Copper lined humidor question

L

Langod

Young Chimp
A friend of mine came a cross an antique Jewitt copper-lined humidor that was apparently his grandfathers. He wants to know whether it would be worth trying to use for cigars, or should he keep it for display, but get a cedar one for real cigar storage.
The outside can be cleaned up and refinished with no issue, but what about the inside? It's not badly tarnished, but does need to be cleaned. Also, would Heartfelt beads work in this without a cedar lining?

Any advice would be welcome.

Here's a picture.
copper_humi.jpg
 
Copper humidors were extremely popular back in the day. I have a great antique one built into an endtable that was my grandfather's. I keep cutters, lighers, and other accessories in it. The issue isn't one of cedar--you really don't need that for a humidor--but rather an issue of how well it seals to keep humidity.
 
I Would think with humidity, if it holds it that it would give his smokes a metallic taste. I would just keep it as a display and conversation piece.:2
 
neoflex said:
I Would think with humidity, if it holds it that it would give his smokes a metallic taste. I would just keep it as a display and conversation piece.:2
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Nah. I, and millions of others, have copper water pipes and no metallic taste to the water. Needless to say, it's very high in humidity. :D
 
I'd say that it's a worthwhile project for the nostalgic and sentimental value alone. Why not go ahead and refinish, and if for some reason it doesn't hold RH, then as Croatan suggested, it'll make a first-rate accessory box.
 
Nice box! Im sure it would work, back in the day they used a large brick soaked in water.

dont re-finish it though... its value will hold better if you leave it alone. along with the patina the copper has now.. leave it be.
 
I am not so sure that the copper will not impart a certain taste. If you think about the combination of nicotine and oils in the cigar maybe that could cause a reaction with the copper. Copper then starts to tarnish and tarnish rubs off on cigars. I am not sure if this would happen but it might. So I would go ahead and clean it out good. For the inside you can use Wright's copper cream. It works great on my copper cookware. Also lemon and salt work well.

I'd start with some cheap cigars in there first. I would put just a bunch of them (five to ten) in direct contact with the copper. The rest would not be in direct contact. See how everything goes before you put the real treasures in this beautiful treasure box.

Till
 
JAK3 said:
Don't refinish. The aesthetic and nostalgic value would be lost... :2
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X2. Don't refinish it just clean it up a bit with antique furnature cleaner for the wood and soap and ater for the interior. That way it will still look like grandpas humi.
 
yea, I wouldnt touch the wood other than giving it a good cleaning. Same as the inside. Just clean her up and make sure she seals well. :)
 
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