It may not work, but I built a curing chamber for under $20

[Balgaire]

So, I tested some mudlugs in my garage, and they turned green and brittle, so I know that's not a solution. I made this setup out of some polystyrene insulation ($10) and a roll of 3M cold weather metal tape I had lying around. The box is 3' x 3' x 2'. I got 4 strands of about 55-60 leaves. I had a few left over, so I picked a variety of sizes and levels of yellow to see how that goes. I still have some upper leaves that are growing (but we are supposed to get our first mild frost tonight) and I guess I will hang those by their stalk outside and see how they do. I used an old crockpot on low with a cloth napkin for a wick. Has anyone had an issue running the crockpot long term? I'm going to check humidity in a few hours. When I started it was about 38-40% humidity here in Nashville. It's not pretty, it's not square, and it will only last one season, I suspect, but if it works, then, I'm ok with that.

 

[deluxestogie]

Expected task?
Temperature?

The box enclosing a supply of water should provide the humidity you may need. Since it appears that your expected task is not kilning, but color-curing, you will need a temperature regulation device of some sort, to keep the Crockpot from heating the chamber above about 100°F. That small space, even lacking a good seal, will rapidly heat to cooking temperatures, and ruin all the leaf.

Bob

EDIT: Crockpots can run non-stop, 24/7, for years, even dry, without difficulty.
Hint: Cooking green tobacco smells like asparagus.

 

[Balgaire]

I am trying to keep humidity around 77% and temp around 75. I may have to work on some vents. I may also try to put the crockpot on a timer of some sorts if I can get the fluctuations worked out.
And you are right. It's barely been an hour and it smells like asparagus.
If you know of any ready made temperpature timers...if that's a thing?

 

[Balgaire]

MEant to edit the above. I am looking at some temperature controlled outlets now.

 

[deluxestogie]

Those have been discussed in many threads. One $15 example is in my thread on my endoskeletal kiln.

Again, you don't need heat for color-curing--just humidity.

Bob

 

[Balgaire]

Thanks.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

75°F isn't hot enough. 75°C is too hot.
Aim for 122°F/50°C

 

[deluxestogie]

75°F isn't hot enough. 75°C is too hot.
Aim for 122°F/50°C

Not for color-curing. Balgaire is attempting to color-cure his leaf in the chamber. So 75°F is fine.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Not for color-curing. Balgaire is attempting to color-cure his leaf in the chamber. So 75°F is fine.

Bob

Ahh. I misunderstood. Sorry!

 

[skychaser]

At 90-95f with 80-90% humidity, the leaf will color up in about 4-5 days.

 

[Muggs]

 

[Muggs]

This is my curing box.have not set it up yet to Ferment

 

[darkwack33]

I've been able to eliminate the bad smell in tobacco for two months, but during my sore throat burning is burning tongue How can I solve this problem??
burning throat while drinking????help me please

 

[deluxestogie]

Welcome to the forum. Feel free to introduce yourself in the Introduce Yourself forum.

Tongue "bite" is common with flue-cured Virginia tobacco, when not blended. I've encountered it to a lesser degree with some pure Turkish tobaccos.

1. what variety of tobacco are you asking about?
2. did you grow it (and when)?
3. how was it cured, and for how long a period?
4. how has the tobacco been subsequently prepared?
5. how are you using the tobacco?
6. is the tobacco causing your sore throat, or is the sore throat an illness?
7. burning the tip of the tongue or the back?
8. burning while drinking what?

Bob

 

[darkwack33]

turkish tobacco leaf fermentation for two months at 75% humidity and 52 degrees temperature.
but the taste is nice, but the throat burns during the inside of my tongue even burns the tip of my tongue. how can I solve this problem
how to solve throat burning tobacco leaf.

I would be glad if you help

 

[darkwack33]

 

[deluxestogie]

The leaf color looks well cured. Your kiln seems like an effective one. The shape of the leaf is difficult to see clearly in the photos, but I'm going to guess that the tobacco is a variety of Basma, such as Izmir, rather than a Samsun variety.

The burning may just indicate that you need to blend your leaf with a different tobacco variety, to alter the acidity (pH). I enjoy most Turkish varietal tobaccos (I've grown more than 20 unique Oriental varieties), but I usually prefer to blend it with a small percent (10 to 30%) of a darker tobacco, such as a burley or dark air-cured variety. Turkish tobaccos tend to produce slightly acidic smoke. Burley or Perique or dark air-cured tend to produce a more alkaline smoke. When the acidity is more balanced, tongue bite goes away.

Bob

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

I had a tobacco that just stung like crazy, even after being in the kiln, but a year later was quite manageable. Maybe what your tobacco needs is time.

 

[darkwack33]

tobacco adıyaman I will continue to fermentation for 6 months maybe tongue burning will disappear, as if ammonia has not come out

temperature and humidity ?? thanks....

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

tobacco adıyaman I will continue to fermentation for 6 months maybe tongue burning will disappear, as if ammonia has not come out

temperature and humidity ?? thanks....

When I said a year later, I meant not in the kiln. Just natural aging. 18°C, 65% rh