a post from another board I thought you'd find interesting from a very knowledgeble guy:
I can see the advantages both ways in the Mini vs Wine Cooler debate. If you live where temps are in the 90-100 all summer and you don't want to have to keep the house cool all day just for several hundred cigars, a cooler is the way to go. If temperature is less of a concern (or like me your Aristocrat is in a room where a window AC keeps things comfy in the summer) then go with the Aristocrat. It's nicer looking and will probably last longer.
As for the humidity questions regarding frost free....
Back in the day fridges were not frost free, a coil kept the contents cool and if there was any humidity in the air it would condense in the fridge (or form frost in the freezer.) Newer fridges avoid this by pumping out the air from the fridge/freezer when you shut the door. This removes excess humidity, keeps the fridge under a slight negative pressure and helps sublimate frost. Because it removes humidity from the air, this is the reason you cannot use a modern fridge to store cigars.
Enter wine coolers and college fridges. College fridges are like old time fridges, they use that coil (usually a panel of aluminum that serves as the freezer section) to keep things cool and they do not pump out the air and hence the humidity. This is why that freezer compartment always gets frosty. I have seen people try and use these, but they don't work well, an exterior type thermometer is needed to keep temps in the 65-70 range and because the fridge has to cycle so infrequently when it does cycle the coil gets really cold and hence frosty. When the temp is reached it shuts off and that condenstaion then drips off the coil as it thaws. Not ideal for cigar storage.
Wine coolers don't use the traditional coil/condenser set-up. Because they only need to cool the wine, not freeze it, they use a peltier system. A peltier system is solid state, meaning no movin' parts (these are the vibration-free coolers you will see advertised.) This is the type of system what Staebell uses in their THC cabs. A peltier is a heat pump. It pumps heat out of the cooler and into the environment. Because the panel of the peltier isn't colder than the surroundings, it won't cause condensation or frost on the panel. You might get some condensation elsewhere in the humi, but it will be minimum and between cedar panelling/dry beads, it will be absorbed readily.
Now the word of caution. If you plan on lining a peltier-type cooler you need to identify the peltier panel. This will usually be a smooth square or rectangular panel built into the back of the cooler. DO NOT COVER OR BLOCK THIS PANEL either with spanish cedar or putting boxes in from of it. This panel is what is keeping things cool. You want as much airflow to and from this panel as possible! The panel will most likely be at the back of the unit. When designing shelves, try not to block this panel and cut slots or gaps in the shelves where this panel is located to facilitate airflow.
I can relate to both sides of the Mini vs Cooler argument. I have an Igloodor full of sticks that I have used for years and I have an Aristocrat M on order. It should be 4-6 weeks 'til it arrives. I keep the house at no higher than 72 in the summer for both the sake of my cigars and dog. Attractive storage was more of a concern than temperature, so I went with an Aristocrat, but still relate to the DYI Wine Cooler.