Keeping Tins Fresh

[gemtx]

I just received my Christmas present in the mail: 8 tins! Of course I had to open them! Now to keep them fresh. I have no "cellar." I do have a cigar humidor which likely would fit them all. I am looking for suggestions. I'm sure the tins themselves will provide decently for quite some time, but I would welcome advice. Best to all.

 

[Jaylotw]

Depends on the humidity. They might dry out if you’re in a dry area. I’ve kept open tins for a few months and they’ve been fine, but I’ve also had them dry out on me. If they’re the C&D style “nacho cheese” cans with the plastic lid, I feel they do a better job keeping the contents where I like it. A humidor...I’ve heard mixed things but I don’t think it’s necessary.

Anymore, though, any tin I open gets put in a mason jar, immediately. That way, I don’t have to worry about it. The mason jars get put in a cabinet-my “cellar.” This is your best bet.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Depends on the humidity in your house and how long you think you'll have them open before smoking them all. If it's quite dry in your house, they'll dry out fairly quickly but not to the point where they're not smokeable. In fact, they may be ideal. If you're thinking 6 months to a year, at minimum, I'd put them in a Tupperware container and you may consider putting them in some larger zip lock bags.

 

[biz]

Canning jars work well. I empty my tins into them. Zip lock bags work fine for a few weeks. Even using the tin works ok for weeks if your humidity is right.

 

[python]

Do not use a cigar humidor. The cedar lining will eventually suck all of the moisture out of the tobacco and it will contaminate the humidor with the flavors of the pipe tobacco blends.

Here's an article that I wrote about tobacco storage awhile ago:

Pipe Tobacco Storage

 

[anotherbob]

If you smoke the tins in less then a month they'll be fine as is. I think. They'll dry a bit but nothing terrible in my opinion at least.

 

[gemtx]

Thank you all for responses. I really appreciate it. Truly.

 

[gemtx]

python, I read your article. Thank you. I ruined a batch of great tobacco by over-humidifying it, creating mold. What a drag.

 

[tschiraldi]

Throw a Boveda packet in there and they'll be good indefinitely.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Why did you open all eight at once? The tin note is very often not what the mouth/nose taste is.

 

[gemtx]

jpmcwjr, I just couldn't resist opening them. Kid in a candy-store sort of moment. All so different. The two that really have me excited are Balkan Sasieni and Mac Baren Vanilla Roll Cake, but I dig the tin notes of the whole batch. Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired Ready Rubbed and Gold Block are also very interesting. Best to all.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Understood! It's fun to explore and anticipate.

 

[Pipewizard420]

I do the same thing from time to time. Just cracked 4 tins and 2 pouches and have about 12 open tins and a ton of bulk blends in bags. If it's a really important or rare tobacco thats a different story, but for readily available tobacco I say go for It!

None of us are promised a tomorrow and trying new blends is a major enjoyment of this hobby. Plus if I had to smoke 1 blend at a time or finish what's already opened I would be dead before getting a chance to try something that's peaks curiosity.

 

[shermnatman]

... the C&D style “nacho cheese” cans with the plastic lid...

ROFL!!!!! Perfect visual! - Sherm Natman

 

[indoeuro]

Stick them in a small cooler with a Boveda packet.
Conversely, don't worry about it. I have any number of tins cracked and those tobaccos all smoke great.
I do like them dry, though.

 

[ebnash]

Due to space constraints, I can;t keep all my open pipe tobacco in jars, so I have found a better solution that has worked for over a year now, so it's still a bit of an experiment, but I learned this from others.

You can buy Mylar Foil ziplock bags from multiple sources, including Amazon. These are basically the same type of bag that Ken Byron Tobacco comes in and they are available in multiple sizes. They are absolutely air tight because I keep all my pipe tobacco in my Wineador with my cigars and there is no hint of pipe tobacco smell. I just use one shelf and "file" them in an open tupperware container.

If you want to see pictures of how I'm storing them, let me know and I'll snap one when I get home.

My suggestion to you is to leave them in the tins, and pop the tin inside the mylar bag for double protection...

Also, if you plan to put them down for a long time, they can be heat sealed using a standard vacuum sealer machine. Then when opened, they still have the ziplock function.

 

[gemtx]

Thanks, all, for wonderful suggestions. I really appreciate it. I had smoking sessions with both the Mac Baren Vanilla Roll Cake and the Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired Ready Rubbed (which came in a ziplock). Both so wonderful in their own ways. I wish I could just smoke all day! The HH was particularly delicious. Best to all.