New Humidor project

[dwysywd]

So I have a project I decided to work on this winter. I am hoping that it won’t take me more than today and tomorrow to set up. This is sort of my Christmas present project … you’d have to hang out here to feel like that makes any sense.

I want to convert this mini fridge into a humidor. Now after lots of research I have figured out what I want to do. So today I acquired this red bull mini fridge. It does not work BUT it has a glass door and the requisite wiring I need to put LED lights in it and maybe a small fan.

Next I am gutting ALL the cooling mechanisms out to make room for my humidifier bucket and a small fan. The plan is to empty the cooling grid **** out of the top (inside). Then from the outside I can remove the compressor and that is where I’m going to put my water tank and humidifier. The. I plan to wire a small pc fan inside to circulate the humidity.

The red bull stickers are being removed and replaced with some vinyl stickers that are more cigar themed. And the backlit Front sign will be replaced with an LED backlit cigar themed sign.

I also ordered a 4’ piece of Spanish cedar for all my shelves. This thing should be awesome when I’m done. It should hold about 200 sticks. I will post a photo of the fridge stripped once I get there this evening.

 

[dwysywd]

 

[dfiler2]

Very nice, great Christmas project.

 

[Zeke]

Be sure to post the completed project.

 

[hans109h]

This is great. I've been thinking of doing something very similar for a cheese cave. I look forward to seeing how it turns out.

Hans

 

[dwysywd]

It is coming along. Took the compressor out and all the plumbing. Dry fit tomorrow on the shelf. It’s a lot bigger than I expected and some small change in my plans are needed. No big deal and nothing the tape measure didn’t already tell me. Just thought it was closer than it was. So tomorrow I set it up initially and put cigars in it.

Spanish cedar for the shelves will be here next week. Artwork for the front replacing the backlit red bull will be done next week. And having my vinyl guy make me some side stickers to cover the red bull on the sides. Might just do gray on the sides.

 

[hans109h]

Looking forward to seeing some photos!

 

[dwysywd]

Update time! I’m about 75% done.
Punch list:
1) order LED lights - I need to research but I don’t think there is any issue with them staying on bc they don’t put out heat.
2) get Red Bull vinyl front back kit with LED and replaced with some cigar art work

Spanish Cedar - check. Installed. I also wipe my cedar boards with distilled water to pre-moisten them.
Star Wars cups are used as my humidifier cups. Lots of guys just use a tray of water. I’m already up to 65% and it’s been an hour. I use just distilled water. It evaporates quicker but it’s cheap. Also I have a hole in the back where the coil came through that will let some air in/out. So it’s not air tight.

Put a small memorial card of my uncle Mike. He is the reason I started smoking cigars and he passed away on Sept 22, 2016. Miss him every time I light one up. He was one of the most influential people in my life.

 

[Jazz1]

Nice project. How about vintage cigar advertising on sides to decorate.
This cigarettes but idea of size of some. This is actually the “canvas” of a old painting

 

[dwysywd]

That’s exactly the kind of thing I was thinking

 

[hans109h]

Coming along nicely. Do your research on the LED's, it's not true that they don't put out heat, just not as much, and in an enclosed case like that you'll want to be careful---perhaps just having the humidifier in there will be enough to counter act it.

Hans

 

[dwysywd]

I’m running a little high, 80%. So I’m worried more heat will increase the humidity. But FWIW, I plan to have the lights on a switch. So they won’t be on all the time. Looking into a hydrometer and fan combo. Looking to see if I can hook my hydrometer up to an exhaust fan t lower the humidity.

 

[HogDude]

Humidity is stated as relative. So having 80% at 80 degrees would be concerning. But not as much so at 60 degrees. There’s also the calibration of the hygrometer to be considered as well. As long as you don’t have any tobacco beetles you can slowly make any corrections and the cigars should be fine. I’ve been toying with my temp/humidity for the last year. Just a hobby in searching for the perfect combo for my location and selections.
Keep in mind that a compressor type refrigerator will dehumidify. Where as the thermoelectric types do not.
Enjoy the journey. I like the way you roll.

 

[dwysywd]

@HogDude the compressor is gone. Kaputz. Wasn’t working when I picked up the fridge. So I took it all out. Now there is a small 1/2” hole in the top back that you can’t see. I’m about 65% humidity and my room is 65*

No beetles. My buddy is pretty good about that. I mean they can come in a batch but all the stuff he buys and we split is reputable. The good news, I have about 200 sticks. Worth $2000 paid about $300-400 for it all.

I smoke about 1x month. So I love letting these thing age. I have some cigars that are 10 years old now.

Im with you all. It’s a fun hobby. Thanks for all the feedback. As soon as I get the art work buttoned up I will post some pics.

 

[maplewood]

Not sure if you're planning on leaving cups of water in there for the long term, but I have a similar (albeit prebuilt and with cooling) setup. I use a few containers of the "bead" type, non scented kitty litter and it's been working great for years. Literally just add maybe an ounce of water to one of the kitty litter containers every few weeks.

The fan is a good idea, mine is similar in size and has a 5%-ish RH delta top to bottom. Works for me as I've found some sticks prefer to be a bit drier than others. Cool project!

 

[BetterDays]

Looks to be a great project. May need to pick your brain and experience on the humidor side for a similar project, except mine is a small wine chiller that has a fan in it. My issue is always been controlling humidity in finding a trustworthy hygrometer. I have debated purchasing one of the units instead of using water/beads/packets.

I think I figured out what your username is and I like it....

 

[Lassen Forge]

The issue here is that we have TOO MUCH humidity, something I've never had to deal with before... I'm told it's not unusual to have both a positive source of humidification AND a small de-humidifier, otherwise the system can spiral out of control... I don't do cigars any more (thank you, effing covid...) but yeah... TOTALLY digging this! I see these mini-fridges come up for sale every so often, and has me thinking... hmmm... cheese cave? Vinegar aging?...

 

[DeeDubz]

If you lined the inside with spanish cedar would that drop the humidity? just curious. I built my humidor from an ammo can thats lined with spanish cedar. Like the humidor op.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I don't think the wood would DROP the humidity, more like stabilize it. It will also tell you if your humidity is too low - I built a humidor from an old 3 door Craftsman tool box I had (BTW, they work great if everything is working) that I lined with Cedar... didn't realize my fancy-schmancy electronic humectador wasn't working and my equally fancy-schmancy electronic temp and humidity gauge was broken (2 worst things ever to happen at the same time) but what I DID notice was the blanching and minature cracks in the cedar... Think I lost a hand full of sticks over that debacle - unfortunately, most were "island" cigars you couldn't get in the states I had brought back from various travels... went with a much less high tech solution (sponge humidifiers, an old pool thermometer, and a manual humidity gauge) and bang, once the internal environment of the toolbox re-stabilized, it had no more problems.

 

[dwysywd]

@BetterDays it stands for Do What You Say You Will Do ~ Something that is becoming a problem in today's society. I have used this user name on most of my forums for about 20+ years now. I have had it as an email for longer. LOL

I plan to line the whole box with spanish cedar. The stuff is so stinking expensive, the goal was get some in the box. my next move is buy little 8x12 spanish cedar display boxes to sort the cigars (amazon link).

The humidor is running about 68% right now. I have the open cup water setup. I am not sure that putting beads will do much more than just help maintain a slower dissipation rate. I am still playing with it. I know that ideally I want the humidor between 65 - 72%, so for all intents and purposes, I am right on the money here with minimal effort.

 

[BetterDays]

@BetterDays it stands for Do What You Say You Will Do ~ Something that is becoming a problem in today's society. I have used this user name on most of my forums for about 20+ years now. I have had it as an email for longer. LOL

I was right! It aligns with a non-profit started locally called "because I said I would" Here is a TedTalk...

that explains why he shifted his focus from his job to "because I said I would".

 

[BetterDays]

I plan to line the whole box with spanish cedar. The stuff is so stinking expensive, the goal was get some in the box. my next move is buy little 8x12 spanish cedar display boxes to sort the cigars (amazon link).

The humidor is running about 68% right now. I have the open cup water setup. I am not sure that putting beads will do much more than just help maintain a slower dissipation rate. I am still playing with it. I know that ideally I want the humidor between 65 - 72%, so for all intents and purposes, I am right on the money here with minimal effort.

I used these in my chiller-ador. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079V3KYT7/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Same product, different seller.

My struggle has been an hygrometer than can be calibrated.

 

[dwysywd]

I was right! It aligns with a non-profit started locally called "because I said I would" Here is a TedTalk...

that explains why he shifted his focus from his job to "because I said I would".

Interesting. I have not seen this. I have this name dead to rights though, LOL, it has been my gmail for over 20 years now. I even had it on my license plate back in 1997! People don't know how to follow through on anything anymore... most people.

 

[DeeDubz]

This is what showed up a few days ago

 

[dwysywd]

@DeeDubz thats a good looking set there!

 

[dwysywd]

ok, update time... Here is a glimpse of the new sign that will replace the Redbull sign. It should be ready next week. Once installed with the LED, i will share a final. Hope you guys find the conversation piece with this. I did art deco letters and used a very specific work from Honduras, where my wife is from, Puros which is slang there for Cigars. The rest of the Spanish speaking world uses cigaros. That seemed too obvious.

 

[dwysywd]

 

[BetterDays]

Free cigars! Love it!

 

[HogDude]

Turned out great. Waiting for the installed backlit photos.