Choosing between a Wineador or a Humidor

As your stash of cigars grows, you will be forced to choose between using humidors & wineadors. Each one has its advantages, but only one will completely cater to your needs. To make the right decision you must educate yourself on the pros & cons of both options. Even though there are countless recommendations, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. In the end the choice depends entirely on what you are looking for. Each boasts a vibrant selection of features that will help preserve your cigar collection. We will show you the ins & outs of both models so you can make the perfect choice.

 

Examining Humidors & Wineadors

When people first start smoking cigars, odds are they end up buying a humidor. This method has withstood the tests of time, which makes it a solid choice for someone who is just starting. Cigar humidors celebrate simplicity while giving your collection an elegantly rustic feel. They are low maintenance, relatively cheap & good to get started.

Invention of the Cigar Humidor

The first cigar humidor was invented in 1887 by Terrance Manning, a daring Irish furniture maker. This genius invention was surprisingly simple. It was just a box with an elevated baffle to control humidity. This model was made out of Brazilian rosewood, & the design exploded in popularity. Soon after this groundbreaking discovery manufacturers switched to using Spanish cedar. This gave humidors superior moisture properties with an added spicy aroma. Despite being extremely basic, this model lasted over 100 years before people tried to improve it.

The Wineador

Many believe that the humidor evolved into the wineador. Even though this is partly true, wineadors were inspired by the technology used in wine coolers. Simply put, wineadors are wine coolers that have been customized to hold cigars instead of wine. Humidors naturally maintain 70% humidity, while wineadors utilize a plethora of technology to give aficionados better climate control.

You can get as intricate as you want with them, but wineadors started as a simple alternative to cigar humis. They are also made out of common materials, which usually make them the cheaper option. They also have superior insulation due to the strict standards for wine. Because of this plenty of people will tell you that wineadors are superior to humidors, but you have to decide for yourself.

How Wineardors Work

While cigar humidors are passive storage units, wineadors give you the ability to control every aspect of the environment. They achieve this by utilizing the finely tuned cooling systems used by wine drinkers. There are two types of cooling systems: compressors & thermoelectric coolers.

Compressors sport more power & better temp controls, but in the end the most popular cooling system is thermoelectric. Most cigar lovers prefer thermoelectric coolers because they provide gradual cooling. This is a key difference since it doesn’t affect humidity levels. Using a set of digital controls, you can get your temperature to slowly change to exactly where you want it.

Like everything, wineadors are far from perfect. Wine coolers are equipped with metal racks, which are unsuitable for cigar storage. The shelves can’t be purchased from retailers, so you have to get them custom made. This can be a daunting task, but it can be done. Be careful when investing in bringing your wineador to life. It’s easy to go overboard & spend anything you would have saved by switching from a humi.

So, wineadors or Humidors? 

In the end it’s a toss up, so the choice is yours. Cigar humidors are a tried & true method to artfully store cigars. They are extremely elegant but can be slightly expensive since they are made of hard wood from South America. Wineadors are a great alternative, but you have to find the balance or you will blow your budget. Think of a wineador as a science project. If you have the free time to do it right, it’s worth it. But if you enjoy the classics a humidor can’t be beaten.

Stage V is the premier cigar holder and one of the best cigar holders on the market.