Storage
General tobacco storage questions, comments, etc., anything that doesn't fit in one of the Storage page forums - Drying, Hydrating, Hygrometers, Containers.
Comments [ new ]
- Humidity for stuffed cigs
- Posted by Bn on Tuesday, 15-Aug-2006
Does anyone have comments or advice on the storage of stuffed cigs re: humidifcation methods; proper % level and means; containers? What were the results?
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Humidity for stuffed cigs
- Posted by Joe on Tuesday, 15-Aug-2006
I use Look&Lock from K-mart. It cost about $2 or $3 dollars. Works very well... Has a Silacone seal on the top. Stays air tight.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Humidity for stuffed cigs
- Posted by Dave L on Wednesday, 16-Aug-2006
How moist you want your stuffed smokes is a matter of personal taste (moister/smoother/milder <> drier/stronger/harsher). Unless you prefer really moist smokes (i.e. tobacco that's too moist to stuff easily), any airtight container will do. See the Storage pages for info on containers, humidification methods etc.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Got any advice?
- Posted by spence on Friday, 10-Feb-2006
Hello,
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
I've been using the supermatic machine off and on for about a year now. I usually use the Stoker's #2 brand of tobacco. Anyway...I was wondering if anyone had any advice on how to properly adjust the tobacco (drying, cutting, blending) for a better tasting and more evenly burning cigarette. I was also wondering what the best method to store the tobacco and finished cigarettes is. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Thanks.
- Re: Got any advice?
- Posted by ChasMassey on Friday, 10-Feb-2006
Of course, tobacco is a matter of taste--
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
I enjoy D&R's Penhooker (regular) and find that I never have to let it dry or anything before I stuff it. Stuffs perfectly time after time.
I think it's important to have some sort of tray on your supermatic - like Dave's Hopper Tray- really cuts down on the mess and make's things smoother and easier. I've made my own from a heavy plastic sheet material and one really nice wooden one.
The most important thing I can offer - use a plastic cake icing container for storing rolled cigarettes. Each holds 60+ cigarettes and they have snap on lids. They are the perfect heighth for standing cigarettes on end and great for mass-tamping (packing) - just put the lid on and bang on your leg three or four times.
- Re: Got any advice?
- Posted by Matt on Friday, 10-Feb-2006
Thanks for posting about the frosting container. I found an empty Duncan Hines container in the cabinet & will definitely be using it in the future.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Got any advice?
- Posted by Dave Grant on Monday, 16-Oct-2006
The frosting container idea works great. One fits perfectly in a corner of my toolbox at work, so if I don't get some made before I go in, I've got a reserve stash handy. When It gets low, I just bring in a new one and take the empty one home. I probably give away a couple of packs a week and have gotten a number of SYO converts lately. .
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Got any advice?
- Posted by jazzbo on Friday, 10-Feb-2006
Different tobaccos require varying degrees of "prep," depending upon the moisture content and the cut. Most of the tobacco I use (London Export, McClintock Virgina, Windsail Platinum) are far too moist right out of the can and need a good amount of time to dry out (How dry? See the video clips over at RYO Magazine).
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
I ususally stuff up a carton or so over the course of a couple of days...I keep 'em in a humidity-controlled cigar humidor that I picked up cheap. It'll hold a couple of carton's worth, and the smokes have a chance to rehydrate a bit after I dry the 'baccy out for stuffing.
- Degassing Valves for tupperware
- Posted by Tony on Wednesday, 22-Mar-2006
I would like to buy some tupperware (or the like) for storing my tobacco leaves but am interested in installing degassing valves (like on coffee bags) to allow fermenting gasses to escape without allowing O2 back into the container. its a simple device with a rubber diaphram on a peg that only moves one way. Does anyone know where I can get a few of these?
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
Thanks,
Tony
- Re: Degassing Valves for tupperware
- Posted by slap maxwell on Wednesday, 22-Mar-2006
Try a chemistry supply outlet. I remember using them way back when in high school chemistry class.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Degassing Valves for tupperware
- Posted by slap maxwell on Wednesday, 22-Mar-2006
Found something that may interest you. http://www.plitek.com/plivalv/
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Degassing Valves for tupperware
- Posted by slap maxwell on Wednesday, 22-Mar-2006
Just for grins, I wrote and asked if I could buy a sample of a couple or three of their valves. I received an email back from someone who claimed they would send me a sampling free.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: aluminum tubes for humindors
- Posted by Ralph on Sunday, 26-Mar-2006
Seriously, it's freaking tobacco. You guys are out of control.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Degassing Valves for tupperware
- Posted by Dave L on Sunday, 21-Jan-2007
I've never had my tobacco filled canning jars pressurize. The only thing I've noticed with long term tobacco storage in airtight containers is a very slight vacuum. The 'button' on the lids sometimes pops and stays down when pressed.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ parent | top ]
- Humidity and stuffing
- Posted by Ralph on Friday, 30-Sep-2005
I have had a few stretches of weather that make my Premier Supermatic a rather nasty beast. The last week has made my left wrist sore and the number of reject cigs went through the roof. I'm in Michigan and we had more humid weather all summer than what we had the last week. No problems stuffing in the summer. I experienced the same problem for about a week last spring. My machine is stuffing in normal fashion again but I'd really like to know what causes these brief stretches where the machine tends to sieze up on every other cig.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Humidity and stuffing
- Posted by Kerry on Saturday, 01-Oct-2005
I think it may have to do with how much your a/c is running and dehumidifying the air in your house or apartment.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
During the hotter months, even though the humidity may be higher outside, your a/c is having to run much more to keep the temperature comfortable. By the same token it is also dehumidifying the air much more.
When the temperatures moderate in the fall and spring, the temperature isn't high enough to cause the a/c to run as much even though the humidity may indeed still be high. So, in the middle of summer you have no problems and in the middle of winter (lower average humidity and the heater lowers humidity even more) you also have no problems stuffing.
I have noticed the same problem stuffing during the same or similar times here in the south. Of course, it could also have something to do with the machine needing cleaning, but I am assuming you already ruled that out.
During the problem times, you may want to either run the a/c more or simply put your tobacco in the refrigerator in an open container for about an hour to dry it out somewhat before stuffing. I have found that I have to dry mine out more than usual for proper stuffing during these problem periods.
- Re: Humidity and stuffing
- Posted by V.B. on Thursday, 13-Oct-2005
I have a problem with high humidity where I live and I was interested in the suggestion of placing some moist tobacco in the frige for a while. I wonder, however, if tobacco left in the frige in an open container would absorb the smells from various foods stored there?
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Humidity and stuffing
- Posted by Kerry on Thursday, 13-Oct-2005
I haven't had any problems, but then I don't have anything stored in the fridge which has a strong odor. I guess I wouldn't place the tobacco next to raw onions or anything else with a strong odor, but the short period of about an hour should reduce the possibility of absorbing other odors.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
If your fridge has a very strong odor all the time, clean it out and find out what is causing the odor! LOL!
- Re: Humidity and stuffing
- Posted by Dano on Saturday, 18-Feb-2006
Oh man do I know what you are talking about. When it gets humid here making a pac is major work.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
What I ended up doing was going over to the local discount place (like National Liquidators) and picking up a bunch of Mason Jars. They're dirt cheap like fifty cents and air tight, and come in all different sizes.
As soon as I opened a can of tobacco I'd throw it in there and put it in the fridge for good measure. I also picked up some free tight fitting wooden cigar boxes that my smoke shop throws away all the time and put a bunch of tubes in there with a couple of paper towels over the top and threw them into the fridge too.
The frustration level went wayyyy down :)
- Tobacco storage & blending smells/flavors...
- Posted by marlihen on Saturday, 14-May-2005
I have so many different types of tobacco now for hubby, samples from American Thrust and some from D&R. My concern is this: I am storing them all in a big plastic container with a cover, and every time I open the lid I get a STRONG smell of (what else?) tobacco. My question: Are they all blending together? That would negate any differing flavors, wouldn't it? And how else can I store them, barring different containers all over the house (not very practical, that). All are in their own separate container (either a tub or a bag), but are in the same larger storage bin. Any help/advice would be much appreciated. Smiles, marli
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Tobacco storage & blending smells/flavors...
- Posted by Tim Aydt on Saturday, 14-May-2005
I've never had a problem with tobacco picking up the flavor of other tobaccos. I've even stored four or five pouches of tobacco in the same tin, and they all retained their flavor.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
I could see if one tobacco was really dry and another really moist, you might get some transfer, but as long as they are all at arounf the same RH, they should be fine.
I've also noticed, in tobacco that I've blended, I'll occasionally get a cig with no halfzware in it and the light tobacco tastes like light tobacco. Even though they've been blended together for a week or more.
- Here's a question about mailing cigs...
- Posted by marlihen on Saturday, 14-May-2005
Thanks again! I just figured out that you are the same one who answered some of my questions over at the smokinglobby.com (Roland), right? Small world. So far so good. Here's another one for you: when hubby heads back to "The Sandbox" this fall I will be sending his cigarettes over. To get them to him without them becoming as dry as the sand he'll be standing on, I was thinking about those "coin" type pouch moisteners. Do you think that would work, and would they wet the papers? I figured they are small enough he could mail them home to me in a letter (of course, that is provided he writes letters home this time, last time I got 4!), and if not they are relatively cheap (.80 cents each) so I won't worry about it if they don't come back. My real concern is that they don't wet (and ruin) the cigarettes. Do you (or anyone else) have any experience with those humidifiers? Thanks again! Smiles, marli
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: Here's a question about mailing cigs...
- Posted by Tim Aydt on Saturday, 14-May-2005
Yes milady, I am also know as Roland. I use that on sites where I prefer to remain somewhat anonymous. And, yes you should be able to use a button humidifier without it wetting his smokes. Just remember to wipe it off and let it sit for a few minutes, before placing it in with his smokes. Even if it would dampen them a bit, it would not saturate them beyond smokability. Also, always use distilled water so they don't start growing mold.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- shelf life tobacco sold in plastic bags?
- Posted by Ray on Monday, 14-Mar-2005
How long will tobacco purchased in 1 lb bags like golden harvest stay fresh in unopened bag?
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- Re: shelf life tobacco sold in plastic bags?
- Posted by Dave L on Wednesday, 16-Mar-2005
Kept cool and airtight, tobacco should stay fresh for years. I don't trust bags by themselves. Even perfectly airtight (rare) bags are not impervious. Tupperware-like containers are good insurance. Bags containing mold spores are probably pretty rare but not subjecting your tobacco to high temperatures is also good insurance.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
- McClintock can lot #'s explained
- Posted by Bob on Thursday, 08-Apr-2004
There are so many tobaccos I enjoy out of the package & blended I could take up pages here BUT when I dont have the time to blend I go right for my favorite 'out of the can' even after 4 years of MYO without a doubt for me its McClintock Virginia & when theres a sale I buy it up!! I was curious as to the can codes to rotate my 'stock' & Peter Stockkebye International was nice enough to answer my e mail explaining the lot numbers, their explanation is as follows.
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
"First two numbers are the year of packing.
Second two numbers are the month of packing
Third two numbers are the day
Fourth two numbers are the machine they ran on.
The shelf life we state is two years from packing however, we have cans that
are four years old and still fresh when opened. It just depends on the
conditions they are stored in".
Hope this helps with someone if they are wondering the same, Enjoy!
- Re: McClintock can lot #'s explained
- Posted by Kevin on Saturday, 10-Jul-2004
Thanks for the can codes Bob- I just received my order from 'lil brown smoke shop & the Danish export can code is
[ reply | link ] to this. Go to [ top ]
(04.04.05) packed April 2004 & the can I just emptied had a Oct. 2002 code & I looked at a can of opened Bali shag is June of 2003 when opened there was no problem-just perfect. Packaging is soooo important & I think the Stockkeye Co. Family of brands has it down to an art & its good to know I can keep a 'stock' & not worry about its quality as long as I do my job & store it the best I can.