Cracking Open A New Tin

[Beowoulf]

I have some unopened tins of tobacco that I would like to open and put into my rotation of tobaccos. I am wondering about storage issues. When you open a new tin, do you immediately put it into jars (or mylar)? Or do you just keep on using it out of the tin? I am thinking I would be using it over the course of a few weeks or even for a couple of months.

I have some tins that have been cracked for over 10 years (from a former pipe smoking time of my life). They were dried out but I rehydrated them and they seem fine. At this time, for my open tins, I have been using those aluminum hydrating "coins" to keep the tobacco from drying out. They seem to be working.

Still, I am curious as to what you guys & gals do.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

If you're going to smoke it all within a few weeks to few months, and, if where you're keeping it has a moderate humidity, I wouldn't do anything. And that's what I do with mine. I open tins 3 days to a week in advance I when I expect to start smoking them to breathe a bit. Then they're open for another 2 to 4 weeks before they're completely smoked. In most cases, the tobacco smokes better and better as it dries out more.

My room is air conditioned, the relative humidity I measure this time of the year ranges from 50 to 60%. If I lived in the desert and my room was 20% or if I stored it in the garage where the humidity was 70% plus, I'd probably have to adjust.

If it's a tin you plan to smoke over many months or years, I'd put it in a zip lock mylar bag or mason jar.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Based on input from others, I've taken to cracking open a tin and letting it breathe awhile before partaking, but I've got some tins that have been open over a year and haven't bothered to jar them and if the tobacco is somewhat dry, for me so much the better. Now, I just opened a very large container of Golden Sliced that has several years of age on it, so that is getting jarred, probably split it between two small jars. Bulk in bags, like from Wike, if I've bought more than a couple of ounces also gets jarred right away, those bags aren't really for long, long term storage.

 

[Grangerous]

With Flakes I enclose the unused portion in an airtight ziplock. I always squeeze out the air, seal tightly and return it to the tin. Years later, still as moist as when new. —That’s if you want to continue using the tin for storage. — I do. Just an added precaution, especially for square tins.

 

[Masterblaster]

I've only been doing this about a year but every new tin I open I immediately jar it try to let it sit anywhere from a week or two opening periodically to let in a little oxygen to breathe before I partake. If it needs to be dried out I'll dump the hole jar onto a paper plate and spread it out turn the fan on and check every 15 minutes till I get the desired moisture level, I don't really have time to dry out a bowl worth each time I smoke, this has been working pretty good for me.

 

[rmbittner]

I have some unopened tins of tobacco that I would like to open and put into my rotation of tobaccos. I am wondering about storage issues. When you open a new tin, do you immediately put it into jars (or mylar)? Or do you just keep on using it out of the tin?

As soon as I open a tin, the contents go into one of those latching glass jars with a rubber gasket in the lid. (Picked mine up at Walmart.) I recently rediscovered some partially filled jars that I’d packed away in 2017 (!) and forgotten about, and the tobacco inside was still perfect.

 

[ThermionicScott]

My habit currently is to jar stuff up as soon as I get a bag of bulk or open a tin. When I'm trying a new blend, that gives me the most flexibility to smoke it different ways.

That said, @didimauw has been an inspiration in just letting tobaccos get super-dry and being able to smoke them whenever the urge strikes. So I've been trying out some burley blends that might be a good candidate. My pipe rack has a jar that doesn't really seal at all, so it would be nice to fill that up with something tasty and low-maintenance.

 

[didimauw]

My habit currently is to jar stuff up as soon as I get a bag of bulk or open a tin. When I'm trying a new blend, that gives me the most flexibility to smoke it different ways.

That said, @didimauw has been an inspiration in just letting tobaccos get super-dry and being able to smoke them whenever the urge strikes. So I've been trying out some burley blends that might be a good candidate. My pipe rack has a jar that doesn't really seal at all, so it would be nice to fill that up with something tasty and low-maintenance.

Yes, this is the way!
My Carter hall humidor jar has a seal that's dry and cracked, so it's perfect for it. The other day I opened a new pouch of Amphora Burley. I spent a few times going into it, breaking it up and airing it out. Then I transfered it to my tobacco pouch so it's ready to be smoked.

 

[kcghost]

I usually keep around only 3 tins open at once. I smoke them at once then start on another three,