I kiln using Ziploc bags not the freezer ones but the storage ones which are thicker and larger (too large for me). Initially I wanted to follow Amaxb's method using tubs but couldn't find any that were air tight and then read how Deluxestogie uses bags so I decided to incorporate a bit of both methods. I had the leaf stored (de-stemmed) in in my house since last summer but didn't notice much change, probably not moist enough. I brought the leaf to high case in the bags, then flattened, stacked the leaf together, squeezed the air out, sealed the bags and put them in non air right tubs for easy transport in and out of the kiln. I use an empty crock pot for heat, didn't want to have to deal with another sensor, refilling the crockpot and worrying about over/under humidification. similar reasons for Amaxb using tubs. I set the temp controller to 123f, checked on the leaves every couple of days, misting the leaf when I felt they were dry. After 4 weeks I wasn't getting the results I was expecting, the leaf still smelled fruity, the leaf colour was spotty, some sections black (rot ??) , dark other sections didn't darken much. I then wondered if stacking the leaf prevent some of the inner leaf from getting moisture or the required air to do it's thing.. I decide to unstack the leaf and leave them loose within the bag as well as provide more moisture thinking this would distribute humidity and heat more evenly. I dumped and reloaded the bags every few days,misting when required. I have the moisture to the point where the leaf feels like a moist warm rag, similar to clothes that have been in the dryer for half a cycle (not wet but warm and moist).
Its been 7 weeks now and I will stop kilning to let the leaves rest a while as I load this years batch. I'm not exactly sure what the leaf is suppose to look like after kilning, but the colour is not very even across the leaf and have noticed the smell change from fruity to more earthy, musty, smelly feet, I think a good thing. This was a few days ago so I'll unload my kiln and take pictures of the leaf maybe someone can tell me if it looks ready and/or maybe I should just try some and see what it tastes like. I don't think I'll have any nice looking wrapper leaf or maybe my method is not conducive to an evenly coloured leaf. Hanging wrapper leaves tied in hands in a humidified kiln may be the way to go for good wrapper leaf.
For my second batch I'll leave the leaves loose, moist with a bit of air in the bags and see if the colour change is more evenly distributed and time in the kiln shortened.
