Fall Has Fell & It’s Friggin Freezing, Folks
This past week in northern New Jersey has been incredibly cold, including a full day of snow on Thursday. I guess I’m used to this stuff after five decades in the Soprano State, but it doesn’t mean I’m not sick and tired of it. There’s definitely a reason why people from the north move to Florida or Arizona. Although there’s unlimited warmth, sunshine, and rounds of golf, I think if I were to move, the main reason would be to be able to smoke cigars outdoors all year round.
Up until about two weeks ago I was sitting on my patio with a stogie every night and there’s really almost nothing I enjoy more. It’s so tranquil and soothing for the mind and the soul. In fact, I do a lot of writing out there. But this past week was just impossible as high winds and close to freezing temperatures made it way too uncomfortable. I sat in the garage but it was too cold with the door open, so I shut the door, figuring that the high ceiling would gather the smoke and I could just leave the door open afterwards. But of course, my nagging wife (is there any other kind?) bitched for days that the garage stunk.
What’s a BOTL to do?
I’m really giving serious thought into spending a few bucks and getting a good heater for the garage because I detest going weeks without a smoke in the winter. I saw some of those new radiant heaters in Home Depot and I’m serious about making the purchase. I’ll have to leave the door open at least halfway to let out the smoke, so I’ll need something that makes it bearable for a good 45 minutes to an hour.
I think it’s really time that I finally clear out a small section of the garage for my own little personal man cave space. I say this every year, but there comes a time to grow a pair and step up to the plate (along with any other cliché euphemisms I can dig up.) Heating and ventilation are the concerns (along with the optimum safety) so I’m reaching out to the reading audience for any suggestions. Of course those of you in the south don’t have to deal with this problem, but some of you do have to deal with horrendous heat. We all have our cross to bear.
Now I’m not looking to do an all out man cave, by any means, I just need a small space with some comfort amongst the vehicle, lawn tractor, tools, and whatnot – I already have a fridge in there and a decent boombox stereo. (But click to enlarge this Harley Man Cave photo and give yerself a big ol’ woody. Wow, that is sweet.)But then again, I love to watch hockey in the winter and I was thinking of getting a cheapie flat screen and running some coaxial out into the garage. I don’t think that’s a bad idea, but since it’s not heated in there and can get to freezing temperatures, I’m asking the experts out there…can a tv stay in there all the time under those conditions? It’s not damp, just cold.
So guys, if any of you have done anything similar, please chime in cuz the Zman needs some help. Now I know some of you have run baseboard heat and put vent fans into the wall and things of that nature, but I’m just not ready to go there as there are a hundred other things that need to be done first in my home and that would really piss off the living hell out of the nag – I mean my lovely and most sweetest better half. Plus, any suggestion for other amenities or to just make it a decent place to hang would be greatly appreciated.
Onto cigars…
I have to say that if you guys haven’t tried the new Siglo Limited Reserve, it is really one terrific smoke. I’ve had several already and I’m impressed with what has gone into making these. Okay, some of you need to get over the fact that they kind of imitated the Cohiba look – big whoop, get over it. The cigar is excellent and that’s all that matters. It’s a medium bodied smoke with a gorgeous silky wrapper with a lot of flavor, a good portion of that coming from the broadleaf binder.
According to our prestigious website…
SIGLO LIMITED RESERVE CIGARS
Handmade NIC
Wrapper: ECSU Binder: CTBL Filler: NIC/DR
Medium-Full Bodied
Hand selected, light-brown Ecuador Cubano wrapper leaves with the finest vein structure, combined with a flavorful broadleaf binder and an aged blend of rich Nicaraguan and Dominican long filler tobaccos provide the smoker with the Frank Llaneza “Cubanesque” heavier bodied “touch” that made brands like Hoyo, Punch, Excalibur, El Rey del Mundo, and others that he has created such mainstays in today’s premium cigar business. Another winner in the new chapter of fine cigars for Frank!
Order ‘em right here, my amigos, you won’t be disappointed…
CLICK HERE>NoI: 4 ¼ x 44
CLICK HERE> NoII: 5 1/2 x 45
CLICK HERE> NoIII: 6 ½ x 44
CLICK HERE> NoIV: 5 x 54
CLICK HERE> NoIV Tubo: 5 x 54
CLICK HERE> NoVI: 6 x 54
CLICK HERE> NoVI Tubo: 6 x 54
CLICK HERE> NoVI: 7 x 48
CLICK HERE> NoX Belicoso: 6 x 54
CLICK HERE> NoXXI: 5 Tins of 5: 4 ½ x 38
So that’s it for today…let’s talk about man caving up the garage with a few suggestions for us cold weather brothers of the frozen Leaf.
Take care my bruthas and sistas,
Tommy Z.
JR Cigars Blog With the Zman
Tags: belicoso, binder, Churchill, Cigars, corona, corona gorda, Dominican Republic, Filler, Frank Llaenza, Honduras, JR Cigars, Lew Rothman, Nicaragua, robusto, tobacco, Tommy Z, toro, wrapper, Zman
October 19th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Several things to think about: are you going to use propane or electric heat? The former works better and is cheaper, but you have to be careful about ventilation, especially in a closed or semi closed space.
Second, do you want to heat just a little area for you and maybe one other person, or a larger area, to allow room to move around in comfort, instead of staying huddled right next to a little heater?
FYI, Read this;lg flat screen tv flickers when cold when tv worms up it is ok. usually about 30 sec.
This is nothing to be afraid of. In LCD screens, it takes some time for the liquid crystal to heat up. Thats why manufacturers warn you not to change screen settings immediately after switching your TV on.
Hope this helps
October 19th, 2009 at 2:15 am
Just want to heat a small area where I’ll be sitting. Maybe bring a goomahd or two in there as well.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:43 am
Why not just get rid of the ball and chain and then you could smoke ‘gars in the house all day long?
October 19th, 2009 at 2:45 am
You’re onto something there, Fiend…
October 19th, 2009 at 2:47 am
A friend of mine uses the garage whenever we have a cigar at his place in the winter. He has a propane heater. Basically it is attached to the cylinder that you use for the BBQ. He got it at Home Depot and it works just fine. We light it, point it towards us and it heats the area we are in nicely. Everything behind it is ice cold though. Now, my man cave is a 10′ x 20′ enclosed porch. It wasn’t built with heat, so I use a kerosene heater. One of the big cylindrical kinds. It heats the entire room quite nicely. I also have a couple of ceiling fans that I turn on low to circulate the heat. I usually turn it on when I get home for dinner and by the time I’m finished eating the whole room is nice and toasty.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Oh yeah, the Siglos are a good smoke. I’ve worked my way through all of them and wasn’t disappointed once.
October 19th, 2009 at 2:56 am
Garfiend Says:
Why not just get rid of the ball and chain and then you could smoke ‘gars in the house all day long?
Not only that, but without her, you could afford a lot more cigars, booze and heat, and have a girlfriend over when you wanted one.
October 19th, 2009 at 3:26 am
The only problem is that Zman’s like me. He’s not rich enough to afford a divorce and the cigars.
October 19th, 2009 at 4:11 am
October 19th, 2009 at 11:46 am
“Okay, some of you need to get over the fact that they kind of imitated the Cohiba look – big whoop, get over it.”
Yeah, that would be me. KIND OF IMITATED THE COHIBA LOOK? Are you kidding me? They totally ripped it off – do these also come in a glass-topped humidor? LOL!
Eh, I’m sure these are great cigars, especially knowing who’s involved in making them. That’s why I’m a bit disappointed that they imitated the labels. The cigars should be able to stand on their own – the counterfeit look just kind of cheapens them, you know?
Now having said that, I’m seriously thinking about putting in an order for the No. IIs.
October 19th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
As you well know Z, my one-car garage is my ManCave. No car goes in there. Rather, old Laz-E-Boys, kegerator and satellite TV and cigars are present
I use this heater. Appropriately called the Detroit Radiant 393. It attaches to a BBQ propane tank. Works great: http://www.heater-home.com/product/393.aspx
October 20th, 2009 at 1:09 am
Gooooooo Phillies. What an f-ing amazing 9th inning!!! One more game and it’s back to the World Series. Who woulda thunk it?
October 20th, 2009 at 1:10 am
By the way, DinD’s propane thingy is exactly what my friend uses. It’s a winner.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:23 am
Brian, have you seen anything from Pete Johnson? He blatantly and to his credit mimics everything from S.A. Habanos……and took cigar marketing to a new level…..plus he followed it up with good to great smokes…
gg
October 20th, 2009 at 1:38 am
They tell you not to use propane tanks indoors. Is it totally safe?
October 20th, 2009 at 1:43 am
That question from a guy who almost kills himself with a lawn mower! Yeah, they’re safe. Just make sure you light it before lighting the cigar. Once it’s lit, don’t try to move it. I still prefer my good ole Duraheat kerosene heater, but to each his own.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation!
October 20th, 2009 at 2:05 am
I’d be hesitant to use indoors any type of heater that burns gas or fuel of some sort, even with ventilation.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:21 am
“I’d be hesitant to use indoors any type of heater that burns gas or fuel of some sort, even with ventilation.”
Uh, not to rain on your parade, but every heater burns gas or a fuel of some sort. That’s how they work. A garage is usually not air tight. A propane or kerosene heater will not use all of the oxygen in the room. These things are made for indoor use, use in work shops etc. I even have a kerosene heater that looks like a jet engine and can heat up to 3,000 square feet. A couple of winters ago our power was knocked out for more then a week. I just hooked this baby into the central heating ducts and fired it up every couple of hours. No problems.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:29 am
gsquared, I’ve heard of the guy, and that he’s made cigars that rival the good cubans. Haven’t tried one, though. If the cigars are good, I say good for him – copying the Cohiba label is just something else, as far as I’m concerned. It’s the most recognizable, most counterfeited label in the world – I think it’s weird that a reputable outfit would think they need to use it. And I don’t think it’s an “homage” to one of the great cigars – it’s marketing. Come up with your own unique and classy look, for crying out loud.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:30 am
Lou, aren’t there electric space heaters? Living where I live, I obviously don’t have much experience with heaters, but I thought there were plug-in models.
October 20th, 2009 at 2:32 am
Brian I know that Cohiba has gone after anyone who copies their label so I’m betting that there is something going on here. For a major manufacturer to use this band and not expect to get sued would unimaginable. Some one must have made a deal or gotten some sort of permission to do this.
October 20th, 2009 at 3:25 am
I usually keep my garage door opened about a foot high so fresh air can come in. But these type of radiant heaters don’t require venting.
October 20th, 2009 at 4:25 am
BTW Zman, it looks like it’s getting closer to a World Series between the Yanks and the Phillies.
October 20th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Brian, throw me your addy and I’ll send you a few sticks…You can find me at HP Gsquared
and maybe a few isoms too?????
gg
October 21st, 2009 at 1:13 am
Tell your wife you can do whatever you want in your office. It is YOUR space and cigar smoking is a part of your job, you should be able to do your job where you do your job, non ? Instead of buying a fancy heater for the garage, buy a fancy ventilator for the home office, an air purifier and a solid door. Put on your pants, Tommy, and tell her who is the other boss in da house ! Be a man dammit !
And those faked Cohibas are ugly. The real Siglo VI is THE thing. A super enjoyable cigar, intense tobacco flavor, the usual Cohiba construction and easy draw, the little caramel aftertaste, a splendid ash building solid and nice with many tones of grey… Just a pleasnt delightful experience.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:18 am
hi, lucie, i missed you.
as for zman growing a pair, forget it.
and fake anything sucks. get the real thing or don’t bother.
lucie drop me a line and let me know how you are doing please,
October 21st, 2009 at 4:48 am
I have a few real Cohibas in my best humidor. A real Siglo VI in a tube, a 2003 limited edition, and 3 Coronas Especiales. I guess I better smoke the Siglo VI before I go to Aruba, to see if I want any more. I’ve tried the Siglo II’s, III’s, and a IV, and have not been particularly impressed with any of them. But I love the Coronas Especiales, which is the original blend, and different from the Siglos. But I’m also aware that all different sizes of the Siglos are different. I also want to smoke an Esplendido, the Original blend Churchill, which is supposedly awesome.
October 21st, 2009 at 5:17 am
rl, all of them pale in comparison to the old blend Papayo…
October 21st, 2009 at 7:23 am
Guys…realize something…
THEY’RE NOT FAKE Cohibas. They just call the brand, Siglo.
Lucille, so glad to have to you back – but remember, we can’t buy those foreign sticks ’round these parts. And there’s no fucking way the ball and chain lets me smoke in the house. It has very little with growing a pair – it has to do with the fact that she would NEVER STFU if I did. The nagging is worse than any physical abuse I can think of. Waterboarding anyone?
October 21st, 2009 at 7:25 am
Freezing Cold Weather Problems, Try (www.air-conditioner-home.com) for Garage-Heaters, and Air- Purification Systems, and (Lowes & Home- Depot) for your Garage-Storage Problems. Nice commentary on the Frank Llaneza (Siglo Cigars) from (J.R) cigars. I am enjoying the (Mi Dominicana Figurado Cigars) from (J.R) Dutch Auctions. Please show case more cigars from (J.R Cigars) in the future. Thanks Zman!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:27 am
admit it, z, you are a wussie.
October 22nd, 2009 at 1:32 am
Way to go Phillies!!!!!!!!!! They really destroyed the Dodgers last night. Next stop the World Series. It should be an East Coast turnpike Championship. Phillies v Yankees. I know it’s only happened 3 times in the history of the World Series, but here’s hoping for a repeat.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:03 am
Those are going to be some COLD games…..
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hey, gsquared, I just noticed your comment – thanks for the offer! I’m not on HP (never even checked it out), but I’ll see about getting over there.
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:10 am
Hey Z -
The key to being comfortable in your mancave is ventilation and circulation. You’ve got to get RID of the smoke and if you do it right, you don’t hafta let it that much outside air.
Oh, BTW, you’re out of your mind if you think you can smoke outdoors year-round in Arizona. I promise you when it’s 110ºF outside, you won’t be sittin’ there enjoying a cigar!
My “Herf Room” is pretty ideally sized – a 10′x20′ garage stall. I can open my garage door about 3 inches and get enough air circulation by using two special fans. The type of fan is critical – it’s got to be a “squirrel cage” fan. You need TWO Air King/Stanley/Lasko High Velocity Blowers, model #655702. http://www.bizrate.com/fans/lasko-655702-stanley-blower-fan–pid290202917/compareprices__sort–6.html One needs to be near the garage door, drawing in fresh air. It MUST be adjacent to a wall, so that you get the laminar flow effect. This is critical. Mine is midway between the floor and ceiling and about 2-3 feet from the garage door. The second blower needs to be relatively close to where you are sitting. Mine is on top of my fridge, and is pointed toward the ceiling at about a 30-degree angle so that I get good laminar flow right out the top “crack” of the garage door opening. Oh – I run both fans on “low”, which means they’re nice and quiet.
So, the idea here is that you get a decent “breeze” of fresh air that moves the smoke past you and out the garage door. Oh – and in my setup, I sit toward the very BACK of the room – about 3 feet from the back wall that’s 20 feet away from the front of the garage and w/ my La-Z-Boy recliner right up against the 20 foot wall. The fresh air flows along the wall coming in, hits the corner of the room and turns (it really does!) Then the air hits the next corner and turns – I barely feel the slight air movement – but my cloud of smoke travels visibly away from me and while it’s expanding, the “exhaust” fan picks up a good amount of it and it flows along the ceiling and right out the garage door.
The blower-style fans are critical. I paid $40 for each of mine – and these work much, much, much, much better than either the huge HEPA filter I tried or the genuine SmokeEter I paid $400 for. In fact, it was the ONLY thing that worked. Even with the HEPA and the SmokeEter on high and the garage door open a foot, it was unbearable – especially if there are a coupla cigar smokers herfing! I can accommodate 3 of us smoking without too much problem, tho I’ve gotta open the garage door about a foot w/ 3 guys smoking…
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:39 am
Cotty,
For the uninitiated, you should explain the difference between laminar and turbulent flow. And in Zman’s case, we also need to take into account the need for comfortable heat distribution to the herfers. Because with 2 fans going, he’ll be circulating a lot of cold air (as opposed to the hot air or toxic air he typically circulates).
October 23rd, 2009 at 6:05 am
Let them uninitiated look it up! LOL Basically it means the air’s all flowin’ real good in the same direction in a real good stream – it’s got good velocity – and it tends to kinda “stick” to the wall, actually flowing better with less “friction” because of the wall. http://www.freshgasflow.com/images/physics_images/flow_images/basics/laminar_turbulent_flow.gif
Comfortable heat is being handled by the radiant heat, so the little bit of air flow isn’t gonna matter than much, right? Tho yeah, he might wanna throw some hot air in there just because it could be so stinkin’ cold… But even if the ambient air temp is 45-50º, he should be comfortable w/ the radiant heater focused on him, right?? I’m a desert guy, so I could be completely messed up. But I’m thinkin’ the radiant heat makes the loss of warm air much less of an issue??