Tobacco storage

**MrTree** · 09-15-2012, 00:44

So I've got a question about storage. I've been storing my baccy in mason jars in my basement. I boiled the jars to disinfect them and then dried them in the oven. Then I cooled them to room temp and filled with the good stuff.

My question is is it ok to open them and then reseal? It seems like a lot of people plow through Tins of tobacco but I tend to do a pipe or two of this or that and then smoke a whole bunch of other stuff before I revisit a tobacco. So jars are sealed, then opened, then I may close them again for a month or so. Will the tobacco stay ok since I am reopening and closing it on a semi regular basis?

**Bob** · 09-15-2012, 01:00

If you are looking for optimum aging effects, like for VA's I wouldn't disturb them until they are aged to your liking. If you are just storing for smoking purposes then I don't see any harm in it if you keep the jars out of direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. I tend to do the same as you with my favorite tobaccos (I have a lot of favorites) and have not had any problems.

**MrTree** · 09-15-2012, 02:10

Originally Posted by Bob

If you are looking for optimum aging effects, like for VA's I wouldn't disturb them until they are aged to your liking. If you are just storing for smoking purposes then I don't see any harm in it if you keep the jars out of direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. I tend to do the same as you with my favorite tobaccos (I have a lot of favorites) and have not had any problems.

Ok so follow up question. If I buy some VA and leave it in the tin will it age?

**Bob** · 09-15-2012, 03:16

Yes it will. Keep it in a cool,dry, and dark place.

**Bob** · 09-15-2012, 03:22

This may interest you:

http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=65

**MrTree** · 09-15-2012, 03:56

Originally Posted by Bob

This may interest you:

http://glpease.com/BriarAndLeaf/?p=65

Excellent info, thanks!

**HCraven** · 09-15-2012, 11:02

I'm like you, I smoke a few bowls from a tin, put it away for a while, and come back to it. As long as you're using jars appropriate to the amount of tobacco (i.e. an 8oz jar for a 50g / 2oz tin, or a 16oz jar for 100g), you should be fine opening them periodically. If the tobacco seems to be getting a little dryer than optimal for storage, throw a humidisk in the jar for a couple of days.

Bear in mind that the humidity inside the jar will never dip below the humidity of the area it's stored in, so if your basement is somewhat damp, it may not be a problem at all. On the other hand, if the basement is damp, there may be mold spores floating about, so opening the tobacco down there could allow some of that mold into the jar to potentially take root on your leaf.

BTW, I like these jars for storing a tin's worth of tobacco. They have a wide mouth and they're nice and shallow, making it easier to reach in and grab a few pinches of tobacco.

Herb

**pipeinhand** · 09-16-2012, 18:10

I don't have any issue with mine being open/closed a lot. Mine is upstairs so the mold issue is not a problem, but it may give you some thought being downstairs as noted.