Winefridge with temp and humidity control

[gojira]

It is time for me to upgrade to a wine fridge. I don't mind spending a bit but am not dropping 4k for a recent Eurocave model. I would be needing something big (to stock at least 2500 sticks in their boxes).

There are a few factors to take into account:

I'm not home a lot so I would need something reliable with no condensation build up in the summer.

I don't want to take care of my humidity level with beads or such. This is the most important thing to me. I need something with a build in humidity system that works and that doesn't need checking on every week.

And I need something with reliable temp control as well (winter and summer).

I would favor something without a glass door since I need a big unit which will be placed in my kitchen.

Heat can rise a lot in my apartment during the summer.

I would really appreciate if someone has something similar at home and could help me out with this.

[PeeJay]

You may need to look to the American market for that Mike

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[gojira]

You may need to look to the American market for that Mike

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Thank you John. I already did a little research there but most vendors don't ship to Europe and the few that do charge a very high shipping cost, in some cases higher then the units cost.

I am willing to look at other options as well, but will need something high end that doesn't build up condensation in the summer. I can always throw in 10 or 12 65% Bovedas if I don't find something with a reliable humidity control. But I will need a very reliable temp control at the least.

I think this is going to be a tough one.

[Simon Bolivar]

Why so worried about high temps? If any cigars bought in Cuba or non Habanos are frozen - there's no need for expensive temp control IMHO. They come from a tropical clime :O)

[PeeJay]

Why so worried about high temps? If any cigars bought in Cuba or non Habanos are frozen - there's no need for expensive temp control IMHO. They come from a tropical clime :O)

My thoughts entirely and a few generations ago they weren't even humidified

[gojira]

True, but I'm a little worried about the temperature fluctuations over the year. I have a lot of boxes that are aging and I'm worried what these fluctuations will do over a period of 10+ years. It gets extremely hot in my apartment in the summer months, especially when I'm not home for a month or so and can't open the windows at night.

[gojira]

And I'm getting tired of having these huge coolers all over the place as well. And I need a new one again.....

I would favor having a big unit with everything inside.

[TheMonk]

I had the same problem a year or so ago, and went with the Liebherr Grand Cru series. It's one of the best wine cabinet brands around, has worked flawlessly so far, and it's considerably cheaper then Eurocave. Quality is really good, it's very quiet, and since it seals really well, the compressor rarely kicks in - never had any condensation on the back whatsoever. Also, it's readily available in Europe - having one sent from the US was out of the question for me, with the shipping costs plus customs charges I'd have to pay.
That being said, I do use passive humidification (and a lot of it) like HF beads, Boveda and KL all combined to keep the RH at 65%, and it's been months since I last had to recharge them, so I really don't see it as a hassle. Unless you've got a really high room temp that forces the compressor to kick in constantly, something like this would definitely be my recommendation.

[gojira]

I had the same problem a year or so ago, and went with the Liebherr Grand Cru series. It's one of the best wine cabinet brands around, has worked flawlessly so far, and it's considerably cheaper then Eurocave. Quality is really good, it's very quiet, and since it seals really well, the compressor rarely kicks in - never had any condensation on the back whatsoever. Also, it's readily available in Europe - having one sent from the US was out of the question for me, with the shipping costs plus customs charges I'd have to pay.
That being said, I do use passive humidification (and a lot of it) like HF beads, Boveda and KL all combined to keep the RH at 65%, and it's been months since I last had to recharge them, so I really don't see it as a hassle. Unless you've got a really high room temp that forces the compressor to kick in constantly, something like this would definitely be my recommendation.

Many thanks.