Tobacco Cellar app question

[captpat]

I used TobaccoCellar at one point and moved to excel. When I was using it the site frequently went down without an announcement, which led me to download a CSV file of my cellar to my PC just to make sure I wouldn't lose all of the data. Secondly, I found that their databases for tobacco and genre were either outdated or not helpful. I moved all of my data to an excel workbook, that way I keep all of my data and I can track characteristics that are important to me. I also built macros that would decode tin dates for Dunhilll, SG, and others. As observed earlier pivot tables can be a source of insight or alarm.

There was another app, I forget the name, that was available for a while. It required a paid subscription, tried it had the same issues as TobaccoCellar. I was not convinced that either could be depended on any length of time, if I'm going to spend time maintaining a database of my cellar I'm going to keep it on my computer.

 

[Pipe&Chess]

I used TobaccoCellar at one point and moved to excel. When I was using it the site frequently went down without an announcement, which led me to download a CSV file of my cellar to my PC just to make sure I wouldn't lose all of the data. Secondly, I found that their databases for tobacco and genre were either outdated or not helpful. I moved all of my data to an excel workbook, that way I keep all of my data and I can track characteristics that are important to me. I also built macros that would decode tin dates for Dunhilll, SG, and others. As observed earlier pivot tables can be a source of insight or alarm.

There was another app, I forget the name, that was available for a while. It required a paid subscription, tried it had the same issues as TobaccoCellar. I was not convinced that either could be depended on any length of time, if I'm going to spend time maintaining a database of my cellar I'm going to keep it on my computer.

I am starting to think that building my own excel spreadsheet is the way to go, your post is very helpful and corroborates that impression. I just have to find the time and motivation to do it rsrsrs.

 

[captpat]

I am starting to think that building my own excel spreadsheet is the way to go, your post is very helpful and corroborates that impression. I just have to find the time and motivation to do it rsrsrs.

The biggest investment is in entering all of the data initially, thereafter updating only takes a few minutes when you add or subtract from the cellar. A nice thing about spreadsheets is that they can be readily modified to suit your needs as they evolve. I periodically make enhancements to my workbooks.

I've attached a screenshot of the sheet I use to enter tobacco data on

I've formatted the target date cell to turn green once 5 years of age has been reached.

At some point I began assigning a unique serial number to each tin/jar/bag, the serial number connects the container to the spreadsheet. Early on I used purchase date and blend for that purpose but that became problematic.

I've a separate sheet in the workbook that has pivot tables as well as summary statistics, e.g, lbs, # tins, #blender, etc.

 

[Pipe&Chess]

The biggest investment is in entering all of the data initially, thereafter updating only takes a few minutes when you add or subtract from the cellar. A nice thing about spreadsheets is that they can be readily modified to suit your needs as they evolve. I periodically make enhancements to my workbooks.

I've attached a screenshot of the sheet I use to enter tobacco data onView attachment 208154

I've formatted the target date cell to turn green once 5 years of age has been reached.

At some point I began assigning a unique serial number to each tin/jar/bag, the serial number connects the container to the spreadsheet. Early on I used purchase date and blend for that purpose but that became problematic.

I've a separate sheet in the workbook that has pivot tables as well as summary statistics, e.g, lbs, # tins, #blender, etc.

Great method. I might use this as a template for mine. I just have to get more up to date on the pivot tables/macros as I normally do more basic stuff in excel.
Thanks!

 

[captpat]

Great method. I might use this as a template for mine. I just have to get more up to date on the pivot tables/macros as I normally do more basic stuff in excel.
Thanks!

There are a lot of resources on the web (e.g., YouTube) to learn about using pivot tables. It sounds harder than it is. One other caution is that if you perform calculations using dates (in the sample the target date and age cells are calculated) make sure to carefully follow how excel does date calculations, otherwise you'll get some screwy or nonsensical results.

One change I'm going to make to the spreadsheet is to add a location indicator column. For example, if you use totes to store your tobacco, number each tote 1,2,3... then note on the spreadsheet which tote the tin went into. It really speeds up the search for a particular tin. Credit for this idea goes to @hoosierpipeguy.

 

[Pipe&Chess]

There are a lot of resources on the web (e.g., YouTube) to learn about using pivot tables. It sounds harder than it is. One other caution is that if you perform calculations using dates (in the sample the target date and age cells are calculated) make sure to carefully follow how excel does date calculations, otherwise you'll get some screwy or nonsensical results.

One change I'm going to make to the spreadsheet is to add a location indicator column. For example, if you use totes to store your tobacco, number each tote 1,2,3... then note on the spreadsheet which tote the tin went into. It really speeds up the search for a particular tin. Credit for this idea goes to @hoosierpipeguy.

Will do. It will be a plus to remove some of the dust on my excel knowledge anyway.
And the tip about location is good also. For a beginner (less than a year in the hobby) I have already accumulated a good number of tins and jars, it is becoming harder and harder to locate one specific tobacco.

 

[kcghost]

It seems like more work than it is worth. Particularly for the providers of the app. Pipesmokers are notorious for not wanting to pay for anything.

 

[rjpuffs]

Hi folks, I am the guy who runs TobaccoCellar.com - some of the old-timers may remember me from older forums where I was visible (and loud).

In reality I have moved past this hobby regretfully, it has been several years since RJ actually puff'ed. I have kept the site going and really have not maintained it or even looked at it much,

Yes, new registrations have been disabled. Not for any other reason but to evaluate if anyone would notice (apparently, you'all did). There is also the issues others have pointed out here - is it still relevant, is it still needed? I am still sitting on 50 odd pounds of baccy and this is the only place I have a list of my stash so I keep it around.

Glad to hear what you folks think.

 

[Pipe&Chess]

Than

Hi folks, I am the guy who runs TobaccoCellar.com - some of the old-timers may remember me from older forums where I was visible (and loud).

In reality I have moved past this hobby regretfully, it has been several years since RJ actually puff'ed. I have kept the site going and really have not maintained it or even looked at it much,

Yes, new registrations have been disabled. Not for any other reason but to evaluate if anyone would notice (apparently, you'all did). There is also the issues others have pointed out here - is it still relevant, is it still needed? I am still sitting on 50 odd pounds of baccy and this is the only place I have a list of my stash so I keep it around.

Glad to hear what you folks think.

 

[Pipe&Chess]

Thanks RJ. It was me that posted the initial question…
I imagined that it was really a work of passion by one of us that created and kept the site going. And I understand as well why you decided to stop getting new members.

I am developing my own spreadsheet to keep track of my cellar. By the way, if by any chance you feel like sharing a excel spreadsheet with the original macros and structure to track a tobacco cellar, I would gladly use it … But I do not even know if excel is the basis for the web site… Anyhow, thank you for you kind reply. And, by the way, if you ever open the site again for new members, I would be gladly in line to join it!
Regards from Southern Brazil.
Harley ( I have the name, but not the bike rsrsrs).

 

[craig61a]

 

[DesertDan]

I use an Excel spreadsheet.
It's been a while since I updated it, need to get to that at some point.

 

[Highlandpiper]

I'm using the new version of 'thepipetool' and no complaints as yet. However I am also maintaining my excel cellar as I have a built in distrust of technology.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

All these ideas seem really cool, but time consuming.

I just open a tub and see what is inside. How do you use the information? Do you use the information to select a tobacco to smoke? I usually have no idea what pipe or tobacco I will smoke until I am in front of my pipe rack and tobacco supply.

 

[EvertonFC]

I use Google Sheets. That way I can both customize it as much as I wish and see it from anywhere.

 

[EvertonFC]

View attachment 208154

I do something similar, but with Blend Type, Contents, Flavoring, Cut and Rating, all taken from TobaccoReviews.com.

 

[EvertonFC]

How do you use the information? Do you use the information to select a tobacco to smoke? I usually have no idea what pipe or tobacco I will smoke until I am in front of my pipe rack and tobacco supply.

I use it in a couple of different ways:

1. To keep track of what I've purchased. I have over 150 different labels of tobacco.
2. To take notes on what I've tried, what I liked, what I want to buy more of, what I want to never buy again, etc.
3. To find patterns in what I'm enjoying and to seek more tobaccos out that fit that profile, as well as the reverse

I live my life by a simple mantra, "If it's worth doing, it's worth meticulously tracking in an appropriately detailed spreadsheet."

 

[captpat]

All these ideas seem really cool, but time consuming.

I just open a tub and see what is inside. How do you use the information? Do you use the information to select a tobacco to smoke? I usually have no idea what pipe or tobacco I will smoke until I am in front of my pipe rack and tobacco supply.

Among the things I use it for

Track what was bought and when. For example, I might have 50 tins of ODF purchased over a number of years the spreadsheet helps me to pick the oldest tin first. I've also avoided adding stuff to the cellar that I already have in sufficient quantity.

I keep track of tobaccos I don't like so I don't order them again.

It allows me to answer all sorts of forum questions about my cellar, e.g., total weight, number of blends, number of blenders, average age, what blends I have the most of, etc., etc., etc....

 

[pylorns]

Ehem... www.thepipetool.com -- you can import your tobacco cellar to it.

 

[Doctor Chopper]

I use it in a couple of different ways:

1. To keep track of what I've purchased. I have over 150 different labels of tobacco.
2. To take notes on what I've tried, what I liked, what I want to buy more of, what I want to never buy again, etc.
3. To find patterns in what I'm enjoying and to seek more tobaccos out that fit that profile, as well as the reverse

I live my life by a simple mantra, "If it's worth doing, it's worth meticulously tracking in an appropriately detailed spreadsheet."

I can see how that would be helpful, and make it easier to select which tin to open or buy next.