Rehydrating tobac

[Sovereign]

So today I cracked open a tin of FVF that I havn't touched all winter, and it's brittle and dry. I guess it didn't seal all the way. Anyway, what's the best way to rehydrate the stuff, or is it still any good at all?

[dillonmcmurphy]

Here's the method I would try first although I've never tried this with a flake. But this is GL Pease's recommened way to rehydrate tobacco and it does work (at least with ready rubbed, ribbon cut, etc). Put your tobacco in a bowl and cover the bowl with a damp cloth. Place in a cool area and let sit. Redampen cloth as needed. I find that for very dry tobacco, if i redampen the cloth about two or three times a day, it will be at a good moisture level in two or three days. Like I said, I've never attempted this with a flake, so I don't know how well it will work although I'm sure given the right amount of time, it will work for you.

Another method you could try is to either get one of those hydration pucks sold at your tobacconist shop and soak it in distilled water, then put it in a bag with your flakes rehydrating the puck as needed. I've also heard of guys using orange peel, potatoe, or apple as a substitute for the hydration puck. I've heard as long as you wipe the oils off of the orange peel it works quite well and doesn't really impart flavors into the tobacco. I've also heard potato works quite well, but that apple may impart some flavor.

Another method is putting the tobacco in one of those bags that bread loafs come in, and filling the bag with some steam from a boiling pot and then seal the bag. Haven't tried this one, but it sounds like there could be something to it. However, I still say try the first method and then if that doesn't work try the other ones. Hope this helps.

[Mister Moo]

The Pipe Tobacco Aging, Storage and Cellaring FAQ: Moisture Management

[RJpuffs]

Avoid direct contact with water (or fruits/vegetables) to the baccy. The risk of mold is high. Just do the damp towel over a bowl thing, it will work fine. And distilled water only.

[dillonmcmurphy]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

Avoid direct contact with water (or fruits/vegetables) to the baccy. The risk of mold is high. Just do the damp towel over a bowl thing, it will work fine. And distilled water only.

That's a good point about the mold. Never had it happen but I can see how it could really increase the risk. Towel over the bowl it is.

[Sovereign]

Thanks for the info, but I think the stuff is ruined. It's been bone dry for probably 3 or 4 months now. At least I get to look forward to fresh tins

[dillonmcmurphy]

Originally Posted by Sovereign

Thanks for the info, but I think the stuff is ruined. It's been bone dry for probably 3 or 4 months now. At least I get to look forward to fresh tins

Fresh tins are always a good thing lol. I have a package coming from pipesandcigars.com that should arrive tomorrow. It's primarily just some tobaccos I ordered for a tobacco trade as well as a tin of FVF for me.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Sovereign

Thanks for the info, but I think the stuff is ruined. It's been bone dry for probably 3 or 4 months now. At least I get to look forward to fresh tins

Yep - when it's dead, it doesn't get resurrected! Sorry to hear. That's a great tobacco.

[Sovereign]

Originally Posted by dmkerr

Yep - when it's dead, it doesn't get resurrected! Sorry to hear. That's a great tobacco.

Yeah, I'm a little bummed, but I'm gonna get some more and take the opportunity to get some other stuff as well

[plexiprs]

Clean a STAINLESS STEEL or GLASS pan or bowl with a mixture of water and white vinegar. Rinse well with water then dry. Take a clean cloth, I like white dishtowels, moisten with distilled water and nuke in microwave until steaming. Spread baccy in the pan and cover with towel making sure the towel doesn't touch the baccy or even threaten to. After an hour I stir the baccy and rewet and nuke the towel.

If you have time and a LOT of tins you could use a large CLEAN cooler and a pan of boiled water.

[Mad Hatter]

I wouldn't give up all hope. Bulk SG is often extremely dry. I had to remoisten the last 4 pounds I got from Smokingpipes.

[Cliffhanger]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

And distilled water only.

Is there really any point to this? I'm very skeptical that the minute traces of things in tap water will make any difference whatsoever to the final outcome, and it would moreover be a waste of time and money to use it.

[plexiprs]

The boil the water. Mold is everywhere in the air. City drinking water is treated at the water plant. How long it sits in the pipes on the way and in your home it can pick-up more unfriendly things. I use distilled or filtered boiled water only. Not so much for the lack of organisms, but other minerals and pipe crap. Of course doing all this and then mixing without clean hands is a total waste.

[Cliffhanger]

Originally Posted by plexiprs

The boil the water. Mold is everywhere in the air. City drinking water is treated at the water plant. How long it sits in the pipes on the way and in your home it can pick-up more unfriendly things. I use distilled or filtered boiled water only. Not so much for the lack of organisms, but other minerals and pipe crap. Of course doing all this and then mixing without clean hands is a total waste.

I have to say, I'm very skeptical about this. Sounds like bad science to me. Things like calcium bicarbonate (limescale) or flourides or other things commonly found in water will really not affect your pipe tobacco in any way shape or form. Your tobacco isn't a washing machine, it, you won't get limescale deposits!
Especially in the tiny tiny minute quantities present in water, we're talking about the kind of quantities it takes fairly sophisticated equipment to detect. It's totally clean as well, easily clean enough for your needs..think about it: you drink it daily, wash everything in it, it definitely isn't full of mold or bacteria. In any case, your tobacco doesn't need to be totally sterile at all times, you're smoking it! It definitely won't cause any mold when storing either, other factors like moisture and humidity, airflow etc are FAR bigger factors in that. You're rehydrating tobacco, not performing open heart surgery

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Cliffhanger

Is there really any point to this? I'm very skeptical that the minute traces of things in tap water will make any difference whatsoever to the final outcome, and it would moreover be a waste of time and money to use it.

Tap water has chlorine and dissolved crap in it. Your baccy will simply absorb it. If you air it out to get rid of the chlorine, microbe critters may visit. Spring water contains a high concentration of dissolved minerals.

Distilled water costs like a buck for a gallon that will last for a year, splurge for it already!