Pipe Tobacco Moisture Level

What is the ideal moisture level for pipe tobacco? Or does it really matter?

Unlike cigars, which experts agree should be kept within a humidity range of 68 to 75 percent, pipe tobacco isn't so easily pegged. The difficulty is due to the wide range of tobacco types and blends, the smoking qualities of different pipes, and even the different preferences of individual smokers.

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Even though it is difficult to identify a universal moisture level for pipe tobacco, most pipe smokers agree that when tobacco gets too dry or too wet, it is less enjoyable to smoke.

When tobacco is overly dry, it has a tendency to burn too easily and quickly. This produces an excessively hot smoke, which reduces the flavors and can create uncomfortable temperatures in the mouth. Although less common, a pipe that is burning too hot can also lead to burnout or other damage.

Conversely, when tobacco is too moist, it burns poorly and the pipe goes out frequently. This often causes the smoker to puff harder and draw deeper, which is a sure-fire recipe for tongue bite. The excess moisture can also cause a pipe to gurgle (a bubbling sound caused by moisture buildup in the shank and/or stem). Excess moisture, just like excessive dryness, also diminishes the flavor or taste of the tobacco.

As I mentioned above, the various types of tobacco and different blends may require varying levels of moisture for an optimum smoking experience. So you'll probably have to do some experimenting to find the right combination of factors for your own personal habits and pipes. But finding a balance that avoids either extreme of too dry or too moist is worth the trial and error.

Pipe Tobacco Expiration Date

How long will tobacco keep? Does it have an "expiration date"?

Unfortunately, there is no "one size fits all" answer. There are many factors that affect the shelf life of tobacco: type of tobacco, type of storage container, climate, etc.

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In theory, if properly stored in airtight containers, out of direct sunlight, tobacco can be successfully stored for a great many years. Some tobaccos, however, do not age well and may not maintain their desirable flavor over time.

Of course, sealed tins will keep longer than open tins. But in most situations, if you have good quality storage containers, you shouldn't have any trouble storing even opened tobacco for months at a time or longer.

If you are concerned about keeping your tobacco fresh, I would definitely invest in some good bail jars or something similar. (You may want to read my brief comments about tobacco storage at the links provided above.)

Storage Containers for Pipe Tobacco

What is the recommended storage container for pipe tobacco?

You're probably finding out that the little zip lock baggies, folder over pouches, and even the tins in which tobacco is sold simply do not keep tobacco fresh for very long.

There are various approaches to tobacco storage and "cellaring", i.e., the long term storage of tobacco. I won't go into great detail here, other than to say that the best way to store tobacco depends on a number factors, such as tobacco type, desired length/time of storage, and financial considerations, i.e., how much you can afford to spend. Here are some basic thoughts and recommendations for you.

Short-Term Storage

Inexpensive plastic containers, such as Tupperware, Rubbermaid, or Ziplock Reusable are easy to obtain and work acceptably for short-term storage. However, plastics and acrylics often have a "chemical" odor that can affect the tobacco over time. If the container has a strange odor, it will likely impart an unpleasant smell or taste to your tobacco. Also, these materials do not trap odors as well and can leave your home/room smelling like tobacco. That may not be a bad thing, but others in the home may not approve!

Long-Term Storage

In light of this, glass is the best material for storing tobacco. Jars made of glass are a bit more expensive, but they are definitely the preferred choice. They impart no odors or tastes to the tobacco, they are not air-permeable, and they are easily washed and reused.

Of course, an air tight seal is desirable. Air acts with moisture to create mold, mildew and other nasty funk. The best jars for an air tight seal are probably "bail jars". These jars typically have a rubber or silicon gasket and a metal clasp that locks down to seal the lid. Unfortunately, bail jars can be quite expensive. Occasionally one can find them on sale for very reasonable prices. I recently purchased some excellent glass bail jars for $2.49 (small size) and $3.99 (large size) each. But either way, it is an investment in protecting your tobacco, which can be quite expensive itself.

Mid-Term Storage

If bail jars are simply too expensive, the next best thing for every day storage, but not necessarily for long term storage, are the standard glass jars often found in stores like Walmart, Kmart, etc. These "push top" jars are made of glass and have plastic or silicone flanges on the lid that create a seal when pushed on. They're nearly air tight (but not perfectly so) and do a great job keeping tobacco fresh for many months. These are the types of jars that I use for much of my current tobacco rotation. They're available in a variety of sizes and are very reasonably priced, ranging from $2.00 to $8.00 depending on size.

Some also like to use standard Mason jars for storing tobacco. These jars are made of glass and have screw-on lids with a gasket seal. These can also work quite well, but the small openings can make it awkward to reach the tobacco.

Rehydrate Dry Pipe Tobacco

How to rehydrate tobacco that is too dry

Some time ago I wrote on how to dry tobacco that is too moist. However, the majority of tobacco pipe smokers have the opposite problem.
Every pipe smoker has encountered difficulties with a tobacco that gets dried out. Tobacco without enough moisture tends to burn too easily, resulting in an excessively hot smoke. This diminishes flavor and causes other unpleasant side effects, including the possibility of pipe burnout.

There are perhaps countless ways that smokers have devised to rehydrate their tobacco. Below I present two very simple methods recommended by various experts for giving your tobacco a "moisture adjustment."

Method 1
(This method is advocated by Greg L. Pease, Master Tobacco Blender; it's also my own favorite method)

1. Put the dry tobacco in a bowl.
2. Wet a towel until it is saturated but not dripping wet. (Preferably use distilled water in order to avoid contamination from bacteria or other substances.)
3. Place the towel over top of the bowl, but don't allow it to touch the tobacco.
4. Check the tobacco every several hours.

            Image source: christianpipesmokers.net

Method 2
(This method is advocated by Per Georg Jensen of Mac Baren Tobacco)

1. Open the tin or pouch and place it in a plastic bag.
2. Bring a kettle of water to the boil.
3. When steam starts to form, hold the opening of the plastic bag over the steam. Make sure that the steam goes inside the bag. 5 seconds of steam into the pouch will be enough.
4. Knot the bag closed and allow to stand for about one hour.
5. The tobacco in the bag will absorb the moisture.
6. After about one hour the tobacco will have regained its original moisture level.

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Tobacco and Pipe Flavor

Can tobacco permanently affect the flavor or aroma of a pipe?

Over time, every tobacco will leave a residual flavor/aroma in your briar pipe (meerschaum tends to be less affected). Unless it is an excessively strong tobacco, it won't occur in just a few bowls, but the pipe will eventually become "seasoned" with the flavors and aromas of the tobacco you smoke in it.

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Sometimes a pipe smoker will try a new blend several times before deciding he doesn't like it. If an unwanted aroma or flavor is detectable, a good cleaning with alcohol and pipe cleaners will usually take care of it. Also, the unwanted taste/smell will usually fade quickly once you start smoking a different tobacco in the pipe.

In a worst case scenario, if the offending tobacco was especially potent, you could perform the salt and alcohol treatment to more aggressively remove unwanted flavors or aromas. (You will read about how to perform the salt and alcohol treatment in a future post I am writing).

The fact that tobacco eventually flavors a pipe is a major reason why many smokers prefer to own at least several pipes. This way each pipe can be dedicated to different tobacco types and prevents unwanted "tainting" or "cross-over" flavoring. (You can read more about the practice of dedicating pipes to specific blends here.)

Drying Moist Pipe Tobacco

How do I dry tobacco that is too wet or moist?

Every pipe smoker has encountered difficulties with a tobacco that is too wet.

                Image source: pipesmagazine.com

Tobacco with too much moisture is difficult to light and frustrating to keep burning. This often leads to frantic puffing and the dreaded tongue bite. And if one has success with the burning, wet tobacco can leave a goopy mess in the bowl, which is undesirable.

There are perhaps countless ways that smokers have devised to dry out their tobacco. Below I present a very simple method recommended by various experts for giving your tobacco a "moisture adjustment."

• Remove the desired amount of tobacco from the tin, pouch, or container.
• Place it on a sheet of paper and spread it out in a uniform layer (avoid piles or bundles of tobacco).
• Allow the tobacco to air dry until it has reached the desired moisture level. Repeat the test noted above to determine a desirable moisture level.
• Depending on the tobacco cut and original moisture content, this can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Also, bear in mind that weather conditions, particularly humidity levels can dramatically affect the drying process.