My First Experience with Tinned Tobaccos

[postoak]

In my search for tobaccos with more nicotine, I bought online some SG 1792 Flake, some SG Black XX, and (just because it seems popular) some Esoterica Penzance.

My question is why do these come in pressed sheets rather than ground up? I know I am supposed to "rub them out", but why doesn't the manufacturer do it?

[SmokinJohnny]

One thing I know is it takes up less space when compressed. Beyond that, it's part of the curing or fermenting process for reasons I don't know. I do know once it's rubbed out and dried a little, it's good stuff and that's all I really care about.

[postoak]

So, should I rub out the whole tin, and put the tobacco in a baggie?

[DSturg369]

Why do tobaccos come in different forms, such as flake, plug, etc?

Most the "forms" are actually pressed tobaccos. Sailors started pressing their tobaccos so that it lasted longer during their long voyages. It was mainly for practical purposes. Also, pressed tobaccos were necessary for those to chew tobaccos. Plug would therefore seem to be the mother of pressed tobaccos. Also, miner used to take their twists when they were underground, since smoking was not allowed; they would then chew the tobaccos, keep the chew bits in their "hatband", and then smoke it in their pipes when they resurfaced. The flexibility of pressed tobaccos such as plugs and twists (ropes) offered the possibility of partaking tobacco use in different ways, based on the circumstances (by chewing it or by smoking it in a pipe). Flakes have always been less demanding in their preparation than plugs and twist; they grew in popularity. However, they were still too cumbersome (at least for some) and hence the manufacturers started "rubbing out" or "breaking" the flakes before packaging them, and then the "Ready Rubbed" and "Broken" tobaccos.

Pressed tobaccos are easier to conserve and slower (and cooler) to burn. 4 grams of a pressed tobacco would last (much) longer than 4g of a mixture. They all offered the smoker the liberty to prepare the tobaccos in the form and way he likes: In case of plugs, e.g., you decide how thick you want to slice the tobaccos, and then how coarsely you want to rub it out or break it.

So, why all these forms?

1. Innovation: Manufacturers always try to introduce something different.
2. Personal preference: The smoker chooses form he likes best.

Imagine if we had tobaccos only in the form of mixtures. A lot of the fun would be missing, don't you think?

[DSturg369]

Originally Posted by postoak

So, should I rub out the whole tin, and put the tobacco in a baggie?

In my experience, just rub out what you plan to smoke for that day. Most tin tobacco seems to smoke far better if allowed to dry out just a little prior to smoking as it tends to be shipped a little on the over moist side. Great for aging but not so great for smoking. How long to dry out all depends on your tastes. You'll have to experiment.

Baggies will work if you plan to smoke all the tobacco in a week or less. If you plan on keeping it around longer, consider getting some mason-type jars (pint and quart, depending on your needs). The baggie will lose moisture whereas the jars will keep the tobacco fresh for much longer, in some cases even several years. Be sure to use clean jars and always new seals.

[dj1340]

My first foray into flake was SG FVF, took me awhile to get the hang of it. What i usually do is take 1 of the flakes and cut it into cubes with a blade (1/8" or so) and put that into a baggy. Before I want to smoke some (maybe an hour or so) I take enough out and lay it aside to dry out. After that I rub it out and put it in my pipe.
Usually dries out enough for a great smoke. This may all vary on the humidity where you live but once you get the system down, flakes are a great smoke. Just keep practicing until it gets to where you need it to be. Don't give up because the flavor is worth the effort.

Just my $.02

[dillonmcmurphy]

FVF was also my first flake. What I usually do is get a flake, roll it between my hands into a ball (like you would roll a piece of dough into a ball) then put that in my pipe leave a pocket of air between the bottom of the tobacco and the heel of the pipe. Then I let it air out in my pipe for a while before I smoke it. It's called the Air Pocket Method and I find it to work very well. I also sometimes just rub it out well and let it dry before packing, or use the "fold and roll method". Fold the flake in half length-wise, and then width-wise if necessary. Then roll it around between your fingers until its rubbed out but in the form a small log. Insert in the pipe and enjoy.

[Mister Moo]

Don't judge all tinned tobak by 1792. It is a strong, pungent and uniquely flavored flake. It is easy to hate and will ghost a pipe for sure. You might consider approaching this after experiencing more conventional tinned flakes. Or not.

[SmokinJohnny]

I agree, rub out and dry what you plan to smoke for a day or two. 30 minutes to an hour depending on your liking and the moisture of the blend.

[plexiprs]

Flakes compress and meld the flavors of the tobaccos. Large blocks of compressed and heated tobacco seem to mature, age, or ferment differently.

Rubbing is an option. I go back and forth on rubbing out or the old fold, stuff, and smoke. Mood is the determining factor, it would seem ....

[postoak]

These sent me scurrying back to my trusty Captain Black (White)!

Definitely an acquired taste.

[postoak]

BTW, Dale, thanks for all the effort you put into your answer. It was very interesting.

Now, I just opened the Black XX and saw something that looks like a sausage. Do I rub it out? It doesn't look like it would come apart easily.

[DSturg369]

Thanks Bro, and please take it as you said, an effort on my part is all it is. We all learn our own tricks of the trade, so to speak.

As for the rope/twist, a cigar cutter works great to clip off a small amout and then rub it out. It's harder to do the effort is worth it. Also, an herb or coffee grinder works good too and makes the work a lot easier.

[CrankyChris]

Originally Posted by postoak

These sent me scurrying back to my trusty Captain Black (White)!

Definitely an acquired taste.

Don't feel like you HAVE to try others if you like Captain Black. Go with it.

I would suggest however: if you smoked the flake in the same pipe as the one you smoke Cpt Blck, I would imagine it would taste terrible. If you try it again, get a cheap corn cob. VAs and aromatics do go well together in my experience.

Also - I agree that 1792 is a unique tobacco. Some of McClelland blends might be a little more mainstream. Blackwood flake or 2010 or maybe 2015 would be a good start.

[WWhermit]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

Also, an herb or coffee grinder works good too and makes the work a lot easier.

I use a coffee grinder (dedicated to my tobacco, of course) to rub out just about all my tobaccos.

If you read tobaccoreviews.com about Dark Star, the main complaint is that it's too hard to rub out, not worth the trouble. I've never had any trouble with Dark Star. 5 quick pulses for about 2 bowls worth of flakes, let them air dry for about 25 minutes, and it's easy lightin and smokin from there!

WWhermit