You can purchase your NEWAIR COUNTERTOP ICE MAKER AI-100R using the following link and if you use our code CASAS_10 you will receive 10% off your total purchase!

Shipping / Box Opening:

As always, Newair ships quick. The AI-100R Ice maker showed up at my door via FedEx 3 days after my order was placed. The box is very thick and showed no signs of damage from the outside.

Inside the box the ice maker is surrounded completely with a layer of thin plastic wrap to avoid any scratching, then a layer of very thick foam, as well as plastic corner supports on all 8 corners.

The Ice Maker slides right out of the package and showed no signs of scratching or damage. One thing Newair has always done is made sure their products are shipped in the best possible way.

The exterior paint is just incredible looking with a candy-apple-red with an awesome light flake metallic in it. One thing I noted right way is that there is some yellow discoloration on the top part of the inside lid. It doesn’t make a difference to me and didn’t wipe away with cleaner. But it’s worth noting that it was there:

Setup / Product Quality:

There are a few areas of tape that needs to be removed to allow the machine to be opened. Inside you will find the removable basket and the included ice scoop.

Once you completed taking all the packing components off the machine, place it on the counter of choice. One thing to note is that there is a very large exhaust fan on the left side of the machine that you want to make sure has ample room to breath as this fan is in charge of removing all the heat from the inner-workings of the machine and expelling it into the open air.

After placement, simply plug the machine in, fill it with water and hit the power button. Within a few seconds the machine fires up and starts its freezing process. One thing I want to note here is just how quiet this machine is in comparison to others I have used. The water pump is extremely quiet and very quick while the actual freezing process gives of no audible noise at all outside of the quiet exhaust fan.

Settings / Features:

There isn’t a lot to tell here. The Newair AI-100r ice maker has only a few settings to it making it extremely easy to use. Outside of the power button there are 3 main size settings. These allow you to set the desired size of your ice nuggets and not a feature that I find on my ice makers. There are three settings: small, medium and large. A green LED light indicates which selection you have enabled. The results are basically ice cubes that are similar in size, except the density of the walls.

There is also two convenience features added that will make your ice making procedures even easier. There are two red LED lights that indicate when the ice maker is full, and one that will light up when the machine needs more water to create ice. Both make operating this machine even easier.

There is also a convenient little drain on the bottom left of the machine. If you need to clean it or power it down and still have water in the reservoir you can easily pop the drain open to remove the excess water. You can see the drain in one of the photos earlier in the review.

Ice Quantity:

First, let me touch on how this thing works. First, there is a pump at the bottom which takes in the water from the inside of the machine and moves it to a tray at the top of the machine that is hardly visible without looking underneath the lid. There are 9 freezing rods inside that tray which transform the water around them to ice. Depending on your size setting the machine decides when the ice is at the size needed an kicks it out into the tray below before starting the process all over again. For size reference, the image below is on the “Small” setting.

As for the quantity, I decided to start this machine off warm. That means, it has been disconnected for longer than 24 hours and freshly filled. This way I can get a full idea of what it’s capable of without the cooling rods being pre-chilled. The image below shows just how much ice this machine developed over a 1 hour test at the “Large” setting. Honestly the quality of ice produced is quite impressive and the AI-100r is probably the fasted ice-creating machine I currently own.

Ice Quality:

There isn’t too much to say here. The ice is thick and heavy. While some machines create softer ice, this machine specializes in very dense, hard ice which tends to last longer in drinks. The ice is not very clear at all which doesn’t bother me. I just know its work mentioning as some people really enjoy the look of clear ice. The image below is at the “Large” setting.

Final Thoughts:

The Newair AI-100r is a great machine if you are looking for an ice maker that can create large ice cubes at a very high rate. If you are looking for something to host a small get together, or just be sure to not run low on your drink-cooling measures, this is a perfect machine. I also need to note how quiet it is without harping on it too much. Other machines I have used can be a bit distracting. The only faults I see here is the discoloration in the plastic and the color of the ice, which let’s be honest, isn’t much of a downfall at all.

Don’t forget, you can purchase your NEWAIR COUNTERTOP ICE MAKER AI-100R using the following link and if you use our code CASAS_10 you will receive 10% off your total purchase!

The post Newair Countertop Ice Maker AI-100R appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

True cigar aficionados know that maintaining optimal conditions is crucial for preserving the flavor and aromas of each special stick. The NewAir 840 Count Cigar Humidor makes it easier than ever to store your collection properly, thanks to cutting-edge climate control features that let you set temperature and humidity at the touch of a button. Peek-In Spanish cedar drawers and LED lights add style and function to a cigar cooler that’s roomy enough for even the most avid collector.  

https://glnk.io/7zx0/tonycasas 

Unboxing and Setup

The NCH840 came boxed in a massive carboard box. The humidor itself is completely surrounded by foam panels which were well over an inch thick. The bottom of the box comes off so all you have to do is cut the tape and locking strings to lift up the outer shell off the humidor and expose the foam-paneled machine. My machine arrived flawlessly with no dents, dings, scratches, or defects. Once you remove the foam you simply need to place the humidor where you want it, open the doors, remove the paperwork, keys and tools, and take off any tape used to affix movable pieces and you are good to go. They keys that come with the system are used to lock the humidor on the bottom which will keep all the riff-raff out of your stash.

One small touch that I noticed immediately that I really appreciated was the flat plug update. In my previous versions of NewAir Humidors they all had a standard plug which is a bit bulky and pushes the humidor away from the wall if the outlet is behind the humidor. In the case of the NCH840 the plug was updated to a flat one so no worries there. The shelves come pre-installed so after unpacking the only things you need to do is attach the handle and plug it in. The handle attaches with ease. Simply peel back the rubber seal from the inside of the door, pop in two screws, and you’re good to go. I do want to note something pretty important here. I did quite a bit of research on this humidor and there are quite a few reviews out there that talk about the holes for the screws being too small which causes the door to crack when installing the handle. NewAir openly talked about taking that feedback and updating the door so this no longer happens. In the unit I was sent, the holes are not only pre-drilled, but they are rather large which made installation a breeze with no cracking or any other issues at all. One other note, the door is reversible. Swapping a few screws allows you to move the hinge to the opposite side so that you easily change the direction of opening. From the time I started unpacking to the time I was ready to fill and season the humidor it was about 10 minutes total. Very easy and with a bit of strength (as the humidor is quite heavy at about 87 pounds) you are good to go. 

Seasoning and Filling

Just like with any new humidor, the NewAir NCH840 needs to first be seasoned. Seasoning is easy. While there are different approaches, here is mine. First, I fill a small bowl with distilled water. Note, you always want to use distilled and not tap water since this water has any impurities removed which could damage the wood or even worse, your cigars. I then take a clean microfiber or terrycloth towel and tip it in the water. After that I run the wet towel over each and every inch, nook, and cranny in any exposed Spanish cedar wood to make sure that everything gets covered. You don’t have to soak the wood, but adding enough water that it’s visible to the eye usually does the trick. The drawers in the NewAir NCH840 actually completely remove which really helps this process and make it easy to access all areas of the wood shelving. After doing this I close the humidor and let it sit for 24 hours without opening. Note, at this you don’t need the humidor on, or the humidifier filled, however it will not harm anything if it is. After the 24 hour period I went ahead and filled the humidor’s humidification system’s reservoir with distilled water. So far I don’t have any real quips about the humidor, a big one lies in ease of filling. To fill, you slide out the bottom drawer, remove the water cap, and dump in water. This is easy enough, the issue is knowing when to stop. The reservoir itself is black, and covered so it’s very difficult to see when that starts to get full. I had to pour, then dip my finger in, and repeat until it was full. Not the most inconvenient issue, but also not the most precise. Luckily the humidor will actually display an error code once the water is tapped out so you don’t have to keep checking when it’s time to refill. 

Adjusting the Humidor

This, its very easy, and very straightforward so I won’t spend a lot of time here. Just note, adjusting the NCH840 is cake. The current temperature and humidity is displayed on the top panel at all times. Touching the Mode button allows you to adjust the desired temperature and humidity with ease using the up and down buttons. There is a button for power, one to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius, and one to toggle the inner lighting on and off. And that’s it really. Elegant and simple. Another nice touch is that like with most newer appliances, the NewAir NCH840 will actually continuously beep to alert you when you left the door open. Just a note on a nice touch.

Quality of Temperature and Humidity Control

With a humidor this size, it’s pretty hard to keep it under control in terms of temperature and humidity however the NCH840 does a pretty good job of that, especially in the temperature department. I set my humidor to the 64 degrees and 68% humidity. Using a combination of calibrated Boveda butler and Xikar hygrometers I measured the humidor’s performance over 5 days. First, no matter where the sensor was placed in the humidor I received a solid temperature reading between 63 and 65 degrees. This is impressive especially considering my ambient temperatures varied from 62 to 75 degrees in the house during that time. The humidity was a bit more inconsistent, but still gets a pass in my book. First, the humidity from the top of the humidor to the bottom varied by about 4%. When the sensor was placed at the top of the humidor I would get on average 64% – 65% while the bottom drawer would get between 68% – 70%. To me, this is normal. Humid air is heavier so the damper air would always be at the bottom until the fans kick on and circulated and this is the case here. I’d see many times throughout the day when the numbers would come close to even before returning. I live in a super dry climate so anything that can keep my cigars in that range is a win for me. I do want to note two small things. First, I tested with an empty humidor. Once I loaded it I noticed the variation was only about 3%. Second, the humidor as a whole is pretty loud when it kicks on. I don’t mind that at all, and most humidors like this are. But it’s worth mentioning.

Storage

This is where this particular really shines. This thing can hold so many cigars. It’s huge. Not only is it wider than previous models, but also deeper and taller. That being said, the unit as a whole didn’t get much bigger. In the case of the NewAir NCH840 they really fine-tuned the density of the walls in order to gain extra space. The drawers are nicely crafted, and pretty good looking. I mean, the entire humidor as a whole is a huge step up in elegance compared to previous models. The rolling slide system used to mount the drawers is great and allows for quick and easy access to all your favorite smokes. I love that the drawers actually roll all the way out so you can even grab the ones you hide in the back pretty easily.

The drawers slide function has a good amount of friction which locks them in place so they aren’t sliding around as you are searching for that perfect smoke. From what I gather,  you can actually add two to three extra drawers to this humidor to expand single cigar storage space if needed. The drawers aren’t just crammed in there either. There is plenty of space on all sides as well as slats in the bottom of each drawer to allow proper humidity to cycle through the humidor.  I reached out to NewAir to see what the cost and ease of obtaining extra drawers would be, but haven’t heard back yet. I’ll update this if/when I do. I really like all the added lighting the NewAir NCH840 added. My humidor is in a darker room and this allows me to see everything contained in it at all times. With a push of the button the lights dim and turn off and on. 

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I really dig the NewAir NCH840. First, the built in humidification is beautiful. It works, and while it’s not as polished as I hope, it works well. You just need to make sure you consider the variation in humidity when storing your cigars. The temperature is solid. This was a bit of a sore spot in other NewAir machines I reviewed and the NCH840 has it dialed in. The storage space is incredible. I also want to touch on the options here. The bottom drawer is huge and perfect for storing boxed cigars and tins of pipe tobacco while the drawers are wide and deep allowing for a great amount of loose cigars to be stored on each. The price point, at about $1,900, while pretty steep is warranted with the quality that you receive with this humidor. All in all, I am happy. My cigars are happy. Keep in mind, You can view more information about the product here and use code “TONYCASAS” for a 10% discount off your purchase!

The post NewAir 840 Count Electric Cigar Humidor (NCH840BK00) Review appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.

The NCH250SS01 is a 250 Count cigar humidor that features a stainless steel design, OptiTemp(tm) heating and cooling function, Spanish Cedar shelves, Digital Thermostat, Digital Hygrometer and a nice little lock and key to keep those pesky weasels out of your cigar stash. A few of these features are very appealing to me, but mostly the heating and cooling function. Since I live in a super hot desert climate the temps can get really high here and it’s nice to know that while its boiling outside, my cigars will be kept safe.

Before we dive into the review I wanted to make sure I shared a few things with you. First of all, we partnered with NewAir on this review. That being said we have always took pride in brining you our un-biased, open opinions. With that out of the way, let’s talk about how you can get one of these bad boys yourself. NewAir products are found pretty much anywhere humidors and wine fridges are carried, but you can actually use this direct link: https://glnk.io/llwm/casasfumando in combination with the coupon code FUMANDO to receive a $49.99 discount on your very own NCH250SS01!

Shipping/Packaging:

Let’s start with the shipping time. My order was placed on a Wednesday and my Humidor showed up on my doorstep on that Friday. I’m sure shipping varies based on your location, but they get starts here for getting this to me so quickly. NewAir is located in California, while I’m in West Texas so it’s not the furthest of distances, but it’s also certainly not very close. The New Air NCH250SS01 was shipped in a very large, thick cardboard box. Within this box was layers of more cardboard, and foam completely surrounding the entire machine which was then wrapped in plastic. All aces there. Since there are some movable part within the humidor, NewAir kept those in place with easy-to-remove tape so they wouldn’t shift around during transit. It took me a whole 5 minutes to unpack, plugin, and start rocking with this humidor.

Setup:

After taking the NewAir NCH250SS01 out of the box, it was a simple as removing the shrink wrap from a few of the more scratch-prone pieces, and cleaning the interior. All of the Spanish Cedar shelves come right out for ease of cleaning, and seasoning. After removing the shelves it was as easy as wiping down the interior of the humidor. This step wasn’t really needed since the instead was so clean, I just wanted to make sure I removed any debris before continuing on with my review.

Of course, we’d need to season the humidor first. I wiped down the shelves using a white towel soaked in distilled water. Woah, did a whole mess of the brown/red color come off of the shelves. This is mostly just sawdust embedded within the wood-grain after processing, but its a great idea to make sure you get all that cleaned up so it doesn’t end up on your precious cigars. After seasoning the drawers I dropped them back in and added pre-moist humidification beads to the included clear plastic container and let the humidor sit overnight. I repeated this process a second time just to make sure that we were all right and ready to go.

A few notes here. First, one thing I’ve always liked about the NewAir humidor are the open drawer concept. What the means is that each shelf and draw has slats of Spanish Cedar which allows air and moisture to flow smoothly between layers. I have another humidor with closed draws and I have to monitor each of those a little more closely. Secondly, in the instructions NewAir instructs you not to allow any direct moisture to come in contact with the shelves. This is on your own discretion as I completely ignored that rule as stated in my process above.

Performance:

Now this is where we get to see what the NewAir NCH250SS0 is made of. I monitored the temperature using a pre-calibrated Boveda Butler. The first time the humidor was seasoned the humidity read 79% which level off to about 72% overnight. The second time it read 76% which leveled off to 73% overnight. After leaving the humidor to sit for 3 days the humidity fell to 64% which is right around where I try to keep it. I use 65% beads so they are doing their job well. Each time I opened the humidor door it would drop down to about 62% before rising back up to 64%-65% within and hour so the humidity retain on this humidor is absolutely flawless.

The next test was the temperature test. In a previous humidor by NewAir that I reviewed I had issues with the internal temperature being off from the setting by a few degrees. While that’s a minor annoying, I was curious to see if that has been fixed with this new heating and cooling module. The humidor lets you set a temperature low of 52 Degrees and a high of 74. Depending on the ambient room temperature the humidor will either cool the humidor or heat it to achieve your desired temperature which has to be the coolest feature of these NewAir machines. I like to keep mine at 66 degrees as that is my happy medium. At the 66 degree setting the humidor read…..66! Looks like this one is much more accurate than my previous one. I tried setting this to 55 and the humidor read 54, and at 70 it read 70. Accuracy achieved!

Overall Thoughts:

Again, un-biased thoughts here. The NewAir NCH250SS0 is a wonderful little machine that impressed me yet again. I have a few different electric humidors and the NewAir machines are by far the best performance. Now that they fixed the temperature read issue there isn’ t a whole lot of complaining I can do here. Really the only drawback is you can’t fit taller cigar boxes in between the shelves as they are much closer together as some others, but the isn’t a huge humidor anyways. If you’re purchasing it you’re likely looking to upgrade from a desktop humidor to something larger, but aren’t ready to full-commit to a huger option anyways. The only other gripe is the digital hygrometer included within the humidor was always off by about 2%. I DID NOT calibrate that, so it’s more of just a note. I don’t really use the included hygrometers in humidors anyways as I like the ease of use on the Boveda Butlers. The price is a bit higher than you’d expect in a 250 count humidor, but the features included in this ultra-premium humidor certainly make up for that cost with their performance and ease-of-use. Again, if you are looking at purchasing one for yourself visit:https://glnk.io/llwm/casasfumando in combination with the coupon code FUMANDO to receive a $49.99 discount on your very own NCH250SS01!

The post NewAir NCH250SS01 Humidor Review appeared first on Cigar Reviews | Beer Pairings | Casas Fumando.