Inexpensive yet very effective bulk box storage

[StogieSteve23]

So I've had a couple of these exact same bins for the last two years or so and this morning I wake up to find an Halfwheel article about them.  If anyone is looking for something less expensive or bulky than a large marine type cooler and smaller than a cabinet, these might be great for you.  Most importantly, the seal on these are very good with 6 latching points and a foam gasket. Give them a look if you're in need of some more box (or singles) storage.  They also come in some smaller sizes (30 &45 qts I believe), but these are the ones I am familiar with. 

https://halfwheel.com/iris-ziploc-60-quart-weather-tight-storage-box/378494/ 

[prshah25]

I purchased one of these a while back for box storage. One issue I ran into is the plastic smell. I tried various cleaning techniques ( baking soda, leave in sun for days etc..) but could not get the smell out. 

I ended up using it for other storage as I feared plastic smell would ruin my cigars.

Did you have a similar experience? If so, can you kindly share an effective remedy as you have been using these for a while. 

 

[StogieSteve23]

5 minutes ago, prshah25 said:

I purchased one of these a while back for box storage. One issue I ran into is the plastic smell. I tried various cleaning techniques ( baking soda, leave in sun for days etc..) but could not get the smell out. 

I ended up using it for other storage as I feared plastic smell would ruin my cigars.

Did you have a similar experience? If so, can you kindly share an effective remedy as you have been using these for a while. 

 

That's too bad to hear.  I didn't have too much of an issue with the plastic smell after washing/scrubbing with Dawn dish soap and rinsing.  I also placed several sheets of cedar from other empty cigar boxes I've had, all around in them to somewhat line the unit and that helped me with the smell as well.   

 

[maverickdrinker]

I’ve used them for 10 years. To get rid of the plastic smell, wash it multiple times with dish soap.

I went to a local B&M and got a ton of cedar inserts and lined the sides and bottom of each one. Sprayed them with distilled water and put a hydrometer in to measure humidity and temperature to season/stabilize. Each bin has 2 packs of beads. Rock solid. Highly recommended.


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[StogieSteve23]

1 minute ago, maverickdrinker said:

I’ve used them for 10 years. To get rid of the plastic smell, wash it multiple times with dish soap.

I went to a local B&M and got a ton of cedar inserts and lined the sides and bottom of each one. Sprayed them with distilled water and put a hydrometer in to measure humidity and temperature to season/stabilize. Each bin has 2 packs of beads. Rock solid. Highly recommended.

Exactly. Spot on here. I think the cedar makes the big difference. 

[maverickdrinker]

One more thing. I store them in 2 closets so no exposure to sunlight and dark. I stack them 4 at a time so that the weight doesn’t crush the bottom bin. I call them 4 stacks of high society in tribute to the line from rounders.

Hope this helps


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[PabloJr]

Been using two Sterlite bins of a slightly smaller size for a couple years. Its about time I upgrade to the next size plus a hinge on each bin has come off so there's that...they are very good

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[prshah25]

Thanks. I will now look into cedar inserts to mask the smell. Thanks for the tip guys. 

[mbflash80]

I store most of my collection in a temp/humidty controlled unit now but before I had 3 large bins like this lined with cedar inserts and just two large 62rh boveda bags per.  You know how many times in 5+ years I had to change the Bovedas out? Zero.  To say that the bins held humidty well would be an understatement.  I still use a couple of them today...the only reason I invested in a temp controlled unit was because summers get hot here and these are not exactly something my wife likes to see laying around...otherwise they are a tremendous value in my opinion.

[maverickdrinker]

I also put every box in a ziplock plastic bag and close the bag 90% and allows the humidity to get in. This is in case a beetle breakout ever occurs. Custom bundles are all wrapped in Saran Wrap until I break a bundle and then move to a ziplock bag.

 

Every year, I go through and pull cigars from each bin. I have 1 bin for singles to smoke and 1 bin for fiver bags. Minimizes having to go into bins frequently. The fiver bags also allow easy access for trading/PIF/gifting etc. Every new box is frozen before being put into storage.

 

 

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[Pigpen]

I also put every box in a ziplock plastic bag and close the bag 90% and allows the humidity to get in. This is in case a beetle breakout ever occurs. Custom bundles are all wrapped in Saran Wrap until I break a bundle and then move to a ziplock bag.
 
Every year, I go through and pull cigars from each bin. I have 1 bin for singles to smoke and 1 bin for fiver bags. Minimizes having to go into bins frequently. The fiver bags also allow easy access for trading/PIF/gifting etc. Every new box is frozen before being put into storage.
 
 
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That’s some level of organisation


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[maverickdrinker]

That’s some level of organisation


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Lol. Keeps life easy. Only have to open the bins quarterly to random spot check and once a year for a full inspection. I go through every box to make sure there is no mold or beetles, check humidity and add distilled water if needed.


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[StogieSteve23]

4 hours ago, mbflash80 said:

the only reason I invested in a temp controlled unit was because summers get hot here and these are not exactly something my wife likes to see laying around...otherwise they are a tremendous value in my opinion.

Agree with both statements here.  I've got a large cabinet on order as we speak. The lady hates seeing these bins, coolidor and several desktops, plus the South Florida summers get too hot/humid.  

[dobbs]

i don't like that coolers are so bulky, but i do like that they buffer temperature swings pretty well. the insulation gives a lag to daily temp swings and effectively narrows the bandwidth, so to speak. not climate-controlled by any stretch, but works well enough for area temp swings.

these bins don't seem like they would help much in that respect, so i'll probably stick with coolers for bulk storage.

-dobbs

[StogieSteve23]

5 minutes ago, dobbs said:

i don't like that coolers are so bulky, but i do like that they buffer temperature swings pretty well. the insulation gives a lag to daily temp swings and effectively narrows the bandwidth, so to speak. not climate-controlled by any stretch, but works well enough for area temp swings.

these bins don't seem like they would help much in that respect, so i'll probably stick with coolers for bulk storage.

-dobbs

I'll agree with that.  While I don't have any kind of marine type coolers (except ones for the beach/boat which i'm assuming are the kinds you're referring to, ex. Coleman, igloo, whatever) mainly for space purposes, I'd think you're right about that as they are made to do just that, cool.  One would tend to believe they do a better job of regulating temperature to a lower degree as compared to these bins here.  To each his own for sure. All about space allotment and budget for many IMO. 

[Colt45]

For me, tupper style containers / coolers are such a great option. But, I suppose where we store these containers plays a part. I keep my cigars (and wine) in my basement, which is completely below grade - climate swings are gradual and minimal. So for me, function over form (no aesthetic issues).

I certainly understand how having stacks of coolers / tupper containers in one's living room could be an issue

 

[StogieSteve23]

Just now, Colt45 said:

For me, tupper style containers / coolers are such a great option. But, I suppose where we store these containers plays a part. I keep my cigars (and wine) in my basement, which is completely below grade - climate swings are gradual and minimal. So for me, function over form (no aesthetic issues).

I certainly understand how having stacks of coolers / tupper containers in one's living room could be an issue

 

Exactly haha living in a condo with minimal storage space is not ideal.  Not the prettiest thing to look at but function over form (as you mentioned) should be the main focus when protecting the investment of cigars we all hold so coveted.  I can get away with a few of these bins (by the lady's standards) in a corner or something, but certainly not a big cooler in the living room/built in cabinets. Plus, these get the job done well enough for temp/RH needs for me.  What works for one may not work for others! Would love to have a basement but they're few and far between down here due to water levels. 

My belief is that cigars and wine should be kept in similar conditions so it seems like you've got the best of both worlds there! ?

[Colt45]

15 minutes ago, StogieSteve23 said:

Would love to have a basement but they're few and far between down here due to water levels.

Yeah, not too many basements in FLA, I imagine

If it's of any consolation, up here in the northeast, we've got temps around '90, with dew points in the 70s - it's like Sanibel in, well, July!

[StogieSteve23]

8 minutes ago, Colt45 said:

If it's of any consolation, up here in the northeast, we've got temps around '90, with dew points in the 70s - it's like Sanibel in, well, July!

I grew up in CT and used to love the summers.  Honestly, I think it gets as hot if not hotter on occasions up there in the summertime, but the cool summer/fall nights up there are perfect.  I'd rather be hot than cold any day but there are certainly things I miss a lot about the climate up there for both summers and winter.  I miss snow (not shoveling/plowing or de-icing), snowboarding and pond hockey.  Certainly none of that going on here LOL. As a golfer however, being able to play 365 days of the year (if time and money permitted) is a big benefit for me.  

[Colt45]

19 minutes ago, StogieSteve23 said:

Honestly, I think it gets as hot if not hotter on occasions up there in the summertime, but the cool summer/fall nights up there are perfect. 

Right now, it's not so much the heat - it's Swampy!

[La_Tigre]

1 hour ago, dobbs said:

i don't like that coolers are so bulky, but i do like that they buffer temperature swings pretty well. the insulation gives a lag to daily temp swings and effectively narrows the bandwidth, so to speak. not climate-controlled by any stretch, but works well enough for area temp swings.

these bins don't seem like they would help much in that respect, so i'll probably stick with coolers for bulk storage.

-dobbs

This is why for me too. Never know when the power may go out, visitors try to jack the heat up to 75, etc. 

[clickbangdoh]

I've had varying success with these types of bins. Had some that worked well, smell was cleaned out after a thorough wash and a day or in the sun. Others, after several repeated washings and several days in the sun, still had that plastic smell return after just a few hours being sealed. Always test by sealing up for a few days with no cigars. I bought food grade containers later on that had no smell even from the factory, and those have worked pretty well.

[prshah25]

8 minutes ago, clickbangdoh said:

I've had varying success with these types of bins. Had some that worked well, smell was cleaned out after a thorough wash and a day or in the sun. Others, after several repeated washings and several days in the sun, still had that plastic smell return after just a few hours being sealed. Always test by sealing up for a few days with no cigars. I bought food grade containers later on that had no smell even from the factory, and those have worked pretty well.

Can you share the brand of the food grade containers? I was thinking same but when I search I don’t get a72qt food grade container so to speak. 
 

 

[FireDigger]

When it comes to buying aged cigars, I wonder how much of a discount, or if any at all, would a buyer seek if they know the cigars were stored in a Tupperware bin as opposed to an aristocrat, wineador, or warehouse? I've never seen anyone specifically say "Tupperware" on Bonds Roberts, but I do wonder if some does and if that affects the final price?

[clickbangdoh]

16 minutes ago, prshah25 said:

Can you share the brand of the food grade containers? I was thinking same but when I search I don’t get a72qt food grade container so to speak. 
 

 

I had good luck with these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VARW3W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You have to buy lids separate unfortunately. These don't have foam seals, so they will leak more than others, you can mostly solve that with some weatherstripping, though mine don't leak enough for me to care. But, mine came with almost no plastic smell, and even after leaving sealed with no cigars for a week I didn't have any plastic smell.

 

A cheaper option though is just to repurpose old bins you already own. They generally stop outgassing in a couple years, so you can grab one you've had for awhile, trade out the sweaters or whatnot you've been storing in it, do a quick wash, then fill with cigars.