Budget Humidor

[TheVez2]

I decided to make a budget humidor. I had made one back in college, and it worked well. Here is the process I used with pictures.

I started with an acrylic locking storage container from Wal-Mart.

Originally I had intended on using a cedar block, that they sell with the moth balls, but the store was out. I decided to improvise. I was already buying a bag of shaved cedar animal bedding, so I figured I would just put some of that in the bottom. I decided to cut a piece of plexiglass to put over the bedding, so the cigars weren’t sitting directly in the chips. Why? I don’t know, just sounded like a good idea. I figured I would just drill a bunk of holes in the plexiglass, but then I had a better idea:

Here is what it looks like installed.

For Humidity, I’m using the following. One Boveda humidity pack, and one vial of water polymer crystals. I’ve seen jars of these crystals for sale on cigar websites, but I already had crystals on hand, so I just made one myself. I’ve read that the crystals, combined with the Boveda provides a perfect, sustainable humidity level.

I added a band to the top for a little decoration.

And here is the completed humidor. There is a little bit of cedar dust in there clinging to the sides. In hindsight, I should have rinsed off the cedar chips first. I’m going to fix that soon.

 

[Commander Quan]

I would take out the cedar chips. The cedar used in bedding, and for storing cloths is Red Cedar and is highly aromatic. This will impart an unwanted flavor into the cigars. If you can get a cigar box, cut a circle out of the top and bottom of the box that will fit in the jar and put those at the bottom of the jar instead.

 

[sychodelix]

I was thinking the same thing. Spanish cedar is supposed to be a whole lot different than American.

I would take out the cedar chips. The cedar used in bedding, and for storing cloths is Red Cedar and is highly aromatic. This will impart an unwanted flavor into the cigars. If you can get a cigar box, cut a circle out of the top and bottom of the box that will fit in the jar and put those at the bottom of the jar instead.

 

[nayslayer]

yeah, lose the ceder bedding, not the same. Goto a b&m and pickup a box for a few dollars, if not free.

 

[sychodelix]

Even the thin cedar veneer they have at the B&M will do. I think it would be kinda cool to wrap the veener around the inside of the jar to block out some of the light, as they age better that way generally.

 

[TheVez2]

Interesting idea with the veneer.

 

[showcattle]

Ditto the loosing the ceder shavings, the only reason you even need the spanish ceder in your set up is for the smell imho. The boveda pack will do all the work for you in keeping your rh regulated and you can recharge them in a closed jar with some distilled water.

 

[shrtcrt]

As others have said, remove that bedding cedar! It will add a bad aroma and taste to your cigars. I also second using cedar strips from cigar boxes, your local B&M should have some. The jar is fine, but keep it out of direct sunlight, humidors are dark for a reason. I made one with a plastic jar with a screw on lid, worked out well.