The freezing method.

[Darrell]

I have read that people froze cigars when they came in from the mail in order to prevent the eggs of the beetles from hatching. Can you guys provide a link or instructions on freezing. (i.e. how long to freeze, how long to put in fridge, etc.)

Thanks!

[pnoon]

Searching for the word "freeze" in the thread title brings up 21 threads.
Try it. You'll like it!

[Darrell]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Searching for the word "freeze" in the thread title brings up 21 threads.
Try it. You'll like it!

Ugh.

I searched for freezing, frozen, but not freeze. Shame on me.

[palm55]

During the warm months, I double-bag them, toss them into the deep-freeze for a couple of days, transfer them to the refrigerator for a day, then just plop them into a coolerdor.

This may be rather unscientific, but it seems to work... Never had any beetle problems in three years.

[Double Ligero]

I have one particular desktop humi that I use for cigars I've been gifted or picked up at a Herf or auction etc.
A couple weeks ago I discovered beetle holes in about a dozen cigars!
I double bagged it all and froze it for a week! (Overkill, I know)

Now, regardless of where it comes from all boxes and singles spend a day in the fridge, 3-4 days in the freezer, then a day back in the fridge. After that they go back in the humi where they seem to smoke fine in a few days.

[Matthew]

I often freeze based upon the shipping origin of my cigars. If they come out of Asia, I freeze them; if they come from Europe, I typically don't.

If you don't know how cold your freezer really gets, I'd err on the safe side and keep them in a week.

[GMPOWER]

I freeze everything that comes in. Three days in the freezer, then one day in the fridge, and then back in the humidor after a few hours of sitting out. Here is a good write up on freezing. http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showpos...77&postcount=3

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by Darrell

I have read that people froze cigars when they came in from the mail in order to prevent the eggs of the beetles from hatching. Can you guys provide a link or instructions on freezing. (i.e. how long to freeze, how long to put in fridge, etc.)

Thanks!

Originally Posted by pnoon

Searching for the word "freeze" in the thread title brings up 21 threads.
Try it. You'll like it!

I use dry ice.

Tristan had a thread about his experience recently.


Beetle Extermination: The Experiment

[hoax]

What I do.

1. Double bag cigars in big ziplock freezer bags. Use a straw to suck out as much air as possible.

2. Leave in freezer for at least five days.

3. Transfer bags to fridge for at least one day.

4. Let cigars sit at least a week at proper humidity before smoking.

[thebiglebowski]

Originally Posted by palm55

During the warm months, I double-bag them, toss them into the deep-freeze for a couple of days, transfer them to the refrigerator for a day, then just plop them into a coolerdor.

This may be rather unscientific, but it seems to work... Never had any beetle problems in three years.

not that palm's stupid, but my process is the same.

[hollywood]

Originally Posted by hoax

What I do.

1. Double bag cigars in big ziplock freezer bags. Use a straw to suck out as much air as possible.

2. Leave in freezer for at least five days.

3. Transfer bags to fridge for at least one day.

4. Let cigars sit at least a week at proper humidity before smoking.

Ditto.

[BigFrankMD]

Is it harmful to not freeze them? Ive never heard of anyone freezing smokes until I read this post. Been smoking for sometime, and never experienced beetles. I mean how much at risk are the smokes?

[j6ppc]

Originally Posted by BigFrankMD

Is it harmful to not freeze them? Ive never heard of anyone freezing smokes until I read this post. Been smoking for sometime, and never experienced beetles. I mean how much at risk are the smokes?

In most situations you'd probably only lose a few smokes assuming you caught things early. In the worst case you could lose most or all of your stash e.g. if you were away for a few weeks and the outbreak went unchecked.

• Some freeze everything they receive just to be sure.
• Others only freeze if they feel they might have increased risk (for example say you had a multi day power outage and your cigars got well into the 80s which certainly makes for a greater of hatching).
• Finally there are those who only freeze if they have evidence of an active infestation.

[BigFrankMD]

Originally Posted by j6ppc

In most situations you'd probably only lose a few smokes assuming you caught things early. In the worst case you could lose most or all of your stash e.g. if you were away for a few weeks and the outbreak went unchecked.

• Some freeze everything they receive just to be sure.
• Others only freeze if they feel they might have increased risk (for example say you had a multi day power outage and your cigars got well into the 80s which certainly makes for a greater of hatching).
• Finally there are those who only freeze if they have evidence of an active infestation.

im assuming that the outbreak would even be less if the temps are always low and most of the smokes are still in the cello?

thanks for the info. I dont think id be able to freeze my stash unless needed, my fiancee would flip shit if she found my stogies in the fridge and freezer. lol

[drvr01]

Great post for newbs, like me. I didn`t know this could be an issue.