Preventing Mold in 5 lb Bulk Storage? Chemistry?

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seanv

Lifer
Mar 22, 2018
3,089
11,090
Canada
Again, the tobacco already has been treated with an antifungal. Don’t worry about mold.

The large totes with a gasketed lid are not food grade. Smell them. They smell like plastic because they emit plasticizers. You tobacco will smell and taste like that too. And they aren’t oxygen barriers. Mylar laminates are made with a polyester film and foil layers, and/or aluminized polyester. Food safe and an oxygen barrier. Break the five pounds up into smaller bags so that you don’t disturb the aging process just to have one pipefull. Don’t rely in a ziploc seal, heat seal the bags.
This is the answer. Do this and you will be fine.
 
Nov 20, 2022
2,702
27,443
Wisconsin
As @woodsroad has stated, tobacco already treated for fungus. I would not add another chemical. As far as removing Oxygen, just seal a well packed jar and the microenvironment will do it for you! That is how tobacco ages / ferments. Just do not open the lid, or the process has to restart all over again until the Oxygen is gone.

Most fungi are obligate aerobes - that means that they require Oxygen to live and grow. Once the Oxygen is gone, the anaerobic organisms begin the process of fermentation. If you want to get rid of them, just open the lid as Oxygen will kill them off.

I always wondered why some suggest to pack the jar loosely to allow extra air. It just takes longer to get rid of the Oxygen to begin fermentation.
 
Nov 20, 2022
2,702
27,443
Wisconsin
I will add this advice to @romaso . Divide the 5Lb into smaller jars. As I stated above, once you open the lid the whole 5Lb will stop aging and the aerobic bacteria and fungi will begin to feast. Don’t expose the whole lot, but only the tobacco you will be smoking in a reasonable amount of time.
 

Kollman

Lurker
Nov 5, 2024
37
77
No Name, CO
I store my cigars in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, which are food-grade and have an excellent seal. I added a Boveda humidification pack to the container and have had some in storage for 3-4 years while retaining proper humidity. They have a 16-cup pantry size that might work for your storage and moving issues.
 
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I store my cigars in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, which are food-grade and have an excellent seal. I added a Boveda humidification pack to the container and have had some in storage for 3-4 years while retaining proper humidity. They have a 16-cup pantry size that might work for your storage and moving issues.
Cigars are not supposed to be stored in an airtight container. This is why plastic is ok for cigars.
 
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Searock Fan

Lifer
Oct 22, 2021
2,198
6,041
Southern U.S.A.
I got a good deal, so I bought a bunch of a codger blend in the 1.5 oz. sealed pouches. The pouches seem to be well sealed with some kind of tacky glue and have obviously never been opened. I have quite a bit, so I want to store some long term. I left them sealed and packed the pouches in sealed 1 gallon Ball jars. Any of you guys have any thoughts on this? Would appreciate knowing what to expect. Thanks ! puffy