Another newbie kilning question

[vktr]

My Aztec wild leaves look healthy dark brown but also start developing blackish areas after two weeks in my cooler kiln. Is that enough for them? Last time I yanked them after 17 days and they make a good smoke. Would keeping them longer in the kiln yield any benefits (except for a danger of ruining them)?

 

[StoneCarver]

There shouldn't be any danger of ruining them if the temperature in your kiln is high enough: iirc 123f to 130f. 125f being the sweet spot.
Whether or not you think they've kilned long enough is really up to your personal tastes. This is where it gets to being an art.

 

[ShiniKoroshi]

My Aztec wild leaves look healthy dark brown but also start developing blackish areas after two weeks in my cooler kiln. Is that enough for them? Last time I yanked them after 17 days and they make a good smoke. Would keeping them longer in the kiln yield any benefits (except for a danger of ruining them)?

Tobacco will darken in the kiln depending on humidity/moisture. How moist are the leaves? Also, was the tobacco harsh or are we kilning for S&G? Who knows if the enzymes are the same in species other than tabacum.

 

[deluxestogie]

Who knows if the enzymes are the same in species other than tabacum.

I suspect that is correct. No commercial growers in the US produced N. rustica, since the early colonial days in Virginia. So the extensive research on tobacco chemistry during the first half of the 20th century investigated N. tabacum.

Bob

 

[vktr]

There shouldn't be any danger of ruining them if the temperature in your kiln is high enough: iirc 123f to 130f. 125f being the sweet spot.
Whether or not you think they've kilned long enough is really up to your personal tastes. This is where it gets to being an art.

The temperatures in the middle of the pile are fluctuating between 50.5C (123F) and 56C (133F) the thermostat is set to 53C (127.5F). My concern was blackening the leaves in some areas, and I tried smoking these areas separately, luckily they tasted the same as the brown ones, so it's not a rot, hopefully.

 

[vktr]

Tobacco will darken in the kiln depending on humidity/moisture. How moist are the leaves? Also, was the tobacco harsh or are we kilning for S&G? Who knows if the enzymes are the same in species other than tabacum.

65-75 percent, looks like I've got it stabilized in this range. I suspect it was harsh after curing, tried it before haha. Does S&G stand for "sugar + glycerin solution sprayed or brushed lightly on the leaves before or during kilning/fermentation"? Not familiar with it, so we are not.

 

[deluxestogie]

Does S&G stand for

I suspect that it is the abbreviation for a less than polite way of saying, "for your amusement."

Bob

 

[vktr]

I suspect that it is the abbreviation for a less than polite way of saying, "for your amusement."

Bob

This one? https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Shits and Giggles LOL, a good one

 

[vktr]

The leaves after 17 days of kilning, looks like they've had enough. And they smell great.

 

[vktr]

I know you will frown on AI but this is what chatgpt says. Blackening is spot on.

 

[deluxestogie]

ChatGPT is incorrect.

Bob

 

[vktr]

ChatGPT is incorrect.

Bob

I'm sure it's not correct. But I was looking for an answer to how long to kiln Aztec Wild and what the black areas mean. What chatgpt said is good for me for now.

 

[Knucklehead]

I'm sure it's not correct. But I was looking for an answer to how long to kiln Aztec Wild and what the black areas mean. What chatgpt said is good for me for now.

Duration aside, the low end of the temp recommendations is flirting with the possibility of mold.

 

[vktr]

Duration aside, the low end of the temp recommendations is flirting with the possibility of mold.

Agreed, I've been using AI for work a lot, the trick is to sieve out the bs from the truth. Sorry, didn't want to bring any controversy here.