Pressing Tobacco
David Howard
Blake Rhodes <ds6...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns92B6272EB358...@130.133.1.4...
> For those of you who blend at home I have a question.
> How do you press you tobacco?
I'm planning on getting a shop press. In the interim, I place the moistened
blend in a plastic bag, evacuate the air as much as possible (which gets an
ounce down do about a 1-inch diameter sphere), and let it sit for a month if
I can stand it that long. I then jar and let sit for six months. For
blends in development, I usually shorten the time. for all stages.
Blake Rhodes
How do you press you tobacco?
The following the proccess that I use, any pointers are welcome.
1. Wet the tobacco.
Get the tobacco just wet enough that it would unpleasant to smoke (real
exact huh? :). I believe that the extra moisture helps the flavors blend
together better (I think I read this somewhere, not sure where)
2. Wrap up the tobacco.
I place the tobacco onto wax paper, then fold the paper around the
tobacco creating a square cake weighing about 2-3 oz. I try to keep the
thickness of the cake the same all over, so it will be evenly pressed.
Sometimes I make the tobacco into a twist first, then press the twist.
This does not seem to effect the taste, but when it comes out of the
press it looks neat. It also causes the center of the twist to become
very dark, especialy if perique is in the blend.
3. Press it
I don't have an actual press, so instead I use piles of books. I place
the package on the floor, and stack about 100 lbs. of books on top of the
cake.
4. Wait . . .
I let this set for 3 days (the absolute most my little twitchy hand will
let me). Keep in mind I am in Missouri where the relative humidity is
about 70-75% most of the time, so the tobacco drying out is not an issue
for me.
5. Remove
After three days I remove the tobacco from the "press". I take the cake,
or twist, and either rub it back out, or just stick it into a jar to age
more. I also take a test taste just to check. I also take some and
place it into a different jar. This jar will be opened in about a month
and the tobacco will be tested again for flavor.
Oh! I almost forgot, I have a couple of other questions.
I have read that pressing aromatics creates a goopy mess, are these
aromatics that have been flavored using essence oils? I ask because I
have pressed alcohol soaked tobacco with out such problems.
How much weight do you use when pressing your tobacco? Is 100 lbs too
much, not enough? I have experimented a little with different weights,
but with out geting any difference in flavor, perhaps 300-400 lbs might
make a difference or even more than that.
Thanks for your time.
camRoon
it seemed logical to me. I am new to blending and have not seen much
information on this subject.
I also start with the tobacco just a little wetter than normal.
After puttting about an ounce of the test blend in a small (4x6")
ziplock bag, and folding the bag into thirds, leaving the end open, I
press them between two boards using clamps - as tight as I can get
them. This makes a cake about 2x4" by 1/8" thick.
They are left to press for about 10 days, but about every 2 days I
open them up, break up the cake with my fingers, give them a quick
mix, and press them again.
Then, they are broken up again, left out to dry a little, then left to
age (with a little air in the bags).
Again, I am too new to this to know if this is a good way to do it, it
just seems right to me.
-camRoon
>On 29 Oct 2002 05:59:09 GMT,
Bob Rhode a.k.a. TBomb
I like a Sunbeam Steam Iron set on 'Cotton' best. It makes for a very
wide thin flake.
;-)
Bob
Tom
together with clamps.
>Subject: Pressing Tobacco
>From: Blake Rhodes ds6...@hotmail.com
>Date: 10/29/02 12:59 AM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <Xns92B6272EB358...@130.133.1.4>
--Tom
------------------------------------
Can you hear the sizzle of the match head? Or the swish of the flint? Watching
materials liberate themselves with the aid of the oxygen in the air into a
perfect dance?
Bear Graves on ASP
Sean Chercover
<snip>
> Actually there are lots of questions about blending. It will be really
cool
> to have the blending section up on aspipes.org
>
> Who else is interested in that?
>
Bernie:
I would definitely be interested in reading about the art and science of
blending on aspipes.org. My "blending" experience is mostly just boosting
the Perique content in Solani 633 and Germain's Royal Jersey Perique
Mixture...but I enjoyed the blending articles in Pipes & Tobaccos, and I am
keen to learn more.
--Sean
Bernie
"Sean Chercover" <se...@spamchercover.com> wrote in message
news:RbKv9.2637$Ik6.2...@newsread1.prod.itd.earthlink.net...
Err me too. I wasn't offering to write them. I know as much about blending
as....well someone who knows nothing much about blending.
--
Bernie
"It's amazing how much the
sphincter relaxes when we periodically jump out of the box to seek other
alternatives."
Nizo on ASP
David Howard
Ian Rastall <idra...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:8n50suchpnkblnjaf...@4ax.com...
> I assume you mean it's not complete enough. It isn't, actually, but
> the only people who can really give insight into the world of blending
> are professional blenders, and they never talk about it, at least in
> the ASP archives.
A preacher stopped for the night at an inn in old Virginia. He struck up a
conversation with a man he met there. They spoke about engineering, and he
was certain the man was an engineer. The subject changed to agriculture and
he was then certain that the man was was a plantation owner. Finally, they
spoke about religion and he was convinced that the individual was a man of
the cloth, as he was. The next morning, he asked the innkeeper who the man
was. The innkeeper said, "Didn't you know? That was Thomas Jefferson."
Be a time traveller; be a renaissance man. Enjoy the work of
professionals, but try to acquire, understand, and apply that knowledge on
your own as well.
David
Ian Rastall
<se...@spamchercover.com> wrote:
>I would definitely be interested in reading about the art and science of
>blending on aspipes.org.
I have so much to do right now that the best you're going to have for
a while is the FAQ that already deals with blending:
http://www.aspipes.org/faq/blend.html
I assume you mean it's not complete enough. It isn't, actually, but
the only people who can really give insight into the world of blending
are professional blenders, and they never talk about it, at least in
the ASP archives.
--
Ian
Sean Chercover
>
> I have so much to do right now that the best you're going to have for
> a while is the FAQ that already deals with blending:
> http://www.aspipes.org/faq/blend.html
>
> I assume you mean it's not complete enough. It isn't, actually, but
> the only people who can really give insight into the world of blending
> are professional blenders, and they never talk about it, at least in
> the ASP archives.
>
Ian:
I certainly didn't mean to imply that the faq was lacking, or that you don't
have enough to do.
I just meant, "hey, it would be fun to read more about tobacco blending." I
don't make pipes, but I like to read about how they are made...same thing
with 'baccy. Just a 'reading for entertainment and general knowledge' kinda
thing.
I know those blenders are a tight-lipped group, but maybe one day they will
reveal a few of their secrets... A man can dream.
Best,
Sean
Ian Rastall
<se...@spamchercover.com> wrote:
>I know those blenders are a tight-lipped group, but maybe one day they will
>reveal a few of their secrets... A man can dream.
Thing is, there isn't much in the archives about blending. I'm not
sure what people want to know. The FAQ covers the different varietals,
what percentage they should be at, what tobaccos work well together,
proper procedure for blending, some do's and don'ts, and where to get
the blending tobacco. I don't think there's a whole lot else that
doesn't fall under the category of "trade secrets".
Anyway, I was in a foul mood because my packages didn't come yet. But
I'm still a little exasperated that people want this Blending FAQ to
be more than it is, when the resources just aren't there.
Hope your day's going okay,
Sean Chercover
>
> Thing is, there isn't much in the archives about blending. I'm not
> sure what people want to know. The FAQ covers the different varietals,
> what percentage they should be at, what tobaccos work well together,
> proper procedure for blending, some do's and don'ts, and where to get
> the blending tobacco. I don't think there's a whole lot else that
> doesn't fall under the category of "trade secrets".
>
> Anyway, I was in a foul mood because my packages didn't come yet. But
> I'm still a little exasperated that people want this Blending FAQ to
> be more than it is, when the resources just aren't there.
>
> Hope your day's going okay,
Ian,
My day is going fine, thanks.
I really didn't mean anything about the faq, by my earlier post. Remember
when P&T did a profile of Craig Tarler? It was a fun read...probably didn't
give away any trade secrets, but I enjoyed it. There is so much information
available about the pipemaking process, but we don't see nearly as much
about the stuff we stick into those pipes and set fire to. And I was just
idly wishing that there was more to read about the art and science of
tobacco blending. I didn't mean it as a slight against the faq. I wasn't
even thinking of the faq. I was just thinking, it would be neat to learn
more. That's all.
I hope your packages arrive soon.
xo,
Sean
Bernie
>
> Thing is, there isn't much in the archives about blending. I'm not
> sure what people want to know. The FAQ covers the different varietals,
> what percentage they should be at, what tobaccos work well together,
> proper procedure for blending, some do's and don'ts, and where to get
> the blending tobacco. I don't think there's a whole lot else that
> doesn't fall under the category of "trade secrets".
>
> Anyway, I was in a foul mood because my packages didn't come yet. But
> I'm still a little exasperated that people want this Blending FAQ to
> be more than it is, when the resources just aren't there.
>
Ian I'd like to help out with this if it would be alright with you. Freddy
Vegas said he was willing to let us have a whole bunch of recipes for blends
which would be a great start. I'm sure we can find out more about how to do
things like pressing and steaming and making cakes and flakes and aromatics
(perish the thought). Whadyasay?
Dave
I am an aromatics smoker, with periodic trips to Virginias.
A couple of months ago I had opened a 100 gram tin of Solani Red label
aromatic, and vacuum sealed it among four bags - 25 grams each.
Vacuum sealing really compresses the living daylights out of the
tobacco.
When I finally crtacked open one of the bags after about two months, I
can't begin to tell you how the flavor was intensified exponentially.
Normally, this is one of my three favorite tobaccos; it is complex,
not goopy, just wonderful. Now, the flavor has been increased 10
fold.
I plan on doing this with a lot of other aromatics I have, especially
Reiner Professional, Solani Blue label and Reiner Yellow label rum
vanilla.
Dave.
Bernie
news:3d86df7e.02103...@posting.google.com...
>
> Vacuum sealing really compresses the living daylights out of the
> tobacco.
>
How do you vacuum pack without sucking the tobacco out?
Cheryl
>For those of you who blend at home I have a question.
>How do you press you tobacco?
I don't. But pressing with boards and clamps is exactly how I've pressed
flowers. Can take a thick flower - like a marigold or mum down to a
sliver of thinness that is transparent if you wait long enough and keep
tightening the clamps.
My suggestion completely takes the "fun" out of playing around with it -
but you could just find a C&D tobacco you love and have them press it.
They do it for $2 a pound.
http://www.cornellanddiehl.com/tobacco_spotlight.htm
I'm like a kid when it comes to knowing "how" things are made, will take
anybody's tour of any factory whenever possible. It increased my
enjoyment of pipe smoking, for instance, when I learned something about
how pipes are handmade. It REALLY increased my appreciation for the
patience and talent of pipemakers when I was able to make a few
improvements to junk pipes. <g> Made me wish (for a few days) that I
could do it.
Same with curing and processing tobacco. Except there's a LOT involved.
You could do a search and see if any blenders/processors offer tours of
their facility. If anyone does, it's probably the very large ones only.
Too much hassle for the smaller producers, they just don't have time for
it, like any other small business.
You might find something here:
http://smokingsides.com/docs/hist.html
scroll down to "Tobacco Places to Visit"
HTH
Cheryl
Dave
> How do you vacuum pack without sucking the tobacco out?Bernie:
I don't know the name of the product per se, but it s a vacuum sealer;
it has a roll of heavy gauge plastic; you cut the size of the bag you
want; heat seal one end in the machine; place whatever items you want
in the open end; place that in the machine and it draws the air out
and then heat seals the other end.
It is sealed so tightly it feels like a brick...yet the flavors meld
incredibly.
Dave
Bernie
>
> I don't know the name of the product per se, but it s a vacuum sealer;
> it has a roll of heavy gauge plastic; you cut the size of the bag you
> want; heat seal one end in the machine; place whatever items you want
> in the open end; place that in the machine and it draws the air out
> and then heat seals the other end.
>
> It is sealed so tightly it feels like a brick...yet the flavors meld
> incredibly.
>
Any idea where such an item might be obtained?
--
Bernie
"The American Indians discovered tobacco, the greatest of all discoveries
and the only real progress in culture since the beginnings of time."
Victor Auburtin
camRoon
>
>Any idea where such an item might be obtained?
google search results (I don't have any of these products, although I
am also looking) ...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004Y2RP//ref=pm_dp_ln_k_1/002-3915227-9219248?v=glance&s=kitchen
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/magicvacgenius.html?gid=
http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/freshlockturboseal.html?gid=
http://www.pump-n-seal.com/
http://web109.net/tabletools/tableware.cfm/housewares/65001/
google search for more ...
http://www.google.com/search?q=vacuum+heat+sealer+kitchen&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N
Sailorman Jack
Try a cooking supply retailer.
Jack
>Subject: Re: Pressing Tobacco
>From: camRoon cam...@no.spam.m-a-t.com
>Date: 11/4/2002 1:38 PM Eastern Standard Time
>Message-id: <85fdsu4t2dmjsdbtj...@4ax.com>
-----------
"There ain't no such thing as a free lunch." Professor Bernardo De La Paz in
Robert Heinlein's "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress"
camRoon
<nospamber...@email.com> wrote:
>
>Any idea where such an item might be obtained?
>
If you have a Target near you, they have one for $130 that looks
decent, a "FoodSaver Vac 550". Description at:
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/ref=br_1_5/601-7245557-1330532?asin=B00004Y2RN
Although it looks pretty expensive when you consider about 45
cents per quart bag :(
Bernie
"camRoon" <cam...@no.spam.m-a-t.com> wrote in message
news:85fdsu4t2dmjsdbtj...@4ax.com...
>
> google search results (I don't have any of these products, although I
> am also looking) ...
>
Thanks.
buck12ga
cam...@no.spam.m-a-t.com says...
Trawler that had been under vacuum,it is like a plug now.The,all
black,Levant looks like a fudge brownie.According to Greg Pease,this
strong vacuum is actually an impediment to aging.Based on what Greg has
said,I now only use the device to seal,and not vac,the storage bags.There
was some improvement to the Syrian Trawler however.
buck