Walk-in Cooler for a Humidor?

[Pinedale]

I'm very fortunate to have a walk-in cooler in the basement of my house. It has been a wonderful thing to have in the past when the odd side of beef falls in my lap. I had a friend recently ask me if I thought it could be used as a humidor. I have no idea on such things and thought I would run it past a panel of experts that I'm familiar with. I'm guessing that the temp stays around 40 and humidity levels are higher than outside air but it's not damp. 1)Is this feasible? 2)What would be the proper way to store cigars if it is? Thanks for any thoughts or opinions.

[cb91710]

Maintaining humidity might be a problem.
Normally AC and other cooling units are quite efficient at DRYING the air.
If your cooler is normally more humid than outside air, I don't know what to say.

I think the cool temperatures would be very good, but I would use separate boxed humidors.

[Champion of Capua]

If you can keep the humidity in that 69-70% range without fluctuation it sounds like you could do it, although I wouldn't.
I have found the best environment for cigars is a nice hummidor with controlled temp and humidity levels with other cigars. IMHO cigars that I pull out of my hummidor are fresher and burn better then those I get from my local B&M or online. I would personally keep the meat away from the cigars and vice versa.

[cb91710]

I would personally keep the meat away from the cigars and vice versa.

Hmm.... Anyone for a bacon flavored Cohiba?

[john.bradburne]

depends on the system. if it is a compressor refridgerator then i wouldnt reccomend it but it it is thermo electric then it is possible.. Your humidity would depend on what you are storing.. if you are storing cubans then you want your rH to be around 6o-62 if it is non cubans the i would say 65-67 tops..you can go with 70 rh but you would have a wetter smoke or have to dry box your cigars before smoking, which I hate to do, also you could not use the refridgerator function and get a proper humidifier for the room and use the walk in as a sealed unit.. bearing in mind you would need to add quite a bit of spanish cedar to help with the humidification. lastly for further info a pic of the room would be helpful
John
Cigarstyle.ca

[Uncle Jackie]

Please, could someone correct me if I am wrong, but I always thought the ideal conditions were 70% humidity @ 70F.

[Argonaut]

Please, could someone correct me if I am wrong, but I always thought the ideal conditions were 70% humidity @ 70F.

It depends on what you like, 70/70 is kind of a fail-safe, I find my cigars smoke better when stored at 65% RH, I still shoot for 70F for the temp.