Starting The Adventure

[Seabee1999]

Just wanted to follow up with regards to my initial post. Today I went ahead and purchased some sample sized bundles of bright VA, a red VA and perique. I got 1/4 lb samples from LO. I also got a hand crank shredder.

From a seed company, I got some bright VA, a cherry red VA plant and Harrow Velvet burley.

I enjoy smoking pipes, in particular VA based blends. My hope is to make a blend that will be fun to smoke over the coming years. I’ll be on here more once I start planting and growing the plants.

 

[Seabee1999]

Just wanted to ask a question or two before starting things off next year. I received my seeds in the mail a few days back. My belief is that I can get the seeds started off to germinate and grow into healthy plants over the growing season. My questions are more towards the end, harvesting, curing and fermenting.

I have a 20’x24’ workshop with 10’ high walls. It’s insulated with windows on the north, east and south walls. The shop is made of metal as well and inside the space can be 10°-15° above the outside air temperature. Could I use this space to air cure tobacco leaves or would it bee to hot and dry (I live in central OK)?

I have the space and means to build things. Would it be advantageous to construct a flue curing chamber? If so, are there plans available to look at? I’m a draftsman by trade and can design/build most anything needed.

Would screw in ceramic elements work for a simple flue curing chamber?

I have similar questions for a fermenting chamber as well. Would the same screw in ceramic element work for the chamber?

In route, I have a plug in thermostat and fan as well. I appreciate any guidance or advice in advance.

 

[deluxestogie]

Several kiln / flue-cure chamber plans are listed in our Index of Key Forum Threads.

Bob

 

[Seabee1999]

Several kiln / flue-cure chamber plans are listed in our Index of Key Forum Threads.

Bob

Thanks for your direction towards the key forum threads. I finally found them.

Although the kiln/chamber questions are possibly addressed (will need to read further), I’m not certain if the ones for my shop and for the ceramic elements were. If they were, do you have a thread in mind I should start at first?

 

[Knucklehead]

Curing, Fermentation, Aging, Kilning? Basic Definitions

Curing Tobacco When you begin with leaf from the field (primed or stalk-cut), and then allow it to convert from a living leaf to a dead leaf (of yellow or brown), you have cured the leaf. Often in this forum, we refer to this as "color-curing". There are a number of methods for color-curing...

fairtradetobacco.com

 

[pottsS]

I suspect by ceramic element you are referring to PTC heat elements. I have them...I have used them in incubators for eggs. The wonderful thing about them is that they are to an extent self regulating...ie they will heat up to a certain temp and then the resistance increases and it maintains the heat with less amps. My incubators are very small compared to what a kiln would be, and temperature to the decimal of a degree is important so in the incubators thermal drift is a factor when using these (I want to maintain thermal drift to the degree). I used them with thermostats, I even used them wired in series to reduce the temp swing. To me they make much more sense than the standard crock pot for a kiln or flue chamber. They are all different...you need to know the ratings of the ones you use. But I would recommend them, they will give you the heat you need but they are just easier to use and so much safer than standard resistive heaters...and they are cheap...and they last. I've never cured a single leaf of tobacco but if I ever did I think I would want your shop too
.

 

[Seabee1999]

I suspect by ceramic element you are referring to PTC heat elements. I have them...I have used them in incubators for eggs. The wonderful thing about them is that they are to an extent self regulating...ie they will heat up to a certain temp and then the resistance increases and it maintains the heat with less amps. My incubators are very small compared to what a kiln would be, and temperature to the decimal of a degree is important so in the incubators thermal drift is a factor when using these (I want to maintain thermal drift to the degree). I used them with thermostats, I even used them wired in series to reduce the temp swing. To me they make much more sense than the standard crock pot for a kiln or flue chamber. They are all different...you need to know the ratings of the ones you use. But I would recommend them, they will give you the heat you need but they are just easier to use and so much safer than standard resistive heaters...and they are cheap...and they last. I've never cured a single leaf of tobacco but if I ever did I think I would want your shop too
.

Not necessarily the heating element I was looking for but I think this might work better. Thank you for sharing this suggestion.

The one I had in mind was a screw in heat lamp bulb made in ceramic. I feel I have time to really research a direction to go in. At the moment, I’m leaning towards building a big enough cabinet to flue cure the Virginia leaves I hope to harvest. I’ll more than likely air cure the lone burley leaves on a wire strung up in my shop. The wall height is 10’ and the ceiling height is about 14’-15’ high. I’m thinking with all my windows open that’ll help keep air moving. If not, I have some fans I can use to circulate air if need be.