Cigar FF
Member
I have been scouring many websites in search of educating myself more about wineadors. I've come across a few things that I am still unsure of and want to make sure I understand before I dive in. I did not expect to come to the point where I would even have to consider a wineador but it seems it's that time. I've learned quite a bit in the last few days reading up on them. I want to be sure I know what I'm up against and do not want to bite off more than I can chew. Thank you to all of the brothers here who have shared their thoughts and insight about windeadors. I envy some of the setups I've seen on here and hope to join the club soon.
Compressor or Thermoelectric? Much of the reading I've done on this site and other sites seems to lean towards thermoelectric models as they are better at maintaining the humidity. On the contrary, I've seen that compressor models seem to have a longer life span but usually suck the humidity out. The compressor models do have work arounds and can overcome this downfall but I'm not very sure to what extent. I've seen some people say they are able to get away with beads and fans while others seem to have active humidification. In recent days, I've seen some wineadors for sale on craigslist but the one's that are more attractive price wise are compressor models. If you've purchased a compressor model, what is the least you've had to do to maintain RH? What is the most you've had to do to maintain RH? What was your cigar environment like? What temperatures were you seeing?
Plugged in or unplugged? My temperatures remain fairly steady for the most part. I see temps around 74 degrees consistantly (usually 66-69% RH with 70% Heartfelt beads) and not much fluxuation, maybe 3-4 degrees at most. I've come across posts where some feel 74 degrees is on the high side while I've also seen that anything near 80 or higher is where you have to be concerned. I do keep my cigars in a closet in my den which is on the ground level of a split. I am using a Lock and Lock tupperware box as I've had trouble maintaining humidity in the winter time. My house gets very dry in the winter months. At which temperature do I need to start concerning myself?
I've seen people use wineadors just for storage, bypassing the use of the cooling aspect. Am I tinkering too close to dangerous temperatures at 74 degrees? When are you unplugging the unit vs. plugging it in? Why would you not plug it in? To keep the RH stable?
Active humidification vs. passive humidification? It seem the best combo is both. I have been using Heartfelt beads and they've been working great for me (except a recent blunder with placing a unfinished cigar back in the tupperdor and the odor being stuck with the beads). Very little maintenance and keeping the RH steady. I have read that active humidification in a wineador is overkill. Using beads and some fans seem to do the trick. While others feel that the beads are an added safety but active humidification is a must. What did you factor into the equation that made you choose active humidification, passive or both?
My goal is to find a unit on craigslist, preferrably in the $75-$175 range. I'm also looking for this to serve me for many years. I've seen a few Danby fridges (35+ bottle sizes) but they are compressors. I have not seen many threads where a Danby was used to convert to a wineador. Anyone have experience with these? Mind sharing the details?
Before I started researching, I was sold on any type of wineador, preferably one that wasn't working just for a quality seal and stability. After reading, I now feel that I should be going with a working unit that is large enough for me to grow my stash. I'm not sure how crazy I need to go. I don't want to get out of control budget wise but I definitely want to up my game and purchase a setup that will last and not require a ton of maintenance. I'm not the most handy person so I don't want to get in over my head.
Thanks again for the great info that has been posted before this. I've enjoyed reading and seeing some of the previous conversions.
Compressor or Thermoelectric? Much of the reading I've done on this site and other sites seems to lean towards thermoelectric models as they are better at maintaining the humidity. On the contrary, I've seen that compressor models seem to have a longer life span but usually suck the humidity out. The compressor models do have work arounds and can overcome this downfall but I'm not very sure to what extent. I've seen some people say they are able to get away with beads and fans while others seem to have active humidification. In recent days, I've seen some wineadors for sale on craigslist but the one's that are more attractive price wise are compressor models. If you've purchased a compressor model, what is the least you've had to do to maintain RH? What is the most you've had to do to maintain RH? What was your cigar environment like? What temperatures were you seeing?
Plugged in or unplugged? My temperatures remain fairly steady for the most part. I see temps around 74 degrees consistantly (usually 66-69% RH with 70% Heartfelt beads) and not much fluxuation, maybe 3-4 degrees at most. I've come across posts where some feel 74 degrees is on the high side while I've also seen that anything near 80 or higher is where you have to be concerned. I do keep my cigars in a closet in my den which is on the ground level of a split. I am using a Lock and Lock tupperware box as I've had trouble maintaining humidity in the winter time. My house gets very dry in the winter months. At which temperature do I need to start concerning myself?
I've seen people use wineadors just for storage, bypassing the use of the cooling aspect. Am I tinkering too close to dangerous temperatures at 74 degrees? When are you unplugging the unit vs. plugging it in? Why would you not plug it in? To keep the RH stable?
Active humidification vs. passive humidification? It seem the best combo is both. I have been using Heartfelt beads and they've been working great for me (except a recent blunder with placing a unfinished cigar back in the tupperdor and the odor being stuck with the beads). Very little maintenance and keeping the RH steady. I have read that active humidification in a wineador is overkill. Using beads and some fans seem to do the trick. While others feel that the beads are an added safety but active humidification is a must. What did you factor into the equation that made you choose active humidification, passive or both?
My goal is to find a unit on craigslist, preferrably in the $75-$175 range. I'm also looking for this to serve me for many years. I've seen a few Danby fridges (35+ bottle sizes) but they are compressors. I have not seen many threads where a Danby was used to convert to a wineador. Anyone have experience with these? Mind sharing the details?
Before I started researching, I was sold on any type of wineador, preferably one that wasn't working just for a quality seal and stability. After reading, I now feel that I should be going with a working unit that is large enough for me to grow my stash. I'm not sure how crazy I need to go. I don't want to get out of control budget wise but I definitely want to up my game and purchase a setup that will last and not require a ton of maintenance. I'm not the most handy person so I don't want to get in over my head.
Thanks again for the great info that has been posted before this. I've enjoyed reading and seeing some of the previous conversions.