I’m a new snuffer, and I have found that I really enjoy schmaltzers. I like to display my Bernard schmaltzer tap boxes on a shelf for easy access and to show off the delightful illustrations. At the same time, I don’t want them to dry out or lose their unique fragrances. So, how long can I keep them in the tap boxes while still retaining their essences? I figured that because of the oils and glycerin they would stay fresh longer than the drier snuffs, but I don’t want outgassing to wreck them. Can I safely keep the snuff in the tap boxes for more than a few weeks without its degradation? Suggestions and/or information welcome. Thank you.

Please excuse my misspelling of schmalzler. I should know better.

Oh, you got tap boxes? I just took a big snig of Zwiefacher. Still good after several a year. Display your tappers in a wood box with a window. W2 = X

Some say they stay good for two months or something. However, I’ve found that they can stay good for even a year. Or at least snuffable, if not as tasty as new.

If you buy the large bags from Pöschl or Sternecker, seal them in a glass jar immediately and fill your bottle as needed. If not opened often and airtight, they should keep for years. The Bernard tapboxes, I’m sad to say, suffer from lack of airtightness. Since the schmalzlers are oil moistened they do last considerably longer than water based snuffs, but probably not more than a few months. There is a water component even in oil based snuffs which drys slower than a truly water based snuff because the oil seals it in, but not indefinitely. Also the oil too eventually dries. Six months maybe a year? I never could keep them around long enough to experiment. I use them up pretty quick.