Sort of a followup to the home-made humidifier thread. When constructing a coolodor/igloodor, is it necessary to line it with spanish cedar? If so, does anyone know of a good source for it (besides old cigar boxes). If so, I would appreciate the information.

it's a good idea. the spanish ceder helps the cigars age. why? i don't know. where? try a fine lumber yard and get only spanish ceder.

Most quality woodworking stores carry spanish cedar. As far as coolerdors, I have two 48 quart dors, one with a spanish cedar lift out tray and one with a luan lift out tray (luan is a common mahogany laminated wood product that home interior doors are made of and is carried by all lumber yards in 1/4"). They serve two purposes, one is to give me separate storage areas (upper and lower) and to keep my dor from being over humidified. The wood absorbs and releases humidity like your humidifier. A coolerdor with no lumber in it is hard to maintain to proper humidity in my limited experience, so add a tree or two. Steve P.S. you will be surprised how little humidification it takes to maintain these! And how maintainence free! All for $13 from Walmart.

Re: Ricks post on aging cigars with spanish cedar. I am just getting into aging so if that is your intent, use the spanish cedar instead of luan (BTW about $12 for a 4'x 8' sheet on the luan), but I have used pine to get the moisture content in a pinch. Either way put some wood in, whether it is a few pieces laying on the bottom or some around the sides. Steve

My daughter had a hampster and got cedar chips at Petsmart. They are great for cigars. Just pour them into the dor and put your cigars on top.

Spanish cedar is less aromatic than other cedars, and controls humidity well. Mahogany is used also but doesn't have the aromatic qualities of cedar. Mahogany works and feels the same as spanish cedar without the aroma. Some prefer the aroma of cedar, some do not. It's a personal preference. There are places on line that carry spanish cedar and you can also find people selling it on ebay. My advise is to use spanish cedar. When I open my humidor for someone I always get the same response, cigar smoker or not, they like the aroma very much.

You can find spanish cedar at www.rockler.com.

they have a 10 mil paper backed veneer 2' by 4' or you can buy it in board feet at random lengths of 1/4 in. stock or 3/4 in. stock.This is a online woodworking and Hardware store.

Or, if you have a Shone Lumber nearby, check w/ them. The ones here in DE carry it for a decent price.

Thanks to everyone for all the helpful information. Maybe I can return the favor someday.

Any lumber yard that specializes in upscale wood products and exotic hardwoods will have spainish cedar, but mahogony will work just as well. Charlie

I hear mahogany works well also...

Mahogony huh?!? Try it! Charlie