Rehydrating Crumble Cake?
- Thread starter mikefu
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I would first try smoking a bowlful just as it is. Crumble cakes generally have something sweet added to them as a binder, and the burning sugars may generate enough moisture as you smoke it.
If that fails, then try loading a bowlful and exhaling your breath into the bowl -- but easy does it, because you can impart too much moisture fairly quickly.
Does your cake come apart in usable chunks, or does it become "mummy dust"?
If that fails, then try loading a bowlful and exhaling your breath into the bowl -- but easy does it, because you can impart too much moisture fairly quickly.
Does your cake come apart in usable chunks, or does it become "mummy dust"?
I have had some success re-humidifying with just a couple of rules.
Move all leaf into a plastic container to inspect. Then set the container inside a large zip lock.
I never let the leaf come into contact with anything other than the plastic container directly.
White bread works "Wonders" to get things moving in the right direction. I use slices for about 3-4 days. It should start to soften up enough so you can start to work it a little with your hands without it breaking apart.
Next step is either humidification beads or a damp paper towel in sitting next to the leaf, inside the bag. Never ever have the moisture too high, less is always better. 2-3 weeks is about the right amount of time to see what you have.
I try and stop short of the point of being fully re-humidified almost like letting meat rest. If you let the cells of the leaf slowly re-absorb the H2O over a long period, it always seems to turn out better.
Move all leaf into a plastic container to inspect. Then set the container inside a large zip lock.
I never let the leaf come into contact with anything other than the plastic container directly.
White bread works "Wonders" to get things moving in the right direction. I use slices for about 3-4 days. It should start to soften up enough so you can start to work it a little with your hands without it breaking apart.
Next step is either humidification beads or a damp paper towel in sitting next to the leaf, inside the bag. Never ever have the moisture too high, less is always better. 2-3 weeks is about the right amount of time to see what you have.
I try and stop short of the point of being fully re-humidified almost like letting meat rest. If you let the cells of the leaf slowly re-absorb the H2O over a long period, it always seems to turn out better.
I have a $30 humidor off Amazon. It's large enough to hold a couple of tins of tobacco on one side of the divider, with either a wet paper towel, or a humidor specific hydrator puck (just wiping the inside of the cedar with a wet paper towel works too). I bought a cheap digital hygrometer to sit in it that lets me know when it gets right.
I RYO cigs, which is why I got the setup. I have an automatic rolling machine that works best with tobacco in the 20-25% range of moisture, however, they are horrible to smoke like that. I roll them dry, put them in the humidor, then the next day, they're of the appropriate humidity.
I RYO cigs, which is why I got the setup. I have an automatic rolling machine that works best with tobacco in the 20-25% range of moisture, however, they are horrible to smoke like that. I roll them dry, put them in the humidor, then the next day, they're of the appropriate humidity.
Wow! 25% RH is drier than "bone dry"! If you pinch it does it turn to dust?
What do you bring the humidity to for smoking?
What do you bring the humidity to for smoking?
For cigs, anywhere from 50-70% is fine, not real picky.
The automatic rolling machine clogs easily, and doesn’t fill the tubes completely when moist. I do have to be gentle with the dry ribbon as it will break apart and turn to dust if not careful. FWIW, my house is typically in the 25-30 range most of the year.
The automatic rolling machine clogs easily, and doesn’t fill the tubes completely when moist. I do have to be gentle with the dry ribbon as it will break apart and turn to dust if not careful. FWIW, my house is typically in the 25-30 range most of the year.
Thanks for the reply.
You in high desert- or at least in the SW? I live on the Coast, where recently it's been 85% outside in the morning. In house, it's under 50%.
You in high desert- or at least in the SW? I live on the Coast, where recently it's been 85% outside in the morning. In house, it's under 50%.
This is the method that works every time no matter the blend, consistency or the condition:
http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=49
http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=49
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