Help!! Propylene glycol??

[PNW_Piper]

Can anyone help me understand propylene glycol in pipe tobacco blends? I'm sorry if this has already been discussed multiple times in other threads but I'm new to all of this & very confused. I just made my first order from WLT which should be delivered this coming week. I plan to start experimenting first with VaPer blends (I want to make a few different variations - roll/coins, flake, & ribbon). I do not want it to be an aromatic, however my understanding is I want to add a bit of casing (some sort of sugar & water or alcohol solution). I think experimenting to find the blend proportions, casing recipe, & cut type is all part of the fun. HOWEVER, once I find a blend I really enjoy I would like to be able to age it in my cellar for the foreseeable future. I'm really concerned about mold &/or spoiling. Is there a reason not to use propylene glycol? Is there anything else I can or should use instead? Am I being paranoid? I've read in other threads you can store it dry & rehydrate but that doesn't sound ideal to me if there is another option. If anyone has any insight that would be fantastic. Also, as this is all a bit intimidating, if anyone has any tips or suggestions of any kind I am all ears!!! Thanks in advance for all of the help!!

 

[GreenDragon]

PG is used as a humectant and preservative in commercial pipe blends. It's what keeps their leaf soft and squishy. I hate it. I can taste it, and because it holds onto water, I am much more likely to experience tongue bite. I've used casings of water, rum, honey, etc in my blends and stored for two years now without mold. You want to dry your blends down before you store them, but not completely dry. If it crumbles, it's too dry. Have fun!

 

[PNW_Piper]

So if I'm making a roll or plug that I'm going to ultimately slice into coins or flakes. Is it best to age it before or after slicing?

 

[GreenDragon]

Ropes are aged in their tightly rolled form for several months. Plugs are kept in the press 1-3 weeks. This allows the unique flavors of each type to develop. Once cut into their ultimate forms and sealed in containers they will continue to age and mature. If you don’t smoke it all up that is

 

[PNW_Piper]

Thanks so much for the help GreenDragon!!

 

[GWLee]

Can anyone help me understand propylene glycol in pipe tobacco blends? I'm sorry if this has already been discussed multiple times in other threads but I'm new to all of this & very confused. I just made my first order from WLT which should be delivered this coming week. I plan to start experimenting first with VaPer blends (I want to make a few different variations - roll/coins, flake, & ribbon). I do not want it to be an aromatic, however my understanding is I want to add a bit of casing (some sort of sugar & water or alcohol solution). I think experimenting to find the blend proportions, casing recipe, & cut type is all part of the fun. HOWEVER, once I find a blend I really enjoy I would like to be able to age it in my cellar for the foreseeable future. I'm really concerned about mold &/or spoiling. Is there a reason not to use propylene glycol? Is there anything else I can or should use instead? Am I being paranoid? I've read in other threads you can store it dry & rehydrate but that doesn't sound ideal to me if there is another option. If anyone has any insight that would be fantastic. Also, as this is all a bit intimidating, if anyone has any tips or suggestions of any kind I am all ears!!! Thanks in advance for all of the help!!

I've made blends that have used PG and others that did not. Key thing to remember is that to avoid mold, have the blend as low cased as possible if not using PG. Have not noticed any issues since I've adjusted to this process. Also, have not noticed any mold in the blends I have done if I keep to the principles of dryer is better, if it is too dry when I go to smoke it, will simply give it a quick light misting and let it rest.

However where I have had issues with mold is with shredded tobacco in storage waiting to be used. Have worked many actions to avoid mold and also to remediate mold.

Best of luck in your attempts, dry is good in all venues.

Cheers

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

My experience is that PG or glycerin allows you to maintain the same elasticity in the leaf with a lower amount of water. While you might want 12-15% water content for your on the go pouch of tobacco, the higher end of that is risky for long term storage. If you went with closer to 10% water and 1-2% pg your tobacco could stay soft with less risk of mold.

 

[Indianapiper]

Is it possible to keep it dry enough for storage but not so dry that I would have to Rehydrate it?

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Is it possible to keep it dry enough for storage but not so dry that I would have to Rehydrate it?

Yeah. Relative humidity around 60%, or water content around 10% should be good. Just don't let it be subject to temperature fluctuations because you can get condensation and wet spots. I've got mason jars that have shredded leaf in them that's not so dry it crumbles, but dry enough that it feels dry. No pg.

 

[ChinaVoodoo]

Try this. Take a tsp of pg. Put it in an ounce of water. Take an once of tobacco and let it dry until its bone dry. Add a tsp of your pg water mix to the dry tobacco, give it a shake and leave it some place warm for an hour.

What you've just done is made a tobacco that's approximately 9%water, 1%pg. Feel it. Embrace it. Smoke it. Touch it again. Memorize how it feels. If you think you could use a little more, go ahead. Just remember a tsp is a lot. Maybe go a tsp and a quarter, tops.