Jarred Tobacco Shelf Life :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions (2024)

FAQs

How long does pipe tobacco last in a jar? ›

Once [a container of tobacco is] opened, there are many options for storage, but, ideally, it should be consumed within a month or two of opening. I always transfer open tins to half pint mason jars, then label the top.

Storing Pipe Tobacco in Jars

For the best results, make sure that your jar has an airtight seal. The main drawback of storing your tobacco in jars, particularly glass or acrylic ones, is that the tobacco can still be exposed to sunlight.

Does Pipe Tobacco Go Bad? The short answer is yes, but the long answer is that the shelf life of pipe tobacco is a bit longer than cigars. There are a few reasons why it's best to use tobacco within two years, however. Note: Some of these facts are just general guidelines.

Mason jars are the choice of many, many ASPers. For bulk tobacco storage mason or Ball [brand] jars with good rubber seals work very well as they are air tight and keep the contents from drying out. I would suggest keeping the jar in a dark place (closet, drawer, etc.). I use Mason jars exclusively.

If you are going to transfer a fresh tin of tobacco to a Mason Jar, I strongly suggest that you don't add any water and keep the jars in a dark, cool and dry location for best long term results. And though it will take up extra space, you may consider using the smaller two ounce jars for best results.

Cigarettes go stale when the tobacco loses its moisture and dries out. Hold the cigarette between your fingers and lightly press down. A fresh cigarette should have a slight bounce when you pinch it. If the cigarette feels brittle, hard, or any tobacco comes out the end, it's gone stale.

Just as you can restore old stogies and old smoking pipes, you can, in a majority of instances, also breathe new life into old/dried out tobacco. By employing a bit of distilled water, common sense, and patience, it is possible to revive that pipe tobacco at last.

If your tobacco comes in a ziplock bag then it may dry out faster as it isn't the most air tight option. So where should you store your pipe tobacco? Contrary to popular belief, pipe tobacco can be stored inside a humidor.

Tobacco with a lot of flavoring and humectant can sit in zip lock bags for a couple of years and not dry out noticeably. Most bulk blends can surely do likewise for six months or so. The more you open the bag the quicker it will become dry.

No, cigarettes don't expire, but the person smoking them does. Staleness can be dryness or oxidation, neither of which significantly change the molecular constituents of the tobacco.

What is the best pipe tobacco to age? ›

First of all, aging benefits certain types of tobacco more than others. Virginia and Virginia/Perique blends probably are the ones that change most noticeably and generally become sweeter and smoother.

Some tobaccos, most notably Virginias and Virginia blends, seem to have the longest life expectancy; I've smoked Three Nuns that was over 50 years old, and it was simply amazing. Latakia mixtures don't seem to improve for as long, but still a long time.

In general you can take the number of ounces on the jar and divide it by four to determine how much tobacco you can actually put in it. For example, an 8 ounce (Half-Pint) jar will hold 2 ounces of tobacco. This is just a general rule of thumb though.

The trick of keeping it in the fridge

Rolling tobacco can retain its moisture for much longer if it is stored in the fridge in a plastic wrap bag or in a specific tobacco can. It is important that the tobacco package is hermetically sealed to preserve its good condition for much longer.

You can gather your harvested leaves in one to four leaf bunches and zip tie them at the stems. Make sure there is plenty of air flow between the leaves. If the leaves stick together, they will become moldy. The drying process takes about three to four weeks to complete.

If it's in a tin with it's vacuum seal intact it can technically last for 75+ years. If it's been opened it's good for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Tobacco stored in mason jars or mylar bags should also last indefinitely.

After opening, the cigarettes will be stale in about two days if left opened. Some people (like me) are more sensitive to the stale taste and can taste it the next day, others aren't really bothered by it until they dry out and really taste funky (about three days opened).

Pipe tobacco should be always kept at near-perfect moisture levels, neither too moist nor too dry. If it dries out, you'll have to re-hydrate it to get the moisture back to boost its shelf life.

The trick of keeping it in the fridge

Absolutely! Rolling tobacco can retain its moisture for much longer if it is stored in the fridge in a plastic wrap bag or in a specific tobacco can. It is important that the tobacco package is hermetically sealed to preserve its good condition for much longer.