Wine chilller vs Coolidor

W

wayner123

Country Gentleman
Hey all,

Well time has come to upgrade once again. Geez this slope thing is really steep ;)

So then, I am at a cross roads as to which one to get. A wine chiller or a coolidor?

From what I gather, this is how I am comparing them. Please let me know what I may have missed or am incorrect about:

Wine Chiller

Pros:
Keep temps down
already has shelves
looks nice to the eye

Cons:
May need new controller (anyone know which models don't need this?)
doesn't seal as well a cooler
Needs electricity
Expensive


Coolidor

Pros:
large area
seals well
inexpensive

Cons:
Can't keep temps down (unless you use the ice pack method, but that's a hassle)
Can be an eyesore
Need to add shelving


Now this is not an exhaustive list, but for me these are key points. The best solution I have found so far is the thermoelectric cooler's. But there again, the temp is not really "controlled". Does anyone have personal experience with one of these? Could the thermoelectric device be controlled?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.
 
If you can keep the temps in your house at a reasonable level, then I would go with a cooler... the winechillers are expensive, and coolers work great.

I love my cooler.... I've posted pics in the past, its my pride and joy, 168qts of cigars :)
 
I love my cooler. They are cheap and hold temp/RH really well. Plus you don't really need shelves. I use old cedar cigar boxes and a couple trays for singles. I keep my cooler in the closet in the study so the temp stays down and its out of the way.

Plus its kind of fun digging through it for a smoke. Sometimes I find something I forgot I had.

spiffy
 
wayner123 said:
Now this is not an exhaustive list, but for me these are key points. The best solution I have found so far is the thermoelectric cooler's. But there again, the temp is not really "controlled". Does anyone have personal experience with one of these? Could the thermoelectric device be controlled?
Click to expand...

Yes, I have plenty of experience with these. Thermoelectric cooling units can be controlled in the same way any A/C unit is controlled, with a thermostat. The higher end wine coolers have a thermostat where you can set the desired temp. You'd be hard pressed to retrofit a cheaper wine cooler with an aftermarket controller.

In order for a TE system to be effective you need the cooling unit (basically a cold plate), a controller, and a circulating fan. You can find custom systems out there but they are pricey and bettter suited to large cabinets.

my :2

spiffy
 
I have a compressor driven model. Seals great, where as the Thermoelectric I ran took air from outside the cooler when the unit ran. Never could get the humidity to stabilize.

I do have to run a temp controller to keep the cooler from getting too cold, but it mostly sits at 64-65*F/65-67RH.
 
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So it seems so far, that the coolidor is out weighing the wine chiller.

I was leaning more towards this as well. It's cheap and effective. However, I am an organization freak and I love the shelves idea. The trays are an option, but I would like them to slide or have better access other than stacking.

Sorry for thinking aloud.
 
wayner123 said:
Hey all,


So then, I am at a cross roads as to which one to get. A wine chiller or a coolidor?

From what I gather, this is how I am comparing them. Please let me know what I may have missed or am incorrect about:

Wine Chiller

Pros:
Keep temps down
already has shelves
looks nice to the eye

Cons:
May need new controller (anyone know which models don't need this?)
doesn't seal as well a cooler
Needs electricity
Expensive
Click to expand...

My wine cooler does fine without an external controller. It is a Kenmore 32 bottle unit and has a programable thermostat.

My wine fridge seals better than any plastic cooler.

Yes, it uses electricity when you need temp control. I unplug mine in cooler weather. In the summer it costs a few pennies a day to maintain proper temp.

Expensive? I paid $280 for mine and it provides 4 cubic feet of cigar storage, includes temp control, is attractive and has a double pane tinted glass door that can be opened from either direction.

I have regular wooden humidors, I tried coolers, I prefer the wine cooler. Heck, I will be living full time in an RV soon and it's going with me :)
 
spiffykyle said:
The higher end wine coolers have a thermostat where you can set the desired temp. You'd be hard pressed to retrofit a cheaper wine cooler with an aftermarket controller.
Click to expand...

Not entirely true, see Mindflux's post. Aftermarket controllers help dial in the temp nicely, and one such as this can hang easily on the outside of the fridge and to the job nicely: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=4230

Since the original poster is in Florida, I'd caution to think seriously about any temperature spikes in the house during the summer, and buy accordingly. No sense in investing in a nice cigar collection if you're going to run the risk of hatching beetles due to having temps that get up into the upper 70s and 80s in the humi's environment.
 
I agree with Heath. Afterall I got my cooler from him! Thanks again.

With temperature problems because of climate you may want to consider a wine cooler. Having your cigars at a cool temperature will prevent beetle infestations more than anything else you can do. It's not a GUARANTEE you won't have an outbreak but the chances are very slim if everything is kept well.
 
muziq said:
Not entirely true, see Mindflux's post. Aftermarket controllers help dial in the temp nicely, and one such as this can hang easily on the outside of the fridge and to the job nicely: http://www.midwestsupplies.com/products/ProdByID.aspx?ProdID=4230

Since the original poster is in Florida, I'd caution to think seriously about any temperature spikes in the house during the summer, and buy accordingly. No sense in investing in a nice cigar collection if you're going to run the risk of hatching beetles due to having temps that get up into the upper 70s and 80s in the humi's environment.
Click to expand...
wow thanks for this link just what I need to keep my cooler cool!!!!!!!
 
Yeah, for a while I was worried about beetles, and that's why I was thinking about the wine cooler. However, after getting over the initial scare, I have no real concerns for them. There are plenty of people who have had smokes for 7-15 years with never seeing a beetle. Plus if I ever get too worried I can do the fridge/freezer/fridge method.

$280 + beads + hygrometer = $$$$ That's expensive to me. I would much rather buy smokes with that money.

Cooler + beads + hygrometer = $80, that's a considerable amount lower. IMO.
 
wayner123 said:
Yeah, for a while I was worried about beetles, and that's why I was thinking about the wine cooler. However, after getting over the initial scare, I have no real concerns for them. There are plenty of people who have had smokes for 7-15 years with never seeing a beetle. Plus if I ever get too worried I can do the fridge/freezer/fridge method.

$280 + beads + hygrometer = $$$$ That's expensive to me. I would much rather buy smokes with that money.

Cooler + beads + hygrometer = $80, that's a considerable amount lower. IMO.
Click to expand...


You're balking over 200 dollars when your collection sitting inside of them is potentially worth thousands? :r I buy boxes of rolled up TOBACCO that cost more than wine coolers.
 
Mindflux said:
You're balking over 200 dollars when your collection sitting inside of them is potentially worth thousands? :r I buy boxes of rolled up TOBACCO that cost more than wine coolers.
Click to expand...

My collection is hardly worth that. I may have champagne tastes, btu I have a beer budget. And once you add everything up the difference is much more than $200. Unless I get lucky and find a wine chiller on sale somewhere.
 
wayner123 said:
My collection is hardly worth that. I may have champagne tastes, btu I have a beer budget. And once you add everything up the difference is much more than $200. Unless I get lucky and find a wine chiller on sale somewhere.
Click to expand...

Target has a Vinotemp 28 bottle on sale. 179+tax. 1.5 pounds of beads = 50 bucks. Hygrometer, 20 bucks.

That's 250 plus a little tax.
 
Okay you want shelves here ya go...... 1/2" spanish cedar shelves. Look at igloo coolers they have slots molded into them that you can slide shelves in.
And I'm no neat freak, just like to find what I'm looking for.

View attachment 14501
 
Mindflux said:
Target has a Vinotemp 28 bottle on sale. 179+tax. 1.5 pounds of beads = 50 bucks. Hygrometer, 20 bucks.

That's 250 plus a little tax.
Click to expand...

Again that's $280. I would love to be able to get it. Why don't you buy it for me?? :tu :p

LOL, like I said beetles do not concern me. I know they are real and everything, just I have read a lot about them. Seems people are more scared to get them than have actually got them. There are also a large number of people who have never had them, despite the high temps. I can attest to I have had my smokes at 78-80 degrees for 5-6 years and never saw a beetle. (thanks, now that I say that, I'll get a ton. :r)

Also, jason made a very good point. Let's say in the future I need to update my storage again. I definitely wouldn't buy another wine chiller.
 
wayner123 said:
Again that's $280. I would love to be able to get it. Why don't you buy it for me?? :tu :p

LOL, like I said beetles do not concern me. I know they are real and everything, just I have read a lot about them. Seems people are more scared to get them than have actually got them. There are also a large number of people who have never had them, despite the high temps. I can attest to I have had my smokes at 78-80 degrees for 5-6 years and never saw a beetle. (thanks, now that I say that, I'll get a ton. :r)

Also, jason made a very good point. Let's say in the future I need to update my storage again. I definitely wouldn't buy another wine chiller.
Click to expand...

No you'd buy an Aristocrat ;)
 
If you notice in the pic I posted, look at the top shelf you'll see the beetle repellent works great.
 
Dgar, that is a vey nice setup. I had seen that pic before and in mind, that is how I would like mine to look. Thanks.
 
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