Freezing Cubans - A Prophylactic?

[Michiman]

Hello all, a new member question if I may - what is the opinion of freezing all newly acquired cigars to prevent beetles? Advisable, necessary in some cases, or a myth?

Does freezing affect the flavor?

Thanks - I've seen posts here about freezing in response to an outbreak of the beetles, but didn't notice any info on whether it would be a good prophylactic measure

[aomike]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

Dont Do It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

[bigpoppapuff]

i don't do it,but i've heard of people that do......i know of some stores who rent lockers to members,do it always...as a protection to other members.....doing it correctly shoudn't hurt anything....

[MMAB]

while it would most likely not hurt anything...provided you did it correctly.....your home freezer can't get cold enough to 100% kill all eggs.

I don't recall the precise temp necessary to do so but remember reading that home freezers can't get quite cold enough to absolutely guarantee egg kill.

The cigars must be brought down in temp gradually..kept there for a week or so and then very gradually brought back up to room temp. If this is not done correctly you can crack your cigar's wrappers.

A silly waste of time and too much of a risk IMHO.

You would do better to keep your humidor clean and to regularly check your cigars if this worries you.

Good smokes!

[MMAB]

Did you notice how I made no inuendo about the word "Prophylactic"?!

[nhcigarfan]

Did you notice how I made no inuendo about the word "Prophylactic"?!

You feeling alright. It was kinda a let down.

[godfather]

Did you notice how I made no inuendo about the word "Prophylactic"?!

I'm in shock MMAB, you had the opportunity and didn't take it. Kudos buddy, but the thread wasn't quite the same without your usual comments!

[TheSilentChamber]

I bet it will kill the bugs when you light it on fire.


I also thought the guy was going to ask about storing a cigar in a condom then freezing it.

[Shagaroo]

I wouldn't do it unless you have a reason to.

[SuperChuck]

Drilling a hole in your head can relieve pressure from a brain tumor, but I wouldn't suggest it as a preventative measure (you know, in case you get a massive brain tumor)!

Same deal. If you're trying to save a box of expensive smokes, it might be your only option, but I really don't suggest it as a routine practice.

[Neuromancer]

...I also thought the guy was going to ask about storing a cigar in a condom then freezing it.

I wouldn't do it unless you have a reason to.

Or unless you're Bill Clinton...

[Jonsey5484]

Knock on wood.....I have never had a beetle problem. I wouldn't risk loosing my cigars because they were not frozen properly. ALso, although there is a risk of beetles, I don't think that beetles exist in every cigar.

[Michiman]

For the feedback everyone, though I expected to be hit by the prophylactic crowd hard. Here in Michigan, my bet is any of my prized gifts from south of KW will find it too cold soon anyways.

[Chè]

Freezing in a regular consumer refrigerator as stated is not as effective as a commercial grade freezer. Using a home refrigerator takes longer (a week minimum), the object of freezing being to crack the larvae. It is entirely possible to freeze your cigars not crack the larvaes and later wind up with a beetle infestation.

I wouldn't freeze without provocation. Although you have to wonder, several distributors swear they already freeze their stock before you ever see it + flights... depending on where the cigars are located, some areas on jets are said to reach -60º.