I'm looking for a humidor with automatic humidification and temperature hold function so I do not have to think about what's going on with my cigars. How can I store my cigars fully automatically?

There are not really fully automatic humidors on the market. Even if they are advertised as automatic, they still require a minimum of care. Most cigar smokers are looking for an automatic cigar humidor and are actually looking for an electronic humidifier that automatically regulates moisture content. You can use any (GERMANUS) humidor and add a humidor humidifier. The recommended humidifier depends on the humidor model.

Our alternative to electronic Humidor Humidifiers: The GERMANUS Bead System. This is a regulator that is easily added to a humidor. Simply place the regulator in the humidor. The number of necessary regulator units of course depends on the humidor.

For all humidors across the market: Moisture must be added. The tank must be refilled. Just as a car needs new gas from time to time, a humidor needs a stop at the "gas station" to top up with water in the humidifier tank.

Question: I have seen a cheap climate cabinet. Would you recommend something like that?

Answer: The question is very general. Therefore, I would like to give a general guideline. There are wine cabinets from Asia that are equipped with some wood and maybe a humidifier. This is electronics, which was usually never intended to store food in it without wrapping. Wine bottles are sufficiently dense. But some sommelier are worried about negative side effects of such cabinets. The temeprature control if ofter very limited and the noise from those machines is not acceptable to every wine lover. These cabinets are then simply equipped with a simple humidifier to call them a "humidor".

The question is what can be expected for the sometimes surprisingly low prices? In the abstract, this is nothing but a fridge designed for wine storage, which was built for 30-60 € and includes some wood and a humidifier. With an automatic cigar storage as the impression is awoken, this has nothing to do.

We have already been told by customers and competitors of fumes and extremely inaccurate temperature at high noise levels (buzzing). Cigars need reasonably stable but not cold temperatures. These even have a negative effect on the maturation and aging process. Temperature control is a nice feature, but not necessary or central. This feature is bought with unchecked plastics and completely unclear effects of these exhalations on the stored cigars. The permanent noise volume is not quiet in some reported cases.

Important: Automatically working is very little in those fridges. (Those fridges usually miss electronic humidifiers. But if they have, please keep a critical eye on them no matter who is the manufacturer.)
I would not recommend that either, but if you buy a low price German fridge and some wood for the interior, you have more storage volume at a better price. Again, this is not recommended. But if you really wanted to put cigars in a fridge, I would choose a tested European product. A lighting is also automatically integrated there. :)

Buying a Cigar Humidor is a matter of trust just like any purchase. Those products are simply very basic wine fridges or coolers where cigars and a normal humidifier are placed. The risk here are fumes and in most offers the absence of a European supplier who would be available in the event of a defect or problem. A guarantee is usually missing completely or is rejected in the real case of defect.

Each individual case must be considered individually. But these are general considerations based on logic thoughts and feedback of customers and competitors. The quality of these fridges is appropriate for the price. :) Electronics in the humidor is always a risk, as it brings the risk of malfunction in the topic of cigar storage.

If I am now asked for my own personal opinion, I personally would not dare the experiment, because the possible success in relation to the possible or expected disadvantages and problems would be much too small.

If you buy such a gastro cabinet, then please with guaranteed safety of the components, a reasonable shielding and reasonable humidification. Such cabinets are usually available from at least 1000 €, more from 2000 € available.