Cellaring Question - Heat and Humidity

[Hutch Piper]

Situation: I was out of town this week when my air conditioning went out in the room where I store most of my jarred tobacco. Extremely hot and humid in North Carolina now. My baccy was sitting in 80 degree temps for a day before I could get to it. It’s now all moved to air conditioned rooms (and I have a sore back to show for it).

Question: Is there anything I should do to prevent moisture/mold at this point? Should I open all jars and inspect? I do not notice any moisture on the inside of the jars but cannot be so sure without opening them. And if there is some moisture, how best to handle that? Thanks in advance for any insights you can offer.

 

[craig61a]

Just leave it alone; it’ll be just fine.

RELAX… HAVE A HOMEBREW!

 

[Waning Embers]

My house is 80°F year round. You're fine.

 

[The Benedictine]

Like everyone else said: you're fine.

 

[Sig]

Do NOT open it.
If its not moldy now, you may introduce mold by opening them.

 

[Hutch Piper]

Do NOT open it.
If its not moldy now, you may introduce mold by opening them.

Thank you.

 

[ziv]

My house is 80°F year round. You're fine.

View attachment 405369

Yeah, I was gonna say that "extremely hot" and "80 degrees" don't really go together.

 

[Mike N]

Many pipe tobacco blenders have discussed “sweating” Virginia blends to enhance the fermentation process and taste. Although the common wisdom is to keep jarred pipe tobacco out of direct sunlight I have left some jars in the sun near a window and seen the moisture accumulate on the inside of the jar which evaporates from the leaf but cannot escape.

I personally find this accelerates the fermentation process if done with some moderation and have yet to encounter any mold problems if the jar remains sealed and ambient room air not introduced until the tobacco naturally cools and rehydrates following this greenhouse effect.

i would be interested in hearing from others who have intentionally (or unintentionally) “sweated” jarred pipe tobacco. Do you find the UV rays damage the essential tobacco oils even if the moisture cannot escape the sealed jar?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

That same tobacco was grown in fields at the same and higher temperatures and humidity. Tobacco isn't that fragile, it doesn't have to be coddled like a baby. If your tobacco was okay a week ago, it's okay now.

 

[greeneyes]

Just leave it alone; it’ll be just fine.

RELAX… HAVE A HOMEBREW!

Not every day you read a Charlie Papazian reference! I remember picking that book up for the first time almost 35 years ago!

 

[Skyfall]

Those jars will climate control the tobacco more than you think. Got to think, if you can store tobacco in a jar for a long period of time without it drying out, a little heat isn’t going to hurt the contents.

I have put some jars in an oven at 180-200 degrees for a few hours and the contents were still fine.

 

[Hutch Piper]

Those jars will climate control the tobacco more than you think. Got to think, if you can store tobacco in a jar for a long period of time without it drying out, a little heat isn’t going to hurt the contents.

I have put some jars in an oven at 180-200 degrees for a few hours and the contents were still fine.

Thanks!