dacregan Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Should I freeze these upon arrival or have they already been frozen to kill off any beetles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Welcome to FOH! It is customary to introduce yourself here, before asking the Forum for assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NSXCIGAR Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 1 hour ago, dacregan said: Should I freeze these upon arrival or have they already been frozen to kill off any beetles? Cuba freezes all cigars before export but that doesn't mean they can't get back in and lay eggs. They can sit around for a while before reaching their final destination. I freeze everything upon receipt or I freeze in Cuba as soon as I get them. I've seen beetle holes appear in as little as a day or two there. Once the eggs hatch the larvae burrow out very quickly. Also only a throrough freeze is needed which should take about 4 hours at standard freezer temps. Personally I've never noticed a problem smoking a cigar after as soon as it defrosts and reaches ambient temp. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MagicalBikeRide Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I freeze sticks I’ve taken direct from Cuba, but not those which I’ve bought from the vendors I trust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevrknow Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I freeze everything no matter what. I'm not risking my collection because I don't want to waste time freezing. I mean come on, a few days to protect what is now an investment? 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ha_banos Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I tend to freeze only custom rolls and anything secondary. So far so good. Just checked through a load of boxes 😁 All good still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt4-396 Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I have seen the damage beetles can do in a very short timeframe. I have a massive collection and sleep better at night knowing I personally froze every single cigar I have. When done correctly it has zero negative impact on the cigars and really isn't much added work at all, especially when considering the impact and cost of a beetle outbreak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhinoww Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 Every box to the freezer. Farm rolls get a big extra time just because I’m paranoid. There was a vendor a few years ago that had issues with some tubos. Nothing is safe unless you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ha_banos Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I remember seeing belle holes in a box of (afaik) legit talisman a while ago... Also how much risk is there with the power cuts these days? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bijan Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 My collection is stored at 17C or under. Currently at 9C. Goes as low as 2-3C during the winter. There's probably a 2-3 week window where eggs could maybe hatch (17C is about lower limit). But anything that goes through a winter is practically as good as frozen. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBirdman Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 I only freeze customs. Nothing from trusted vendors. I used to be more paranoid. Yet after watching boxes from Oz sit in sweltering heat at LAX for weeks on end during peak COVID, and then arrive bug-free, I learned to stop worrying. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Galamaad Posted March 17 Share Posted March 17 1 hour ago, MrBirdman said: I only freeze customs. Nothing from trusted vendors. I used to be more paranoid. Yet after watching boxes from Oz sit in sweltering heat at LAX for weeks on end during peak COVID, and then arrive bug-free, I learned to stop worrying. Great point 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odessa Posted March 18 Share Posted March 18 5 hours ago, MrBirdman said: I only freeze customs. Nothing from trusted vendors. I used to be more paranoid. Yet after watching boxes from Oz sit in sweltering heat at LAX for weeks on end during peak COVID, and then arrive bug-free, I learned to stop worrying. Never underestimate use of your own condom during a sex, even if you 100% sure your partner is disease free. You may become liable for a child support. 🙂 The same could apply to cigars. But, there is always personal choice. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenhorn2 Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 How does Cuba freeze cigars when the power is off more than it is on? I freeze mine just to be safe rather than sorry. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolaand Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 I’ve never frozen any of my boxes from vendors fwiw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainQuintero Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 There's zero downside to freezing, only potential positives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capn_Jackson Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 For sheer peace of mind, I freeze everything that doesn’t have a cellophane on it. Not that cellophane will stop beetles, but cigars with celo are NC’s that have likely been very well frozen before shipping out, from places with far less qc issues than Cuba. The ones that do have celo, I store separately, and I love to see that turn yellow or brown before lighting up the smoke. I also don’t want to freeze with that on, as I’d be worried about trapping moisture inside. Everything without celo, though? Fridge, freezer, fridge. Doesn’t take long, and I live in TX. 10 months out of the year, a power outage will ensure my house stays at 85 degrees or above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzz Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Remember, just because the cigars were frozen by the manufacturer, doesn't mean that a beetle can't jump on board after leaving the factory. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BossHogg Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I have never had to freeze them, but I am 100% invested in a trusted source 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpozniak Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Been buying in Cuba direct since 2004 and never frozen, never had a single issue. Sample size is probably around 120-150 boxes over the years.Maybe it's luck, who knows, draw your own conclusions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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