How Long Must I Freeze?

[rfenst]

I have a bunch of boxes I am freezing at one time and 4-5x as many more to go, but my wife is giving me **** about using too much freezer space for too long.

So, I am looking for a published, authoritative paper, a cigar magazine article or anything else other than FOH collective personal opinions as to the length of freezing time required at different temperatures.

I once had a scholarly journal article on this, the link to which I posted here and wonder if any one still has it or has something else I can rely on.

[backslide]

I've typically done 24-36 hrs in the fridge -> 3-4 days in the freezer -> 1 day in fridge.

[Puros Y Vino]

I use the following routine.

1 day Fridge

3 days Freezer

1 day Fridge

1 day at room temp, away from sunlight.

Back to the humidor. And let rest for at least 3 months. YMMV.

[Ryan]

Try this

https://www.jstage.j...1_1_87/_article

Remember in addition to the times in the article, you'll need to allow time for the temperature to drop in the inside of a cab (for example) to the ambient level of the freezer.

I'm not sure if studies have ever been done regarding the heat-insulating properties of cigars but given that they're loosely rolled tubes of leaves, I'd say pretty good.

I'd allow at least one extra day to get the temperature down in the centre of a cab.

By the way 'LT₉₉ ' means the time for 99% of a population to die.

[Scdalak]

I use the following routine.

1 day Fridge

3 days Freezer

1 day Fridge

1 day at room temp, away from sunlight.

Back to the humidor. And let rest for at least 3 months. YMMV.

This is a very forensic approach Frank... Does it actually work?

[Puros Y Vino]

This is a very forensic approach Frank... Does it actually work?

For me it does. I took the approach from a Physics point of view. Exposing the cigars to cold would make them contract and removing them from the freezer would enable them to expand to their original volume. The elasticity of the cigar wrapper, etc is being tested. Since the sticks are looking at spending three days at freezing temps, which I believe is sufficient to kill/crack any present beetle eggs, to me it makes sense to slowly build up the process. Prep them in the fridge, move them over and slowly get them out. I've had issues with all my humidor temps. Sometimes they approach or exceed 80F which is the hatch point for the eggs. And so far, using this method has been beneficial. No beetles have hatched and the cigars seems unfazed by the process.

[Scdalak]

For me it does. I took the approach from a Physics point of view. Exposing the cigars to cold would make them contract and removing them from the freezer would enable them to expand to their original volume. The elasticity of the cigar wrapper, etc is being tested. Since the sticks are looking at spending three days at freezing temps, which I believe is sufficient to kill/crack any present beetle eggs, to me it makes sense to slowly build up the process. Prep them in the fridge, move them over and slowly get them out. I've had issues with all my humidor temps. Sometimes they approach or exceed 80F which is the hatch point for the eggs. And so far, using this method has been beneficial. No beetles have hatched and the cigars seems unfazed by the process.

Well done, remind me to add you to the list of Nobel Prize candidates this year!

[SCgarman]

When I get a new box via either the mailbox or a cigar store it goes straight into a ziploc freezer bag and I seal it after sucking the air out of bag with a straw. then it goes into my stand up freezer set at the coldest setting for a full 72 hours. After the freezer, the box comes out of the the ziploc and goes right into my cabinet humidor. I have found the refrigerator thing is useless. I have not had any damaged wrappers or beetle outbreaks since. Cigars are good to go.

[Trevor2118]

Try this

https://www.jstage.j...1_1_87/_article

Remember in addition to the times in the article, you'll need to allow time for the temperature to drop in the inside of a cab (for example) to the ambient level of the freezer.

I'm not sure if studies have ever been done regarding the heat-insulating properties of cigars but given that they're loosely rolled tubes of leaves, I'd say pretty good.

I'd allow at least one extra day to get the temperature down in the centre of a cab.

By the way 'LT₉₉ ' means the time for 99% of a population to die.

A copy of this publication is also available at http://www.cubancigarwebsite.com/cigar-pests.pdf

[jmasterj]

Isn't Habanos freezing their tobacco before it leaves the distribution center as a precautionary step to buggers? I thought I had read that somewhere.

[mk05]

Search function is awesome:

Freezing

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112043&st=20&p=335319&hl=+freezing%20+cigar&fromsearch=1entry335319

Cuba freezing centers:

http://www.friendsofhabanos.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=111030&hl=%20freezing%20%20cigar&st=20

[Munts]

Isn't Habanos freezing their tobacco before it leaves the distribution center as a precautionary step to buggers? I thought I had read that somewhere.

My understanding of this is that there isnt a cigar factory in Cuba that can do the freezing.

My understanding is that there just isnt the evidence that they do freeze.

I could be wrong.

*EDIT* MK05's post would suggest i am wrong

Anyway I alway err on the side of caution with my cigars and freeze them.

[ramon_cojones]

I love how only two people answered the ops question LOL.

[Colt45]

I once had a scholarly journal article on this, the link to which I posted here and wonder if any one still has it or has something else I can rely on.

As you've mentioned, the charts have been posted here (a number of times). I can't find the threads at this time, but if you google tobacco beetle

freezing / tobacco beetle freezing chart(s), you'll find what you're after (I'd prefer not to post the links without authorization).

Basic premise - the lower the freezer temp, the less time necessary - and vice versa.