What if I get mold on my stored wrapper?

[BAGraphics]

What is the best way to store wrapper and binder leaf so that it is ready, or close to ready without growing mold?

...And what to do if mold does appear on binder or wrapper leaf that was stored damp. I found a few references to 50/50 white vinegar and distiller water spray and then drying.

Bruce

 

[Smokin Harley]

store it dry ,low case. I only hydrate early morning or night before I will be rolling. I don't know if I'd want to smoke any leaf that was growing mold. You could try hydrogen peroxide spray on it , thats supposed to work without any taste residuals.
Im sure Bob (deluxestogie) will pop in , he would know for sure.

 

[BAGraphics]

I haven't found mold yet but I just realized that I had more cased tobacco than I used and when I looked this morning realized that the leaf was moist and would, if left moist, grow mold.

I would still like to hear from other experienced rollers what can be done if it happens.

Bruce

 

[deluxestogie]

The diluted vinegar works for very light mold. If it goes beyond that on a wrapper, just toss it out. Your leaf should be stored in low case, not dry. Bringing wrapper up to high case for use can be accomplished by misting with water, and requires a minute or two for thin wrapper, overnight for heavy wrappers (like CT Broadleaf). Storage in high case for more than 3 or 4 days will assure mold.

Jitterbugdude suggests the use of diluted H[sub]2[/sub]O[sub]2[/sub], instead of the distilled vinegar.

Best answer: don't store your leaf in high case.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

I have used the 50/50 water/vinegar with good results. Visible mold disappears in seconds. After drying there was no noticeable taste or smell and no return of the mold as long as the tobacco was stored with the correct moisture content.

I agree with Harley, store your tobacco at a low moisture content but not fully dry. The tobacco needs a little bit of moisture to continue the aging process. Crackly dry tobacco stops aging until it can get some moisture to continue the aging process. To avoid molding pounds of leaf at a time, keep a couple of wrapper of leaves in a separate bag or container. If they mold you've lost two leaves, not your whole supply. Most wrapper leaf can be rehydrated in a few minutes, some of the thicker more stubborn wrapper can take a few hours. You'll get familiar with the characteristics of each variety and that makes it easier to plan ahead.

 

[Knucklehead]

I also agree with Bob, if you get heavy mold just suck it up and throw it on the burn pile. Last year when my single dehumidifier conked out in the basement, I lost several pounds to mold. Every leaf in the bag was just covered with it. It's a heart breaking experience. I now run two dehumidifiers and hopefully they won't both go out at the same time.

 

[BAGraphics]

Thanks all! No mold has been found but I got a bit of a scare last night when I went to roll and realized that the leaf was ready to go but I hadn't misted it in a few days. Then I realized I packed it away damp and just wanted to know what if in case I screw up.

Man I love this forum.... Informed answers to newbie screw.... eer questions.