After reading some posts about how some tins have rusted from the outside in, after storage, I have decided to toss a few silica gel packets, which I also use for my firearms to prevent pitting, I was wondering if this would have any ill side effects to my cellar?
Silica gel packets?
- Thread starter gungnir
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It is generally agreed that humidity level is the most important condition for cellaring. I would not tamper into that level unless I would be really forced to.
From the dangers of long term cellaring: dryness, mold, ghostling from other cellar chemicals... I think rusting of the tins is such a rarity (it may happen, but seldom, and not much, and even if it happens, it has not much significance)that I would not do it unless you have the experience that your cellar has that actual problem.
From the dangers of long term cellaring: dryness, mold, ghostling from other cellar chemicals... I think rusting of the tins is such a rarity (it may happen, but seldom, and not much, and even if it happens, it has not much significance)that I would not do it unless you have the experience that your cellar has that actual problem.
I agree, you want to keep the tobacco moist. The gel packets absorb moisture so it would dry the tobacco out to a point. Unless you are just storing your tobacco for a short period, it should keep its moisture for a long time. Also the amount of moisture in the tobacco would take a very long time for the metal to start to rust.
I'm not sure about what the packets would do to tobacco, but I have a silica packet in a drawer with a estate churchwarden that I haven't smoked yet. This probably wasn't a good idea, because the stem is now loose. I'm thinking the silica dried out the briar too much.
I think the original question was about protecting unopened tins from developing external rust.
I think it would help to place your tins and silica packets in a large plastic storage container.
I think it would help to place your tins and silica packets in a large plastic storage container.
When most people get a packet of silica gel in a shoe box or beef jerky packet, their instinct is to toss it. But savvy DIYers have long known that the omnipresent desiccants are good for a lot more than keeping jerky dry.
Silica gel is tough and hard; it is more solid than common household gels like gelatin or agar. It is a naturally occurring mineral that is purified and processed into either granular or beaded form. As a desiccant, it has an average pore size of 2.4 nanometers and has a strong affinity for water molecules. Keeping food fresh is easy with Silica gel packages. Even if you eat them, you most likely will not die. So it's a win-win! Thus, Silica gel packs keep food fresh AND won’t necessarily kill you.
+1 andreameabreill
I just read this and was wondering if anyone was going to point out that it's just a desiccant form of sand, no biggie. The worlds most common substance. The taste is ok, but their hell on your teeth. :wink: I use them everywhere here in 100% humidity Alabama. Just buy it by the box full and fill in around your tin stash. The seal on the tins will keep it from sucking the moisture out of them. If it does dry out the tobacco, the seal is bad, and your tobacco isn't aging anyway.
I just read this and was wondering if anyone was going to point out that it's just a desiccant form of sand, no biggie. The worlds most common substance. The taste is ok, but their hell on your teeth. :wink: I use them everywhere here in 100% humidity Alabama. Just buy it by the box full and fill in around your tin stash. The seal on the tins will keep it from sucking the moisture out of them. If it does dry out the tobacco, the seal is bad, and your tobacco isn't aging anyway.
"I think rusting of the tins is such a rarity (it may happen, but seldom, and not much, and even if it happens, it has not much significance"
I beg to disagree. Maybe it is a "rarity," I don't know; but I've encountered it with several tins I've acquired. And "it has not much significance"? You're kidding, right? A tiny dot of rust on a tin can compromise the seal, causing the tobacco to completely dry out. While it can be rehydrated, you'll lose forever any additional topping that might have been added to the blend. Rehydrated tobacco will never taste as good as it would if that seal hadn't been lost in the first place.
Bob
I beg to disagree. Maybe it is a "rarity," I don't know; but I've encountered it with several tins I've acquired. And "it has not much significance"? You're kidding, right? A tiny dot of rust on a tin can compromise the seal, causing the tobacco to completely dry out. While it can be rehydrated, you'll lose forever any additional topping that might have been added to the blend. Rehydrated tobacco will never taste as good as it would if that seal hadn't been lost in the first place.
Bob
Sounds like a good idea. I live in Louisiana with high humidity levels. Where can I get silica gel packs and how many do you think I'll need for 150 lb cellar of all Glp and C&d tins. I've opened a 15 yr old tin of Chritmas cheer that was completely rusted on the inside. Don't want that to happen again, do you think the silica packs will help reduce the risk for rust on unopened Glp tins?
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