What do you do with moist tobacco?

[riverchaopraya]

My current favorite tobacco is Peterson's Irish Oak, which tastes fantastic but is quite moist. After the middle of the bowl the smoke gets hot and tongue biting. Should I leave the tin opened and air dry the tobacco? What's the standard solution for such case? Thanks. River.

 

[bowhatchie]

River,
I would not suggest leaving the top of the tin open....What I would do if you have the chance is take out a bowl full and set it aside for a bit prior to smoking.. allowing it to dry if you think the tobacco is to moist.... trial and error will allow you to determine how long it needs to "dry" to suit your taste...

 

[riverchaopraya]

Thanks bowhatchie. I'll follow your advice.

 

[fred]

Some blends are best dried out a bowl at a time. Others may require

letting the tin dry for a day or more, such as Dark Star and Blackwoods Flake.

Another method is to load the Pipe and let it sit for enough time to

allow the tobacco to dry out. If the blend is too dry for your tastes, then

you can easily return it to your preferred moisture level by cupping your hands

around the bowl to form a seal and then exhale into the bowl. The moisture

in your breath will re-hydrate the tobacco.

 

[romeowood]

It's been posted here before, but bears repeating: Greg Pease's FAQ
Since I'm smoking a lot of very aromatic stuff lately, I've encountered the same thing River. I'm using two techniques depending on how moist the tobacco is and how it's cut. The thicker cuts (or if it's just really sticky cased) I leave for a couple days in a stoneware dish with a loose-fitting lid--it's very dry here right now and this seems to dry it out at a very nice rate while keeping all the lovely aroma in. Finer cuts I simply place on a paper plate and allow to air-dry for as long as it takes to get the right feel between my fingers.
Also, have you checked out the different packing methods? There's a recent thread on here about those, and the air pocket method helps a lot with the goopy stuff.
It takes practice, but not a science degree--I'm managing a much better consistency than I was 9 months ago. Another reason why pipe smoking is such a wonderful pastime is its reliance on our tactile senses.

 

[pstlpkr]

When I am confronted with a particularly moist tobacco.

I find that it is the perfect time to apply DST. (Delayed Satisfaction Technique)

Carefully pack a pipe, and set it aside for an hour or two... maybe longer.

DST can be Oh So Good.

 

[riverchaopraya]

Thank you, fred and romeowood. There's so much that I don't know. I'm learning new things everyday from you guys. fred, the hydrating method is amazing; good to know I can re-hydrate the tobacco that way. Very useful. romeowood, I'll look up air pocket method right now; so great, thanks for the tips. River.

 

[riverchaopraya]

Lawrence, thank you. I'll practice delayed satisfaction technique. I'll alternating the moist tobacco with dry one, that way I don't have to wait to smoke.

 

[cortezattic]

I put the tobacco in a tray or bowl and drive off the excess moisture with a hobby type

hot air blower that provides a warm but gentle air stream. Takes only 15 - 20 seconds.

(Caution: ordinary hair blowers provide too much velocity and tobacco flies everywhere.)

.

.

ps. Leaving the tin open is generally a bad idea because the tobacco can pick up unwanted odors

and worse, mold spores; but it will work in a clean environment.

 

[hilojohnny]

My methods rarely apply to anyone else.....Since I live in Hilo ( the wettest town in the USA ) leaving tobacco exposed to the air leads to the tobacco getting wetter not drier. So I use silica dessicant packets to dry my tobacco routinely. It works very well.... :D

 

[chero]

i like my tabacco a little on the dry side. when my tobacco is to moist when i first open it i leave it open and stir it up a bit for a day or so to where i like it then close it up.

 

[tanless1]

I use fire