What is the best newbie set-up

Joined Nov 2005
114 Posts | 0+
MI
A question for the field.

As most of you know I am new to cigars. I have been considering getting a humidor for some time now. However, here is my delimma. I need a easy hands free type set up ( as hands free as possible). I travel monthly usually for 3 to 4 days at a time so I need to make sure that I have a set up that is stable and easy to maintain.

I want somethign that will hold about 150 to 200 cigars. I get confused when I hear use kitty litter, use beads, different humidifications devices etc.

I want you guys to give me a step by step shopping list of what to buy to get my humidor in working order. I am not as concerned about expense as I am about having as stable of a humidor as possible.

Thanks,
Jackie
 
Just to clarify, when you say "hands-free," are we talking another term for "low maintenance?"
 
get an Oasis humidifaction device it is Hands free , but not cheep, you need a humidor that will lock , that will keep people from "Looking " & opening it & that effects the humidity( and the number of cigars you loose to "buddys" ) , I have the old add water to the foam type & add water to the the tank type humidifiers in my 9 humidors & in the long term storage bin.
keep on smoken ! Enjoy, Vince
 
If you think that you are going to need a humi for about 200 sticks, you should at least double that for room to grow. I like my wine fridge. but there are also coolers and wood humis,, What would you prefer?
 
Okay, thanks. Just checking, because I'm certainly not the most qualified around here to give newbie advice. I was going to see how quick the replies came in, and then throw something in myself, if no one else popped up right away. As it stands, they have, which is good. I'm a little behind the times myself, especially when it comes to large setups. The rest of the folks here will definitely give you all the good advice you'll need.
 
Check out the 500ct "Vicksburg" on Bargain Humidors:

http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Produ ... id=HUM-BH2

I think it was HighPSI who picked one of these up recently, and he's been very pleased with it. I've been eyeing it while stroking my wallet for a couple of months now.
You can get it with a cigar oasis for just over $200. They also have a cabinet type humi that will hold ~1200, for around $350.
 
You may think we are crazy, but buy as big a s you can afford. It sounds like Soupwell found 2 good ones for you.

You WILL want the additional space, believe us.... :shock:
 
Dad's right. Ten years ago I thought I'd buy me a desk top that would hold 50 Churchills, or the equivalent thereof, and that would be it. I didn't even think I'd have it filled all the time. Well, I have four desk tops, and I've been one of the most conservative types about pursuing the hobby. I only smoke about 100-125 cigars a year.

Just imagine if I was a serious smoker. :roll: :roll: :sm_angel: :bolt:
 
soupwell said:
Check out the 500ct "Vicksburg" on Bargain Humidors:

http://www.bargainhumidors.com/bh/Produ ... id=HUM-BH2

I think it was HighPSI who picked one of these up recently, and he's been very pleased with it. I've been eyeing it while stroking my wallet for a couple of months now.
You can get it with a cigar oasis for just over $200. They also have a cabinet type humi that will hold ~1200, for around $350.

yup, i have the vicksburg with the cigar oasis, i am very pleased with it...holds quite a bit, good seal, and can hold boxes if needed in the bottom...the top trays see about 2-3% less humidity than the bottom b/c its fairly cavernous and i just havent put in an additional fan, but at the bottom it is at 65% so worst case is 62% up top- just fine and gives me a chance to move sticks around and what not...word of caution though...i have maybe around 150 sticks in it right now and i think it could do 200 or so of the normal church/robusto/torp/toro sizes...anymore than that and it would be impossible to dig around and get the stick you want with out takin handfuls out at a time...the 500 ct # they quote is under the assumption of putting 4 or 5 boxes in the bottom....if you set some 65% beads in the top trays it would help even out the disparity in humi from top to bottom i think
 
HighPSI,
How many robsto/torpedo cigars can you fit in each tray??There are 4 trays?
I've been looking at this humi for awhile now. I'm thinking it would be a great Christmas gift from my wife :D
 
jesse52 said:
HighPSI,
How many robsto/torpedo cigars can you fit in each tray??There are 4 trays?
I've been looking at this humi for awhile now. I'm thinking it would be a great Christmas gift from my wife :D

you could do 10-14 depending...and if the gauge were fairly small, you could prolly double that by stacking in each tray
 
If you want something a little smaller, Costco has a 150(?) count on sale right now. In Canada it about 75 bucks, I don't know if you have it in the US or not.

There you go!!
 
I would like to add something here. I'm relatively new and it's been a while since I posted, but I would like to chime in and give you another perspective.

I'm in the navy and I'm gone quite a bit as well. Right now I'm at sea for another week or so.

I have a 70 count humidor at home and I have the old fashioned humidifers that come with the system. I fill them with the cigar juice 50/50 blend and leave it be. I have had very little problem maintaing my cigars at 65-70 while I'm gone.

When I notice the humidity dropping, I just add more cigar juice.

You can get as high tech as you want, but personally, I think you'll be fine once you get your humi stabilized.

Again, I've only been at it for six months, but it works for me. These other guys have been doing it a lot longer and in no way do I pretend to know more than them about humi maintenance.
 
Thanks for steppinup

Sorry pun was intended. But I do appreicate your post. I am probably overly concerned and your post points that out to me.

Thanks again.
 
I'll second what steppinup said. For the past 3-4 months I have been working with the regular sponge type humidification using distilled water. I did buy a digital hygrometer for peace of mind but thats about it, basic and simple and pretty effective. The only spikes I ever see in RH are when I resoak the sponge or add more than 10 sticks at a time, I've left my humi alone for up to a week and the RH has stayed stable (65-70%)

If you are worried about going out of town then I would make sure if you add water or a bunch of sticks try and do it a few days before you leave and hopefully by the time you are gone the RH will have stabilized. Also make sure that you place your humi in a part of your house that does maintain a stable RH, my suggestion would be to buy a digital hygrometer and place it around the room where you plan on storing and take notes of where the best RH levels are, then maybe use that spot, just make sure that no sunlight is hitting your humi directly.
 
Steppinup said:
I have the old fashioned humidifers that come with the system. I fill them with the cigar juice 50/50 blend and leave it be. I have had very little problem maintaing my cigars at 65-70 while I'm gone.

When I notice the humidity dropping, I just add more cigar juice.


This is a common mistake with new cigar smokers.
The 50/50 mix is 1/2 water & 1/2 PG -
PG evaporates slower than water & helps adjust the RH.
Since it evaporates slower is can build up in your Credo.
If using 50/50 - I would not use it everytime - only once ever 3rd
or 4th times. The ramianing refills should be done using only distilled water - or you will find your RH will drop
when the Credo becoming 70/30