Freezing cigars

Do you freeze your cigars when you receive them?

  • Yes, all my cigars.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Only my cuban cigars.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No way.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
not all.. just some where i dont know if the temperature has been maintained fairly cool (under 72 F). walk in humidors i don't bother.

my traveldor gets some heat, so use the freeze procedure for killing larvae and keep quaratined anything that goes in it. it gets well into the upper 80's in the summer. despite that, no sign of beetles yet
 
Does freezing prevent future outbreaks? What happens if you freeze for 3 days and then your cigars go over 80F?
 
Unless you have access to a comercial freezer, freezing cigars is a waste of time. Your home unit simply does not get cold enough.

Doc.
 
Devil Doc said:
Unless you have access to a comercial freezer, freezing cigars is a waste of time. Your home unit simply does not get cold enough.

Doc.
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What about a cooler w/ dry ice? If freezing is needed, doncha think that would work?

I don't freeze, but some vendors do from what I've read. I have also heard that a previously frozen cigar will not get plume.
 
The Master said:
Unless a box has beetles I would never freeze my cigars.
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Harris, any truth to the rumor that some vendors freeze cigars?
 
Guys,

Here's some information that I think will provide some insight into what various folks in the industry think about freezing cigars to prevent beetle infestations. In my opinion, it's simply not enough to be told yea or nay. Cigar smokers who are conscientious and curious about learning the "why" behind the "what" will, I hope, appreciate this.

This first quote is by Gael de Courtivron, the owner of La Luna Cigars down there in Little Havana. He is one fellow who knows his stuff and is happy to share his knowledge so that we can all benefit from a better understanding of the business and products.

Gael said:
Gentlemen,

Unless you are using a commercial type freezer that can reach temperatures of -40 degrees, freezing your cigars is, well, like using duct tape to patch a garden hose leak. In other words this is a temporary fix. I know this from personal experience and research over the years. Larvae can survive extended periods of exposure to temperatures of 0 degrees just fine. Even with professional fumigation and/or commercial freezing, you are still rolling the dice. It could just be a matter of time and luck. The "safe time frame" really depends on what degree of fumigation (read: GAS) was done to the cigars before they left the factory and also on what type of tobacco you're dealing with; because certain tobaccos are far more prone to infestation. A professional fumigation will only assure a 12-18 month safety window. Sorry, but that's the reality. AS I mentioned, keep in mind that certain tobaccos are more prone to larvae than others, but, that's another subject. The reality is that ALL cigar tobacco veins are home to microscopic beetle larvae, I don't care what cigar brand is involved. I repeat, ALL tobacco has dormant microscopic larvae in the juice of the veins. So, between the time the cigars leave the factory to the time you receive them, chances are that along the way somewhere, the cigars may have been exposed to an unfortunate but optimum temp/humidity level which is the perfect hatching environment. This "perfect" environment is usually created around 75 degrees and 75% humidity. In this environment larvae will awaken, hatch, an now start their quest to burrow out of the cigar in search of water. This may only have affected 1 cigar out of thousand, but if you happen to get THAT cigar, it's enough to cause an outbreak for you. And unfortunately it can take weeks or months before you notice any outwardly signs of an impending infestation. This is a problem that we manufacturers face every single day.

If you follow the following course of action, you will be one step ahead of a possible disaster. Regularly inspect every single cigar in every single box you are keeping in your humidors. The best way to do this is to get a piece of bright white paper and gently tap the foot of all the cigars, one by one, over the paper. If you see microscopic "dust like" particles (not small pieces of tobacco) peppering the paper, you can be absolutely certain that you have an infected cigar, or worse yet, cigars. You can also be certain that you will soon have a major outbreak. This is the first stage of an infestation. This early warning technique will save you a lot of heartache and will give you the ability to immediately pull any infected cigar or cigars, which by the way, are still very smokeable at this point. The other cigars in close proximity to a compromised cigar may or may not have been infected. Usually the infection starts with one cigar because only one beetle has hatched and immediately starts munching on neighboring cigars, thus the appearance of the dreaded "hole". This of course is a best case scenario. However, if cigars of the same batch or in the same box have traveled together (let's say in a box of 20 or 25) chances are that you can expect several, if not all, of those cigars to be affected. Now, the problem has become exponential. So, don't wait until you find those dreaded holes with scores of little bastards having lunch at your the expense of your hard earned money. I hope this helps. Good Luck.

Cheers,
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This next quote is by the owner of one of the larger Asia-Pacific Habanos retail businesses. He's close with Pacific Cigar Company (the regional distributor), has spent time over the years in Cuba inside the factories and he knows his shiznit. He's a friendly guy and is always glad to share what he knows so that we can understand the reasons why those in the industry do what they do.

Beetles happen. The eggs as we know are laid in the bales back in Cuba. A combination of 70 F + a little humidity and bang......you have an outbreak.??Almost every one of my serious private clients...north to Japan FREEZE their boxes for the best part of a week in Deep Freezers -15 degrees Celcius. We can offer that service to clients but most are happy to do it themselves. The secret is -15 (or more) for a week (boxes in two zip locks at all times), a day in the bottom of the fridge, a day on the bench (out of the zip locks and then into your humidor. This is foolproof unless you introduce a cigar from mates who do not follow the same proceedures. I have seen the best controlled stashes come under infestation as a result of good intentions.??I have yet to see a beetle hatch at temps which are CONSTANT below 68F. The problem is maintaining this consistancy 100% of the time. ??The good news...Freezing has no effect on flavour.
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As for me, I had been freezing everything for years. I've never had an outbreak but lately, I've come to suspect that that may be due to luck at least as much as the moderately cold temperatures. I've also never noticed any changes or deleterious effects on flavor or smoking characteristics. I think that I will not freeze for the next year and see what happens. The coolerdors in my basement should maintain my sticks between 57-62F year round and this might provide sufficient insurance against hatching.

I hope that you have found this helpful.

Wilkey
 
I dont freeze at all. I already knew about the temp thing but if the others didnt, a good read. ALl you do with a normal freezer is make them dorment which is pointless once you take them back out. :( But good information anyways. :)
 
Great info Wilkey.
I was under the impression that you freeze all cigars that come directly from Cuba, because when buying from other sources the middle man freeze them for you.
But it also makes sense that home freezers dont get cold enough.
Hmmmmmm, interesting.
 
centurycigar said:
Great info Wilkey.
I was under the impression that you freeze all cigars that come directly from Cuba, because when buying from other sources the middle man freeze them for you.
But it also makes sense that home freezers dont get cold enough.
Hmmmmmm, interesting.
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Keep in mind that this is not strictly a "Cuban" problem. I've personally seen B&M's here in the states with the Serricone pheromone traps laid down and beetles on the glue. This is a potential problem with all cigars.

Wilkey
 
I have heard both sides on this numerous times and I just cannot bring myself to freeze them. I do seperate them in a seperate desktop humidor when I first get them to "let them settle" Have yet to have any problems. (Knock on Wood)
 
I have seen so many thoughts on freezing that I have just stayed with not starting. I have not had any issues.
 
I freeze all ISOMs for sure. I have a sub zero chest and they go to the bottom for 3 days as soon as I get them. I agreee, just putting them in your kitchen freezer won't do the trick. but if you've got something that can get below zero it why not use it. Never had it affect the taste when done properly either.
 
BTW, had a small outbreak once and that was enough for me to try to take extra precautions. I'd rather be a little more safe than sorry. East coast humidty and temps in the summer can get crazy, even with central air, and the power goes out in my neighborhood from time to tine for a whole day on occassion. Just rather be on the safe and anla retentive side ;)
 
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