Smokin Harley
Well-Known Member
While I'm still getting my feet wet on the whole growing (Cigar) tobacco for the first year, I'm also diving head first into the kilning process of the same .Trying to wrap my brain around all the hows and whys while I get experience in this whole thing.
I understand the kilning of air cured tobacco is to simply speed up the aging process. One month of kilning basically taking the place of a long wait , possibly up to one year or more of natural aging. I am wondering now what multiple kilning will do to the leaf.
Is it just more "speed aging"?
Will mellow it out just as if it were forgotten and aged ?
Is there a point where additional kilning will not do anything but make my electric bill higher?
Will the leaf reach a "peak" of characteristics at a certain point and more kilnings will only just begin to decline the leaf?
Should each additional kilning be treated just the same as the previous?
Should there be a rest period?
Should each kilning in succession increase or decrease heat or humidity... heat yes, humidity no...vice versa...or does it matter?
I'm trying very hard to take the baby steps , not jump and make short cuts just yet. Hoping the next time I grow and cure I will have a better understanding on what I'm doing and most importantly why and then pass on what I've learned to the next guy.
Thanks to those FTT members /BOTL's who have helped me throughout the last year , the current grow and anything I may ask in the future. Always a great place to come bounce ideas off each other. Almost wish we could have some kind of live video chat once a month to discuss this stuff real time.
I understand the kilning of air cured tobacco is to simply speed up the aging process. One month of kilning basically taking the place of a long wait , possibly up to one year or more of natural aging. I am wondering now what multiple kilning will do to the leaf.
Is it just more "speed aging"?
Will mellow it out just as if it were forgotten and aged ?
Is there a point where additional kilning will not do anything but make my electric bill higher?
Will the leaf reach a "peak" of characteristics at a certain point and more kilnings will only just begin to decline the leaf?
Should each additional kilning be treated just the same as the previous?
Should there be a rest period?
Should each kilning in succession increase or decrease heat or humidity... heat yes, humidity no...vice versa...or does it matter?
I'm trying very hard to take the baby steps , not jump and make short cuts just yet. Hoping the next time I grow and cure I will have a better understanding on what I'm doing and most importantly why and then pass on what I've learned to the next guy.
Thanks to those FTT members /BOTL's who have helped me throughout the last year , the current grow and anything I may ask in the future. Always a great place to come bounce ideas off each other. Almost wish we could have some kind of live video chat once a month to discuss this stuff real time.