How to Store Pipe Tobacco

Pipe smoking has been around for centuries and remains a classic way to enjoy smoking tobacco. Much like with cigars, pipe smoking is an experience that focuses on tasting complex blends of tobacco, but with the use of a pipe.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned smoker, when you purchase pipe tobacco you’ll likely end up with more than you could smoke in one sitting. That’s why we’ve put together this helpful guide on how to store your pipe tobacco between smokes.

If you’re looking to buy pipe tobacco online, or you want to browse a wide range of pipe smoking accessories, check out our store today.

Why Should You Store Pipe Tobacco?

Storing pipe tobacco is the process of – you guessed it – storing your pipe tobacco in a specific way for a chosen period. The main objective when storing pipe tobacco is simply to keep your tobacco fresh enough that it remains pleasant to smoke.

Pipe Tobacco Storage Conditions

Pipe tobacco needs to be stored in the proper conditions to stop it from drying out and becoming unpleasant to smoke. The optimum conditions to store pipe tobacco include:

• Maintaining a relative humidity level between 55 and 75% depending on the blend/brand.
• Maintaining a consistent temperature between 15°C to 21°C.
• Keeping tobacco out of direct sunlight.

How Long Does it Take for Pipe Tobacco to go Bad?

There are typically two types of packaging that your pipe tobacco will be stored in when you buy it. These are:

• Sealed tins
• Ziplock bags

If your tobacco comes in tins then they’re relatively easy to store assuming they’re still sealed. The vacuum seal on the tin will work to keep the moisture in your tobacco for a while, however, once you’ve broken this seal your tobacco can dry out entirely within two to three weeks.

If you buy your tobacco in bulk, then it’s more likely you’ll receive your tobacco in a ziplock bag. Because these aren’t the most air-tight storage options, tobacco in a ziplock bag will dry out even faster than it would in a tin.

Where to Store Pipe Tobacco

The two most important factors to take into account when choosing where to store your tobacco is temperature, humidity and exposure to sunlight. Here are some of our recommendations on where you can store your pipe tobacco.

Storing Pipe Tobacco in a Humidor

Contrary to popular belief, pipe tobacco can actually be stored inside a humidor.

The purpose of a humidor is to store tobacco at the correct relative humidity. For cigars, this is between 65 to 72% RH. With the right tools and expertise, the relative humidity on your humidor can be calibrated to the level of your choice. For pipe tobacco, this level is anywhere between 55 to 75% RH depending on the brand, blend and period of storage.

It’s worth noting that while you can store your pipe tobacco in a humidor, under no circumstance should the two be stored together in the same one. As stated, both of them will require a different RH level and it’s better for all involved to keep them separate.

Storing Pipe Tobacco in Jars

Using jars to store pipe tobacco is one of the most popular methods used by pipe smokers today. This traditional method involves using a ceramic or glass jar to store the loose tobacco inside to maintain moisture levels.

While this method isn’t great for those planning to keep their tobacco in the original tins, for those who buy their tobacco in bulk, jars make a nice organised solution. For the best results, make sure that your jar has an airtight seal.

The main drawback of storing your tobacco in jars, particularly glass or acrylic ones, is that the tobacco can still be exposed to sunlight. If you’re using jars to store your tobacco, make sure you keep them somewhere dark where they can’t be reached by damaging UV rays.

Storing Pipe Tobacco in Tupperware

As with cigars, you can make your controlled environment for storing pipe tobacco with an ordinary Tupperware container.

While it’s generally frowned upon to store any kind of tobacco products in plastic due to staining and toxins from the plastic contaminating the tobacco, that doesn’t mean this frugal approach can’t be done.

If you’re storing loose tobacco, make sure you’re using a high-quality Tupperware made from 100% virgin plastic that is free of BPA phthalate or use a glass Tupperware container. If you’re planning to store your tobacco in jars or their tins, then using ordinary Tupperware is fine as the tobacco won’t be in contact with the actual plastic.

Thanks to their huge variety of sizes, Tupperware containers make great storage options for those looking for a cheap but effective way to keep their pipe tobacco in optimum smoking condition.

Storing Pipe Tobacco in Cardboard Boxes

If you’re looking for an even more affordable option for storing your pipe tobacco then an ordinary cardboard box might be the answer.

Obviously, we don’t mean using cardboard boxes for storing loose tobacco. Instead, you can store your tins, jars or Tupperwares of loose tobacco inside a cardboard box to keep them all together or to keep different blends together.

The idea behind this method is that any external or excess moisture will be absorbed by the cardboard before it can cause tins to rust. The box must then be stored in a dark environment without any temperature fluctuations such as a basement or cellar.

While this isn’t the most precise method of storing tobacco, it is still widely used by seasoned pipe smokers across the world.

Cellaring Pipe Tobacco

Cellaring pipe tobacco is the best method when it comes to storing pipe tobacco for several years in order to age it.

Much like wine, pipe tobacco will only get better with age. Over time the flavours and aromas in your tobacco blend will begin to marry to create a richer, more mellow blend that is altogether more harmonious.

If you’re a pipe smoker who values the complexity of your tobacco’s flavour over that of the intensity, then cellaring and ageing your pipe tobacco is the perfect storage option for you.

If we’ve caught your interest, we explore the method of cellaring pipe tobacco more over on our blog.

Whichever of these storage options you choose, you’re bound to keep your pipe tobacco in tip-top condition to ensure the perfect smoking experience every time.

Here at Havana House, we have a wide range of pipe tobacco available from some of the top brands including Ashton and Davidoff. Check out our full range of pipe tobacco here.