Two questions: 1. I recently visited John Hollingsworth’s in Birmingham, where I found a selection of snuffs in first-class condition [even those in tap boxes!] stored in a humidity-controlled cabinet or humidor, of similar quality to those used for cigar storage. I have, for some while, stored my “reserve stock” of snuff in the refridgerator [as recommended some while ago by a delightful lady I spoke with at Wilson’s. Problem with that was when I put an ounce of SP in there, which I had bought “loose” in a ciggie-tobacco pouch - it “inherited” the taste of some salmon and salami I had in the same fridge, and now waits for me to have the stamina to ditch it! [mental note to self - next time I buy an oz of Best SP from Salts, decant to a sealed tin or tube before refrigerating]. Now, what I really want is a smaller version of that humidor from Hillingsworth’s, in my study. Any ideas? 2. I have an old F&T Tube [same size as the current 10z tube, but with paper label, rather than painted] which has what appears to be some kind of humidifier [coarse sponge-like thing] attached to the inside of the lid. Might we approach the mills to think about using this kind of device again today, even if it adds 5p or 10 to the price of a tin? My pocket says it’s happy to pay that for the means to keep my snuff in tip-top condition!
Snuff only needs to be stored in airtight containers to stay fresh for years, anything else is redundant - a humidity controlled environment will keep snuff fresh as will a humidor if correctly used - but so will a food grade plastic or glass jar, cleaned of any contaminant, with an airproof top. keeping snuff fresh comes up as a question once a month or so and there is usually another discussion around it when it does, but the physics remain the same. A google search may bring up the many questions as our search facility is useless at the moment. Not sure what you mean when you say ‘might we approach the mills’ but comments or suggestions to the industry are private matters and not Snuffhouse business, cheers.
I even keep my tap boxes in those airtight fruit preserve jars, and theyre still mighty fresh…just make sure to seperate the mentholated varieties.
The point about snuff picking up (unwanted) fragrances from other items stored near the snuff is worth remembering. Nevertheless, I agree about airtight storage. Anything more is needless expense.
You can always make your own humidor. It’s quite simple. Just make some pin-holes in a water tight containers lid, fill it with cotton wool and wet. Then place in the airtight container you store your snuff in. You can buy special humidor water crystals (?) that absorb water in good cigar shops instead of cotton wool.
@Toque Many thanks - that seems an avenue worth experimenting with - seem a humidor may yet be within the realms of feasibility. @others Yes, the airtight bit makes sense - I just wondered about plastic boxes imparting their “taste” to the snuff in the same manner many do to food. @anyone an ounce of Best SP lightly scented with good ham and smoked mackerel is still to be had at the moment - going to the scrapyard soon, though!
@falconfive I like the idea about putting those tap boxes in airtight containers for storage. Good idea. Those things do seem to dry out the snuff right quick. Previously, I have decanted the contents into some other container, but why go to the trouble, huh? Just throw the tap boxes into the airtight environment and you’re good to go. Good idea.
Keep it simple, stupid…thats my motto lol
Keep it simple, stupid…thats my motto lol
Still no takers for the Ham & Smoked Mackerel scented Best SP then? Hmm - perhaps wise! Can’t help thinking the old Major from Fawlty Towers might be about the only possible candidate … As to the containers - thanks for the advice - I’ll keep my eyes open for some Kilner-type food jars - or maybe the type with the stiff wire clips [for show!]. Thanks for these thoughts - and yes, the snuffs I have in the fridge are in two sealed boxes, keeping the menthols and medicateds away from the rest. Incidentally, Snuff Store are now supplying 10g quantities of their excellent house blends in screw-top tins with a very good seal in the lid. Ironic that most of these blends are sourced from one of the Kendal mills whose tap-boxes dry-out so fast! Postscript: Wifie advises me of what appear to be excellent glass containers on Wilkinsons’ Web site - I may well pay them a visit tomorrow.
Solution:
There are some really smart, slightly-taller-than-cuboid, square-based, glass-appearance transparent plastic food storage boxes in ASDA with excellent rubbery plastic seals. The middle size is just right. I now have 3. They’re about 4 quid. inside each, I have a reasonably small glass pill jar (about 60ml), with a 1mm-2mm diameter hole in the lid; each jar contains a couple of sterile cotton-wool type wipes, well soaked in pure spring water.
Result: about 80% of the space in each storage box still available for storage; boxes will take F&T tubes in the bottom with room for smaller tins or GH / SG tap boxes above - or lots of small tins and tap boxes. If tap boxes have become really dry, they can be left upright with the plug/slider open…
I now have three of these: one for SP/plain; one for fruit & spice; one for medicated.
with any “bulk” stock in double-sealed boxes in the fridge (to avoid the Ham & Smoked Mackerel effect - said ounce of Best SP long since ditched) I now have excellent storage in my study for a generous range of varieties, and, provided I remember to re-moisten the pill jar assemblies every couple of months, all varieties in excellent condition. (I don’t bother putting Poschl or Irish products in the humidors!)
I’ll just add that an air tight container makes a humidor redundant. If the airtight container is sitting in a humid environment, the humidity from said environment will not access the snuff in the air tight container. Putting the air tight container in the fridge or freezer would make sense to slow the oxidization down even further inside the jar/container.
Humidors are useful for rehydrating snuff and perfect for having snuff at you finger tips. For me, I have a small one with a glass top that I keep between 60 and 70 percent. I have a few of my favorite black snuffs in tins, a couple small crocks with Gekachelter Virginie and Offenbacher Cardinal. I also store a couple wood snuff boxes in there over night. Oh, and there are a few cigars in there too.
@Juxtaposer yes I can see now how a humidor would be excellent to rehydrate dryer snuffs. That makes sense. Do you find once they are rehydrated that their scents are refreshened somewhat too?
I don’t usually allow scented snuff in my humidor but I have rehydrated scented snuffs otherwise. It may be a little hard to explain about the scents being revitalized. It’s that the snuff is more snuffable hydrated so you can snuff it properly. So yes, I find the scents are refreshed somewhat.
@thorgrimnr generally, I find rehydrating restores scent/aroma well.
There are a few exceptions. Wilsons’ Burgundy and Fribourg’s Bordeaux tend to suffer if they get too dry - Burgundy especially so - rehydrates to “usable” but never quite as good as before. Most Wilsons’ / Sam Gawith product rehydrates very well.
My “last resort” for rehydration is a piece of plain (not mentholated) tissue handkerchief, moistened with pure (bottled) spring water, and left on top of the snuff in the tin overnight. any snuff stuck to this in the morning can be gently tapped off into the tin. close and leave another hour or three, then mix well. I find this rejuvenates most sorts effectively.
@Juxtaposer The issue with scented snuffs (and even more so with menthols) is why I have three humidors - one for plain; one for light aromas; one for heavier aromas and/or menthols.
As to airtight containers - only those with screw tops from F&T or SnuffStore seem truly effective. Even with the F&T tubes, by the time one is halfway or more down the tube, there is a fair amount of air in there, which is exchanged with that in the room on each opening - thus refrigeration to reduce oxidisation is still useful.
Another “plus” to refrigeration is that it slows down any reaction between the “not quite pH neutral” moisture in some snuffs, and the metal of the tins/tubes in which they are supplied (thinking one or two of the darker, moister F&T sorts here, for example).
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Before I moved 4000 miles I gave my old, completely handmade maple burl Alfred Dunhill cigar humidor away. It was gorgeous. They stopped making them in the early 60s as the price was too high. Green pool table felt covering a rubber gasket enclosed in copper. The sides were 1.5 inches think. Totally airtight. Sorry guys but my eyes are tearing up. Now will be using a cedar cigar box with some damp cotton or the handkerchief that I’m using to mop up my tears. Just rambling as I am on a major nicotine high. Also seem to have misplaced my Savinelli straight grain anniversary and if one of you knows where it is I would appreciate a head up. Hell, you guys on this forum have answered all my other questions and I’m finally thinking I am beginning to know something about snuff. I totally empathize Fretless. So many of my many accidents to life, limb and property have been self inflicted and totally avoidable. If it was ignorance I would not reproach myself but it was always thoughtlessness. And I have not learned a thing from any of the mishaps. But I will learn from yours by becoming a Vegan.