Sutliff Honey Berry

buflosab

Just Recieved this blend,not bad,have only smoked two bowls so it remains to be seen if it will become a staple.My only complaint is the tobacco is dry to the touch,any suggestions on making it a bit more moisture?

motie2

Moistened towelette, tight sealing jar containing tobacco, set towelette on top of tobacco, seal jar. Set out in sun for a couple of hours. Voila.

BTW, in case the italics didn't work: MOISTENED NOT SOAKED.

buflosab

Thanks motie as always.

buflosab

sorry what I meant to say making the tobacco moist not a bit more moisture.Good Lord.

motie2

@buflosab -- There are other ways. A quick spin around the web, brought in these opinions

1. 3 Ways to Rehydrate Stale Tobacco - wikiHow   https://www.wikihow.com/Rehydrate-Stale-Tobacco
2. Take half of the tobacco, spread out on cutting board, are counter top. Take a fine mist spray bottle with distilled water, spray over the tobacco letting mist fall and settle onto tobacco mix occasionally. When it's moist then take the other half and place all tobacco into large ziplock, shake well to mix together. Every now and again shake again, let sit overnight. Next morning check to see if its at the right moisture level your used to. If still too dry repeat. 
3. I put dry tobacco into a Mason jar, leaving about an inch at the top, soak a paper towel in distilled water, squeeze out excess water, fold the towel in half 3 or 4 times, prop it up on the tobacco, and seal up the jar. I leave it over night and check it the next morning. It's usually back to a good moisture content, so i remove and discard the towel and seal the jar back up. Always use distilled water because it has no contaminants to promote mold or fungal growth.
4. I create a steam bath for the tobacco. I use a small soup bowl centered within a large (14"), shallow Tupperware salad bowl. Place the tobacco around the soup bowl; pour boiling water into the soup bowl; cover the whole thing with the Tupperware lid. Droplets of water accumulate on the underside of the lid, so be carefull opening it.
5. The next time I do this I'll lay some paper towels on the tobacco to guard against falling droplets. 
6. I think you should just hydrate it using rum instead of water. 
7. Take a paper towel get it wet and squeeze just enough water out so its not dripping and fold it twice and place it on the mouth of the jar and screw the lid on over it, then let it sit overnight. Repeat until satisfactory

buflosab

Thank you very much for taking the time and energy to clue in the clueless.

PappyJoe

@buflosab - Two that @motie2 didn't include in his list is one which I learned from some old-timers back in the 70s up in Washington State. One of them would put a thin slice of apple in his pouch with the tobacco to keep it fresh. I never tried that one. The other one was from one of the older guys I worked with back then who kept an 8 oz. tin of tobacco in his desk. When it the tobacco started getting dry, he would put about a two inch slice of fresh orange peel in the tin. A day or two later the peel would show signs of drying out and the tobacco would be moister. 
I've used the orange peel many times over the year and have never had a problem with it.

motie2

I've tried the apple slice; found it led to mold (or something)  if left unattended for too long. Better results with thick orange peel, and if you macerate it or just flex it before jarring it, it  leaves a faint aroma/taste. Not bad with most english blends. I'm guessing lemon would work; never tried it. Lime. though, is a bit strong.

Topaz75

My grandfather advised me to use the orange peel technique when he gave me my first pipe back in 1965. I’ve seldom had to use it, but it’s been successful when I have. 

buflosab

Thank you one and all for the information,these techniques and related information are things I never would have thought of. I feel this is why the TPL forum is so great,I've come to realize their is more to pipe smoking then getting a pipe and tobacco and be done with it,which is pretty much wear my head was at.Again thank you.

motie2

Anytime, we're happy to help.

KA9FFJ

Love the Orange peel technique. My uncle taught me that one quite a while back. Still comes in handy in my pouch on those winter days when the humidity is usually low. And @motie2 says, flexing/bending it before placing it in take pouch is a plus...

Londy3

Wow, great idea with orange peel. I never heard of that one. Thanks y'all.

Londy3

Wow, great idea with the orange peel. I never heard of this before! Thanks for sharing.