Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think?

[DEZn00ts]

I was wondering if it is a good idea to freeze any incoming cigars just to be safe with beetles. I'm new, got some cigars coming in and don't want to risk damaging them because of the temps/humidity I have to learn how to deal with. What does everyone think?

[Brlesq]

I freeze every cigar that comes in no matter if it was from a shop or a friend (unless I'm going to smoke it in the next couple of days, and then it stays quarantined). Overcautious?
Probably. But I've known a couple of people with collections that got destroyed by beetles. It's ugly! And enough to make a grown man cry.

[AdamJoshua]

If you search or look through the forums here there are huge threads about freezing and the science behind it. :tu

Lots of great info here if you look.

[DEZn00ts]

Good. I am the overcautious type and thanks for the tips I really do appreciate it. I guess I will freeze the ones I have now and freeze the other ones when they come in. I will look up those threads Adam, thanks.

[DEZn00ts]

I'm kind of scared to freeze my cigars and looking there isn't really any "Do's And Don'ts" about it besides don't freeze cigars long term for storage. Is there anything I shouldn't do when freezing? I already placed them in the fridge and will put them in the freezer tomorrow for 2 days. Some say 2, some say 3 and some say it only takes 2-3 hours to kill anything in the cigars. What is definitive?

[Chainsaw13]

I skip the fridge and just put into the freezer. If loose, put in a ziplock bag and removes as much air as possible. Regular fridge, 4 days minimum. Chest freezer, 3 days min. Remove and put into my humidor. Never had an issue. Hell, I've smoked some straight from the freezer. :D

[markem]

I freeze all cigars. I put them into the fridge for 24 hours min and then the freezer for 3-4 days and then back in the fridge for 24 hours.

Everyone has a different approach. I've never found freezing to hurt a cigar. I have, however, found that not freezing can hurt a cigar (beetles)

[Wharf Rat]

I'm kind of scared to freeze my cigars and looking there isn't really any "Do's And Don'ts" about it besides don't freeze cigars long term for storage. Is there anything I shouldn't do when freezing? I already placed them in the fridge and will put them in the freezer tomorrow for 2 days. Some say 2, some say 3 and some say it only takes 2-3 hours to kill anything in the cigars. What is definitive?

There’s a sticky thread that has much detailed info. I put my cigars in a plastic bag with a Boveda humidification packet. After freezing, I keep them sealed with the Boveda for several days to let the moisture even out. I’ve never had any problem going straight in and out of the freezer and the room.

[DEZn00ts]

Cool coo so I've been looking and threads and the consensus is... Fridge: Optional, Freeze: Manditory (mostly) and if the freezer isn't cold enough leave them in there for longer. I took them out of the fridge after an hour and put them in the freezer. I'll do what Chainsaw13 said and leave them in there for 4 days instead of 3 because I have no clue how cold it gets. You guys are awesome.

[Porch Dweller]

I freeze all cigars. I put them into the fridge for 24 hours min and then the freezer for 3-4 days and then back in the fridge for 24 hours.

Everyone has a different approach. I've never found freezing to hurt a cigar. I have, however, found that not freezing can hurt a cigar (beetles)

This.

[DEZn00ts]

Hell, I've smoked some straight from the freezer. :D

Lol I don't see why not! So what do most of you guys do after taking them out of the freezer? Do you leave them out of the humidor for a while or do you put them directly into the humidor? I would think it wouldn't make a difference because the humidor/coolidor will level out the humidity but I want to know what most of you do.

[Chainsaw13]

Lol I don't see why not! So what do most of you guys do after taking them out of the freezer? Do you leave them out of the humidor for a while or do you put them directly into the humidor? I would think it wouldn't make a difference because the humidor/coolidor will level out the humidity but I want to know what most of you do.

Like I mentioned, straight from freezer to humi.

[T.G]

I freeze everything. Residential freezers fluctuate in temp quite a bit and it takes time for the center of the box/cab to drop to desired temp, so I leave them in the freezer for a week or so (no refrigeration stage). From there, I leave them out long enough for the ice crystals on the packaging to thaw and vaporize, then into the huidors.

There are many ways to do it, I've found this works for me. Is it overkill, possibly, but I've never had an issue with beetles, nor have I detected or had a comment about the taste being affected.

[DEZn00ts]

I freeze everything. Residential freezers fluctuate in temp quite a bit and it takes time for the center of the box/cab to drop to desired temp, so I leave them in the freezer for a week or so (no refrigeration stage). From there, I leave them out long enough for the ice crystals on the packaging to thaw and vaporize, then into the huidors.

There are many ways to do it, I've found this works for me. Is it overkill, possibly, but I've never had an issue with beetles, nor have I detected or had a comment about the taste being affected.

Damn I tried to give you a rep up but I was passing em out willy nilly. Great input about the ice crystals, I think I will do that.

[Weelok]

Is this the point where I can post my anti-establishment post and say you can heat the cigars up as well to kill beetles?

http://www.grains.k-state.edu/spirel/docs/articles/34_35_Subi_column.pdf

[DEZn00ts]

Is this the point where I can post my anti-establishment post and say you can heat the cigars up as well to kill beetles?

http://www.grains.k-state.edu/spirel/docs/articles/34_35_Subi_column.pdf

Great little read you threw at me. also, I'm gonna have to try those Flor De Oliva's you suggested before. :D Gonna go look up the other Oliva products as well, I know they are a top brand. I just realized the Nub Macchiatto's I have in my favorites list are Oliva. Can't wait to try those suckers.

[icehog3]

I don't freeze anything, but I only buy Cuban. I will quarantine custom rolls, but supposedly Cuba has been freezing production cigars for quite some time. I do make sure the temps in my house never get above 70*F. And I've never had a beetle (knocks on wood).

[DEZn00ts]

I don't freeze anything, but I only buy Cuban. I will quarantine custom rolls, but supposedly Cuba has been freezing production cigars for quite some time. I do make sure the temps in my house never get above 70*F. And I've never had a beetle (knocks on wood).

Well I got most of my information I had from a post you had in another forum so I will say thank you! Learned a lot about what temperatures, how long, percentage of beetles/larvae/eggs die from freezing.:D

[icehog3]

Well I got most of my information I had from a post you had in another forum so I will say thank you! Learned a lot about what temperatures, how long, percentage of beetles/larvae/eggs die from freezing.:D

I definitely looked into the methods, and tried to help some guys along. Just stopped doing it myself years and years ago. :D

Maybe I've just been lucky, and will find this in the morning....

https://i.imgur.com/ig3yQTt.png

[DEZn00ts]

I definitely looked into the methods, and tried to help some guys along. Just stopped doing it myself years and years ago. :D

Maybe I've just been lucky, and will find this in the morning....

https://i.imgur.com/ig3yQTt.png

Me and my wife were looking at that same image earlier... My heart sank and anxiety kicked in that's why I'm freezing my sticks now. :r :tf

[T.G]

I don't freeze anything, but I only buy Cuban. I will quarantine custom rolls, but supposedly Cuba has been freezing production cigars for quite some time. I do make sure the temps in my house never get above 70*F. And I've never had a beetle (knocks on wood).

Most NC cigars are frozen also. Either by the manufacturer, importer and even some of the large retailers (IIRC, JR cigars has their own shipping container sized blast freezer).

If it doesn't hurt anything, why take the chance? Unless of course you need all that room in the freezer for your gummy bear & bacon macchiato ice cream.

[Ashcan Bill]

I don't freeze anything, but I only buy Cuban. I will quarantine custom rolls, but supposedly Cuba has been freezing production cigars for quite some time. I do make sure the temps in my house never get above 70*F. And I've never had a beetle (knocks on wood).

I'm with the Admiral on this one. Most of what I buy is also Cuban, but I don't think any major manufacturer today lets stuff out of their warehouse without taking some preventive steps. And it's been quite a while since I've heard first hand of anyone having a beetle problem. I think it happened more in the past, though that's not to say it still can't happen.

I've purchased and smoked thousands of cigars and have yet to have a problem. Maybe I was born under a lucky star. Or maybe I don't freeze 'em because every time my wife sees an empty spot in the freezer she stuffs something into it and I couldn't fit a cigar in anyway. And we can't leave conservation of energy (aka laziness) out of the equation. :D

Also, like many here I have a temperature controlled cabinet that keeps them as cool as I want/need. So I invest my time worrying about important stuff, like alien invasions or how the Knights are doing in the playoffs.

[icehog3]

If it doesn't hurt anything, why take the chance? Unless of course you need all that room in the freezer for your gummy bear & bacon macchiato ice cream.

I could say, "if it isn't necessary, why waste the time?". But if it gives people peace of mind, then I say go for it.

No gummy bear ice cream in my freezer, just some Jeffrey Dahmer frozen dinners. :D

I'm with the Admiral on this one. Most of what I buy is also Cuban, but I don't think any major manufacturer today lets stuff out of their warehouse without taking some preventive steps. And it's been quite a while since I've heard first hand of anyone having a beetle problem. I think it happened more in the past, though that's not to say it still can't happen.

I've purchased and smoked thousands of cigars and have yet to have a problem. Maybe I was born under a lucky star. Or maybe I don't freeze 'em because every time my wife sees an empty spot in the freezer she stuffs something into it and I couldn't fit a cigar in anyway. And we can't leave conservation of energy (aka laziness) out of the equation. :D

Also, like many here I have a temperature controlled cabinet that keeps them as cool as I want/need. So I invest my time worrying about important stuff, like alien invasions or how the Knights are doing in the playoffs.

Pretty damn good last night, Bill. :D

[T.G]

No gummy bear ice cream in my freezer, just some Jeffrey Dahmer frozen dinners. :D


Of course. The Paleo diet. I forgot.

[T.G]

I could say, "if it isn't necessary, why waste the time?".

On a serious note, while the manufacturer might freeze, they are freezing in a climate and region where the beetles are prevalent, and the cigars or their packaging can be contaminated after the process is completed. Tobacco beetles don't just eat tobacco, they will eat the cardboard shipping boxes, paper, coffee, etc. Then there is the vendor storage facility, where again the possibility of re-exposure exists if beetles were accidentally introduced to this environment in the past. While these places do take steps to minimize the chances of re-infections by the use of pesticides and pheromone traps or even re-freezing in some cases, the possibility still exists.

So, yeah, for me, I feel it's worth the effort. :2

[icehog3]

Of course. The Paleo diet. I forgot.

Low carbs, high eyeballs. :D

So, yeah, for me, I feel it's worth the effort. :2

And I totally understand, and am not trying to sway anyone to my way of doing things. Just throwing my (lack of) process out there, to each whatever helps him sleep at night. You raise many valid points.

[Subvet642]

I don't freeze anything, but I only buy Cuban. I will quarantine custom rolls, but supposedly Cuba has been freezing production cigars for quite some time. I do make sure the temps in my house never get above 70*F. And I've never had a beetle (knocks on wood).

Same here, and I always opt for the nitrogen packing 'cause I figure the little f'ers can't hold their breath for the time it takes them to fly here.

[dijit]

I have had a couple run ins with beetles in 35 years of cigars. Both recently, both with Cubans, and different suppliers That being said I do throw mine in the freezer overnight when I get them but I think its more of a comfort thing than anything else. Besides the wife never looks in the freezer so when I move them to the humidor I can honestly say "no I did not get these today"

[icehog3]

I have had a couple run ins with beetles in 35 years of cigars. Both recently, both with Cubans, and different suppliers That being said I do throw mine in the freezer overnight when I get them but I think its more of a comfort thing than anything else. Besides the wife never looks in the freezer so when I move them to the humidor I can honestly say "no I did not get these today"

:lr :tu

[massphatness]

I freeze everything because I never want to smoke a Festival Mareva recorder. I nearly pooped myself when I pulled this stick from the box a bunch of years ago.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7371/9240604134_f8e6e473aa.jpg

[AdamJoshua]

Same here, and I always opt for the nitrogen packing 'cause I figure the little f'ers can't hold their breath for the time it takes them to fly here.

Oh contre' there Normy, modern scientist have found that insects can hold their breath for days at a time as too much oxygen can actually kill them.


https://popculturehasaids.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/cliff-clavin.jpeg

[DEZn00ts]

Well I think that me leaving them in the freezer for 7-8 days is doing them justice. I've heard all types of methods and reasoning online. heard that freezing them doesn't have a 100% mortality rate either so it's kind of hard to figure out what to do. So to be safe I left them in there for 8 days and will be taking them out tomorrow. Safest bet was for me to not skimp and buy beads and make sure my humidity levels don't fluctuate.

[bonjing]

7-8 days is good. I’ve forgotten that I’ve put some in the freezer for almost a month. Good double bagging, make sure the air is pulled out. Bags are always still tight around the boxes or sticks when I found them.

Did it hurt the sticks, dunno, I have the pallet of an old billy goat.

[icehog3]

Did it hurt the sticks, dunno, I have the pallet of an old billy goat.

Don't disparage yourself, Greg, it's much closer to a young billy goat's. :D

[DEZn00ts]

7-8 days is good. I’ve forgotten that I’ve put some in the freezer for almost a month. Good double bagging, make sure the air is pulled out. Bags are always still tight around the boxes or sticks when I found them.

Did it hurt the sticks, dunno, I have the pallet of an old billy goat.

Yea I just pulled them out... Still had a great seal. When I put them in I pulled all the air out and triple bagged them so I didn't have to deal with freezer burn or some ****. Better safe then sorry.