How Long Can Tobacco Stay Good Once It’s Opened?

[Jayman440]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title ( See Rule 9 )

Newb here! I was gifted tons of new tins but my anal retentive nature tells me to finish one before starting another. How long will it stay “fresh” if that’s the right word, inside in cool low humidity?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[smokeyweb]

Indefinitely if the seal remains intact.

 

[Jayman440]

Ideally, after opening. I’d rather sample and mix it up than keep with one blend, even though the blood red moon makes that pretty easy so far.

 

[Tommy Boy]

Short answer depending on blends and type of tin but generally safe for a few weeks to maybe a month at most in open tin. If your not going to finish it in that time frame better to jar it up.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Indefinitely in a jar.

 

[verporchting]

I easily have more than 100 blends open but jarred.

Just love variety but occasionally I open a tin and finish it in about 2 weeks without having any problems.

I just smoked a pipe from a jar I last opened in 2016 and it was still perfect.

 

[elessar]

Depends on how well the tin seals. I've got some that have been open over a year and they are still great, to my taste. Square tins usually don't hold up for long. I do jar most, but I don't sweat it if they stay in the tin.

 

[philobeddoe]

I have several Ball jars of different blends that I’ve been working on for more than 10 years.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I have several Ball jars of different blends that I’ve been working on for more than 10 years.

Right there with you.?

 

[weezell]

?

 

[Reginald]

Indefinitely in a jar.

That's without additional humidification?

 

[alaskanpiper]

That's without additional humidification?

Yes. Put it in a mason jar (making sure no tobacco flakes or specks are on the rim so you have a good seal) and it will last indefinitely. Some blends, particularly virginia based ones get much better with age.

 

[Chasing Embers]

That's without additional humidification?

Yep. Additional moisture can bring about mold.

 

[hauntedmyst]

That's without additional humidification?

If you ever need to rehydrate tobacco, I've found its best to do it in a long flat sterile (wipe it out with iso alcohol) piece of tupperware. Spread the tobacco out at one end and place a shot glass of distilled water at the other, put the top on it and leave alone for a week.

 

[sablebrush52]

About as long as it takes for me to smoke it.

 

[Dallas Wynn]

Indefinitely in a jar.

Just out of curiosity, can one throw in an oxygen absorber for long term jarring?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Just out of curiosity, can one throw in an oxygen absorber for long term jarring?

That would defeat the purpose of aging. I've got jars 20+ years old that are still good.

 

[shanez]

Ideally, after opening. I’d rather sample and mix it up than keep with one blend, even though the blood red moon makes that pretty easy so far.

Technically it varies.

I live in a desert and single digit humidity is not unheard of and many times it's below 15%. An open tin left out over night can be dried to a crisp by morning depending on how moist it was to begin with. People living in, say, Florida or the Carolinas might not have this problem.

Get some cheap canning jars and lids to keep the tobacco in after you open the tin and you'll not have to worry about it. I use some plastic baby food jars I order from Amazon. The only advantage they have over the glass canning jars is that they're lighter and less breakable.

 

[Dallas Wynn]

That would defeat the purpose of aging. I've got jars 20+ years old that are still good.

Would it prevent latakia blends from mellowing?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Would it prevent latakia blends from mellowing?

Probably not. That's like any added smell that will fade over time. Probably has a lot to do with bonding with the other tobaccos in the blend as well.