Freezing cigars

[KinnScience]

I realize that freezing is often necessary to protect against tobacco beetles. My cigar room air conditioner failed during the day (well, actually it was my fault), and I came home to see that the temp was 81 degrees F. It had been this way for around 5 hours tops, but I believe this may be enough time for an egg to hatch (I just assume that there has to be at least one or two eggs somewhere in my gars)

Anyway, I thought I should take out my gars ... and freeze them. But I am concerned about this process. Given that there is some humidity inside the gars, and given that freezing will inevitably cause a rupture of plant cellulose (fiber/cell walls) I am concerned about it changing the construct and burning qualities of my gars.

Should I wait to see if there is some kind of hatch? Am I being too careful? Has anyone ever noticed a freeze that "changes or damages" their cigars in any way?

Concerned (as usual)

KS

Oh, one final question: does anyone know if most cigar companies or online distributors freeze the gars before selling/shipping?

[Koolpsych]

I honestly would not worry about your cigars. Although I am new and I'm sure more senior puffers can offer better advice, I have read of people letting cigars heat to above the recommended limit for much longer and the cigars were fine. In fact I have left a box of cigars out in around 78 F weather for a day and no harm was done save for a little humidity loss. Not all cigars will have tobacco beetles in them, and I would not worry until I actually saw some visual signs that the cigars were infected. (Puff has a decent article on this in the archives) If you are really worried you could isolated the cigars for a time until you are sure no beetles are present. Freezing them is a drastic measure and from what I have read your cigars will loose some flavor and possibly form.

I am interested to see how others feel on this matter.

[DSturg369]

An occasional spike in temps shouldn't effect your cigars too much........ But........ I would just keep a close eye on them for awhile, maybe check them every couple days to make sure nothing is happening. Check every cigar, take each one out of the box and inspect it very well. If I did find any little holes I'd freeze that box alone and continue my search on a daily basis, repeat if more holes are found. If your cigars are at/near the proper humidity you shouldn't have any problems in the freezing/unfreezing process.

[Mustard]

"Oh, one final question: does anyone know if most cigar companies or online distributors freeze the gars before selling/shipping?"


Padron does.



"Should I wait to see if there is some kind of hatch?"

yes


"Am I being too careful?"


Yes


"Has anyone ever noticed a freeze that "changes or damages" their cigars in any way?"


The few times over the years that I had too, never noticed any changes.

[madurolover]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

An occasional spike in temps shouldn't effect your cigars too much........ But........ I would just keep a close eye on them for awhile, maybe check them every couple days to make sure nothing is happening. Check every cigar, take each one out of the box and inspect it very well. If I did find any little holes I'd freeze that box alone and continue my search on a daily basis, repeat if more holes are found. If your cigars are at/near the proper humidity you shouldn't have any problems in the freezing/unfreezing process.

Dale hit it right on the head here. To answer a couple of your other questions, yes most of the time the cigars are frozen before they hit the market. Also there is no such thing as being too cautious.

I know some guys who don't worry that much about temps and have never had a problem but on the other hand I have seen guys post pics of beetle damage and it is a risk I am not willing to take.

[ZedR2]

I wouldn't worry about it , I see your from Pennsylvania and the biggest problem with tobacco beetles comes from the south or the Islands where that temperature is constantly high all year round ..
I keep my cigars in my computer room and it usually heats up more there than the other rooms and I have never had a problem , only once , when a friend from Trinidad sent me up a box for Xmas, a week later they were all filled with little holes ...

If this is realy going to bother you put them in the fridge for two days , then in the freezer for two days , back in the fridge for two days and then out and back in the humi

[DBCcigar]

I would not freeze them unless you notice several beetle holes in more than one cigar....

[Raybird]

Here in the desert it is usually about 78-79 inside, even with AC running frequently. I've never seen beetles in my humidor-stored cigars, even those aged for years. I would not want to get above 80 degrees for any length of time, but below that you should be fine. I should add that it's only that warm here in the summer months.

[KinnScience]

thanks for the data guys... much appreciated. Gonna watch them close for a few days .. week, and then freeze if need be.

feel better now.

Thing is: I'm getting a fairly nice collection of gars. I plan on keeping the air at one setting...

Can't wait till I get my new smoke room up and running. I won't have to worry.

Picture this: all my pipes surrounding me on racks... on wooden cases, cigar humidors at every angle, big ash trays, leather chairs, softshostacovich, chopin, Mendelssohn violin concerto in the background ... wife and kids at the mall... favorite cigar mags on the table, stale smoke smell permeates the room .... and what shall I smoke tonight? Brings a tear to your eye, eh?

[Phantom57]

Only five hours, nothing to worry about. Highest risk are CCs.