Hi everyone, I was checking my tins today for their vacuum seal. I noticed on one of them that the contents shook quite alot, but the seal seemed intact. The tin still feels solid and dimpled. To me, this seems like the seal is good. But I have read on here some people recommending to move tins whose contents shake like this into a jar. I'd appreciate any advice on this. Thanks!
When is the vacuum seal broken?
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Depends on the cut. None of my ready rubbed/ribbon/loose cuts move around in there at all, whereas all the flakes do. That's normal, though. If you've got a ready rubbed blend with room to move in the tin, I would think something is amiss. But yes, when in doubt, jar it, or for longer term storage, mylar the tins themselves. Also, square/rectangular tins are somewhat notorious for having an undependable seal, as opposed to circular ones.
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
You can take the tin and put it in a (tin and all) and put in a boveda humidity pack.
Contents will move unless it’s packed tight by volume. The vacuum doesn’t prevent movement.
If the lid comes off, you have an issue.
If the lid comes off, you have an issue.
^^^ This. It can be tough to tell, but if you can smell the contents, then the seal is probably broken.
I can smell aroma from all of my non-C&D style tins. Round, rectangle or square all leak some amounts of aroma for me.
me too but for me it's only certain parts of the scent. If it's full on then the seal is done.
I was rummaging through one of the Rubbermaid containers where I store part of my pipe tobacco stash yesterday. The Latakia smell was quiet pungent. Since I recently discovered several Mac Baren tins that had lost their seal, I immediately zeroed in on the Sam Gawith tins in this container. Sure enough, four Squadron Leader tins had lost their seal. I don’t have enough room for more mason jars so a vacuum sealer is on it’s way from Amazon.
I know several others have warned against square and rectangle tins on the forum. Heed their advice, friends. I’m up to 11 tins with compromised seals this year alone. Fortunately, I caught these in time before they dried out.
I know several others have warned against square and rectangle tins on the forum. Heed their advice, friends. I’m up to 11 tins with compromised seals this year alone. Fortunately, I caught these in time before they dried out.
If you see any rust on the can, likely the seal has been compromised. Best to open it and start smoking.
In my experience, that's not necessarily true. Rust outside doesn't automatically mean rust inside. And a tin that is rust free outside isn't automatically rust free inside. I've seen both tins that are rusty on the outside but pristine inside, and tins that are pristine on the outside but are rusty inside. I've seen these in both round and square tins. In all cases they had good seals.
I don't think you can, not without spending a whole bunch of money.
This is a flake. Fribourg and Treyer Vintage in a circular tin. I have a few tins of the same blend and the contents don't shake nearly as much. I think this is what worried me. I take it that the solidity of the tin is a better sign of vacuum seal than anything else.
Just try to pull the tin open with your fingers. In my experience with cellaring for years now, I cannot pull a tin open with just my fingers. NEVER! If it does open, then the vacuum seal was compromised. In that case, move to a jar. If it doesn't open, let it ride. Easy peasy.
Really? I always pry open a new tin with just my fingers. My technique is to hold the bottom of the tin in one hand and with the other, use my index, middle, and ring fingers. Middle finger goes on the small indent where you would insert a knife, screwdriver, etc. Anyone else do this?
Well, if you have bionic fingers, then maybe just give it a moderate tug, instead of the full on, technique.
I can barely get mine open with a quarter, much less my bare fingers.
I understand what you were getting at. The seal can be tested without breaking it. I was just curious if anyone else popped tins with just their fingers. I'm pretty sure it's more about the technique than strength. I have pretty sissy hands and can manage. Maybe I'll record a video of my "technique" one of these days.
I open tins using a stubby screwdriver. It's fairly large, about 5/16" wide but only 2" long. Got it at a garage sale just for this purpose. Expensive; cost me a quarter...