Drying Tobacco In a Humid Enviroment

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

If you live in a high humidity region, or face humidity problems otherwise, how do you contend with this problem? Other members have suggested the microwave method in the past. I have used this with much success, but lately this just seems to steam the stuff. I even had water in the bottom of the bowl. I also understand that some blends are harder to dry than others. Just for reference and because it clears up future questions, I will list my location.. haha I'm on the Alabama/Georgia line in the southern part of the state.

 

[sablebrush52]

Get yourself a warming plate and place your tobacco on it, or place a plate of it a few inches away from a light bulb, both of which will gently warm and dry it. That way you can avoid boiling it, which is an unfortunate side effect of a microwave. Years ago, better tobacconists used to sell warming plates specifically mde for drying tobacco.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Get yourself a warming plate and place your tobacco on it, or place a plate of it a few inches away from a light bulb, both of which will gently warm and dry it. That way you can avoid boiling it, which is an unfortunate side effect of a microwave. Years ago, better tobacconists used to sell warming plates specifically mde for drying tobacco.

Yes, that's the problem. How to dry it without cooking it and affecting the flavor or even possibly the nicotine content. That's a cool deal, the tobacco dryers. I wonder if there are any floating around out there? In the mean time, do you think a crockpot on the lowest setting would have a similar effect?

 

[cortezattic]

Here's a link to a previous post.

Samuel Gawith Recommendations? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

Bothy Flake, Commonwealth and Skiff Mixture. Squadron Leader with 10-25% added blending perique is good too.

pipesmagazine.com

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I am down here in the moist regions of Dixie also. I use a coffee mug warmer most of the time. Sometimes I will just set an open tin on a heater for a few hours. Then the problem is whether the moisture will get back into the tin by drawing it out of the atmosphere, before I can get it all smoked.

 

[danimalia]

Boveda packs! I don't really have this issue where I live, but you could use a sealed container (a little tupperware?) along with some boveda packs to create a dry-box like some folks do with cigars in moist climates.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Here's a link to a previous post.

Samuel Gawith Recommendations? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

Bothy Flake, Commonwealth and Skiff Mixture. Squadron Leader with 10-25% added blending perique is good too.

pipesmagazine.com

I use the wife's hair dryer with a piece of lace material over a bowl, that works pretty ok. This does seem better as it's less intense heat.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I am down here in the moist regions of Dixie also. I use a coffee mug warmer most of the time. Sometimes I will just set an open tin on a heater for a few hours. Then the problem is whether the moisture will get back into the tin by drawing it out of the atmosphere, before I can get it all smoked.

Yes sometimes I leave it out to dry and I swear it gets wetter.

 

[cortezattic]

It's made for low velocity work. I use it all the time (with the small aluminum cake tins).

 

[magicpiper]

I live in Central Florida and it’s quite humid here. I have found that moving air like from a fan, and particularly from an A/C, does a sufficient job at drying most tobaccos. I especially have good luck on my desk at work. The HVAC system in my building is much larger than needed , which is a godsend in summer, and moves air quite rapidly. I don’t notice a breeze per se but pipe tobacco on a paper towel will dry to a crisp in an hour. A particularly wet tobacco, Sam Gawith comes to mind, is just right with 30 mins drying time on my desk. The same tobacco would take about 45 mins at home to sufficiently dry. I do not usually prepare my pipes and tobacco outside so I’m not sure how long it would take outside.

 

[Sonorisis]

I often microwave and then rub out. This lets the water molecules escape the tobacco. It has worked well for me. But, I only 'wave long enough to activate the water, not cook the tobacco. This turns out to be 15 seconds -- usually.

 

[SpookedPiper]

I use the wife's hair dryer with a piece of lace material over a bowl, that works pretty ok. This does seem better as it's less intense heat.

Are you drying Lakeland's that way, and trying to make literal granny panties?!

I am not sure granny or the wife would approve!?

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

I live in Central Florida and it’s quite humid here. I have found that moving air like from a fan, and particularly from an A/C, does a sufficient job at drying most tobaccos. I especially have good luck on my desk at work. The HVAC system in my building is much larger than needed , which is a godsend in summer, and moves air quite rapidly. I don’t notice a breeze per se but pipe tobacco on a paper towel will dry to a crisp in an hour. A particularly wet tobacco, Sam Gawith comes to mind, is just right with 30 mins drying time on my desk. The same tobacco would take about 45 mins at home to sufficiently dry. I do not usually prepare my pipes and tobacco outside so I’m not sure how long it would take outside.

When I'm running the heater, it's as simple as putting a bowl under the vent. It's these days that don't require the heater or the ac that mess me up. We have a lot of those.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

Are you drying Lakeland's that way, and trying to make literal granny panties?!

I am not sure granny or the wife would approve!?

Yea, I thought I could mix my two favorite flavors.. turns out they don't like it when that lakeland sauce gets on it. Causes a slight irritation. Haha the old lady next door is cool with it though.

 

[magicpiper]

When I'm running the heater, it's as simple as putting a bowl under the vent. It's these days that don't require the heater or the ac that mess me up. We have a lot of those.

I don’t often run the heater. Maybe one night a year. The A/C does a great job. For scientific purposes, I’ll test the tobacco drying factor of my heater when I turn it on again next year ?

 

[Kozeman]

I set the power supply for my laptop on my desk next to my computer. I set some tobacco on a piece of paper on top of that while I work. Not only is it in plain sight to check on, it acts like an air fresher as well. Smells so good while gently warming and drying.

 

[indoeuro]

I live outside of Savannah, so yeah. I got you, fam.
What seems to work pretty well for me is spreading out a bowlful inside of one of those conical coffee filters for 15-30 minutes.

 

[jeff540]

All really great answers, but what you really need to do is get yourself one of those old EZ Bake Ovens that use the dreaded 100W incandescent light bulbs. Be careful though, as some people have been known to hoard those bulbs, so you could develop Bulb Acquisition Disorder (BAD) if you're not careful.

 

[burleyboy]

I second Sable's advice with the light bulb. This is as simple as it is effective.

Sometimes I place a plate with tobacco on the heated top of my coffee machine... This also works out well.

 

[Richmond B. Funkenhouser]

All really great answers, but what you really need to do is get yourself one of those old EZ Bake Ovens that use the dreaded 100W incandescent light bulbs. Be careful though, as some people have been known to hoard those bulbs, so you could develop Bulb Acquisition Disorder (BAD) if you're not careful.

My wife has one.. she was using it for shrinky dinks and some kind of pottery. Maybe lll try a small amount and see if there's any shrinky dink ghost.