There are many folks who find FVF to be overly wet and a very difficult tobacco to prepare for smoking.
However, if you do it right, in my view there is no straight VA flake that is any better than FVF. The flavours I get from smoking this blend are absolutely stellar.
So what is my method?
First, I use a pair of high strength scissors and I cube cut the entire tin. I like my cube cuts t be less than 1/4 each, but no more. The high strength indistrial sheers allow me to cube cut up to three stacked flakes at a time, very quickly and efficiently.
Second, I spread the cubed tobacco out on two or three paper coffee filters. You can use a plate if you find that easier, but I do like how the filters absorb the moisture that comes out of the tobacco during the next step.
Third, I put the filter, with the tobacco on it, into the microwave and microwave it on high for 10 seconds. When it comes out of the microwave, it will be very warm and the filter will actually feel wet, as will the tobacco.
Fourth, I leave the tobacco, sitting on the filters, out on a table for 30-60 minutes. The moisture released from the tobacco during the microwaving process will dissipate. I then feel the tobacco, and if it still feels very moist, I give the tobacco another 5 to 7 seconds in the microwave, and then, again, leave it sit out for a half hour or so to let the moisture dissipate.
The next part is key. I jar the tobacco out and leave it for a few days. This is important. As a result of the microwaving, it should come as no surprise that the edge of the cube cut flakes will have much less moisture than the inside of the flake. By jarring the tobacco for a few days (or even longer) the remaining moisture in the flake will equalize throughout the flake -- that is, the excess internal moisture will migrate to the edges until the moisture level is largely consistent through the flake structure.
I am sure you could achieve the same effect through a natural drying process, but I find this to be much faster, with less attention required.
Once I jar it up then it is just load and go from then on. No further finicky prep time required, and I find the moisture level to be perfect.
However, if you do it right, in my view there is no straight VA flake that is any better than FVF. The flavours I get from smoking this blend are absolutely stellar.
So what is my method?
First, I use a pair of high strength scissors and I cube cut the entire tin. I like my cube cuts t be less than 1/4 each, but no more. The high strength indistrial sheers allow me to cube cut up to three stacked flakes at a time, very quickly and efficiently.
Second, I spread the cubed tobacco out on two or three paper coffee filters. You can use a plate if you find that easier, but I do like how the filters absorb the moisture that comes out of the tobacco during the next step.
Third, I put the filter, with the tobacco on it, into the microwave and microwave it on high for 10 seconds. When it comes out of the microwave, it will be very warm and the filter will actually feel wet, as will the tobacco.
Fourth, I leave the tobacco, sitting on the filters, out on a table for 30-60 minutes. The moisture released from the tobacco during the microwaving process will dissipate. I then feel the tobacco, and if it still feels very moist, I give the tobacco another 5 to 7 seconds in the microwave, and then, again, leave it sit out for a half hour or so to let the moisture dissipate.
The next part is key. I jar the tobacco out and leave it for a few days. This is important. As a result of the microwaving, it should come as no surprise that the edge of the cube cut flakes will have much less moisture than the inside of the flake. By jarring the tobacco for a few days (or even longer) the remaining moisture in the flake will equalize throughout the flake -- that is, the excess internal moisture will migrate to the edges until the moisture level is largely consistent through the flake structure.
I am sure you could achieve the same effect through a natural drying process, but I find this to be much faster, with less attention required.
Once I jar it up then it is just load and go from then on. No further finicky prep time required, and I find the moisture level to be perfect.