Fermenting in jars

[Smileysmile66]

Hi !
I have a question for you who use to ferment in jars.
It would be really nice if you could describe the process in detail.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Put tobacco in jar. Put jar in kiln. Make sure kiln has good air circulation and that jars aren't touching walls to prevent condensation in jars. Don't humidify kiln to prevent rusty lids.

 

[Smileysmile66]

Put tobacco in jar. Put jar in kiln. Make sure kiln has good air circulation and that jars aren't touching walls to prevent condensation in jars. Don't humidify kiln to prevent rusty lids.

Great ! How much tobacco do you fill the jars with ?
Is 4 weeks in the kiln enough ?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

It depends on the tobacco, I guess. I've gone 2 weeks to 6 months. I suppose most guys go 1 to 2 months, but my philosophy is, if it's not on fire in my pipe, why bother taking it out of the kiln. Maybe I'm ruining it. Haven't noticed.

 

[Smileysmile66]

Thanx a lot !

 

[Smileysmile66]

It depends on the tobacco, I guess. I've gone 2 weeks to 6 months. I suppose most guys go 1 to 2 months, but my philosophy is, if it's not on fire in my pipe, why bother taking it out of the kiln. Maybe I'm ruining it. Haven't noticed.

I guess you air them everyday.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I guess you air them everyday.

No. Maybe once a month. Maybe. I don't like to argue with people, and most people go on about airing, but I think the airing thing is unnecessary. Most oxidation in tobacco afaik is via hydrolysis, which is why you need moisture. Otherwise we could just stick tobacco in low case in a hyperbaric chamber. Perique on the other hand matters because of organisms and stuff. But then again, I don't know how some <insert some physical gas law> plays into it, but, it's not like there isn't tons of air anyway. Buildup of ammonia, CO2? Air it out after.

Moral of the story is, do whatever works for you. Burping every day is not going to improve my quality of life.

 

[Charly]

I have the same experience as @ChinaVoodoo , I don't air my jars during kiln time because.... well because I don't have time.
When I open a jar, the smell is often not very pleasant, but then I blow some air inside and the smell changes to something better.
When I think the jars were long enough in the kiln (4 to 8 or more weeks), I put the leaves in their new home : a plastic bag. The «not so good smell» vanishes in no time.
So I think it doesn't mater a lot if you air them every day or not.
I had some jars I opened regularly to check how they were aging (in the kiln) and I smelled no difference with the jars I did not open before the end.

Wait, I am a lier ! I open the jars from time to time (every few weeks) to check if the leaves are not too dry, in this case I spritz a few drops of water.

 

[Smileysmile66]

Thank you very much !

 

[Smileysmile66]

What is the next step after the fermentation is ready ? Aging ?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

What is the next step after the fermentation is ready ? Aging ?

Options include:
Smoking
Not Smoking (aka aging)

 

[deluxestogie]

After fermentation (kilning), tobacco aroma and taste may change significantly over a few days, with noticeable change becoming more subtle after that. I've had some specific varieties that were not particularly good until 18 months after kilning. Most need a week or two of airing, drying down, and then rehydration for storage.

Bob

 

[Smileysmile66]

 

[alemelo]

I usually age my leaves for a year.
Then I wet them, put them in a glass jar and drench them with a generous glog of water/bourbon/honey-or-cane-sugar.
Then I close the lid and leave them in full sun in summer for at least a mont, two is better.
Then I remove the leaves, let them lose some humidity and roll them into twists which I hang to dry in full sun.
I usually leave them hung somewhere to prevent mold or keep them in boxes (but I have to check them every now and then because mold is always behind the corner).
Here they are

 

[Davo]

In theory, could I just chuck my jars in say the hot water cupboard? I would like to make a kiln, and I’m thinking about rigging it up with 12v solar so I can justify leaving it on, but in the meantime I wonder whether leaving the jars there as opposed to somewhere else for a year would make a significant difference

 

[deluxestogie]

Temperature?

 

[Davo]

According to my toddlers the cupboard temp is “nicey”.

I’ll grab a device to measure temp/humidity but my best guess would be ranging from 30c-50c.

 

[Davo]

Just to clarify I’m not trying to cheat my way out of setting up a kiln. I have the space/patience/whole leaf to be able to grow enough each season for a couple of years, and am happy to just store it away for a few years before reaching for it. I just wondered whether the hot water cupboard would be a better spot as opposed to fairly consistent room temp in a living space.

 

[deluxestogie]

Temps above 122°F (50°C) inhibit the vegetative growth of mold. Below that, warmth and moisture is a mold issue.

Bob

 

[Davo]

Is that a constant 50c or would it be averaged over a 3day or so cycle?