Aging

[DeeDubya]

Everyone knows that aging improves cigars and I have found several old threads to that effect. But, my specific unanswered question is: When buying a full box of cigars is it necessary to remove the cellophane covering the box? I have read several articles that suggest removing all cellophane, even from the cigars.
I have a number of still wrapped boxes and had rather not remove the cellophane for several reasons. A still sealed box is more desireable for a trade. The cigars are neatly packed and once removed it is difficult and time consuming to pack them back in. The possibility of beetles would be contained if the box was still wrapped and not spread to other boxes. I have never had a beetle problem but soon it will become a real concern as I willl have a large number of cigars in one space.
I usually sit on a box for at least 2-3 months before opening. I intend to extend that to at least a year.
Any thoughts on this?

[ashauler]

I remove the outer cellophane from boxes and open them for inspection every time. I quarantine new purchases in a seperate coolerdor for at least 2 weeks after arrival to monitor for beetles that may have hatched during shipment.....this is especially important during the warmer months.

I believe that removing the outer cellophane helps the cigars move to my preferred aging RH quicker than if I left it on.

[DeeDubya]

I like those ideas and will just have to get over trying to keep them wrapped and sealed. Personally I think the aging happens no matter what but yes it does seem that the cellophane would slow the RH balance.
The quarantine cooler is a good idea. I'm suspecting that if you do find a beetle or two in a box then the entire box must go or maybe smoke them right away before the beetles can finish them off? Are there any treatments for beetle infestation, other than a hammer?

[badwhale]

I like those ideas and will just have to get over trying to keep them wrapped and sealed. Personally I think the aging happens no matter what but yes it does seem that the cellophane would slow the RH balance.
The quarantine cooler is a good idea. I'm suspecting that if you do find a beetle or two in a box then the entire box must go or maybe smoke them right away before the beetles can finish them off? [B]Are there any treatments for beetle infestation, other than a hammer?[/
B]

Freeze those bad boys! I think 2 weeks does the trick.

Will

[basil]

I'm with Jamie on this. I open boxes as soon as I get them and did this once to find mold and returned it immediately. The return would've probably been much more difficult or impossible had I waited indefinitely.

[DeeDubya]

Freeze those bad boys! I think 2 weeks does the trick.

Will

Unfortunately this site says that freezing won't do it. Also, if I found a start of beetles how would I know which boxes to freeze. It would be impossible to freeze them all.

http://www.bugspray.com/article/cigarettebeetle.html

[bigwhiteash]

Lots of neat info on that site, but I think the author has an agenda trying to sell his products.
Many people have luck freezing cigars.. even some manufacturers.

As for what to freeze.. If you found a beetle in a closed box.. chances would be good that it's an isolated outbreak. Unless they have eaten their way through the cedar box!

Quarantine is your best bet.. then closely controlled storage conditions.

[badwhale]

They're selling the spray....Not saying they don't know what they're talking about, but you know...

If you're going to use a "quarantine" cooler, you could isolate the outbreak, and freeze. Or spray if you want to go that route.

http://www.cigarsmokers.com/showpost...8&postcount=17

I've gathered that freezing works. I hope I never have to find out for sure.

Will

[basil]

This guy seems to be speaking from some experience. He talks about double-bagging, gradual freeze and thaw, and is into long-term storage, as you probably will be, especially as your new project is put into use. The comments are interesting too.

[ashauler]

snip......The quarantine cooler is a good idea. I'm suspecting that if you do find a beetle or two in a box then the entire box must go or maybe smoke them right away before the beetles can finish them off? Are there any treatments for beetle infestation, other than a hammer?

Yes, if a beetle damaged stick(s) is(are) found, the damaged sticks are immediately removed and the entire box is double bagged and chucked directly in the freezer and the vendor notified. I agree with Dennis, only the offending box is frozen if multiple boxes are in the quarantine cooler at the same time. If the damaged stick is one of many singles/fivers purchased and shipped at the same time, all of those go directly into the freezer as well.

I've had to do this twice in the three years I've been buying and smoking both times with cigars purchsed during the summer months......only lost a total of 4 cigars and have noticed no adverse effects on the frozen/thawed smokes. I've read where Jorge' Padron freezes all his smokes, and will pull them directly from the freezer and smoke them.......and I would think he knows his cigars.

[DeeDubya]

They're selling the spray....Not saying they don't know what they're talking about, but you know...

If you're going to use a "quarantine" cooler, you could isolate the outbreak, and freeze. Or spray if you want to go that route.

http://www.cigarsmokers.com/showpost...8&postcount=17

I've gathered that freezing works. I hope I never have to find out for sure.

Will

Yeah, I had read another article that said that you have to freeze at least at 0, which most freezers easily do. It's just that an outbreak of the little buggers would be devestating in a humidor. I'm understanding that they can hatch at temps above 73. In my situation that's going to be difficult to maintain during the summer months. These 99 degree days are pushing the humi temps up above 75. I'm going to treat the cracks and crevices with a residual pyrethrin a couple weeks before stocking. The little pheramone traps look pretty cool or might they just attract more of the flying beetles than what are already there?

[Diesel Grinch]

Beetles smoke nicely. I've never heard in a review that someone taste beetle or beetle egg. You would think someone would have.



DG

[DeeDubya]

Beetles smoke nicely. I've never heard in a review that someone taste beetle or beetle egg. You would think someone would have.



DG

A beetle or two wouldn't bother me but the little holes in the wrapper sucking air would piss me off.

[basil]

Beetles smoke nicely. I've never heard in a review that someone taste beetle or beetle egg. You would think someone would have.



DG

lol - ". . . a combination of nuts and leather, with hints of chocolate and beetle egg . . . " mmm.

[craig]

This guy seems to be speaking from some experience. He talks about double-bagging, gradual freeze and thaw, and is into long-term storage, as you probably will be, especially as your new project is put into use. The comments are interesting too.