Is The Air Too Humid For The Flake To Dry?

[cachimbosergipano]

I'm posting in this thread to take advantage of the privilege of asking dumb questions.

I recently bought my first flake, it's a virginia from a national producer called Doctor Pipe. Since I had only smoked ribbon cut before, I had a lot of doubts about the moisture level of the flake. I saw in some threads that it's normal for flakes to have higher moisture content because of the way they're made, and that's why they need to be dried.

However, this flake of mine just won’t dry. I’ve left it out overnight, and the moisture level stayed the same. Usually, I dry other blends just by letting them air out, and that’s enough. But it’s been raining a lot here lately, and the humidity is around 90%. My question is whether the humidity is affecting (or even preventing) the drying process. Could that be the reason, or is this flake just extremely damp?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Could be ambient humidity or casings, toppings, and propylene glycol.

 

[cachimbosergipano]

Could be ambient humidity or casings, toppings, and propylene glycol.

What should I do in this case?

 

[Chasing Embers]

What should I do in this case?

Microwave it for 8-10 seconds.

 

[Grangerous]

Rub it out fully. Assuming you haven’t already done so. Spread it on a paper towel. That should do the trick.

And yes, humidity is a possible culprit. I can’t dry tobacco here. The entire State of New Jersey is a Humidor in Summer.

 

[fireground_piper]

In the summer, I’ll use a desk lamp or heat lamp to dry out what I’m about to smoke.

 

[dottlejockey]

If you haven't already, you can always try it as is to see if drying is even necessary. I used to do this often and rarely do anymore. Just a thought. It was pretty humid in the summer when i was working in Florida, still didn't seem to have any issues.

 

[Briarcutter]

What should I do in this case?

Pack a bowl and enjoy it. I rarely dry my tobacco and do enjoy it very much.Drying tobaccos seem to be a new phenomenon. When I started smoking a pipe no one dried their tobacco.

 

[cachimbosergipano]

Rub it out fully. Assuming you haven’t already done so. Spread it on a paper towel. That should do the trick.

And yes, humidity is a possible culprit. I can’t dry tobacco here. The entire State of New Jersey is a Humidor in Summer.

Yeah, what you said about New Jersey is exactly what's happening to me right now, since it's summer in Brazil. Today it's less humid than yesterday, so I'll try that paper towel method. Thanks a lot!

 

[cachimbosergipano]

If you haven't already, you can always try it as is to see if drying is even necessary. I used to do this often and rarely do anymore. Just a thought. It was pretty humid in the summer when i was working in Florida, still didn't seem to have any issues.

Definitely, that's a very sensible thing to do. I tried smoking it right after taking it out of the tin, but I just couldn’t taste any of the Virginia. It was like it was really diluted (and I actually think that's what excessive moisture does).

 

[cachimbosergipano]

Pack a bowl and enjoy it. I rarely dry my tobacco and do enjoy it very much.Drying tobaccos seem to be a new phenomenon. When I started smoking a pipe no one dried their tobacco.

I do this with most of my blends, but lately I've been smoking almost only Virginia, and I've gotten used to smoking it really dry with a strong flavor, which is how it comes packed from another brand I buy. This flake, though, came extremely wet, way too wet for a flake

 

[Sigmund]

If you nuke it make sure to run it a few seconds and then wait 2 minutes. As it cools the moisture will leave quickly.

The other option is putting it under a goose neck lamp that will let an hot light bulb dry it.

 

[cachimbosergipano]

If you nuke it make sure to run it a few seconds and then wait 2 minutes. As it cools the moisture will leave quickly.

The other option is putting it under a goose neck lamp that will let an hot light bulb dry it.

Microwave it for 8-10 seconds.

Unfortunately, I don't have a microwave. Is it possible to do the same with an oven? I was thinking of gently heating the oven, turning it off, and then placing the tobacco spread out on a metal tray for 1 or 2 minutes before taking it out.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Unfortunately, I don't have a microwave. Is it possible to do the same with an oven? I was thinking of gently heating the oven, turning it off, and then placing the tobacco spread out on a metal tray for 1 or 2 minutes before taking it out.

Do you have a spotlight bulb? An oven may be overkill and even then you'd only want to heat it for a few seconds.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Drying tobaccos seem to be a new phenomenon.

Drying trays were available at B&Ms back in the '90s.

 

[brooklynpiper]

What Virginia flake is it OP

 

[Sigmund]

A 75 watt bulb should do the trick. You dont need an oven

 

[cachimbosergipano]

Do you have a spotlight bulb? An oven may be overkill and even then you'd only want to heat it for a few seconds.

A 75 watt bulb should do the trick. You dont need an oven

I'm gonna try this. Thanks!

 

[cachimbosergipano]

What Virginia flake is it OP

It's straight from Atlantis

 

[coming to_falling too]

I used to use a small glass plate on the top of a lamp shade to dry my tobacco. Now I use the same plate on a coffee warmer.