Plastic for Storing Tobacco?

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Nov 20, 2022
2,702
27,443
Wisconsin
Grade of plastic and seal strength is important. I am no chemist, but most plastic containers color and warp over time. This is probably accelerated with the physiology and chemistry in tobacco. It is a living microenvironment with chemical reactions occurring - that is why aging works!

Cheap plastic probably does not work well. Expensive plastic is a waste when jars are so cheap.
 

jpmcwjr

Moderator
Staff member
May 12, 2015
26,221
30,175
Carmel Valley, CA
so you aren't the cheap schmo that you come off as 'Mr. Water, only washroom soap"
Premium Italian Gelato ay - I found your weakness :eek:
:ROFLMAO:
good stuff
No soap, in several senses of the phrase! It's the herring! Not a red one, though.

Hot water flush isn't to cheap out on pipe cleaners; it's just a great way to keep pipes happy.
 

woodsroad

Lifer
Oct 10, 2013
12,644
20,158
SE PA USA
Cigars are generally not stored in anaerobic conditions, so food-grade plastic tupperware is just fine. A goodly part of my cigar collection is in a Igloo cooler. But pipe tobacco usually benefits from anaerobic fermentation, so large containers and containers that aren't oxygen barriers should be avoided.

As for "plastic not tainting tobacco", it depends on what kind of plastic is being used. I've never had a problem with cigars stored in tupperware/rubbermaiden food grade containers. But the large storage totes are another story. I store unopened tins and sealed Mylar bags in Ziploc-branded totes, the ones with the foam gasket in the lid. Every time I open one, a wave of plastic aroma wafts out, and it's strong. So, nothing of mine goes into a tote without already being in a barrier bag or glass.
 

PaulDM

Might Stick Around
Dec 12, 2022
59
357
As someone mentioned above, I have some cigars that have sat in cheap tupperware with a bovida pack for years and are perfectly ok. I think humidity stability is more important that an airtight seal.
 
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Kollman

Lurker
Nov 5, 2024
37
77
No Name, CO
I've had 150ish cigars in a plastic container (tupperdor) for several years with no ill effects. If I wasn't an el cheapo I'd buy glass though.

Pipe tobacco goes in jars. It's just too cheap of a solution to look for something else.
I have the same thing in my closet, as well as regular humidor that I have had cigars for years that smoke great. I won't say glass jars are wrong or bad, but wonder if we might be getting too much in the weeds on this. Maybe I need a better education too. ;)