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Cigar Tip: Control Temperature and Humidity with the NewAir CC-300H Humidor

3 Sep 2019

When the folks at NewAir inquired with me about my interest in checking out the CC-300H (yes, they sent me one free of charge to make this review possible; no, their generosity in no way impacts my opinion of the product), I decided to take them up on the offer. I’ve often longed for a large, centralized cigar storage system to help me get over the complications of managing many small- to medium-sized humidors. I was hopeful this unit would be solution that finally motivates me to donate many of my other humidors to family and friends. I’ve only had it for a couple weeks—I’d like to see how it fares through a Chicago winter before rendering a final verdict—but so far so good.

The CC-300H retails for $549.99 and arrives in a big-ass box (22.6 inches x 25.6 x 32.3, to be precise). It boasts a 400-cigar capacity (I believe this claim) and has a power consumption of 70 watts. Other features include a cooling/warming system for a range of 54-74°F, a lockable drawer, and Spanish cedar shelves.

Fresh out of the box, there’s virtually zero assembly required (which is great). There are, however, several steps needed to prepare the CC-300H for your cigars. First, it’s recommended you wipe down the interior with lukewarm water and a mild detergent (not the Spanish cedar) to help get rid of the “factory odor,” which is basically a plastic-like smell. Next, the unit needs to remain upright for several hours before first use. Finally, you need to bring the device up to the proper humidity level, which can take up to three days. After that, you can select your desired temperature and add your cigars.

First, the PROS: The seal on the door is tight, and the unit holds its humidity well, as long as you’re not opening the door often. The temperature also holds steady and is easy to change. The cedar drawers and shelves provide ample space. These are the main things you look for in a large, temperature-controlled humidor, and the CC-330H checks those boxes well. Oh, and it has a blue light!

And now for a few CONS: Since it cannot be stored in a garage, basement, or in direct sunlight, finding a place to put this contraption is likely to yield several hot-tempered conversations with your wife. It includes no humidification device, save for a plastic tray for distilled water (as you can see above, I’m employing several Boveda packs and anticipating they will last a long, long time, given the aforementioned seal). It includes no hygrometer (I borrowed a calibrated one from another humidor and positioned it so I can see the readings without opening the door). Finally, while it comes with a lock and two keys, the door can still be pried open at the top when locked, which is not ideal.

Overall, I’m quite happy with my new humidor and its home in the living room, nestled out of sight between a piano and a wall (compromises, folks). Assuming the humidity holds well in the winter (I’ll report back in a few months), the CC-330H should be a welcome addition to my cigar setup for years to come.

UPDATE: If you’d like to invest in the CC-330H, NewAir is offering StogieGuys.com readers $100 off the retail price. Please use this link and enter “PATRICK100” as the discount code.

Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

10 Responses to “Cigar Tip: Control Temperature and Humidity with the NewAir CC-300H Humidor”

  1. Cigar Seeker Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 5:46 am #

    Looked for it on Amazon. The one pictured there shows a hygrometer. Perhaps you got an early production model?

    • The Stogie Guys Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 10:05 am #

      The pictured hygrometer is one I borrowed from one of my other traditional wooden humidors. Getting a hygrometer is not a big deal, but it would be nice to have one included given the $550 price tag.

      • Erik Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 3:39 pm #

        I think he was asking why yours did not have an analog hydrometer built in to one of the trays like it shows when you find them online. I’m gonna guess that NewAir stopped putting them in there because they realized they were not as reliable and everyone just uses a digital hygrometer anyways. Which is the case in my smaller version of this humidor I have. The analog that comes in the tray is uses to hold the metal piece my digital Xikar hygrometer attaches to

  2. Erik Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 3:36 pm #

    Did General Cigar sponsor your setup photos? I’ll take a Whiskey Row SC robusto. Those are tasty little cigars

    • The Stogie Guys Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 3:38 pm #

      HA. They did not. However, that photo might be an omen of reviews to come…

      • Erik Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at 4:01 pm #

        I thought those Partagas were suppose to come in a glass tube, or did you get a media review bundle from them?

  3. xiga Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 4:53 am #

    I like it. Its price is quite cheap.
    Great if you rate it after a long time of use

    • The Stogie Guys Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 2:29 pm #

      I promise to report back in March. Hopeful the unit will perform well during the long, cold, dry Chicago winters.

  4. Aaron W. Friday, September 6, 2019 at 6:43 pm #

    Why can’t it be placed in a basement?? If the product is supposed to provide ideal humidity levels, etc. it should have no problem being stored anywhere (except in direct sunlight obviously). I have a 350 count glass top desk humidor I keep in a large corner area of my basement, and it works perfectly fine.

    Side question, and I hope it doesn’t sound stupid. Why did you put a separate hygrometer inside when it’s shown electronically at the top??

    • The Stogie Guys Tuesday, September 10, 2019 at 8:48 am #

      The manual specifically states, “This cooler is only designed for home use, and is not designed to be placed in a garage, basement, or outdoor area.” If you have a finished basement (I do not), I suspect the unit would work fine. Otherwise, I would suspect the temperature and humidity ranges of garages, outdoor areas, and basements are too wide to allow to optimal use.

      Here’s some other info: “It is recommended that the cooler be installed in an area where the ambient temperature is between 50°- 80°F. If the ambient temperature is above or below the recommended ranges, the unit’s performance may be affected, and extreme cold or hot conditions may cause the interior temperature to fluctuate. This will prevent the optimal range of 65°- 73°F from being reached. In addition, keep in mind that the temperature may fluctuate depending on whether the interior light is on or off, and how full the cooler is.”

      As for the hygrometer – The “69” at the top of the unit shows the temperature, not the relative humidity.