MacBaren plastic Canister: Long term storage?

[jackolantern]

Hey Guys,
I had a question that i've been wondering about for a while now. For long term storage 1-3 years...are the macbaren plastic 1 lb canisters any good? Or should i Mason it?

I'd appreciate your thoughts...

[cp478]

the plastic containers aren't as good. i use mason jars and they are cheap!

[Mad Hatter]

I asked the same question on another board a while back. The only answer was the canisters are no good for long term storage

[jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

I asked the same question on another board a while back. The only answer was the canisters are no good for long term storage

I'm wondering...why aren't they? They seem fairly airtight right?

[DSturg369]

Middleton plastic tubs are great storage containers. If the tubs & seals are undamaged and defect free, they will keep your tobacco's fresh for many years.

[Mad Hatter]

Originally Posted by jackolantern

I'm wondering...why aren't they? They seem fairly airtight right?

The few answers I did receive stated both the porousity of the plastic and that you can smell the tobacco through the container. Also every container I've received had very dry tobacco inside. I played on the safe side and jarred mine.

[DSturg369]

I will agree that jarring is a safer bet, but I've had a tub of Carter Hall open for over a year now, with a little taken out here and there, and it's still as fresh as the day I first opened it.... By no means dry.

[jackolantern]

Done deal...will jar them. Have one burley and virginie # 1

[Mad Hatter]

OK, the final verdict on this: This morning I took one of my empties I've been saving and began filling it with cold water at the kitchen sink. Before it was 3/4 full, water was leaking out there bottom. They look great but apparently they're not airtight.

[jackolantern]

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

OK, the final verdict on this: This morning I took one of my empties I've been saving and began filling it with cold water at the kitchen sink. Before it was 3/4 full, water was leaking out there bottom. They look great but apparently they're not airtight.

oh wow...after i jar them..i'm going to give that a try. Thats amazing though.

[DSturg369]

Sounds like maybe you just had a damaged tub...

[jackolantern]

Originally Posted by DSturg369

Sounds like maybe you just had a damaged tub...

After taking it out of the canister i measured the humidity (after letting it air dry in a bowl for an hour). The humidity was 62ish for burley and 57ish for virginia. I did the water thing and the jar held up....probably the other jars were damaged.

So far so good. My guess is the canisters are fine for under a year (or possibly even longer) but its a safer bet to just mason jar them. And that is what i did

Thanks again for all the advice guys.