Sutliff tins and Rust

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Feb 12, 2022
3,579
50,473
32
North Georgia mountains.
What is it about these tins that make them susceptible to rust? I've experienced it with Cringle Flake and Crumble Cake (Red VA) - neither older than 3 years.
It seems somewhat of a consistent issued based on old threads and other people I've talked to with similar experiences. It also seems to mostly be the same blends - Cringle and Crumble. Luckily the tobacco has always been fine, though these tins aren't but a couple years old.
This most recent discovery really has me contemplating putting all my Sutliff in jars or mylar.
I keep all my tins in storage containers with a rubber seal around the top, stacked in a cool and dark closet.
Anybody else finding any consistency with this? 20230501_182136.jpg
 

renfield

Lifer
Oct 16, 2011
5,126
41,657
Kansas
I’ve found corrosion on the rims of their tins after only a year. The seal didn’t seem to be compromised in those cases.

I’ve had several year old tins with corrosion that were still well sealed as well but I wonder if that would continue to be the case indefinitely.
 
Feb 12, 2022
3,579
50,473
32
North Georgia mountains.
Depending on the moisture content of the tobacco, most tins are susceptible to it, they weren't designed for long term storage. I have some 2015 GH tins that are starting to rust.
I just find it odd because I have blends that contain a higher moisture content, and more years on the tins without these issues (to my knowledge). Sutliff seems to be the only one I've found consistency with, as well as talk from others about the same issue.
Alot of my Gawith has ended up in jars, even the older tins that came with a good seal.
 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate
Nov 12, 2014
44,904
117,135
I just find it odd because I have blends that contain a higher moisture content, and more years on the tins without these issues (to my knowledge). Sutliff seems to be the only one I've found consistency with, as well as talk from others about the same issue.
Alot of my Gawith has ended up in jars, even the older tins that came with a good seal.
I've had it happen with all of the metal ones. If I plan on putting them up for several years now, I just jar them.
 

WhiteCrown

Starting to Get Obsessed
Apr 29, 2023
176
520
Pac NW, USA
Interesting, It looks like you have oxidation on both sides of the seal, which I would theorize shouldn't happen if its unopened... unless is has to do with the material of the gasket...

Well, this is why those 4oz ball/mason jars are so great, perfect for a tin-size storage. It is hard to waste the nice labeling and feel of a tin though, so sometimes I save them and re-use them temporarily as a "daily tobacco pouch", then jar it back up when I shelf it again. I've had the rust like that on opened tins before (not Sutliff though).
 
This is because of the specific low PH nature of these highly acidic blends. The added acetic acids breaks down the metal's protective layers. According to Per Jensen (who posted on here about rust complaints years ago), MacBarens had the exact problem with ODF in the beginnings when they used vinegar as an anti-microbial.
 
Feb 12, 2022
3,579
50,473
32
North Georgia mountains.
This is because of the specific low PH nature of these highly acidic blends. The added acetic acids breaks down the metal's protective layers. According to Per Jensen (who posted on here about rust complaints years ago), MacBarens had the exact problem with ODF in the beginnings when they used vinegar as an anti-microbial.
This was the only connection I could make to the rust. CC Red VA is an acidic blend and it's obvious upon opening a new tin.
I wonder if a biscuit tin would better suit these blends?
Looks like my Crumblr Cake and Cringle are hitting the jars (or mylar) - at least the tins I don't think I'll get to within the next couple years.
 
This was the only connection I could make to the rust. CC Red VA is an acidic blend and it's obvious upon opening a new tin.
I wonder if a biscuit tin would better suit these blends?
Looks like my Crumblr Cake and Cringle are hitting the jars (or mylar) - at least the tins I don't think I'll get to within the next couple years.
I really don't think that they will rust completely through in the 10 or so years that I will give them to age, so I am not worried. Even if they do... phhht. But, if someone would be very upset at the loss, yeh, I'd transfer them to jars.
 

Mr_houston

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 30, 2020
571
4,779
Texas
I recently opened a 2020 Cringle Flake and it looked a little corroded, but not rusty like yours. It worries me, because I have 12 tins of CF from 2022 that I really love.

I’d rather not put in jars.
 

Mr_houston

Part of the Furniture Now
Dec 30, 2020
571
4,779
Texas
A question. I vacuumed some of my Cringle Flake in the tins, but not in Mylar.

Would this help any? I guess I’m just trying to keep ambient air off the tins.

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