Getting Tobacco Ready to Smoke

[danb77]

I can reach for haunted bookshop right out of the jar or tin and smoke it. Some tobaccos such as frog morton cellar cannot b smoked so quickly. They need to dry out or they wont smoke good or at all. I have been taking tobaccos like tis and spreading what Im gonna smoke out on a piece of paper and drying it for a half hour or so and it works just fine.

My issue is sometimes I want to smoke one of these not so ready tobaccos and dont have a half hour to wait so Im sorta forced int a different tobacco. So my question is how can I make an entire ounce of tobacco ready to smoke out of the mason jar? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. If I dry out a whole ounce and put it back in the jar will that work? Or will it dry it out to much or mess with the flavors? Thanx!
Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization and correction.

 

[panamacharlie]

A few seconds in a microwave will dry it out, or putting it under an incandescent desk lamp for a little longer. Trying to dry it out on a piece of paper wouldn't work for me now, the humidity is almost 90%

 

[paddypiper]

Microwave.

 

[jpmcwjr]

And putting it back into a Mason jar is the way to go once it's at the right moisture. If you overdo it (unlikely) just add some fresh tobacco, jar it with the other and in a day or so it will equalize.

 

[danb77]

Microwave? wow I would not have thought of that. Any base line time? Im sure each tobacco would be different but whats normal?

 

[nevadablue]

I am learning that I like my tobacco crispy. Wet is NOT good for me. There are some suggestions about the microwave and a paper towel. Must try it I suppose. It is so dry here that... no, that is another story...

 

[deathmetal]

So my question is how can I make an entire ounce of tobacco ready to smoke out of the mason jar?

My simplistic, redneck, pragmatic and realistic idea: find a dark closet, rub that stuff out, and leave it on a plate for an hour.
It should be drier, unless your place is humid, in which case you should use an oven at 150-170 F for ten minutes.
Putting it near a de-humidifier works great also.

 

[johnbarleycorn]

I usually microwave anywhere from 5 to 10 seconds. It depends on what you prepare it on. A microwave safe saucer for instance does not dry it out as much as if you lay it on a paper plate or other absorbent surface. Just experiment for what suits you best.

 

[deathmetal]

You guys have microwaves?
I think I may finally be too marginal.

 

[cortezattic]

I've probably posted on this 5 or 6 times already. I dry out most of the tobaccos I smoke at least a little bit, and I dry it just before I load-up a bowlful so the rest of it can stay moist in storage. I use the blow-dryer depicted because it is a hobby dryer: quick heat, but low velocity so tobacco doesn't go flying around my desk. The tobacco is contained neatly in a small foil bread pan.

These things are my most important smoking accessories after matches and a pipe nail. I don't understand why people prep their tobacco any other way. 5 seconds and you're good to go!

 

[danb77]

Thanx for all the advice, Gonna get to work trying these out. Happy smoking!

 

[jpmcwjr]

Microwaves, while actually 20th C. Technology, work just fine in the 21st C.
There's so much variation in tobacco's original moisture level and huge differences in humidity levels depending on where you live, that any one person's recommendation for timing may be miles off, or just right, and anywhere in between.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Or if you can't wait, pack lighter. Give the wetter blends more room to get oxygen. Though I do prefer bone dry tobacco, the wetter blends can be smoked right out of the tin or jar.

 

[jvnshr]

You guys have microwaves?

I don't

These things are my most important smoking accessories after matches and a pipe nail.

Is that a lime? What is that for?

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Good Advise, Chasingembers

 

[mawnansmiff]

If you have a typical 50g tin then I would suggest tipping the lot out onto a tray or plate, spread it about evenly and allow to air dry for an hour or so or until you feel it is just right. Then just pack it all back into the tin...just so long as you will smoke it within a couple of months your tobacco will be ready to smoke when you are.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cortezattic]

Is that a lime? What is that for?

I grabbed a photo of the product from an online retailer. I suppose the lime was placed there for scale since those pans come in a variety of sizes.
I should reiterate, the blower is not a hairblower. This is a great, low velocity heater.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If microwaves are too old fashioned for you guys, you might consider induction heaters...

I can melt 10 oz of silver in seconds, and I have been playing with an induction stove in the kitchen,.. talk about boiling water instantly. It makes great coffee fast!

 

[txpiper07]

So I just dried my tobacco out for a solid 40 minutes before smoking it, and can’t believe the difference it made. Much drier smoke and pipe, my tongue feels much less worn out, and as I near the end of the bowl I’ve only had one relight (down from 5-7 per bowl with this same tobacco!).
I also think I can taste the sweetness of the Virginia’s a little more, but that may just be in my head..? Does proper drying change the flavor of the tobacco or how you perceive it on your palette?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I can only speak of my own tastebuds, but when dry and sipped slowly, I get a lot more of the natural flavors and sweetness. But, I've seen some people say the opposite is true, and I cannot argue with that. I prefer my aromatics to be slightly moist, and my twists can be moist also, because they don't bite at all. But, Virginias, VaPers, and Englishes, I like to be on the dry side, packed a little tighter than normal, and smoked much more slowly than the other blends. But, experiment, not everyone is the same, and some days I'll even try new things also. It's always good to test it for yourself. IMO