Humidity Disks

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CliftonD87

Lurker
Jun 20, 2022
7
32
Hey guys,

So I am looking at adding a humidity disk to my mason jars that have some tobacco I bought from a local B&M, generally his stuff is spot on but today I got quite a few that were really dry. I plan to say something next time I am in there but the main question I have is, are these humidity disks releasing the correct moisture or should I keep a close eye on the jars they are in and remove when they are to desired wetness?
 

Wet Dottle

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 20, 2023
218
1,055
Littleton, CO
The disks work fine for that purpose. When needed, I use 2 disks for 2 to 4 oz of tobacco. They work slowly, but slow is good. Put the tobacco in a jar or other container that you can close shut and place the disks on top. I like to use a little of tin foil just to prevent the disks from touching the tobacco directly, like a little dish. Then take a look every couple of days. Depending on how much tobacco and how dry it is, the disks may have to be rewetted. It may take a week or more. Once the tobacco is good, remove the disks and enjoy. If the tobacco becomes dry with time, just add a disk to keep it good.
 

Peterson314

Can't Leave
Sep 13, 2019
474
3,863
Atlanta, GA
I have a medicine dropper bottle with distilled water near my pipe stash. If my tobacco is too dry, I'll drop four drops into my jar (half-pint jars/2-oz tobacco) and check the next day. If it's still too dry, I'll drop in four more drops and check the next day. As far as I can remember, I've never needed more than eight drops.
 

OzPiper

Lifer
Nov 30, 2020
6,727
36,302
72
Sydney, Australia
Have you used Boveda packs? I would think that they keep the moisture level too high for pipe tobacco. Am I wrong?
Boveda packs come in varying degrees of humidity

I have not had any need to rehydrate or humidify my pipe tobacco. They seem to be fine in their tins or jars at ambient humidity

I keep a stash of cigars and like to keep them at 65%
- 70% humidity for long term storage
 
Nov 20, 2022
2,702
27,442
Wisconsin
Boveda packs come in varying degrees of humidity

I have not had any need to rehydrate or humidify my pipe tobacco. They seem to be fine in their tins or jars at ambient humidity

I keep a stash of cigars and like to keep them at 65%
- 70% humidity for long term storage
I use them for my cigars as well, but I don't want to keep my pipe tobacco as humid as a cigar.
 

AJL67

Lifer
May 26, 2022
5,495
28,134
Florida - Space Coast
Then again i just saw that there are people bidding hundreds of dollars on esoterica blends from "the 90s" from an estate sale that are admittedly "bone dry" according to the seller, jesus there is one born every minute.
 
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cersono

Starting to Get Obsessed
Feb 11, 2016
178
266
Vallis Lacrimarum
It's a good idea to disinfect the disk thoroughly between moving it from jar to jar. Once, I transplanted a mold infection with it from a problem moldy batch to two other jars. Since the disk is wet, it's very succeptible to mold infection.

Since then, I don't use disks, I put a small vial of Distilled water into the jar I need to rehydrate, then check it often and remove it when the moisture level is right.
 
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bullet08

Lifer
Nov 26, 2018
10,172
41,357
RTP, NC. USA
Typical newspaper stand in NYC would put wet rag on top of cigars in the morning for 30 min or so to keep 'em hydrated. I don't suggest that for your pipe tobacco.
 
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Zeno Marx

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 10, 2022
269
1,368
Every X-mas, I seem to get something with a small tin of mints or candies or something. I wash them, poke a few holes in the top, and put a couple of damp squares of toilet paper in them. I use discs too, but I actually prefer these tins. Keep monitoring the tobacco. It's best not not yo-yo from too little to too much to just right etc.
 

Wet Dottle

Starting to Get Obsessed
Mar 20, 2023
218
1,055
Littleton, CO
For those of you that use the disks, how do you go about disinfecting them to prevent transmitting mold from one jar to another?
I never disinfected mine and never had mold, but I live in Colorado, which has a dry climate. Just dunk them in the sink for one minute or so and they're ready to go. Don't put them in direct contact with the tobacco, use something to act like a little dish (I use aluminum foil) and put the disks on top of it. Never had problems with this method.
 
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Homer

Can't Leave
Aug 7, 2020
322
1,389
44
Finland
I have 65% Bovedas in my cigar humidor in summer and 69% in winter. I have 55% bovedas for pipe tobacco if I need to rehydrate.