Cigar Beetle Guide

[cvm4]

There have been questions concerning cigar beetles and/or high temperatures effecting cigars. This thread will try to answer any/all questions.

Storage:

Beetle eggs can hatch as low as 65° F. If you can, try to keep your cigars at or below 65° F. Having your cigars at 70° F slows their metabolism down, but increases the risk of the beetles hatching.

Prevention and/or Controlling an outbreak:

1. It's very important that you quarantine the cigars if you spot an outbreak.
2. Once quarantined, double bag (this avoids rapid increase/decrease in temperature) your cigars and put them in the refrigerator for 24 hours. This will get them acclimated to the drop in temperature and avoids a shock going from room temperature to freezing temperature.
3. After 24 hours, remove the cigars from the refrigerator and put them in the freezer for the specified length of time. If required, put a thermometer in the freezer to know what temperature range your freezer is on.
4. When the time is over for the cigars to be in the freezer, remove them and put them back in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
5. Take them out of the refrigerator and leave them at room temperature for 24 hours.
6. Now you can un-bag the cigars and put them in your humidor.

Your Freezer Temp & Days Left In Freezer:

41° F requires 12 days
32° F requires 9 days
23° F requires 4 days
14° F requires less than 24 hours
5° F requires less than 24 hours
-4° F requires less than 24 hours

Notes:

This is not a fool proof method. It will reduce the amount of beetle eggs in said cigars, but it might not kill all the beetle eggs. If your outbreak is fairly large, it would be prudent to increase the amount of time in the freezer. Keep in mind that any eggs inside the cigars have layers of tobacco around them. The tobacco must be cooled before the eggs will reach said temperature. Some manufacturers already freeze cigars before exporting them to their final destination. Like anything, to each their own.

This information was gathered from various sources

 

[texas_stang]

Do you ever freeze your cigars?

 

[funkejj]

Thanks for the great write up Cliff. I have started doing this as of this week.

 

[cvm4]

Do you ever freeze your cigars?

Nope, never have and haven't worried since I received the Aristocrat. This was brought up recently in another thread so I figured it was better served written out in a "how-to" format.

 

[Alwayslit]

nice guide.......thanks

 

[Greyghost]

Good right up Cliff.

You say you never have but when you received cigars that have been in temp. 75 F plus for say 3 or 4 days shipment time did you put them in right away with your other cigars in the humi.?

And what has given you a more peace of mind so to speak with the Aristocrat?

Thanks!


Earl

 

[smokemifugotem]

Nice guide cliff! Thanks brother!

I don't freeze here unless I know a box is going to get hot and possibly stuck for a few days when shipping. all the troop sticks were done due to where they were going and most of my sothern packages get it if I am worried about holiday or weekend delays. never did this until a Tat sampler made it to the virgin islands filled with holes. lucily it only took out the 5 stick sampler and not the rest of the load! It does happen...and happens to a lot of people. if ur ever curious or worried...just do it. not worth the gamble...

 

[cvm4]

Good right up Cliff.

You say you never have but when you received cigars that have been in temp. 75 F plus for say 3 or 4 days shipment time did you put them in right away with your other cigars in the humi.?

And what has given you a more peace of mind so to speak with the Aristocrat?

Thanks!


Earl

Well, I have most delivered to the PO Box if I can. If not, my mail runs late in the afternoon, so it doesn't stay out too long. I just open the box, check the cigars on the top and the bottom row. After that they go into the humidor. It's always good to check your cigars every 3-6 months, IMO. Gives me peace of mind at least.

Before the Aristocrat, I had a cooler with no temperature control. It was also hard to regulate humidity. It's a complete 180° with the Aristocrat.

 

[benday]

thanks for the write-up...

 

[Hardcore]

Thanks for the post! Great info!

 

[indyrob]

right on Cliff. Since enough (insert high % here) tobacco used in making cigars carries eggs to some degree knowing the OP as a guideline helps but once there is an outbreak damage has already been done.

I have never (knock on wood) had an outbreak but have received vintage boxes of Fonseca's that had beetle holes under the wrapper. Got them from a very rep. vendor so there was no question about the return but dayum! I froze everything...took about 4 weeks to go through and take up half of the freezer.

 

[Clint]

Thanks for the great write up Cliff. I have started doing this as of this week.

Started doing what? Do you have an outbreak?

 

[Clint]

Thanks for the info! Great to have handy as the summer approaches

 

[mcroom]

I have never had an outbreak but knew it would happen as we set the temp up in the house when we are gone. That is why I ought and use the Vinotemp; love it.

 

[ciggy]

Thanks for the info...I have frozen mine when straight off a hot summer shipment but not in that way. I will have to do this from now on.

 

[Speedbump]

great information thanks

 

[SmokeProper]

So for step 5(room resting) do you leave them in the sealed bags?

Would opening bags allow any excess moisture out?

 

[Angry Bill]

Something to think about, with the high temp in cigars traveling (sitting in delivery trucks) this practice might be an excellent way yo save cigars before an outbreak. Most should understand that many manufacturers already freeze their cigars prior to being shipped out, which cuts down on beetle infestations.

 

[Cigar Cowboy]

Great info. I have never had a problem, but you never know.