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I just did an experiment

I'm glad everyone enjoyed this. :)

If you do try this and you ruin a cigar, I am not sending you a replacement. :laugh: I would suggest trying it with something you're not afraid to lose if you want to try it.

As far as long term effects and methods for home freezing and all that, I'm not sure this experiment is a good basis for changing anyone's chosen method. For all I know the conditions could have been absolutely ideal for this to work out. As I said before, I had never frozen a cigar until this week and I don't plan on starting any time soon. I don't worry about beetles as my basement (where the humis are) never gets above 65* or so up here.

This was just a fun little experiment that I thought I'd try after our conversation this weekend. If you try it, you're on your own.
 
Thanks, Mr. Cigar-Science! :D

That's so cool, Alan! I guess it heats up after the first third restoring it to about normal.
 
Interesting stuff Alan! Cigarcycle deluxe! :laugh: I've yet to freeze any smokes. Got most of my boxes in the wineadors with upper 60's temps. Got a load in a closet that stays below 70 so far (got a digi temp guage hanging outside the door to keep an eye on it). Wife keeps turning the A/C down during the day. Summer hits she better leave it on dadnabbit! :D
 
Thanks for sharing both the conversation and the experience Alan!

I have been freezing everything 4 days at -20F and then allowing them to warm rather slowly. Your experience leads me to think the slow warming is unnecessary. Good to know!

My cigars are stored in my shop which does not have the luxury of AC so I live in fear of tobacco beetles. I am able to control humidity but, although I keep them closed-off in the coolest room in the well insulated concrete block building they do get warmer than recommended. However, I have been lucky so far and they seem to survive still tasting good.

I have thought about adding AC and I may do that this summer to try to manage their storage temperature more effectively.

The things we go through to protect our precious smokes! :rolleyes:
 
The owner of a local B&M that I go to does the same thing. He tells me that he places all the cigar boxes that he receives in a chest freezer for a few days and then just takes them out. He does not slowly move them to warmer temps; he just takes them right out and that’s all.
 
How cold are we taking here (for those of you that freeze in regards to beetles)? Isn't the only reason to freeze a cigar to keep the dreaded beetle away? Also, I thought the low humidity of a freezer would cause cigars to crack if it was left in there for a period of days without some serious sealing...? Sorry for all the questions, with summer around the corner, I'm trying to think if I should freeze my small collection of ~100 sticks.
 
How cold are we taking here (for those of you that freeze in regards to beetles)? Isn't the only reason to freeze a cigar to keep the dreaded beetle away? Also, I thought the low humidity of a freezer would cause cigars to crack if it was left in there for a period of days without some serious sealing...? Sorry for all the questions, with summer around the corner, I'm trying to think if I should freeze my small collection of ~100 sticks.
There are several threads describing how many BOTLs do this. It's usually a gradual process done with great care. That's why I wanted to try the experiment because it flew in the face of everything I had read.

I'm sure a search will yield you as much info as you need.
 
Interesting indeed. This is an opportunity to rethink the reasoning and justification behind the gradual progression down and back up in temperature. I'd always considered it a prudent precaution as my bias has been that slower and gentler is always preferable. Now your experience suggests that while it may still be preferable, it might no longer be critical.

I still cannot fathom putting unwrapped boxes in the freezer.

Wilkey
 
This could be something that works better with some cigars than others. More data!! ;)
 
Great stuff Alan. I was one of the guys with his mouth wide open when Jorge was explaining this. I'm glad you gave it a go.
 
This could be something that works better with some cigars than others. More data!! ;)

Yeah, I'm not sure how a Cameroon or Corojo wrapped cigar would handle this. Those Padron wrappers are pretty stout. I'm not willing to put any of my more delicately wrapped cigars to the test. :laugh:
 
How cold are we taking here (for those of you that freeze in regards to beetles)? Isn't the only reason to freeze a cigar to keep the dreaded beetle away? Also, I thought the low humidity of a freezer would cause cigars to crack if it was left in there for a period of days without some serious sealing...? Sorry for all the questions, with summer around the corner, I'm trying to think if I should freeze my small collection of ~100 sticks.
There are several threads describing how many BOTLs do this. It's usually a gradual process done with great care. That's why I wanted to try the experiment because it flew in the face of everything I had read.

I'm sure a search will yield you as much info as you need.

Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I was being vague. I was asking these questions more specifically geared towards you, because, well like you said, this process flies in the face of everything I've read as well. I think you said you only kept the smoke in the freezer for one day, from Sunday to Saturday morning. I thought, from what I've read here and in Wilkey's freezing process post - a great read, that was 3 days short of how long it should be in there for, so I was confused why you(anyone) would do this, and if the sticks would become way to under humidified after 3 days. I guess I just got confused. Sorry if it rubbed off :laugh: Anyone willing to experiment with some more Padrons braving the dry freezer?
 
thanks for the info, I live in south Texas and i'm already fighting high temp problems. i dont think i'll frezze any cigars but i have begun to put ice packs in my humi.
 
How cold are we taking here (for those of you that freeze in regards to beetles)? Isn't the only reason to freeze a cigar to keep the dreaded beetle away? Also, I thought the low humidity of a freezer would cause cigars to crack if it was left in there for a period of days without some serious sealing...? Sorry for all the questions, with summer around the corner, I'm trying to think if I should freeze my small collection of ~100 sticks.
There are several threads describing how many BOTLs do this. It's usually a gradual process done with great care. That's why I wanted to try the experiment because it flew in the face of everything I had read.

I'm sure a search will yield you as much info as you need.

Oh, I'm sorry, I guess I was being vague. I was asking these questions more specifically geared towards you, because, well like you said, this process flies in the face of everything I've read as well. I think you said you only kept the smoke in the freezer for one day, from Sunday to Saturday morning. I thought, from what I've read here and in Wilkey's freezing process post - a great read, that was 3 days short of how long it should be in there for, so I was confused why you(anyone) would do this, and if the sticks would become way to under humidified after 3 days. I guess I just got confused. Sorry if it rubbed off :laugh: Anyone willing to experiment with some more Padrons braving the dry freezer?
I don't freeze my cigars. I live 100 miles south of the Canadian border and keep my cigars in the basement. I don't have temp problems. :laugh:

I put the cigar in the freezer Sunday evening and smoked it Thursday AM. It was a fun experiment I thought I'd try after Jorge Padron told us he had smoked many cigars pretty much straight out of the freezer with no real consequences. This wasn't meant as some "new method" for beetle prevention or anything.
 
That is a really cool story. Thanks for sharing it. Maybe this summer I will try it. Instead of a cold drink I am going with the cold cigar. :laugh:
 
Oh, I see! Regardless, you've defiantly given me some experiments to try out. Thank you lots for the info and answers! :D
 
I was there and it was just great talking to Jorge!

I could not imagine doing it, UNLESS I get a visit from some little creatures!

x2 Alan
 
BTW,
The latest CigarMagazine has an extensive article on beetles. Check it out. Those guys have found the information that we've always just wondered about.
Wilkey
 
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