have for aging the limited number of premies I have.


Smoke em if ya got em!


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