Create Your Cigar Humidor
For a Fraction of The Cost

Here's how...

A plastic cigar humidor cooler is a reliable inexpensive option for the novice or cigar connoisseur who needs additional space to store their valuable cigars.

As you can see in the picture, I opted for a 150 quart fishing cooler. Always go bigger than you plan, unless you don't have the space.

First things first. We need to get rid of the plastic smell.

I washed the inside with a mild dish soap and rinsed it out thoroughly. Next, I filled the cooler with water while adding 3/4 of a cup of unscented bleach. Adjust the bleach accordingly depending on what size cooler you have. Close the lid and let it sit for 24 hours.

Drain cooler and allow to dry. If the weather or time of year permits it, place the cooler outdoors in the sun for at least 1 day. This allows for additional elimination of the plastic smell.

Next. with a clean and dry cooler, place about 3/4 of a box of baking soda on a plate inside the cooler and close the lid. Allow to sit for 24 hours and check for plastic smell. Keep on checking until smell free.

Now it's time to put your cigar humidifier device or devices in place.

You'll notice I opted for the rectangular humidifier with oasis foam on the inside lid of my cooler. You could also use humidification beads if you like. They are quite stable and require little maintenance. I prefer having my cigar humidor humidifier on the lid where it doesn't take up valuable cigar storage space.

As you can see in the picture, I'm only using 1 cigar humidor humidifier in the center of the lid. I started off with 3. You can see the magnets on each side of the one that's there. I'm happy to say that most times of the year, 1 unit is enough to maintain a 68%-72% humidity. The temperature also remains within acceptable range.

The cigar hygrometer of choice is a digital hygrometer. The one I'm using here is a rectangular black one and can be seen sitting on a cigar box inside my cigar humidor cooler. This is by far the most accurate way to measure the environment and it doesn't cost a king's ransom.

After properly filling your humidifier with humidifier solution or adding the proper amount of water to your humidification beads, close the lid. Wait until your new humidor stabilizes to 65% humidity and then add your cigars.

Something important I would like to mention here...

I for the most part only place cigars in my humidor cooler if they are stored in a wooden cigar box. The spanish cedar in these boxes will allow them to age properly. Unless you line your cooler with spanish cedar, I would not place individual cigars in this environment. The plastic walls simply do not retain moisture or provide the fine elements of spanish cedar which aids in the aging process.

If your humidor seems empty when you have placed your last cigar box in it, consider the old cigar box. More specifically, an old cigar box with spanish cedar.

The old cigar box, even when empty, will assist in stabilizing the environment and help regulate your humidor much more easily. Gather your collection of old wooden cigar boxes and use as needed. Sorry ladies and gents... none of those cheap cardboard ones!

There you have it. Your own cigar humidor cooler for a fraction of the cost of a traditional one.

Job well done... have a cigar!

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