Just got a new Vinotemp delivered today from meijer.com. Seasoning it right now and will keep everybody updated with some pics as its happening, nothing too exciting so far.

BTW, I want to get this right and do it the proper way from the start so I am a little anal about doing things. For example, I have purchased 8 Hygrometers, all of the same brand to salt test them and see which 3 I will keep, just want to keep the three with the 75% RH levels. Too bad the success rate is not pretty good right now.

Seasoning with Distilled H2O, cedar under the bowls and 2.5lbs of beads currently. I had cardboard originally holding the H2O but it started to smell like cardboard and replaced with cedar. I have Spanish Cedar trays in there right now that will hold my singles until my drawers/trays get done.

Put a cork to plug up the drainage hole and have left off the power to the Vinotemp to start with. Once up to speed after seasoning, will turn on unit and go from there.

Thanks,

Bart

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Nice looking setup Bart. Good photos :-) Enjoy filling it up until you need to get another one or a cooler :-)
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Brother... I hope this doesn't offend... but you have a Vino. It will hold rock solid temps and, with the beads, RH. You don't need to do all of that. Just put your sticks in there and enjoy smoking them!!!
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Brent is right on that. Maybe you want to season the cedar so it doesn't take the humidity out of the beads?
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Your right, I meant to say I was seasoning the trays, not the actual Vino :-)

Thanks,

Bart
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Update tonight on project, had to start over for different reasons and back to seasoning the Cedar trays using the new Ranco system, so far so good

Bart

Electricians Putty

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Ranco Temperature Control

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Second hole drilled through the bottom using the drain hole inside

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Left overs after tearing drain out

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New line of cigars I am starting, Vinotemp Robustos :-)

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Inside look, tried to keep it as clean looking as possible

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Putty that sealed where the Ranco temperature cord came in through original drain hole

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I can't wait to see the outcome of this thing. Good job on the updates
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Quit playing with it and stick it in already!!! The sticks that is.

BTW...do those vinos come in Belicoso?
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this thing looks badass, how is the temp control working, i have an edgestar and it stays at 60% all the time i would prefer it to be higher like 67 or 68, feel a little cold while smoking. Does the controller just shut the unit off and then it kicks back on when the temp drops?

Good luck,
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Ranco basically is now the brains behind the operation, you tell it what temp is ideal and allow a variance and it does its thing by controlling the Vinotemp power and settings. Temp control is getting there, so far so good

Bart
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I'm glad you found that putty, Bart. :-)
She's lookin good!!!
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Very nice. Where did you get the info on where to hook up the wires that connect to the vino? Did the Ranco people tell you?
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I bought the prewired version, which makes it easier

Vino plugs into Ranco, Ranco plugged into wall and your done

I didnt want to run any cords thru my door and tried to keep a clean look as possible, hence running temp cord thru drain and sealing it

Ranco turns complete power on/off to Vino to meet what ever temperature you set on Ranco.........Its a no-brainer for someone like me who doesnt want to deal with checking Vino every day

My goal here is to build a good home for my cigars and so I can then concentrate on figuring out what cigars I want to buy next

Now I am just currently buying singles from across the world and deciding on what cigars I like and what sources to buy from........Its tough to narrow it down to 2-3 sources but its fun trying :-)

Bart
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Lookin good! I am about ready to take the plunge to a vino myself!
Scott
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Pm on the way
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I see I see, thanks for the info.
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Got some CPU fans and an Oasis.........trying to decide best place to mount fans and Oasis in the Vino

Hopefully have some pics later today

Bart
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Maybe the 3rd time really is the charm......This is the 3rd time me messing with this Vinotemp.......Something was just not right so I decided to add an Oasis XL and a CPU fan to pimp this Vinotemp out.........I know its overkill but if I get my ideal RH levels, its worth every penny to me

Enjoy!

Bart

Me rigging the wires together for the CPU fan

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Taped them together b/c I am not an Electrician :-)

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Adaptor needed between fan and AC plug

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Me trying out some LT cooling fans but they didnt blow enough air for my taste

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3 different types of fans to see what works best, decided to go with the Red one

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I put two rubber washers underneath the screws to dampen any noise and give the fan a little more clearance

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The infamous "S" drain valve in the Vino

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Tried to keep everything clean looking with some ties and new Electricians putty applied

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I put velcro on the bottom of the fan so I can move it anytime but yet sturdy enough not to vibrate or make noise when running

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