Question about storing flake tobacco

[Corncobcon]

When you get flake tobacco, do you store it as it comes, or do you rub it out and then
store it? I'm wondering if storing it after rubbing makes the tobaccos meld better together. Or, does it not matter? I got to thinking about that today while I was rubbing out some Balkan Slices to smoke. I just put the slices in a canning jar and put it away instead of leaving it to dry out in the tin. I guess I'm just thinking too much about this, wait, I see smoke, oh, no, it's just my pipe!! Any thoughts about the way to store flakes? And, the same goes for plugs also.

 

[SteelyJ]

I store mine as they come in the tin. Sometimes I fold and stuff and sometimes I rub them out, so keeping them in flakes works for me. So far they seem to age just fine that way!

 

[Lakebound]

I too store mine in flake form. I find it very satisfying to maintain the portability of the flake. With the case of Stonehaven, I cut the long strips into more reasonable lengths of flake for easier storage and stacking.

I like to keep flake in the original paper and place it in the jar that I intend to store it in (for example, Peterson's). If I buy bulk, I like to neatly stack my flakes and then vacuum seal the jar.

Everyone's different. But I basically smoke flake tobacco and I wouldn't dream of rubbing out a flake before its time. Something about the pre-smoke ritual of the drying/airing followed by a proper fold or rub of a flake.

Now my mouth is watering ...... darn it!

 

[monbla256]

Keeping them as they come in the tin allows them to continue to "marry" flavor wise so I don't rub mine out till I'm ready to smoke them. Been doing it this way for over 40 years now and it works for me !! :twisted:

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

What monbla said. 8)

 

[Fight'n Hampsters]

Keeping them as they come in the tin allows them to continue to "marry" flavor wise so I don't rub mine out till I'm ready to smoke them. Been doing it this way for over 40 years now and it works for me !!  :twisted:

+1.
Part of what makes flakes or flake like blends different from regular ribbon cut blends is the melding that comes from the pressing of the flake. Leaving it as intact as possible is probably best to get the richest flavor.

 

[Brewdude]

I leave it intact until use. Jar up any bulk right away and keep the tins closed until use. And then I may or may not jar the remainder of the tin if it's going to be consumed in a few weeks. Like others here I prefer to do the prep just before smoking. Works for me.


Cheers,

RR

 

[KevinM]

A plus of flakes is that you can just fold and stuff or rub out to whatever condition best suits the circumstances. So it makes sense to store flakes as flakes.

 

[huffelpuff]

I've always stored flakes as flakes so as not to limit my options when it's time to smoke them. However I will say that if you chose to store them rubbed out and that's the only way you smoke flakes then have at it man. There is no right or wrong in this hobby just opinions.

Jim

 

[SteelyJ]

I too store mine in flake form. I find it very satisfying to maintain the portability of the flake. With the case of Stonehaven, I cut the long strips into more reasonable lengths of flake for easier storage and stacking.

I like to keep flake in the original paper and place it in the jar that I intend to store it in (for example, Peterson's). If I buy bulk, I like to neatly stack my flakes and then vacuum seal the jar.

Everyone's different. But I basically smoke flake tobacco and I wouldn't dream of rubbing out a flake before its time. Something about the pre-smoke ritual of the drying/airing followed by a proper fold or rub of a flake.

Now my mouth is watering ...... darn it!

Those Stonehaven flakes are super long. I don't cut them. I just use a bigger jar. 8) :cheers:

 

[MisterE]

The ready rubbed versions of flakes tend to age differently. JKP is one that comes to mind.  I have some 3yo JKP RR that has really gone in a different direction than the bar version. The bar is noticeably fuller than the RR.

 

[Fight'n Hampsters]

The ready rubbed versions of flakes tend to age differently. JKP is one that comes to mind.  I have some 3yo JKP RR that has really gone in a different direction than the bar version. The bar is noticeably fuller than the RR.

+1

 

[Corncobcon]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I guess I was thinking a bit too much about this. From now on, I'll keep my flakes as they are and rub them out when I need to. I'm glad I'm learning all this now. Just wish I had learned a lot about all this 35 years ago! But, there is always room for learning and more knowledge!