Aristocrat Humidor

[Sigaar]

Waiting on the pics.  Mine took longer than scheduled, about 14 weeks.  It was was estimated at 8-9 weeks.

[clutch5150]

Cannot say enough good things about Bob and his company. TRUE CUSTOM craftsman which is so hard to find nowadays. I've had two customer humidors built, an in the book shelf type and my newest stand-alone units from 10 months ago or so.

 

 

[Eric05]

40 minutes ago, Sigaar said:

Waiting on the pics.  Mine took longer than scheduled, about 14 weeks.  It was was estimated at 8-9 weeks.

Mine as well. I was saying to myself how many damn people are ordering these and we’ll now I can see from this post lol 

[clutch5150]

18 minutes ago, Eric05 said:

Mine as well. I was saying to myself how many damn people are ordering these and we’ll now I can see from this post lol 

Agreed, he's a busy guy and his work is widely popular for good reason. I think I ordered my last stand-alone cooled cabinet unit July of 2016 and took delivery in November, but most of the wait was the figured maple wood.  I'm very patient for outstanding work!

[Foulhook]

52 minutes ago, Eric05 said:

Mine as well. I was saying to myself how many damn people are ordering these and we’ll now I can see from this post lol 

I spoke to Bob today briefly and mentioned the same thing. It’s all you guys in front of me taking up his time

had  discussion about lighting. I installed micro LED tape lights in my humidor. Bob will do lights but 7-8 degree F. I saw maybe one degree in change after adding my rarely even in summer with the cabinet reach 75*. I know some people freak out over temp but it’s never been anything that alarmed me or has caused a problem. I think it’s more important that is just be relatively consistent. 

[stogieluver]

Love my M Plus.  Heirloom quality.  You'll love it.  Congratulations!

[Eric05]

Just a couple updated shots. Wondering if someone can help me out with the setup. Received it on Monday left it running with distilled water in the reservoir now for 3 days. At the 65% humidity set from factory. Bottom is around 68 and top is about 66. Didn’t want to add any sticks yet. But how did you guys go about setting up? 

[PigFish]

... I am wondering how you get the candlestick to keep from sliding off the table? -LOL

You should know that tall(er) cabinet style humidors are notorious for circulation problems. Bob typically puts the humidifiers at the bottom and that can saturate the wood at that level. This could be either a temporary or permanent problem. Expecting a homogenous humidor without a rigorous circulation system is not likely going to happen. All humidor makers and users settle. Some variance is going to happen. This humidor nor any other humidor is likely going to be perfect.

Of course that is not a complete picture of what might be happening. You cannot simply look at rH. If you are going to check a standing humidor, you need to report both the temp and rH figures and see if you are reading a saturation problem (a differential in aH) or a differential temperature issue. Well controlled (rH) humidors might see a variance in rH that is actually the result of delta T.

If your instruments are pretty good, and I would not go taking people to task unless you know your instruments are, and they are calibrated against each other, then you can take both the rH and temp at points and do the psychrometric calcs and see if aH is your problem or if it is temperature, or both.

I think that this spread is not really huge with what you are dealing with and I think it is two fold, both some water saturation and heat stratification (but I am guessing).

If you are asking about the differential from your instruments verses that controller, you should read the fine print for Bob's controllers. The last time I looked at one, they were (the sensors were rated at +-5rH. I don't know what they are currently. If these are high, and you trust your own hygrometers more, simply drop the setting on the controller 1rH and call it good.

While you can potentially chase Bob around the shop on this, it is a rabbit hole. 1rH against instruments that no one knows are accurate are not reason to come unwound. I would not be unreasonable about it, but I am also a humidor builder, so I have a bias. Ultimately, it is the smoking experience that is going to guide you here. 65rH does not mean a lot in the real world of cigars. What is your temp? How with the humidor average over time? What ultimately will your PMC be, and will you be happy with the cigars that emerge?

A couple rH... I would not sweat it. In my mind, I and I am not easily pleased, you have no issue. You bought a humidor, not a scientific test chamber!

Are you planning on keeping the room +- 1.5F? If not, temperature fluctuation is going to be a bigger issue than this. Load up your cigars an be happy with your beautiful humidor!!!

Cheers! -Piggy

[zepp69]

Mine has been running for about a month and is constant with temp. about 73 and humidity at about 65. No problems. Have filled reservoir once. Beautiful humidor my friend. Enjoy. Will be ordering another one in the next year.

[Eric05]

12 minutes ago, PigFish said:

... I am wondering how you get the candlestick to keep from sliding off the table? -LOL

You should know that tall(er) cabinet style humidors are notorious for circulation problems. Bob typically puts the humidifiers at the bottom and that can saturate the wood at that level. This could be either a temporary or permanent problem. Expecting a homogenous humidor without a rigorous circulation system is not likely going to happen. All humidor makers and users settle. Some variance is going to happen. This humidor nor any other humidor is likely going to be perfect.

Of course that is not a complete picture of what might be happening. You cannot simply look at rH. If you are going to check a standing humidor, you need to report both the temp and rH figures and see if you are reading a saturation problem (a differential in aH) or a differential temperature issue. Well controlled (rH) humidors might see a variance in rH that is actually the result of delta T.

If your instruments are pretty good, and I would not go taking people to task unless you know your instruments are, and they are calibrated against each other, then you can take both the rH and temp at points and do the psychrometric calcs and see if aH is your problem or if it is temperature, or both.

I think that this spread is not really huge with what you are dealing with and I think it is two fold, both some water saturation and heat stratification (but I am guessing).

If you are asking about the differential from your instruments verses that controller, you should read the fine print for Bob's controllers. The last time I looked at one, they were (the sensors were rated at +-5rH. I don't know what they are currently. If these are high, and you trust your own hygrometers more, simply drop the setting on the controller 1rH and call it good.

While you can potentially chase Bob around the shop on this, it is a rabbit hole. 1rH against instruments that no one knows are accurate are not reason to come unwound. I would not be unreasonable about it, but I am also a humidor builder, so I have a bias. Ultimately, it is the smoking experience that is going to guide you here. 65rH does not mean a lot in the real world of cigars. What is your temp? How with the humidor average over time? What ultimately will your PMC be, and will you be happy with the cigars that emerge?

A couple rH... I would not sweat it. In my mind, I and I am not easily pleased, you have no issue. You bought a humidor, not a scientific test chamber!

Are you planning on keeping the room +- 1.5F? If not, temperature fluctuation is going to be a bigger issue than this. Load up your cigars an be happy with your beautiful humidor!!!

Cheers! -Piggy

Each of my hydrometers are calibrated. Salt text boveda. Always read straight on. I’m not really worried about it being different. I would imagine so. Because of the reservoir being on the bottom. Now I also have 3 fans between each row as well. My only concern was during the break in period am I going to be experiencing higher rh on the bottom until it’s managing a steady RH. I’m also assuming once I start adding my boxes and sticks that will be sucking up some RH as well. So no major concerns. Just wanted to see what people’s experience was during the break in period. Ideally I like my sticks at 67-68. 

[shaffer22]

That’s a gorgeous humidor! Congratulations. Waiting (not so) patiently for mine. About 4 weeks in. Can’t wait!

[Danimalia]

Beautiful humidor. 

[PigFish]

3 hours ago, Eric05 said:

Each of my hydrometers are calibrated. Salt text boveda. Always read straight on. I’m not really worried about it being different. I would imagine so. Because of the reservoir being on the bottom. Now I also have 3 fans between each row as well. My only concern was during the break in period am I going to be experiencing higher rh on the bottom until it’s managing a steady RH. I’m also assuming once I start adding my boxes and sticks that will be sucking up some RH as well. So no major concerns. Just wanted to see what people’s experience was during the break in period. Ideally I like my sticks at 67-68. 

Welcome to the forum mate.

You know that there should be some amount of wire attached to that humidifier. You can move it into the center of the humidor for awhile and see if that changes anything.

Not building wood humidors (I prefer solid surface) seasoning is somewhat of a foreign concept to me these days. As the humidor (yours) is also active, I don't really believe that a lot of this seasoning is really required. One thing I think you should do, is bring the humidifier to the front of the cabinet. It will be easier for you to fill and service there, and it may help you from getting saturated boxes in the back.

Enjoy your humidor! -Piggy

[Jon11]

My Aristocrat Mxt 26.5 is en route and will be here tomorrow!  Ordered on August 2nd.  I believe it holds up to 200 boxes.

[Sigaar]

4 hours ago, Jon11 said:

My Aristocrat Mxt 26.5 is en route and will be here tomorrow!  Ordered on August 2nd.  I believe it holds up to 200 boxes.

Nice!  Mine arrived last Friday, also an MXT 26.5. 

[Jon11]

Sigaar that’s just like mine but mine has glass on the top of the doors.  Doesn’t look like it can quite hold 200 boxes.  What are you thinking.....around 100?

[Sigaar]

34 minutes ago, Jon11 said:

Sigaar that’s just like mine but mine has glass on the top of the doors.  Doesn’t look like it can quite hold 200 boxes.  What are you thinking.....around 100?

Not sure.  The website says 100-150 for the MXT, I'd think the 26.5 would be closer to the 150 box guesstimate.  

[McBeardface]

Just placed an order for an Mini Tall DX. Having a hard time concentrating at work I'm so excited about this thing, although I'm almost kicking myself before the lumber's even cut. Keep thinking that I should have ordered the M Plus, but space is limited (NYC apartment) and I'm just starting out. I'll have to upgrade or get another if I keep going the way I'm going! I blame all of you . . .

[Eric05]

congrats! Expect a decent wait but feel free to ask any questions!

On 11/1/2017 at 11:23 PM, McBeardface said:

Just placed an order for an Mini Tall DX. Having a hard time concentrating at work I'm so excited about this thing, although I'm almost kicking myself before the lumber's even cut. Keep thinking that I should have ordered the M Plus, but space is limited (NYC apartment) and I'm just starting out. I'll have to upgrade or get another if I keep going the way I'm going! I blame all of you . . .

 

[Sigaar]

Still battling high Rh in my Aristocrat.  It's been very humid here in the Boston area this fall (89% outside and 77% in my house as I type this), so keeping the humidor doors open to help dry it out isn't really an option.  I've emptied all the distilled water out of the reservoirs and have 4 containers on Damp Rid inside (and no cigars).  I've been seeing 68/69% all the way up to 75% the past few weeks.  It's been trending upward last 24 hours sitting at 73-74% now.  Not sure when I'll be able to move my cigars in. 

[Fugu]

54 minutes ago, Sigaar said:

Still battling high Rh in my Aristocrat.  It's been very humid here in the Boston area this fall (89% outside and 77% in my house as I type this), so keeping the humidor doors open to help dry it out isn't really an option.  I've emptied all the distilled water out of the reservoirs and have 4 containers on Damp Rid inside (and no cigars).  I've been seeing 68/69% all the way up to 75% the past few weeks.  It's been trending upward last 24 hours sitting at 73-74% now.  Not sure when I'll be able to move my cigars in. 

77% rH in the house during fall appears pretty high! Should be cooling down in the Boston area around this time of the year, don't you heat your house (yet)? What's your room temperature atm? Such a high relative humidity may not just pose a problem to your cigars...

Regarding your cigar storage, depending on where you keep your humidor, if it is a separate room, you might try and use an air dehumidifier to get overall room humidity down and provide a net negative humidity environment gradient for your Aristicrat to operate smoothly.

[joeypots]

2 hours ago, Sigaar said:

Still battling high Rh in my Aristocrat.  It's been very humid here in the Boston area this fall (89% outside and 77% in my house as I type this), so keeping the humidor doors open to help dry it out isn't really an option.  I've emptied all the distilled water out of the reservoirs and have 4 containers on Damp Rid inside (and no cigars).  I've been seeing 68/69% all the way up to 75% the past few weeks.  It's been trending upward last 24 hours sitting at 73-74% now.  Not sure when I'll be able to move my cigars in. 

My Aristocrat Plus came with a humidification system that was way too big for the unit. Just filling up the reservoir, never mind turning on the system, would completely saturate the humidor and the cigars.  I'm on the Cape, damp is the problem, not dry. Here is what I've been doing for 10 years. Get a10 lb, bag of unscented silica bead kitty litter. If you can't find that go looking for humidifying beads. Then get a fan with a timer. Fill some of your wife's stockings, or yours if thats the way you roll,  with the beads. Spread a whole bunch of silica bead stocking sausages  around the humidor. When the humidor is too dry add some water, just put it in a cup of water near the fan. Take it out when you are where you want to be. When it gets too humid take out the beads and dry them out. With a little practice you should be able to keep the humidor with in a reasonable RH. If the humidor is full of full boxes it should take a while for the cigars to be affected by small changes in humidity.  Use a desk top for singles, keep that around 60% RH and you are all set. Over the years I've found that if I keep the Aristocrat in the low sixties all is well.

[havanaclub]

Beautiful humidors fellas!!


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[Eric05]

9 hours ago, Sigaar said:

Still battling high Rh in my Aristocrat.  It's been very humid here in the Boston area this fall (89% outside and 77% in my house as I type this), so keeping the humidor doors open to help dry it out isn't really an option.  I've emptied all the distilled water out of the reservoirs and have 4 containers on Damp Rid inside (and no cigars).  I've been seeing 68/69% all the way up to 75% the past few weeks.  It's been trending upward last 24 hours sitting at 73-74% now.  Not sure when I'll be able to move my cigars in. 

I'm sure to his point when you buy an aristocrat you want to deal with little to no problems. That's why your spending the money. My house in PA sits around 57% humidity. Air is turned off. But my house usually sits to about 68-70 degrees. I would maybe try turning on the ac freeze the house out. Get it to a nice cool 65 and see what your humidity does. 

 

I am not completely filled yet. I still have boxes to go but in the draws I am sure if I played around with it I can fit more in but I have approx 120 in each draw. And Approx 25-30 boxes in. My set point is at 67.5 and it stays at approx 66% consistent. I think im happy with the results. Although the fan does kick on every 20min and is loud. 

[LordAnubis]

Still battling high Rh in my Aristocrat.  It's been very humid here in the Boston area this fall (89% outside and 77% in my house as I type this), so keeping the humidor doors open to help dry it out isn't really an option.  I've emptied all the distilled water out of the reservoirs and have 4 containers on Damp Rid inside (and no cigars).  I've been seeing 68/69% all the way up to 75% the past few weeks.  It's been trending upward last 24 hours sitting at 73-74% now.  Not sure when I'll be able to move my cigars in. 

I have no personal experience but one guy I know had problems with his aristocrat not controlling at all, until one day at a herf some guys were wondering if the door hinges were just normal furniture hinges, they were. He did a seal test with a note, and found it was not sealed in a few spots. So he adjusted the hinges and now is very happy with the way the humidor is controlling.


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