Tins and Jars Not Equal?

[pipeastronomer]

The recent post about how long to be able to store tobacco in an opened tin prompted me to ask this related question...thus this new thread.
I have some of my loose bagged tobacco in small wide mouth canning jars. However I also have a number of tinned tobaccos recently opened.
I am wondering why people on the forums say that once you open the tinned tobacco then it will only stay fresh for about 1-2 weeks, where they say after that you should jar your tobacco. I understand tobacco in a simple zip lock won't last, but a jar or tin should be equal to each other, right?
If the tin is re-sealed every time after retrieving the tobacco for the current smoke,... why would it not last as long as if it were in a canning jar? Like I said I have a few of these jars with my loose tobacco but I still have to open them up to get a bowl full. Yes these jars are smaller, holding about 2 oz or so.
What gives? Am I missing something?

 

[gray4lines]

Once the tin is "popped" (sometimes there's a whoosh of air when the seal is broken) it will, in most cases, not seal that tight again by hand.
Jars are made for storing air-tight, though, so they work better for long-term

 

[captainbob]

It is a matter of how often you open the air-tight container, regardless of type. Also, it is a matter of empty space inside the container as well as relative humidity. Pack your tobacco as tight as possible inside of any container to get the fresh air confined to the empty space in the container. Also, spray the underside of the container lid with water as needed. Especially, when opening frequently and when there is some empty space inside for the fresh air that will dry your tobacco. Fresh air is the enemy of tobacco. A small amount of air is actually good for aging as tobacco will not age properly in a sealed container without any air! That is why C&D does not vacuum seal their tins.

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[pipeastronomer]

So when opening a jarred container do others recommend spraying the lid of the container to replace some humidity? Or do you have other methods you use?
Any chance of making the tobacco too humid to wet?

 

[pipeastronomer]

Ok will take all this under advisement!
Thanks all!

 

[cigrmaster]

pipeastronomer, I store my open tins in a large tupperware like plastic tub that I buy at walmart. It will keep these open tins fresh for a couple of months. I store my bulks in bail top jars that have silicone gaskets. I buy both of these at walmart. Here is a pic of my storage jars, the plastic tub with open tins is on the second shelf.

 

[freakiefrog]

@CIGRMASTER I saw that and my mouth started watering I will used the same jars you do if I'm buying flake or a rope or something like that. I have found after storing some local blends for what is now 4 years that a Foodsaver does wonders for bulk loose leaf or pre-cut flake and store the vacuum sealed bags some where cool and out of the light. I just opened a bag this week and it was as fresh and springy as the day I put it in the bag.

 

[cigrmaster]

freakie, that is nothing, you should see my closet, I have way more in there and I also have 2 jars that hold 5 pounds each just like my 2 pound jars you see there, I am so running out of room,lol . I would not use a food saver. You are prohibiting aging from taking place by sucking all the air out. Greg Pease wrote an article about aging tobacco and he expressly stated that using a food saver was not a good idea. If you do a search you might be able to find the article. He described in detail what takes place when tobacco ages and why air is a key component. You might want to re think your strategy and open all your bags and put them in jars.

 

[freakiefrog]

@cigrmaster I like you. You just gave me a reason to open up all my old blends.. MMMMMM

 

[cigrmaster]

Thanks man. I know your stuff will age much better now. I tried searching for that article for you to read but cannot find it, the search function here is a little weird. If you think about it though it does make perfect sense. I have aged thousands of cigars over the years with great success and they always had plenty of air around them. I always leave a couple of inches in my jars and do not pack them too tight.

 

[cigrmaster]

roth makes a good point, I am referring to the types of jars I use and they are not canning ones. The ones I use are in this picture on the top shelf. They are the bail top with silicone gaskets from Walmart.

roth has tons of experience with the canning jars so I would heed his advice.

 

[freakiefrog]

I do have some bulk leak in both canning jars and in the ones you use cigrmaster. So now I get to have myself a Christmas again. :D Now my only problem is going to be not wanting to smoke a bowl of everything tonight. :D

 

[freakiefrog]

So after opening my vacuum bags I found that three of my six that I had saved were dust.. but I was able to save 3 for a total of one pound of leaf.. Now they are in mason jars labeled and out of sight and sun shine. Thanks again guys.

 

[bigboi]

I have a small meeger collection of tobacco going in the walmart jars as well. I love them!

 

[cigrmaster]

freakie, you can save the dry tobacco. Take a large baking pan or mixing bowl, wet a kitchen towel with distilled water and place it over the pan or bowl making sure it does not touch the tobacco. Every 4 hours or so, check it and mix it around and then take it out when it gets to your desired moisture. You may have to wet the towel once or twice.

 

[freakiefrog]

cigrmaster it was literately dust. Between the pressure of the vacuum and the age of the leaf it went from being wonderful oily fluffy long ribbon cuts to confetti.

 

[freakiefrog]

fixing to try this saving method with a tin of Frog Morton I just discovered in a drawer that is dry once I get it right I'm going to totally finish the bowl.

 

[Wellington]

When my tobacco is starting to get dry, I just wet my fingers under the tap and flick some water in the bag, jar, tin or whatever. Seems to work fine for me and I haven't dealt with any mould.

 

[englishdave]

These two links may be of interest:
GL Pease Article on Vacuum Sealing
Out of the Ashes: Saving for a Rainy Day

 

[freakiefrog]

Thanks! Those appear to both be great educational articles. I have without a doubt learned my lesson about using a vacuum sealer for long-term storage or aging. I like the author of that article have decided to invest in a paraffin melter and a hoard of mason jars. My local tobacconist does wonderful things with Virginia flake I look forward to going in and buying at least a pound of each when I have the opportunity and aging them to see how they fare. Once again I'm very glad I found this forum. It has offered me far more knowledge than anything I could have come across verbally.