Electric blanket fermenting

[Bigdog]

In South Africa we don't have a big cigar culture, but pipe tobacco, cigarette tobacco and snuff leaves can be bought if you try a bit. This is my first season at Ftt and I haven't planted any tobacco of my own, but I did manage to get hold of some pipe tobacco with the intention of rolling cigars. The problem is that the tobacco is unfermented and tastes wild. Now there is a lot of plans and pics of fermentation devices on this lovely site, but this is what I did, based on the advice a tobacco farmer gave me.
I took all my tobacco and stripped out the big centre vain, then I folded it up to form a kind of pillow, even thickness and width. I dampened my leaves to a very high case and put it into a plastic bag, then I squeezed out as much of the trapped air as I could and put it into a second bag. Trying to trap as little air as possible, I wrapped my bundle in a peace of pvc canvas an a old blanket, then I rolled it up in a electric blanket to form a tube with a bundle of tobacco in the middle. I plugged up the electric blanket tube on either side of the tobacco with some rags and rolled up the whole thing in two more blankets for insulation. I swithed it on and left it for 11 days. My tobacco came out a nice dark colour, sweet smelling and very smokeable.
This turned out to be a cheap way of getting better than average rerults for me, hopefully someone else finds it usefull.

 

[BarG]

Welcome. you wouldn't shit me on your fermenting would ya.Heh heh heh That seemed to works for you.. We all do it different, thats new.

 

[Bigdog]

No shit here, I think we al try for perfect temp an humidity, a bit of works too. This is by no means perfect, but it is the best I have done so far and its quick and easy, no construction or special equipment required.

 

[BarG]

Yea but it cant be much quantity can it, I dont doubt the success of it.

 

[Ben Brand]

`n boer maak `n plan. SA for we always make a plan.

 

[forumdotabaco]

electric blankets are known for her fire potential, I do agree and understand that may work but is to much of a risk if you are doing it indoor.

 

[BarG]

`n boer maak `n plan. SA for we always make a plan.

\of course you would say that

We always have a plan too!

I;m intrigued on your fermenting method. Bigdog. #1 post this thread.

 

[BarG]

electric blankets are known for her fire potential, I do agree and understand that may work but is to much of a risk if you are doing it indoor.

everyone may think you are being a big pussy but me about the potential for bad things to happen. I do need one for my necck.

 

[Bigdog]

I think I should clarify. I had 4 pounds of tobacco, I think up to 10 pounds wil stil work. Control is nonexistand, no temperature control and no humidity control, and not much you can do about that. It does pose a fire hazard, but I am sure that grown-up people can identify the risk and take care of it. Then just as a final thought, THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION, IT IS RISKY AND NOT VERY ACURATE, BUT IT WIL HELP YOU IN A PINCH.

 

[leverhead]

Every source of heat has some risk. It is an interesting solution to the problem, pile fermentation without the big pile.

 

[FmGrowit]

This is an interesting concept, thank you for sharing. This entire forum is based on improvising various scaled down industry growing, curing and processing methods for use by home growers and hobbyists.

No contribution is too small or insignificant. Your approach to kilning with an electric blanket will most certainly be elaborated upon by other and ultimately perfected.

Thank you for sharing.

 

[Bigdog]

Every source of heat has some risk. It is an interesting solution to the problem, pile fermentation without the big pile.

Aah! That is the one reason I will spend more time at this method. I came to believe that the contact between the leaves and the gas traped inside a pile and even some factors that I can not think of, is a important part of the taste you get from your tobacco. Having tasted some of Ben Brand's cigars I am not so sure anymore, but sticking as close to the methods that the bigboys use, still has some apeal to me.

 

[forumdotabaco]

everyone may think you are being a big pussy but me about the potential for bad things to happen. I do need one for my necck.

I've seen several houses burn to ashes because of electric blankets.

 

[FmGrowit]

This thread is about alternative ways of pile fermentation. Nobody is claiming the only way it can be done is by using an electric blanket. Alternatives methods and suggestions are most welcome. Our purpose here is to encourage discussion, not discourage it.

I'd like to suggest a simple heating pad in an enclosure might produce the same results. The risk of fire is present regardless the method of introducing heat.

 

[forumdotabaco]

I'm not discourage nothing, just referring to the fact that electric blankets are dangerous, at least here in E.U they are.

 

[deluxestogie]

Interesting idea. A simple heating pad has been demonstrated successfully as the heat source for a box kiln. But it used a water heater thermostat to regulate the temp.

It would be interesting to have some notion of the temperature within the bundle. Perhaps a long-stem compost thermometer might be available for inserting into the bundle.

If the temp was quite high (say, 150ºF or more), then you may be ending up with a Cavendish (steaming) process. If it remains more in the range of 125ºF, then you are achieving the goal of finishing leaf for a cigar (akin to kilning).

That having been said, if you are happy with the results, then the temp doesn't matter.

Bob

 

[FmGrowit]

Cavendish in a bag? Verrrry interestinc. Seems like a safe way to make Cavendish since it would be difficult to over-cook the tobacco provided some degree of moisture remained in the bag.

 

[janetta007]

I've seen several houses burn to ashes because of electric blankets.

Have you seen this gallery of homemade kilns these guys have concocted. Some are sure to be high risk fire starters. It's a use at your own risk situation. LOL
http://fairtradetobacco.com/threads/1316-Gallery-of-Homemade-Tobacco-Kilns

 

[BarG]

I think I should clarify. I had 4 pounds of tobacco, I think up to 10 pounds wil stil work. Control is nonexistand, no temperature control and no humidity control, and not much you can do about that. It does pose a fire hazard, but I am sure that grown-up people can identify the risk and take care of it. Then just as a final thought, THIS IS NOT A PERMANENT SOLUTION, IT IS RISKY AND NOT VERY ACURATE, BUT IT WIL HELP YOU IN A PINCH.

That is a sizable amount. Thats as much or more than gets done in my fridge kiln.

 

[Bigdog]

Bob, I did have a candy thermometer in there, it took about 36 hours to reach 54°c(129°f) and stood steady there for the rest of the time, this was on the lowest setting in a unheated barn with a metal roof and brick walls, keep in mind that it is in the first part of winter here, average daytime temp of 68°f and 40° at night. The amount and kind of insulation wil also afect this.