Jarred Tobacco Shelf Life :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions (2024)

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I'm new to pipes and not sure how long my tobacco will keep after being put in Mason jars. If I only smoke a couple of times a week will it eventually go bad?
Thanks!

Tobacco, if stored correctly, will outlast your life span. You can read more about here:

python said:

Tobacco, if stored correctly, will outlast your life span. You can read more about here:

Pipe Tobacco Storage :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion

Here is my article with some tips on how to store pipe tobacco. Pipe Tobacco Storage

pipesmagazine.com

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Thanks! But if I buy a few tins and open all three of them at the same time, but won't get around to finishing them for a few weeks, how should I store these tobacco's for occasional use, not long term storage?

These are good for aprox 2oz of tobacco. Target, Walmart, & hardware stores usually stock them.

bent1 said:

These are good for aprox 2oz of tobacco. Target, Walmart, & hardware stores usually stock them.

Ball 4oz 12pk Glass Regular Mouth Quilted Mason Jar with Lid and Band

Read reviews and buy Ball 4oz 12pk Glass Regular Mouth Quilted Mason Jar with Lid and Band at Target. Choose from contactless Same Day Delivery, Drive Up and more.

www.target.com

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This ^^^^^. Use mason/ball jars.

JR McDuff said:

Thanks! But if I buy a few tins and open all three of them at the same time, but won't get around to finishing them for a few weeks, how should I store these tobacco's for occasional use, not long term storage?

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I finish blends at a snails pace. When I open a tin I toss it in a mason jar, than I don’t have to worry about it. They’re perfect for short or long term storage.

If you want something fancier and nicer looking you can go with spring top jars. They look nicer, which can be a benefit if you have your stash out on shelf or something. They’re not air tight like mason jars. So they’re only good for short term storage, maybe a month or two, three at most before it will probably start to noticeably dry out. It won’t go “bad” per se, it will just be less than optimal. Maybe a little loss or change in flavor.

another vote for mason jars. get the 16 oz wide mouth and you will be good to go. each of them can hold about two tins or so. i have tobacco i packed in mason jars 17 years ago that tastes better than it did when i first packed it.

and i bet some of the guys around here will be laughing that i only have 17 year old tobacco at hand.

Just my personal preference for smaller amounts that I regularly smoke. I do have some that have been sitting for several years and the tobacco is still fine...

Another vote for Mason Jars and their longevity.

One quick tip for size choice- and it's not science but just a common practice I've come across which works for me- is to use a 4 to 1 rule of thumb. 4 oz of container for every 1 oz of tobacco. If you have a 2 oz tin use 8 oz jars. 3.75 tins fit nicely in 16 oz jars, etc.

Now there are quite a few that can pack in a heck of a lot more tobacco than this (I think Chasing Embers can defy the fabric of space/time and pack a pound into a 4 oz jar LOL).

But I think it's a good starting point for figuring out shelf space, how many containers you might need as your cellar expands and you determine how much you personally can/want to pack into each jar.

craig61a said:

Just my personal preference for smaller amounts that I regularly smoke. I do have some that have been sitting for several years and the tobacco is still fine...

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The seals on these are just as good if not better than a mason jar. I used only this type when I first started, but switched to mason jars because they are so much smaller and lighter.

Akousticplyr said:

Another vote for Mason Jars and their longevity.

One quick tip for size choice- and it's not science but just a common practice I've come across which works for me- is to use a 4 to 1 rule of thumb. 4 oz of container for every 1 oz of tobacco. If you have a 2 oz tin use 8 oz jars. 3.75 tins fit nicely in 16 oz jars, etc.

Now there are quite a few that can pack in a heck of a lot more tobacco than this (I think Chasing Embers can defy the fabric of space/time and pack a pound into a 4 oz jar LOL).

But I think it's a good starting point for figuring out shelf space, how many containers you might need as your cellar expands and you determine how much you personally can/want to pack into each jar.

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I usually fit a pound in 4 pint jars or 8 jelly jars.