I've sealed all of my Gawith tins in mylar bags, based on the advice I've gleaned from this forum. Are there any other brands that tend to dry out over the years?
Storing Tins
- Thread starter pauls456
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I would say that if you're worried about it, then just seal em all up!
I always seal my tobacco immediately upon getting it. Tins can get dinged or have a crappy seal, and you end up with dry tobacco. I put my baccy in Parfait jars and leave just a little room on top to help further along the cellaring process. They stay fresh a very long time, and some tobaccos really benefit from the aging. My jar of Windjammer in particular is SUBLIME now that it has roughly 18 months on it. And it was pretty good to begin with.
I have no problem storing tobacco in the original tin without any "protection".
If the tin is vacuum sealed, I see no problem. I have McClelland and Smokers Haven tins from the early 2000s still in good condition.
In general, if it’s square (Sam Gawith, Capstan, OGS, etc.) I possess a general distrust. This is not based on any personal experience, just feel like I’m protecting an investment. Those tins I Mylar bag.
Everything else I just store in a cool, dry, dark location. I’ve never had a tin issue otherwise.
Jason
Everything else I just store in a cool, dry, dark location. I’ve never had a tin issue otherwise.
Jason
Most everything is still in boxes from the vendors. Too much hassle taking them out. Maybe one day.
I'll second @jmsmitty6 on this one; this problem has been brought up on here many times, and the point of origin is the shape of the tin, not the brand. Something about the circular shape tends to retain the seal, whereas a busted seal almost always ends up being on a square or rectangular tin. I'm sure some dry, stuffy sounding scientist type could spend several hours and go through several slides on a projector explaining how that's the case and why, but I have neither the time nor the patience for that...I've got a pipe to smoke! 
For long term I leave everything in its original packaging and place the whole thing in mylar.
I've had a number of round tins with broken seals that I was able to easily open by hand.
Here's a tip: if you can smell the tobacco through the tin it has a bad seal that won't last long term. It could last a few weeks or a few years but its days are numbered.
I've had a number of round tins with broken seals that I was able to easily open by hand.
Here's a tip: if you can smell the tobacco through the tin it has a bad seal that won't last long term. It could last a few weeks or a few years but its days are numbered.
I second all this “beware square tins” , Solani Silver 3.5 oz didn’t even know till I saw a review on YT that it’s not vacuum sealed and the long flakes are in a baggy in the big old tin , still waiting on the dating “ cheat sheet”
Those Solani Silvers are an accident waiting to happen. They should have a warning label on the lid: Caution, Drying Out Now!
I also wonder about the Capstan tins, as well as the Mac Baran HH tins...
I also wonder about the Capstan tins, as well as the Mac Baran HH tins...
The majority of what I smoke is from 5 pound bulk plastic bags. I have a very high tech way of storing it. I clip off one corner to put some blend in my tobacco jar. This jar is a fancy clear plastic with a wide enough mouth to get my hand into and a loose fitting lid that just sets on top. (50 cents at a garage sale) I don't worry about air tight because the tobacco doesn't stay in it long enough to dry out. After filling the jar I squeeze as much air out of the bag as I can, roll the clipped corner over a couple of times, put a close pin on it and throw it on the shelf. Even if it is a year before I finish it the tobacco stays fresh.
Those have hinges, what made you assume they were sealed? Almost none of the rectangular 100g tins are vacuum sealed. They're just decorative presentation cases like the ones from Rattray‘s.
You should be. There have been several cases of the square tins losing their seal. They really weren't made for long term storage.Ive cracked HH old and bold dark fired , now you got me worried about my Rustica
For long term storage these plastic jars will keep tobacco fresh almost forever.
Now you tell me. Well, tins in general in this day and age are sealed, so I assumed.
First, I think you should store your tobacco, however packaged, in a stable consistent humidity and temperature environment. If possible. I have smoked with a few SG FVF and BBF that were 8 to 10 years old without any problems. I think sealing each tin in its own Mylar bag is like wearing suspenders with a belt. Expensive, time consuming and takes up much more space.
If you’re really that concerned, separate out your tins you plan to age 10 years plus. Buy some thick 5 gallon Mylar bags and store many tins in the large bags.
The other thing to consider is the % of waste is going to be quite low if you do nothing. I believe less than 5%. But 5% more than you think you’ll need and live with the losses. I recently opened a ton of Wessex something or other that has the seal broken. The tobacco was very dry but not crumble to dust dry. The tin was fabulous. Moral of story? People spend way too much time worrying about this issue.
If you’re really that concerned, separate out your tins you plan to age 10 years plus. Buy some thick 5 gallon Mylar bags and store many tins in the large bags.
The other thing to consider is the % of waste is going to be quite low if you do nothing. I believe less than 5%. But 5% more than you think you’ll need and live with the losses. I recently opened a ton of Wessex something or other that has the seal broken. The tobacco was very dry but not crumble to dust dry. The tin was fabulous. Moral of story? People spend way too much time worrying about this issue.
