Pipes Magazine » Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

1. 

   stpatty17
   

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   Another storage question. I'm only going to learn by asking, so here goes.

   I first jarred 50 grams of Squadron Leader one month ago today (in a ball mason 8oz elite jar.)
   I've been opening that jar for a bowl at least 3 times a week.

   So obviously right now, one month on, there's more air than tobacco in the jar. Will that ratio affect the moisture level of the tobacco that I have left? Or even Me opening the jar every 2 days fora a smoke affect the moisture? should I be using a humidity disc to keep the humidity correct for the to stay fresh as I get lower into the jar?

   Also...If I smoked half a jar of tobacco, and decided to switch to another blend. What would I need to do to the tobacco I stopped smoking? would I also need to put in a humidity disc to even out the air-tobacco ratio?

   Mate; She'll Be Right, I'm Australian

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. 

   dragonslayer
   

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   My wife picked up some little 2.5 or 3oz bottles at a craft store I use for my rotation. I printed up labels for them all. Couldn't resist cutting the FMTT label and taping that on lols. That way I hardly ever have to open my ageing stash.

   “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.” Patrick Henry

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. 

   Chris
   

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   If you're not trying to age it, just make sure there is no debris of tobacco around the seal when you recap the jar.
   I've never used a hum disc for pipe tobacco, I do this with my reg smokes and haven't had any problems yet

   The most important things in life are good friends and a good bullpen...not necessarily in that order

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. 

   rmbittner
   

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   stpatty17:

   I keep about 5-6 open jars going all the time. This is the tobacco I smoke daily. (Everything else is cellared in their original sealed tins.) To be honest, I've had some blends sit in a jar -- the kind with rubber gaskets and metal latches -- for up to a year and have honestly not noticed any degradation in quality. In fact, if anything, they get a little better over the course of that time.

   The only issue I've ever had was with a VA/burley flake that was fairly dry to start out with (my one experience buying a loose blend, since that's the only way this particular one is sold). After a year in the jar, it had become noticeably stiffer/harder. Still smoked okay, but it was clearly a little worse for wear.

   Otherwise, I don't give this a second thought. I'm opening jars maybe 3-5 times a day; maybe the same blend, maybe two different blends over the course of a day. And everything's been fine.

   BTW, the only time I've ever relied on a humidrole was when I was keeping tobacco in one of those commercial glass tobacco humidors, where there's a humidifying clay disc in the lid. It was essential for that, because the rubber seal on the lid really wasn't that strong. I wouldn't recommend it for anything jarred, unless you're intentionally trying to re-humidify something that's gone too dry.

   Bob

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. 

   Jud
   

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   I keep anything that I am smoking in a jar. It keeps better than in a tin. Obviously,if you are getting into it regularly, it's not going to age. I never use humidification disks.

   Thought in the early morning, solace in time of woes,
   Peace in the hush of the twilight, balm ere my eyelids close
   Rudyard Kipling

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. 

   stpatty17
   

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   I wasn't planning on aging this blend - maybe in the future, when I've ordered more.

   I think I was overly cautious or worried. Because my brain was telling me
   "There's more air than tobacco in the jar, something must be done!!!"
   Thanks for your feedback guys.

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. 

   rothnh
   

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   The tobacco in jars you dip into probably won't be adversely affected by opening them for a bowlful as you mention unless you leave just a little tobacco in that jar for a long time; even then, it'll probably be fine, maybe just a little dry and/or the flavors may mellow out noticeably.

   It's important to note (if it matters to you) that every time the jar is opened, the aging process stops -- but as someone said here, I too have noticed some melding and mellowing of some blends while doing this.

   My wife picked up some little 2.5 or 3oz bottles at a craft store I use for my rotation. I printed up labels for them all. Couldn't resist cutting the FMTT label and taping that on lols. That way I hardly ever have to open my ageing stash.

   Craig's suggestion is a great idea, especially if you have a number of blends "open" that you dip into fairly often. The lower volume of air, IMO, keeps the tobacco a bit fresher and saves your larger jars for long term storage/aging.

   IMO a humidification device (such as a coin/disk) is not usually necessary.

   As he said, craft stores sell them -- look for silicone (not rubber ringed) seals. You can buy those small jars in the Ball screw-top jars as well (such as at Wal-Mart); Ball calls these small jars "Jelly Gift Jars."

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. 

   numbersix
   

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   My wife picked up some little 2.5 or 3oz bottles at a craft store I use for my rotation.

   I do the same. And with bulk tobacco, I will sometimes put 80% into a large jar and 20% into a small jar. Then re-fill the small one as needed.

   This prevents the larger jar from being opened too often.

   "Be seeing you" —Number Six, The Prisoner
   
   
   

   Posted 4 months ago #

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