Old Dry Tobacco

[Old aussie fart]

EDIT: Fixed Capitalization in Title (See Rule 9)

Hi. I just purchased an old tin of Murrays Erinmore Mixture I got off Ebay. It is very very dry. I knew it was a risk so that's ok. Is it a lost cause or can I rejuvenate it enough to smoke?

 

[rushx9]

Does it crumble to dust when you touch it or is it just dry? If you can load a bowl with it, try making a circle around the rim with your forefinger and thumb and blow slowly through the bowl. The moisture in your breath will get it just moist enough, then it will finish rehydrating itself as you smoke with the condensation from combustion.

 

[craig61a]

When it comes to tobacco, there is a point of diminishing returns...

Put it in a jar, place a piece of card stock on top of the tobacco. Place a damp towel on top of that and let it sit for a day or so.

If it comes out moist and springy, it’s probably OK.

The oils in the tobacco are what are of concern. Over time the oils evaporate, and once they have completely dried out, the tobacco isn’t worth smoking.

I had a tin of tobacco that was approximately 50 years old. It was dry to the touch, and rough and bitey when I first smoked it. I rehydrated it, and set it aside in a jar for a few years. Came back just fine. Murray’s isn’t that old, so I think you may have some success in bringing it back.

 

[skydog]

I've used the Boveda packs to slowly re-hydrate tobacco with some success. I've heard of people re-hydrating by lightly spraying distilled water on the tobacco or adding a paper towel moistened with distilled water to an oversized tupperware so the paper towel doesn't touch the tobacco. Best of luck! Let us know how it turns out!

 

[craig61a]

I’ve sprayed it before. I guess my concern there was that bits of the tobacco get soaked while others don’t, and sitting for a period of time and evening out could cause issues. Leaving it to sit for while in a damp environment is almost idiot proof.

Manufacturers spray tobacco to raise/maintain humidity. But then they’re working with 30-40 pounds or more at a time. A little tin of 50 to 100 grams... spraying would be overkill.

 

[Old aussie fart]

Does it crumble to dust when you touch it or is it just dry? If you can load a bowl with it, try making a circle around the rim with your forefinger and thumb and blow slowly through the bowl. The moisture in your breath will get it just moist enough, then it will finish rehydrating itself as you smoke with the condensation from combustion.

Hi. It is in very small pieces and if I rub it enough it does tend to crumble as you suggest.

 

[rushx9]

Hi. It is in very small pieces and if I rub it enough it does tend to crumble as you suggest.

I'd just try it and see how it goes. I tend to like very dry tobaccos, and although sometimes they lose that juicy first hit, they tend to even out after a few puffs. And the burn is so much better. If it must be rehydrated, just do a few bowls worth at a time.

 

[Old aussie fart]

Ok. Thanks also to the other responders.

 

[cigrmaster]

The few times I decided to add humidity to dry tobacco I used my tried and true method. I would get a mixing bowl, put tobacco in move it around so it is flat. I use distilled water and soak a large dish towel or even a regular towel.if the bowl is big enough. I soak that towel through and through then squeeze dry making sure there is still a lot of water, just make sure it doesn't drip. I leave it for 24 hours, check to see if it needs another round or put n a jar if ready and smoke away. I was never a fann of spraying tobacco as it humidifies too quickly in my opinion.

 

[Pipe Daddy]

When I encounter dry tobacco, I put it in a jar with some small pieces of apple and/or orange peels. Shake it around every couple days. After a week or so, test it to see if it's back to life. If it's not, remove the dry fruit and start again.

 

[hauntedmyst]

I'm also a fan of distilled water. I either spray it lightly in Tupperware, put the top on and give it a shake and let it sit or I use a hydration packet for a few days. It normally works bits you'll lose some taste depending on the age.

 

[mso489]

Definitely try hydrating it. Tobacco can get very dry, before it disintegrates and gets dusty, and if only dry may smoke as well or better than when it's fresh. Up to a point, dry can be good.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Easy way: soak a shard or two of terra cotta, place in jar with dry tobacco, gently move it about every now and again while testing for moisture. Distilled water, nice, but not necessary.

 

[daveinlax]

I've found that bone dry tobacco will not take non direct rehydrating methods so I lightly spritz dry tobacco with distilled water over a few days to wake it up followed by a few weeks in a Ziplock bag with a Bovida pack. The key is to keep the tobacco from getting ground up.
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[scloyd]

I've never re-hydrated tobacco and I find this thread interesting.

I purchased this opened tin at an antique shop last fall for $5. I was interested in the tin, not the tobacco inside since it was already opened and who knows how many people opened it and sniffed it. ?



I believe this tin is from 1965. Would anyone here smoke this? Yes or No?

 

[mso489]

For hydrating, don't use the apple slice method. In my experience, that makes a mold bomb. The other methods posted here a good alternatives.

I the Sweet Cloud question -- to smoke or not -- I'd open it up and examine it. It looks smokeable, as much as I can see.

 

[Old aussie fart]

Hi all. So as was suggested by one wise guru, I put the tobacco in a bowl covered with a very moist tea towel. Stirred and re-moistened the tea towel daily for 3 days. Has completely changed it, now moistened up and it springs back when pressed. Resurrected from the dead.

 

[badbriar]

Easy-Peay re-hydration method - mould free! Take a small piece of foil and fold until about 2" square. form a moderately deep cup. Take a quarter piece of kitchen paper towel, fold it inn quarters or more and moisten with water. squeeze just so water does not drip. Put inside foil cup, then please on top of tobacco inside a sealed jar. Check after 24 hours. re-moisten if needed and wait another 24 hrs. Tobacco should be nicely re-hydrated and since no direct water contact with tobacco, no likely hood of mould.

 

[Pipe Daddy]

I've never re-hydrated tobacco and I find this thread interesting.

I purchased this opened tin at an antique shop last fall for $5. I was interested in the tin, not the tobacco inside since it was already opened and who knows how many people opened it and sniffed it. ?

View attachment 30445View attachment 30446

I believe this tin is from 1965. Would anyone here smoke this? Yes or No?

I'd certainly smoke it!

 

[maulragoth]

I've never re-hydrated tobacco and I find this thread interesting.

I purchased this opened tin at an antique shop last fall for $5. I was interested in the tin, not the tobacco inside since it was already opened and who knows how many people opened it and sniffed it. ?

View attachment 30445View attachment 30446

I believe this tin is from 1965. Would anyone here smoke this? Yes or No?

I would, for sure, try smoking it after rehydrate as mentioned here with a towel over it or in a jar with an old medicine bottle filled with water inside.