Expert: M J Robbins - 10/18/2010

Question
Mr MJ, It's about time I purchase myself a nice humidor and my goal is to make it as low maintenance and trouble free as possible.  I'm thinking the 50-150 size will do nicely as I don't plan to have that many cigars but I would like to have the extra space.  I would like to use an AC Powered Electronic Humidifier as I believe them to require less attention if operating properly.  I'm more concerned with quality, convenience, ease of use, and maintenance free operation than I am with price.  In my research I have came across four Electronic Humidifier brands: the Cigar Oasis XL, the Le Veil DCH-12V1, the Hydra electronic humidifier, and the Humi-Care EH Plus.  Which Electronic Humidifier do you recommend for a humidor of this size and why? Thanks in advance for your help!
Scott

Answer
Sorry about the delay in answering the email went to spam for some reason.

For an electronic humidity device the bigger box is best as it is over kill for a smaller box.
Cigar oasis is the one I have worked with for years and the size does not matter much as they are real close in performance. XL or XL plus.
Get a 150 count box, there are nice ones on line for around $100 -$200.
The best would be Daniel Marshall but they are considerably more - $500 to $1,000. If you buy a Daniel Marshall box ask them what size Oasis to use or they might have a deal with the device.
The ultimate would be Vigilant end table humidor for 500 cigars or more - $1,200 and up.Vigilant comes with built in humidity control.
For $5,000 you get humidity and temperature control for the real aficionado. Sometimes they have a nice unit that someone had specially made and placed a down payment, then did not finish the purchase and these are considerably less expensive!

A 50 box humidor with 2 Boveda will maintain humidity for 2 months and then you just replace the Boveda pillows. Put them right on top of the cigars and forget about them, replace when they feel hard.

Remember to leave the cigars in the wrappers they come in for protection. In a large box you can put in the full boxes of cigars if possible.

Enjoy
Mike