Pipes Magazine » Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

1. 

   pipeastronomer
   

   New Member
   Joined: Dec 2012
   Posts: 41

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   The recent post about how long to be able to store tobacco in an opened tin prompted me to ask this related question...thus this new thread.

   I have some of my loose bagged tobacco in small wide mouth canning jars. However I also have a number of tinned tobaccos recently opened.

   I am wondering why people on the forums say that once you open the tinned tobacco then it will only stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks, where they say after that you should jar your tobacco. I understand tobacco in a simple zip lock won't last, but a jar or tin should be equal to each other, right?

   If the tin is re-sealed every time after retrieving the tobacco for the current smoke,... why would it not last as long as if it were in a canning jar? Like I said I have a few of these jars with my loose tobacco but I still have to open them up to get a bowl full. Yes these jars are smaller, holding about 2 oz or so.

   What gives? Am I missing something?

   Life is too short. Look up, be nice, and share your smoke with others who appreciate the same.

   Posted 4 months ago #
2. 

   rothnh
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Aug 2012
   Posts: 8,872

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   I understand tobacco in a simple zip lock won't last, but a jar or tin should be equal to each other, right?

   If the tin is re-sealed every time after retrieving the tobacco for the current smoke why would it not last as long as if it were in a canning jar?

   Simply put, even a nice, screw top tobacco tin will not "seal" tobacco as well as a canning jar.

   Now, that doesn't mean that keeping the tobacco in that screw top tin is a bad idea, but it is important to realize that the tobacco therein will start to dry in that tin after a few weeks where, if that same tobacco is kept in a screw-top canning jar, it will not do so.

   Posted 4 months ago #
3. 

   Gray
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Nov 2012
   Posts: 556

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Once the tin is "popped" (sometimes there's a whoosh of air when the seal is broken) it will, in most cases, not seal that tight again by hand.

   Jars are made for storing air-tight, though, so they work better for long-term

   Posted 4 months ago #
4. 

   captainbob
   

   Preferred Member
   Joined: Oct 2010
   Posts: 609

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   It is a matter of how often you open the air-tight container, regardless of type. Also, it is a matter of empty space inside the container as well as relative humidity. Pack your tobacco as tight as possible inside of any container to get the fresh air confined to the empty space in the container. Also, spray the underside of the container lid with water as needed. Especially, when opening frequently and when there is some empty space inside for the fresh air that will dry your tobacco. Fresh air is the enemy of tobacco. A small amount of air is actually good for aging as tobacco will not age properly in a sealed container without any air! That is why C&D does not vacuum seal their tins.
   _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   

   Posted 4 months ago #
5. 

   pipeastronomer
   

   New Member
   Joined: Dec 2012
   Posts: 41

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   So when opening a jarred container do others recommend spraying the lid of the container to replace some humidity? Or do you have other methods you use?

   Any chance of making the tobacco too humid to wet?

   Posted 4 months ago #
6. 

   rothnh
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: Aug 2012
   Posts: 8,872

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Any chance of making the tobacco too humid to wet?

   Yes, absolutely -- and you run the risk of mold if not sincerely judicious in your squirts.

   While I can understand Captain Bob's method, I must caution that, unless your tobacco is quite dry, squirting the lid is neither necessary or recommended. In fact, being overzealous with your squirts can cause mold to develop, which (trust me) is not a good thing.

   OK, a little moisture sprayed on the inside of the lid is a good tip, if you're careful -- but the real trick is to get that tobacco in the jar *before* it becomes dry enough to need that.

   Posted 4 months ago #
7. 

   pipeastronomer
   

   New Member
   Joined: Dec 2012
   Posts: 41

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   Ok will take all this under advisement!

   Thanks all!

   Posted 4 months ago #
8. 

   cigrmaster
   

   Senior Member
   Joined: May 2012
   Posts: 4,423

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   pipeastronomer, I store my open tins in a large tupperware like plastic tub that I buy at walmart. It will keep these open tins fresh for a couple of months. I store my bulks in bail top jars that have silicone gaskets. I buy both of these at walmart. Here is a pic of my storage jars, the plastic tub with open tins is on the second shelf.

   

   Harris

   Posted 4 months ago #
9. 

   freakiefrog
   

   Junior Member
   Joined: Dec 2012
   Posts: 83

   offline

   Login to Send PM

   @CIGRMASTER I saw that and my mouth started watering I will used the same jars you do if I'm buying flake or a rope or something like that. I have found after storing some local blends for what is now 4 years that a Foodsaver does wonders for bulk loose leaf or pre-cut flake and store the vacuum sealed bags some where cool and out of the light. I just opened a bag this week and it was as fresh and springy as the day I put it in the bag.

   I have some friends, some honest friends, and honest friends are few; My pipe of briar, my open fire, A book that's not too new.
   Robert W. Service

   Posted 4 months ago #
10. 

    cigrmaster
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: May 2012
    Posts: 4,423

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    freakie, that is nothing, you should see my closet, I have way more in there and I also have 2 jars that hold 5 pounds each just like my 2 pound jars you see there, I am so running out of room,lol . I would not use a food saver. You are prohibiting aging from taking place by sucking all the air out. Greg Pease wrote an article about aging tobacco and he expressly stated that using a food saver was not a good idea. If you do a search you might be able to find the article. He described in detail what takes place when tobacco ages and why air is a key component. You might want to re think your strategy and open all your bags and put them in jars.

    Posted 4 months ago #
11. 

    freakiefrog
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 83

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    @cigrmaster I like you. You just gave me a reason to open up all my old blends.. MMMMMM

    Posted 4 months ago #
12. 

    cigrmaster
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: May 2012
    Posts: 4,423

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Thanks man. I know your stuff will age much better now. I tried searching for that article for you to read but cannot find it, the search function here is a little weird. If you think about it though it does make perfect sense. I have aged thousands of cigars over the years with great success and they always had plenty of air around them. I always leave a couple of inches in my jars and do not pack them too tight.

    Posted 4 months ago #
13. 

    rothnh
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Aug 2012
    Posts: 8,872

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    May depend on the jar being used and the puffer's preference.

    I pack my 8 ounce screw-top canning jars fairly well and leave only 1/4-1/2 inch of air at the top. Been doing it this way for decades and it has worked very well.

    Posted 4 months ago #
14. 

    cigrmaster
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: May 2012
    Posts: 4,423

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    roth makes a good point, I am referring to the types of jars I use and they are not canning ones. The ones I use are in this picture on the top shelf. They are the bail top with silicone gaskets from Walmart.

    

    roth has tons of experience with the canning jars so I would heed his advice.

    Posted 4 months ago #
15. 

    freakiefrog
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 83

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    I do have some bulk leak in both canning jars and in the ones you use cigrmaster. So now I get to have myself a Christmas again. Now my only problem is going to be not wanting to smoke a bowl of everything tonight.

    Posted 4 months ago #
16. 

    freakiefrog
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 83

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    So after opening my vacuum bags I found that three of my six that I had saved were dust.. but I was able to save 3 for a total of one pound of leaf.. Now they are in mason jars labeled and out of sight and sun shine. Thanks again guys.

    Posted 4 months ago #
17. 

    bigboi
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: Nov 2012
    Posts: 714

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    I have a small meeger collection of tobacco going in the walmart jars as well. I love them!

    “I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgement in all human affairs.”
    -Albert Einstein, 1950

    Posted 4 months ago #
18. 

    cigrmaster
    

    Senior Member
    Joined: May 2012
    Posts: 4,423

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    freakie, you can save the dry tobacco. Take a large baking pan or mixing bowl, wet a kitchen towel with distilled water and place it over the pan or bowl making sure it does not touch the tobacco. Every 4 hours or so, check it and mix it around and then take it out when it gets to your desired moisture. You may have to wet the towel once or twice.

    Posted 4 months ago #
19. 

    freakiefrog
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 83

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    cigrmaster it was literately dust. Between the pressure of the vacuum and the age of the leaf it went from being wonderful oily fluffy long ribbon cuts to confetti.

    Posted 4 months ago #
20. 

    freakiefrog
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 83

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    fixing to try this saving method with a tin of Frog Morton I just discovered in a drawer that is dry once I get it right I'm going to totally finish the bowl.

    Posted 4 months ago #
21. 

    loseth
    

    Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 253

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    When my tobacco is starting to get dry, I just wet my fingers under the tap and flick some water in the bag, jar, tin or whatever. Seems to work fine for me and I haven't dealt with any mould.

    Posted 4 months ago #
22. 

    englishdave
    

    Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 110

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    These two links may be of interest:

    GL Pease Article on Vacuum Sealing

    Out of the Ashes: Saving for a Rainy Day

    Posted 4 months ago #
23. 

    freakiefrog
    

    Junior Member
    Joined: Dec 2012
    Posts: 83

    offline

    Login to Send PM

    Thanks! Those appear to both be great educational articles. I have without a doubt learned my lesson about using a vacuum sealer for long-term storage or aging. I like the author of that article have decided to invest in a paraffin melter and a hoard of mason jars. My local tobacconist does wonderful things with Virginia flake I look forward to going in and buying at least a pound of each when I have the opportunity and aging them to see how they fare. Once again I'm very glad I found this forum. It has offered me far more knowledge than anything I could have come across verbally.

    Posted 4 months ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.

    Back To Top  | Back to Forum Home Page

   Members Online Now
   darjones, pstlpkr, boudreaux, peckinpahhombre, jndyer, allenz, metalheadycigarguy, rcstan, quincy, appointed, mso489, pitchfork, tbradsim1