Reddit mentions of Country Cooler Char-Log Cooler, 54-Quart

PICS OF COMPLETED HUMIDOR HERE
edit ADDITIONAL PICTURE OF HUMIDOR WITH CIGAR BOXES INSIDE, FOR SIZE REFERENCE HERE

I wanted a larger "coolidor" but wanted something a little classier than a regular old plastic cooler, but didn't want to pay $500+ for a large wooden humidor. So I decided to "make/retrofit" my own. The inside dimensions of the finished area are approx 21"x 12.5"x 12", so it's not HUGE, but it's a pretty decent size.


-- Products & Tools needed --

• 1. "Outdoor wooden patio cooler" like this one. - $100
     (I got mine at a Black Friday sale at Tractor Supply a couple year's ago, I believe the MSRP is around $150.)
     
     
• 2. Spanish Cedar boards. I used 1/4"x4"x36" boards and needed 9 boards for a total lumber cost of approximately $100. (Check with your local woodworking shops or lumber yards, you may be able to save some money if you can find larger/longer boards.)
     
     
• 3. Weather stripping, I used this style - cost $6
     
     
• 4. Adhesive/glue. I used loctite construction adhesive but I imagine any type of wood adhesive would work - $5
     
     
• 5. Hand saw or power saw - (I already owned these, no cost).
     
     
• 6. Hammer/pry bar - (I already owned these, no cost).
     
     
• 7. Screwdriver or drill - (I already owned these, no cost).
     
     -- Assembly Instructions --
     
     
• 1. Unpackage the cooler and install the legs using the screws provided (Screwdriver or drill needed).
     
     
• 1a) Install the handles, bottle opener, and decorative pieces at this time as well, if desired.
  
  
• 2. Remove the "insulation" materials from the inside of the cooler in order to maximize your storage space.
     My cooler had approximately 1/2" rigid foam boards and a thin sheet of metal as insulation. The foam & metal pieces were only attached with small finish nails and were very easy to remove with a hammer or pry bar.
     
     
• 3. With the insulation materials removed, it is now time to measure the interior dimensions of your cooler.
     Once you have these dimensions you can begin cutting your spanish cedar boards.
     
     
• 4. After cutting your spanish cedar boards, I would highly recommend dry fitting the boards inside of the cooler. I installed my boards with butt joints since it was the easiest option, but you could also use miter joints if desired.
     
     
• 4a) A note about fitting the boards: I placed the boards on the "bottom" of the cooler first. Next I placed the boards on the 2 longer walls. Lastly I placed the boards on the 2 shorter walls.
  
  
• 5. After test fitting the spanish cedar boards, remove them and apply adhesive to the back of the spanish cedar boards. Re-install the boards by pressing them firmly against the wooden cooler, and the adhesive will bond the spanish cedar boards to the wooden cooler.
     
     
• 6. After all of the spanish cedar boards are installed, you can install the weather stripping around the edge of the lid. Note the weather stripping is supposed to be "self-adhesive" but I found the adhesive to be very weak and ended up using Loctite on the weather stripping as well.
     
     
• 7. Finally, I would suggest leaving the humidor to sit open for 72 hours or so, to "air out" any fumes from the adhesive. After that, you can season the humidor and place your cigars in it!
     
     Hope that makes sense. Let me know if you have any questions.