Storing Pipe Tobacco During Home Remediation From Hurricane

[badbriar]

I have a dilemma and need the advice of others here on the forum, please.
Our home was flooded from the storm surge in hurricane Helene and we have to move everything into storage and vacate until drywall is removed and floors are sanitized. I am told by the FEMA remediation people that this will be for 6-8 weeks.
My question is if storing my entire cellar collection of pipe tobacco in a non climate controlled storage pod is an acceptable process. This includes 11-12 plastic bins with unopened tins and jarred pipe tobacco. Nothing open or in pouches - everything is individually 'sealed' as it comes from the distributor.
My only other option is to store everything on our screened porch, which is also not air-conditioned.
Temperatures here in west-central Florida is around 88-90 degrees daytime.
Any thoughts?

 

[sablebrush52]

I have a dilemma and need the advice of others here on the forum, please.
Our home was flooded from the storm surge in hurricane Helene and we have to move everything into storage and vacate until drywall is removed and floors are sanitized. I am told by the FEMA remediation people that this will be for 6-8 weeks.
My question is if storing my entire cellar collection of pipe tobacco in a non climate controlled storage pod is an acceptable process. This includes 11-12 plastic bins with unopened tins and jarred pipe tobacco. Nothing open or in pouches - everything is individually 'sealed' as it comes from the distributor.
My only other option is to store everything on our screened porch, which is also not air-conditioned.
Temperatures here in west-central Florida is around 88-90 degrees daytime.
Any thoughts?

Assuming that everything is sealed tight, the tobacco should be okay, even it the labels deteriorate from humidity inside the bins. While cooler temperatures are preferred for storing tobacco, 90˚ heat isn't going to do any damage. It might just speed up aging a touch, though probably not.

Best of luck with getting back to normal.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I don't think it will be a problem. If you're concerned, buy one of those large coolers and store your tobacco in it.

 

[FurCoat]

I'd put it in the storage pod.

 

[Sigmund]

Maybe give a call to the storage place. They might (with luck) know the average storage temp this time of year. Its a long shot but it could happen. A little peace of mind goes a long way, especially when life gets turned upside down. Or you could just store it and look into alternatives if its cooking inside the building when you go there mid afternoon.

 

[MattRVA]

I hope you get things back on track quickly. I’m sorry for your troubles.

 

[anotherbob]

there are only two ways to ensure it's going to be enjoyed. One make a pipe that can take all of it and smoke them away. Or give them to all of us to smoke. Though that has nothing to do with the situation but given a large enough cellar at some point some little thing will go wrong.

 

[jpmcwjr]

What Jesse and Mark said. Sorry for your hassles, but sounds like you will be fixed up before too long.

 

[Sig]

You may get a slight "stoving" effect.
Many old timers will throw a tin of a Virginia blend on their dashboard for a week in the Summer to do this same thing.
It's happened to me by accident.
Going through even mild heat cycles will change a blend. They tend to get darker color and richer flavors. Kind of like what age does....kind of.
I'm sure others can tell you about leaving a tin or jar in their car and this happening.

 

[badbriar]

Mostly good advice here - thanks! I'm stoked about the possibility of the heat having a positive effect.
Am told by inspectors it will likely be 7-8 weeks before we can get back in the house. Then, I can begin the priming, painting, flooring and replace the kitchen.
There's always a good part of any misadventure - told my wife she gets new appliances and also gets to pick out new paint and flooring colors! Strangely enough, the wood furniture seems to have fared pretty well despite being exposed to salt water. I just hope insurance takes care of even a small part of it!

 

[Steddy]

I hope things improve quickly for you. I would try to keep it at a friends house, the thought of my stash hanging out at 90 degrees just doesn’t sit right with me.

 

[GardenStateoftheArtBriar]

Mostly good advice here - thanks! I'm stoked about the possibility of the heat having a positive effect.
Am told by inspectors it will likely be 7-8 weeks before we can get back in the house. Then, I can begin the priming, painting, flooring and replace the kitchen.
There's always a good part of any misadventure - told my wife she gets new appliances and also gets to pick out new paint and flooring colors! Strangely enough, the wood furniture seems to have fared pretty well despite being exposed to salt water. I just hope insurance takes care of even a small part of it!

IS FEMA covering all of that?
I heard from someone personally that they just got a $750 check - which arrived promptly - but $750 is not really that much

 

[Terry Lennox]

I think the storage pod will be fine. I had my entire cellar in an non-airconditioned storage room through several New York summers of 80-90 degree heat. No change in the tobacco. Dark and dry are more important than temp.

 

[bullet08]

Definitely storage.

 

[badbriar]

I'm running into the same thing with my cigars in the wineador. I hesitate to keep the cigars at a friend's house - he will likely freely sample and I'm out of my home for 7-8 weeks!