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Ive got BEETLES!

Luckily, I have not had any beetles so far. With that in mind, I also do not freeze any of my cigars. Is it worth my while to freeze all the cigars I have thus far just to be sure? Is it possible that there are eggs/beetles that I just don't know about yet?
 
okay, my words were taken out of context :blush:

Funny, nonetheless
 
Beetles are something that I believe most of us have dealt with in the past. One should probably consider it to be an inevitable part of this hobby. After you've taken all precautions to prevent a beetle outbreak and/or spread, then there isn't much more you can do. I'm sure we can all relate to your experience.
 
occifer143 said:
Sorry for your loss.. You scared me into freezing my good stuff.
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This wont do much good if it is your bad stuff the has the beetles ;) if you are going to freeze them freeze them all. Unless of course you have a seperate 'dor for your good ones.
 
AaronFromPA said:
occifer143 said:
Sorry for your loss.. You scared me into freezing my good stuff.
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This wont do much good if it is your bad stuff the has the beetles ;) if you are going to freeze them freeze them all. Unless of course you have a seperate 'dor for your good ones.
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Agreed...if you freeze one, freeze them ALL...i will be living by this advice for ANY cigar that comes with 10 feet of any humidor that i own no matter what the source is from now on!! :(
 
indyrob said:
Would getting Dry Ice and a styrofoam cooler work? That would get it colder than my freezer I would think. I read that the retailers that do freeze thier cigars use commercial sub-zero freezers, but not every distributer does this.

I wish they would...
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On an episode of Good Eats on the Food Network, Alton Brown showed how strawberries can not be frozen just by sticking them in the freezer, because when they dethaw, their molecular structure starts to break down. He then showed that you can freeze them in the way that you stated, by setting them in a freezer type container and setting dry ice in with them. It "flash freezes" them, keeping the molecular structure intact when they thaw.

If I can get some dry ice, I will try this with a cigar I smoke often (so I can know the taste profile ahead of time, and what to expect), and post the experience.
 
Nobel said:
indyrob said:
Would getting Dry Ice and a styrofoam cooler work? That would get it colder than my freezer I would think. I read that the retailers that do freeze thier cigars use commercial sub-zero freezers, but not every distributer does this.

I wish they would...
[snapback]232567[/snapback]​
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On an episode of Good Eats on the Food Network, Alton Brown showed how strawberries can not be frozen just by sticking them in the freezer, because when they dethaw, their molecular structure starts to break down. He then showed that you can freeze them in the way that you stated, by setting them in a freezer type container and setting dry ice in with them. It "flash freezes" them, keeping the molecular structure intact when they thaw.

If I can get some dry ice, I will try this with a cigar I smoke often (so I can know the taste profile ahead of time, and what to expect), and post the experience.
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Please do Nobel, I have often wondered about the cigar's taste staying intact. Freezing them seems like such a harsh thing to do to them.
 
Fyodor said:
Please do Nobel, I have often wondered about the cigar's taste staying intact. Freezing them seems like such a harsh thing to do to them.
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If you ever bought anything from JR you know what a frozen cigar is like after it's been thawed...I read somewhere that they freeze everything that comes through their door, and they use the large sub-zero industrial freezers for all of it...if anyone knows otherwise please correct me if I am wrong...
 
Nobel said:
indyrob said:
Would getting Dry Ice and a styrofoam cooler work? That would get it colder than my freezer I would think. I read that the retailers that do freeze thier cigars use commercial sub-zero freezers, but not every distributer does this.

I wish they would...
[snapback]232567[/snapback]​
Click to expand...

On an episode of Good Eats on the Food Network, Alton Brown showed how strawberries can not be frozen just by sticking them in the freezer, because when they dethaw, their molecular structure starts to break down. He then showed that you can freeze them in the way that you stated, by setting them in a freezer type container and setting dry ice in with them. It "flash freezes" them, keeping the molecular structure intact when they thaw.

If I can get some dry ice, I will try this with a cigar I smoke often (so I can know the taste profile ahead of time, and what to expect), and post the experience.
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Actually, that doesn't sound completely true. We freeze cells in the lab all the time. There is a rule of thumb that is always followed: "Slow freeze, quick thaw." We normally add something like DMSO to the media the cells will be frozen in and freeze them slowly. If you freeze them too fast, the water inside and around the cells crystalizes to quickly and actually "pokes holes" through the cell membranes, if you will. If this happens, when you thaw the cells, they basically fall apart and spill their contents out and are destroyed. I could be way off here, but I just think that getting to the ultimate freezing point and remaining there for a given period of time is what kills the eggs. To me, it seems like going from one extreme to another very rapidly would just add one more element of stress to an already delicate cigar. If you notice in all of the threads concerning freezing cigars, you do everything slowly, ie, leave them in the refidgerator for several days after freezing before bringing them to room temperature. I know this is primarily for condensation reasons, but you never know how the cells in the tobacco leaves might be damaged by going from one extreme to another. Maybe if you put them in the freezer for a day or so, and then move them to dry ice, then back to the freezer, then to the fridge, then to the humidor, this would be the best way to slowly get down to the lowest temperature possible without stressing the cigars so much. Just my humble opinion. Whatever works for you.
 
I too was curious as to the effects of freezing cigars when it comes to taste...i took half a dozen different types and brands, took two of each...froze one, and left the other in the humidor. Freezing and SLOWLY thawing them out and then smoking them side by side(all the while not knowing which was which until i was finished) i noticed no difference in taste, texture or quality of the smoke in any way.

I seal my cigars twice in foodsaver vaccum sealed bags(inside of a stiff container so they dont crush) then toss them in the fridge for at least 12 hours, then in the freezer for at least three days, then back in the fridge for a day and then on to the coolerdor after a short time to adapt to room temp. As long as you have an air tight seal, you shouldnt have any problems. Pain in the butt, yes...but if it will prevent this from happening again, its MORE than worth the time.
 
Yep, that's about the same procedure I use as well. Never had a problem with split wrappers or changes in quality. It is really not that big of a deal as long as you freeze your sticks as they come in a few boxes at a time. Freezing 30-50 boxes would be a hassle so the key is freeze your sticks as you receive them a few boxes at a time.
 
can anyone confirm that putting your sticks in the freezer actually kills the beetle eggs? i could have sworn reading that your freezer will not get cold enough to destroy the eggs. seems like everyone knows what to do, just not why to do it.

i bet it was one of the old bastards here f'ing with everyone.
SamClemmons: "check this out, i bet you $20 i can get every jackass that sees this post to put his cigars in... i dont know, how bout his freezer"
CC: "DEAL. i'll put in an extra $20 if you get them using dry ice..."
 
You guys have it all wrong. I boil my cigars, haven't had a single outbreak of beetles.
 
moki said:
You guys have it all wrong. I boil my cigars, haven't had a single outbreak of beetles.
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So, does that result in a limp stogie? :laugh:
 
Nice little article there stray I had not seen that. Despite the proof this war will likely wage for all of cigar eternity :). Most FOGs I know swear by it though and if it is good enough for them it is good enough for me. That being said I really dont do it as I am a reble without a cause...and statistically lazy as hell.
 
Well, the rest of my collection is back in its home in the coolerdor...hopefully sleeping safely! I think i managed to save a few of the ultra premiums...time and smoking will tell. Let this be a good reminder to all to freeze your incomings, regulate a good, low temp(ill be keeping mine at less than 70 from now on!!), and check your prized possessions often for infestation!!
 
Might I ask, why does the manufacturer take the initiative to freeze the cigars before shipment? When putting out an expensive product like this, you would think they would do all they can to insure quality and prevent these kind of things.
 
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