frozen tobacco... still good?

[U-235]

I am in the process of moving and I have boxes of tobacco tins that I plan on storing temporarily in the garage. It will get below freezing soon and I am worried about my tobacco. I know that in order for tobaccos (especially Virginias) to age, they must have some moisture so that the enzymes can do their work. If tobacco is frozen, will this kill (or permanently denature) these enzymes. And if these enzymes are disabled, the tobacco will not age as it should. So, does freezing tobacco a bad thing? Should I bring them in the house despite the hell I'll get for doing that?

 

[Briar Spirit]

Don't let the tobacco freeze, I don't claim to understand the chemistry of it all but I cannot imagine allowing the tobacco to freeze could ever be good for it. Best bet is to put it all under your bed during the winter months, unless of course you have a gargantuan cellar, in which case perhaps some lagging in boxes to prevent freezing, the stuff folk use for water pipes.

 

[monbla256]

It's not meant to freeze. Do you pay for at least one half the cost of your new home? If so YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to store un-opened tins IN THE HOUSE! It's at least one half yours !! Sounds like you need to have a talk with someone :twisted: :twisted:

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

If it were me, I would completely avoid storing my stash in the garage, even here in Sunny California. Tobacco needs a constant temp to be at its best and for the content of your tins to continue to age properly.

 

[Northern Neil]

Cannot speak to the freezing of tobacco, but I can tell you to be careful when moving sealed tins from a cold environment to a warm environment. This is how seals are broken with drastic temperature changes.
I live in the great white north, and have tobacco delivered and sit outside for at least 8 hours in sub freezing temeratures. I have never had the quality of the tobacco affected by this.

 

[Northern Neil]

On another note, to kill tobacco beetle in cigars, you have to freeze them. As long as moisture is not lost during the process, I do not think it is ideal, but it shouldn't be a major problem.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I can't say I'd want to store my stash in the garage. Especially any vintage tins. Then again probably 4 months out of the year I'd expect a good share of tobacco shipped to points North gets a tad nippy for at least a few days. If I was forced to use the garage I think I'd put my stash inside of coolers since they are already insulated and should offer some protection.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Most consistent year-round temperature in the average house (and a perfect place for tobacco storage) is under a bed.

 

[U-235]

Sounds like you need to have a talk with someone :twisted: :twisted:

That's not as easy as it sounds if you know what I mean. 

I will have to move my collection to the basement.  It is kept at a uniform temperature and moisture year-round.  I had a feeling that freezing my have a detrimental effect one the tobacco or the seal of the tin.  But I have ordered many a tin during the winter months and they have stayed all day in the freezing cold until I arrive home.  In any case...

What I really need is a good man cave!:cheers:

 

[Fr_Tom]

I leave a pouch of CH in the Suburban in the heat, cold, etc. If it has ever been changed by freezing or being oven-baked, I don't have a delicate enough palate to tell. Having said all that, I don't think I would leave anything besides an OTC in the garage.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

Most consistent year-round temperature in the average house (and a perfect place for tobacco storage) is under a bed.

That's where you'll find me. :lol: 

 

[BigCasino]

Most consistent year-round temperature in the average house (and a perfect place for tobacco storage) is under a bed.

That's where you'll find me. :lol: 

What are you doing under Robs bed?

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Most consistent year-round temperature in the average house (and a perfect place for tobacco storage) is under a bed.

That's where you'll find me. :lol: 

What are you doing under Robs bed?

Yeah - what a freak!  

:lol!: 

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

What are you doing under Robs bed?

I ran out of Milonga

Yeah - what a freak!   

:lol!: 

That's not incense Rob, I am smoking all your 1Q. Haha.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

I ran out of Milonga

That's not incense Rob, I am smoking all your 1Q. Haha.

Well, at least you're smoking some decent blends.  Carry on.
Sure does make the house smell good. :lol:

 

[rothnh]

As noted by others, sealed tins and cans do not react well to temperature swings and storing tobacco tins & cans in the garage is certainly to me avoided IMO.

Since you stated you plan on moving your stash to the basement, you've answered your own question. As long as your basement is dry (not humid/wet, which is not good = rust), the basement maintains an even, cool temperature year 'round, so as long as your stash doesn't get shuffled around down there, it's ideal.

 

[Fr_Tom]

After weighing in with confidence that temp variations and freezing did not seem to have any impact on the smoking integrity of Carter Hall, I got a shipment of PS bulk and tinned ODF that was left in freezing temps for a couple of days before I picked it up. I hope I don't regret this...

 

[MisterE]

That might be an interesting experiment. Buy two identical tins, store one in optimal conditions, and freeze the other. You could get a great idea what happens.

 

[Fr_Tom]

I am bringing it up to room temps now. I'll check the seal on the ODF. If it has popped, I will go ahead and start smoking it. I am claiming it won't have much impact. The bulk is PS Turkish and Norwegian...

 

[Nathan_S]

It is standard practice to freeze cigars to kill tobacco beetles and that has no affection taste, I can't imagine freezing tobacco would cause any detriment. I could see it damaging seals though.