Storing Pipe Tobacco

[sander]

hmm mason jars... I was helping my uncle cleaning up a house, and suddenly he picked up a nice tall mason jar, and I looked and thought: 'Hey... I could use that!'

and before I knew it it was smashed into teeny tiny bits. better luck next time.

 

[mate]

Everyone seem concerned about keeping the Vinegar (Acetic Acid) acid smell from contaminating your tobacco.
This is a good reason to keep your Mother-In-Law away from your tobacco cellar

 

[chuckw]

I would add, keep the jars out of the sun light and heat. I store mine in Colman coolers in an interior closet.

 

[mate]

In the past when I tried those Button Humidifying Gadgets, I found that all they did was encourage mould.
I have found that the wet Towel Roll Paper, placed on top of the jar mouth, held in place with either rubber band or the lid is the best method as the water does not come into direct contact with the baccy.
I find that just doing this overnight get the baccy nice with out getting it sloppy wet

 

[peter]

Mate is just full of good ideas. Was just looking for an easy, cheap, low-tech way to rehydrate some old tobacco and keep some new stuff fresh. Thanks!

 

[mate]

peter
I have many good ideas that Kevin and Bob wont implement, like taking me along to shows to do the photoshoots.
And at least you wont get all the cemeteries, tombs and crypts in New Orleans
If I want to photograph "Stephen King" book covers I'll send you something really scary like
Ex-Mother-in-Laws......
They could curdle Latakia

 

[python]

Peter, here is an article that explains some different ways to re-hydrate pipe tobacco:
Pipe Tobacco Re-Hydration

 

[peter]

Yep, read that too. Thanks!

 

[jrtaster]

a little late with this but....i like to use flat rectangular or cirular pyrex containers. they stack well for storage, saving space vs mason jars. i also like the fact that the relatively shallow bowls make it easier to dip ur pipe in to fill directly from the container, something not so easily done with mason jars.

they also go right into the dishwasher (lids on the top rack) for easy cleaning.

just a thought.

john

 

[python]

Jrtaster, that's a good idea for tobacco that you will be using frequently.

I don't think that it would work well for long term storage though.

 

[jrtaster]

one would think so but i re-discovered some pyrex-stored dunhill std mix med "lost" for about 3 years, and stored in a less than ideal location, and it was great.

also, truth be known, i never have had the luxury or self control to cellar, other than the dunhill smm example above, which was accidental to be sure, so most of my pyrex stored blends, don't sit around for more than a month or so between uses. john

 

[cortezattic]

The comments and jokes about pickle jars used for tobacco storage bring to mind the pungent, vinegary (some say ketchup-like) bouquet of many McClelland blends. I wonder if their tobacco is topped with a vinegar solution to deter mold and/or to neutralize the alkalinity of the leaf, thus making it less bitey. Your thoughts?

 

[admin]

I heard it's the stoved Virginia tobaccos from McClelland that have the vinegar aroma, but I don't really know.
If this is true and other brands with stoved Virginia do not have the vinegar aroma, then maybe they do add it.

 

[python]

I have no idea what causes that smell in some McClelland blends. I do know that the smell does not affect the taste or aroma while smoking, well it doesn't affect it for me. YMMV.

 

[cortezattic]

Kevin, I've noticed the pungent odor in several different blends, but I wouldn't know whether they contained stoved Va or not. I think McClelland is most notorious for it simply because McClelland is so popular. Like Bob, I never detect it on the palate. Some guys say they air-out the leaf and the smell dissipates, but I never found the need to do so.

 

[giospro]

What's a good Temperature for storing tobacco?

 

[dunendain]

I keep my tobacco in mason jars. In a wooden cabinet which never gets above about 73 degrees. Just make sure there are no bits of tobacco that could interfere with the rubber seal. Laters.

 

[cortezattic]

I believe the consensus is that between 55 & 65° is optimum;

avoid fluctuations (maintain a stable environment);

use a location that is naturally within this range - i.e. not a refrigerator;

and lastly, at a relative humidity that is 50 - 70%
Somewhere online I read an old saying about this: "If you're comfortable, the tobacco will be comfortable." A pretty easy guideline to remember and adhere to.
Check out http://www.nocturne.org/jason/aging/

 

[dunendain]

Thanks for the link Cortez. I've always bought the jars and just stuffed them with tobacco and then labeled them. I enjoy learning the correct way to do things. Thanks again.

 

[dunendain]

I was wondering if anyone uses those large tobacco jars, for keeping your tobacco in and loading your pipes, well.