Curing cigarette tobacco

[Bramleyjordan]

The “mantra” of home kilning is 4 weeks at 52 (or 54)C and 75 (or 70)% relative humidity. Of course, you can leave the tobacco in the kiln for longer (and with some strains it is beneficial) but a month or so of kilning and a couple of weeks of rest is usually enough. Put the leaves in the kiln at whatever moisture content you want since it will equalize with the kiln humidity in a day or so. Always store your tobacco in low case: better have some unaged tobacco than some moldy rotten trash only good for the compost pile!

pier

Hello, so I have been working and testing my kiln but am having a little trouble getting the exact figures. If I set the slow cooker to "warm" I see around 44 degrees c and 75% humidity. If I increase the settings to "high", it exceeds 54 degrees c and 81% humidity. Based on those figures, what would be ideal setting or what could I do to help get the figures you mentioned?
Thanks!

EDIT: I have installed a small 6 inch fan in the kiln and have put the setting on "warm" will see if this helps at all

 

[Alpine]

Do you have a temperature controller? Something like this:

 

[Bramleyjordan]

Do you have a temperature controller? Something like this:
View attachment 34895

No I don't. I am only using a small 2l slow cooker for the heat and humidity. The device you mention, does that provide the heat (turn on/off when it gets to configured temperature)?

 

[Alpine]

Yep, it turns the slow cooker off and on once the set temp is reached. Mine is set at 52C min and 55C max.

pier

 

[Bramleyjordan]

Yep, it turns the slow cooker off and on once the set temp is reached. Mine is set at 52C min and 55C max.

pier

Okay great. I have found similar which looks ideal: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electron...221756?hash=item288eb9a07c:g:ivIAAOSwO8VfwFEG
I am however going to hold off at the moment due to seeing different results since installing the 6inch fan. Currently at 45.3c (And rising) and 70% humidity with it on "warm" and the fan on.
Also, I am currently only testing the kiln before I put any tobacco in it and have 2 questions. 1. As i am colour curing the leaves as they become available, I am putting them in an old coffee jar when yellow/brown (Air tight), low case and in a box - is this the best way to store them until they go in the kiln? 2. As the kiln is made out of polystyrene insulation, is it safe to just put the leaves straight in the kiln or could there be a possibility of (toxic) gasses that may come from the polystyrene and effect the tobacco?

 

[Alpine]

Whatever works for you, if you can skip the temp controller it would be nice. Note, however, that the temp must be kept above 50C in order to avoid mold. The combination of high humidity and temp makes for a faster action of the oxidase enzyme already contained in the leaves ( this enzyme is destroyed above 56C) that can naturally occur if ambient temp and relative humidity are just right.
I leave my cured leaves strung in low case until I have time and space for kilning. If space is an issue, you can keep leaves in low case in a cardboard box until the kiln is ready to be filled completely.
For the possible off gassing of XPS, since you have run it empty for a few days, I believe that it is safe to put in the tobacco without further concern. But you can put the leaves in high case in a sealed food grade plastic container and kiln that way. Experiment and let us know!

pier

 

[Knucklehead]

Okay great. I have found similar which looks ideal: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Electron...221756?hash=item288eb9a07c:g:ivIAAOSwO8VfwFEG
I am however going to hold off at the moment due to seeing different results since installing the 6inch fan. Currently at 45.3c (And rising) and 70% humidity with it on "warm" and the fan on.
Also, I am currently only testing the kiln before I put any tobacco in it and have 2 questions. 1. As i am colour curing the leaves as they become available, I am putting them in an old coffee jar when yellow/brown (Air tight), low case and in a box - is this the best way to store them until they go in the kiln? 2. As the kiln is made out of polystyrene insulation, is it safe to just put the leaves straight in the kiln or could there be a possibility of (toxic) gasses that may come from the polystyrene and effect the tobacco?

As a precaution, be sure to dry the stems crispy, crunchy dry as part of the curing process, then bring them up to low case for storage, rather than just curing them down to low case. Make sure the stems are dead by drying completely to prevent stem rot or mold. Stems dry last and mold first.

 

[deluxestogie]

I am however going to hold off at the moment

Get the controller.

Bob

 

[Bramleyjordan]

Thank you all! I will experiment and let you know how I get on

 

[Johnboy123]

What I have found as a newish grower is put the leaves in plastic bags when in case and seal them up about 95% so fumes can escape and throw in in an oven set at 50 Celcius and check it initially every few hours to make sure it hasn't gone brittle. If it has give it a few sprays of water and seal it back up to 95% and throw back in the oven. The more you check it the better gauge you will get. I have been doing that now for almost 3 weeks and it is already tasting way better but still a little harsh on my throat but its tastes almost like a store bought already. I am going to leave them in for another 3 weeks and hopefully they will be smooth by then.

 

[Richard1911]

This is why I love this forum so I am growing unknown tobacco claiming to be amber leaf!

I too grow this "seed". Its grown ok for 2 years so i have kept seed. This year it was out grown by the seed called Golden Virginia and that's the seed I'm keeping this time. Faster germination and vigorous growth.

 

[Richard1911]

A member of this forum sells a multitude of tobacco seed that are professionally germination tested. Sending you down a wonderful rabbit hole.

www.northwoodseeds.com

I thank you for the link. It also highlights the fact that I haven't got a clue what I'm growing but until challenged it will do for now. If your a "Handloader" this dilemma will not be new to you?

 

[Old Gasman]

I believe this chap sources his seed from the above link, it's just a bit nearer to you.

Sellers of highest quality tobacco seeds - Tobacco Seed Company

60 varieties of the finest tobacco seed for you to grow your own tobacco at home.

www.tobaccoseed.co.uk