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Last post 21 years ago by Guv. 30 replies replies.
HdM 135th Anniversary Chest as a Humidor...
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Guv Offline
#1 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 12:41 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
Has anyone ever tried to use this chest (or any other) as a humidor. I just primed it last night and was wondering if it will work or if it will just be one big headache.
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#2 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 12:49 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
i would guess it depends on what you used to prime it.
why don't you post a picture.
Slimboli Offline
#3 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 12:58 PM EST
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
No reason it shouldn't work, as long as the seal is good ... and you put a humidificaion device in it.

I would suggest one of the 'tubed' humidifier's that they have on the market. They work better than most of the others, as they use the crystals ...
GetYourOwn Offline
#4 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 1:02 PM EST
Joined: 04-05-2002
Posts: 734
You can use any container as a humidor. A quality cigar box would work fine. Some cigars sit in their boxes for years. Metal and glass containers were popular at one time. Now its plastic.
THL Offline
#5 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 1:59 PM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
I was wondering the same thing. I bought one of the Estelo 75th Aniversary chests. From what I can tell, they appear to be the same box but with different artwork. It would be nice, 'cause since I discovered this web-site I find I need the room. BTW, how are those smokes?
xrundog Offline
#6 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 2:18 PM EST
Joined: 01-17-2002
Posts: 2,212
It will work, absolutely. Depending on the type of wood, if it is all soft, you may eventually get some splitting or warping. That will take some time though.
THL Offline
#7 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 3:37 PM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
What's the consensus on hygrometers? Any recommendations?
Danny Offline
#8 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 3:42 PM EST
Joined: 06-21-2002
Posts: 613
digital from Radio Shack. About $22
SteveS Offline
#9 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 7:26 PM EST
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
What Danny said ... whether from Radio Shack or whereve, digital's the only way to go ...
Guv Offline
#10 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 7:57 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
THL...The smokes are awesome...not much different than the regular HdM but then again the HdM Rothschilds are my favorite everyday smoke.
Guv Offline
#11 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 8:00 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
Rick,
I just wiped the whole insides of the the chest with distilled water and then placed a container of water inside the chest and closed it.
Should I be doing something different?
I will try to post a picture later today, if that will help.
-Mike
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#12 Posted: Mon, Oct 28 2002, 8:03 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
THL

radio shack about the lest expensive and works well. you need to calibrate any hygrometer. factory specs give the mfg up to + or - 8%. if you need info re calibrating email me.
THL Offline
#13 Posted: Tue, Oct 29 2002, 4:09 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
Guv,
I'm a big fan of the HDMs, particularly the double maduros of all sizes. Originally, my thoughts were to keep this chest unopened for an investment. There's no way I'll be able to hold out, though. It's still in it's overwrapper of plastic. I literally salivate when looking at it. Hey, maybe I should buy another one to smoke! HAH! My wife would just love that.
Guv Offline
#14 Posted: Tue, Oct 29 2002, 5:52 AM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
THL-
I wish the box was maduro and double maduro instead of maduro and EMS. But either way my box is now empty and I wanted to try to do something with it.
-Mike
Guv Offline
#15 Posted: Fri, Nov 8 2002, 9:08 AM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
I primed and steamed and let a container of distilled water sit in there for 10 days and it wont't hold the humidity.

PS I also did the flash-light trick and saw no light

I guess I am going to have to break down and buy another humidor...or smoke more cigars more often
THL Offline
#16 Posted: Fri, Nov 8 2002, 9:30 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
Say it ain't so,Guv. If yours doesn't hold moisture my Estelo Chest probably won't either. But, I'm a hard-headed son of a b***h and will have to try it for myself. You've killed my optimism, though it won't cost me much to take a whack. Did you try wrapping it in duct tape?
rem_MrSoprano Offline
#17 Posted: Fri, Nov 8 2002, 10:02 AM EST
Joined: 06-28-2001
Posts: 47
IMO 10 days isn't long enough to get a good measure. I bought some of the cheapie glass top humidors from Cigarbid last year and it took about 4-6 weeks for those suckers to hold a consistent 70% humidity. In fact, for the first couple of weeks I'd wipe them down with distilled water and the wood would soak it all up and be at about 50% humidity within a day or two. Hang in there before you give up on it. If it passed the flash light trick then the seal would seem to be ok. I just think you need to give it a little longer. The wood is probably way too dry for one wiping to do the trick.
emgjet Offline
#18 Posted: Fri, Nov 8 2002, 10:49 AM EST
Joined: 11-28-2001
Posts: 1,231
Rick: how do you calibrate a digital hygrometer?
Please email me: [email protected]
Guv Offline
#19 Posted: Fri, Nov 8 2002, 12:06 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
I believe in the HdM Chest the inner sides of the chest are removable, if so can I remove and soak them in distilled water or is this not advisable.
rem_MrSoprano Offline
#20 Posted: Sat, Nov 9 2002, 7:25 AM EST
Joined: 06-28-2001
Posts: 47
I personally wouldn't soak the wood in water. A good wipe down every 24-48 hours should do the trick. If you soak it you'll probably have to then air it out to get it in the 70% range. Airing out always overdoes the job so then you are back to where you started.
Guv Offline
#21 Posted: Sat, Nov 9 2002, 10:39 AM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
Soprona,
Thanks for the advice and for convincing me not to give up on converting this thing to a humidor. I will show patience and keep at it. I will post again in two weeks to update.
-Mike
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#22 Posted: Sat, Nov 9 2002, 1:37 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Guv

that's what i call balling the jack, i mean priming the humi. it should be ok in less than a week. with a decent size humidifier (i think the most important thing in the box, not counting the cigars) you should be cooking, i mean smoking

rick
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#23 Posted: Sat, Nov 9 2002, 1:39 PM EST
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Guv

i just noticed your second post. i have a plastic sweater box that holds humidity. what are you using for a humidifier?
Guv Offline
#24 Posted: Sat, Nov 9 2002, 7:18 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
Rick,
I gotta get a picture posted for you to see. I am using one credo round disk (about 3" in diameter). That may be the problem. I have two 2.5" by 5" i can use if need be???
Guv Offline
#25 Posted: Sat, Nov 9 2002, 7:25 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
But right now to hold the humidity I have a container filled of distilled water to maitain humidity!
THL Offline
#26 Posted: Sun, Nov 24 2002, 5:39 PM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
Hey Guv, did you ever get this chest to hold moisture?
Guv Offline
#27 Posted: Mon, Nov 25 2002, 10:24 AM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
THL,

First of all, I apologize for not updating like I promised.

Now...So far so good, it seems to be holding right around the 70% mark...and the humidifier (sponge) is still moist.

It did take some work but I think it is working...I would want another week or so before I am willing to declare victory.

-Mike
THL Offline
#28 Posted: Mon, Nov 25 2002, 12:19 PM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
I started on my Estelo chest today. Gave the inside a pretty good wetting. It seemed to suck up the moisture pretty fast so I kept wetting it. Then I put a "Gladware" humidifier in it and a hygrometer. I'm going to give it a couple of days before I bother it again. Also, I put 2 coats of carnauba wax on the outside and buffed it up. Looks like it's going to make a nice little humidor.
Guv Offline
#29 Posted: Mon, Nov 25 2002, 1:02 PM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
Thanks for the buffing idea, I think that might make the HdM chest look more appealing also.

Keep me informed how it turns out for you.
THL Offline
#30 Posted: Fri, Nov 29 2002, 7:07 AM EST
Joined: 10-22-2002
Posts: 3,044
Well, after 4 days the hygrometer reads a steady 70%. This box is gonna work, I think. I'm feeling sinfully prideful. 75 awesome cigars and a humidor to boot. Jeez, I wish I could brag to my wife about this.
Guv Offline
#31 Posted: Fri, Nov 29 2002, 7:52 AM EST
Joined: 05-10-2002
Posts: 198
That's what this board is for...most wives just don't understand....Congrats!!!!
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