A mini fridge dies and a humidor is born!

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02-17-2015, 06:00 AM
lvfcrook1503

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A mini fridge dies and a humidor is born!

Gents, I was very sad Saturday morning, when I came home to find my mini fridge(which I use to store my more rare beers) had died....After 10 wonderful years, she finally kicked the bucket. :(

However, a ray of sunshine peaked through the window and my day was salvaged when I realized that this "dead" mini fridge could now be born again as a humidor!!! :D:D:D

So the plan is to make this my cc only humi. Going to keep it closer to 60% The game plan so far is to 1) remove anything I can...Compressor unit, freezer portion, ect and patch the holes to make it as air tight as possible. 2) Clean it with baking soda/water. 3) Use the Xikar purotemp wireless hygrometer set up.

My questions are:

1) Should I find a way to add some spanish Cedar? Or will the boxes and couple loose trays be enough?

2) Will HF beads still be good to use in something this size? Or should I look into active humidity?
If my measurements are correct I need somewhere in the 2lb range of HF beads.

Here's what I'm working with so far (sorry for the crappy iphone pics):
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pshvg1oqoj.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psa3rsn2fz.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psn9dl7y6q.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...pszmorv4fs.jpg
http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...psqcrehoi2.jpg
02-17-2015, 06:14 AM
04EDGE40

How are you going to keep it at 60F?
02-17-2015, 06:28 AM
lvfcrook1503

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04EDGE40

How are you going to keep it at 60F?

Not to worried about temp control. The room it's in has all my humis in it and is the coldest room in the house at any time of year. They usually sit at 65 on their own
02-17-2015, 07:10 AM
Nature

That's the way to turn a negative into a positive!

In answer to your questions:

1) the boxes and cedar trays should be enough. That is what many people with winedors do, and this isn't much different than that.

2) beads or similar media should be fine. Again, you have a good seal. This isn't much different than a cooler.

Have fun with this!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
02-17-2015, 07:11 AM
Horseshoe

I have a wine cooler that stays un-plugged. I just use cedar boxes but I have been wanting to get some more cedar trays. Cedar is not needed, it is just a visual thing. It does help hold some moisture, but it really doesn't serve a major purpose for your new storage.
02-17-2015, 07:28 AM
lvfcrook1503

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nature

That's the way to turn a negative into a positive!

In answer to your questions:

1) the boxes and cedar trays should be enough. That is what many people with winedors do, and this isn't much different than that.

2) beads or similar media should be fine. Again, you have a good seal. This isn't much different than a cooler.

Have fun with this!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horseshoe

I have a wine cooler that stays un-plugged. I just use cedar boxes but I have been wanting to get some more cedar trays. Cedar is not needed, it is just a visual thing. It does help hold some moisture, but it really doesn't serve a major purpose for your new storage.

Thanks guys. I'll get it started as is. Then over time maybe I'll line it with the thin cedar sheets just for smell and appearance. The tougher part is getting enough boxes of ccs to fill er up again.
02-17-2015, 07:56 AM
Browns7213

If you are going to store mostly boxes you should not need any additional SC, but it couldn't hurt as a buffer for Rh. I would try kitty litter throughout first and see if you can maintain Rh, before moving to active humidification. I have used a min-fridge for the last couple years and it requires about two squirts of water each year to maintain 63 with zero maintenance.
02-17-2015, 08:25 AM
lvfcrook1503

Quote:

Originally Posted by Browns7213

If you are going to store mostly boxes you should not need any additional SC, but it couldn't hurt as a buffer for Rh. I would try kitty litter throughout first and see if you can maintain Rh, before moving to active humidification. I have used a min-fridge for the last couple years and it requires about two squirts of water each year to maintain 63 with zero maintenance.

Thanks David!!! is the amount of litter the same as the amount of beads needed?? Or close to it?? Also, which brand do you use??? BTW I did not forget you!!! Had some medical things to deal with yesterday and now snow....I will get you that L40 ASAP!!!
02-17-2015, 08:27 AM
projectsunfire

I'm surprised someone hasn't made a humidor out of a full size fridge yet lol.

Since temp control isn't a concern for you...this is really no different than a wine cooler. Throw a few pounds of beads in there and fill it full of boxes...and take plenty of photos for us, of course :encouragement:
02-17-2015, 08:32 AM
Browns7213

Jimmy, I've only used KL in bulk so I can't give you a beads to KL ratio, but I'm sure there are some experts here who have used both in bulk that can make a recommendation. I was happily surprised at how little KL is needed to maintain the Rh in my fridge, but that's what a great seal will do for you.
02-17-2015, 10:39 AM
Lostmason

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectsunfire

I'm surprised someone hasn't made a humidor out of a full size fridge yet lol.

Since temp control isn't a concern for you...this is really no different than a wine cooler. Throw a few pounds of beads in there and fill it full of boxes...and take plenty of photos for us, of course :encouragement:

You should check out @Tobias Lutz pipe cellar in the pipe acc thread.
02-17-2015, 10:44 AM
Emperor Zurg

I don't know why you'd bother taking the compressor out. It's not like it will gain you any room.
I'd just lop the cord off and fillerup! What you have there is basically a deluxe coolerdor.
02-17-2015, 10:47 AM
lvfcrook1503

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emperor Zurg

I don't know why you'd bother taking the compressor out. It's not like it will gain you any room.
I'd just lop the cord off and fillerup! What you have there is basically a deluxe coolerdor.

True....However, I was planning to remove the freezer section inside so that I have more room. This would leave hard lines that need to be pulled out in order to seal everything up again wouldn't it???
02-17-2015, 10:49 AM
lvfcrook1503

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lostmason

You should check out @Tobias Lutz pipe cellar in the pipe acc thread.

Got a link??? having a hard time finding it
02-17-2015, 10:54 AM
Emperor Zurg

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvfcrook1503

True....However, I was planning to remove the freezer section inside so that I have more room. This would leave hard lines that need to be pulled out in order to seal everything up again wouldn't it???

Ok, didn't see that in the pic. Thought the freezer door was just the top of the fridge.
Yeah, that will leave lines and all that so you might as well pull everything out.
Be careful breaking into the system. A shot of refrigerant in the eyes can leave you blind.
02-17-2015, 10:54 AM
Mulley

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvfcrook1503

Got a link??? having a hard time finding it

I think this is the thread.
http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/showth...Us-Your-Cellar
02-17-2015, 10:58 AM
Lostmason

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvfcrook1503

Got a link??? having a hard time finding it

http://www.cigarbum.com/forum/showth...Us-Your-Cellar
02-17-2015, 10:58 AM
lvfcrook1503

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emperor Zurg

A shot in the eyes can leave you blind.

That my friend, is what she said!! :abnormal:
02-17-2015, 11:33 AM
Emperor Zurg

^^ Bwahahahahaha!!!
Touche!
02-17-2015, 11:49 AM
Mister Moo

Quote:

Originally Posted by lvfcrook1503

Not to worried about temp control. The room it's in has all my humis in it and is the coldest room in the house at any time of year. They usually sit at 65 on their own

I've used a fake-Haier winecooler for 250 or so sticks over the last 10 years. I bought it (Sears, close out) to use in a house with no basement and a summer heat problem; had to keep the a//c running all Spring and Summer just for cigars. I fit it with an on/off temp controller so it stayed +/- 1-degree. Worked great. At the time I tried a lot of humidity strategies but a spray bottle did the job best, a few spritzes/month.

Since moving and keeping the winecoolerdor in a practically perfect basement I keep it plugged up but it rarely comes on (67*). Basement humidity hangs between 60-65 rh so, I figure, it's steadier still inside the box. No fabric, no cedar, no oasis, no beads - just cigar boxes crammed into the racks. I finally tossed the hygrometer because it stayed so steady - just pinch a cigar foot every now and then, always springy, never mushy, no mold, no bugs. No drama. No maintenance.