Danger of Dash-board curing

[Frozenthunderbolt]

Hot day today, though I would throw a thermometer UNDER my bags of baccy on the dash.
Came back 1/2 hour later and it reads 80 CELSIUS

Toooo hot - all enzymatic process will now STOP and report to the enzyme graveyard.

Someone please tell me I'm wrong . . .

 

[Boboro]

I think you ok.

 

[FmGrowit]

What was your objective when you began your experiment?

The only thing I recall reading about "dashboard curing" was by cigarette smokers using the technique to remove excess nitrogen from the leaf. In that case, you really aren't reliant on any enzymatic process.

If you're curing the leaf for cigar use, by using the dashboard technique you're going to end up with pot-luck regardless.

 

[Frozenthunderbolt]

Not completely stuffed then; this is good.
Did have some burley in there i was hoping to get to cigarness at some point - seems for fermentation you pretty much just need heat and moisture. I double bag in ziplocks and periodically spray with water to keep the humidity up, opening to spray also allows for some air exchange. Will this not create an environment conducive to 'fermentation'?

 

[Knucklehead]

This is a pretty good read. Also follow the links in deluxestogie's post.
http://fairtradetobacco.com/showthread.php?1316-Gallery-of-Homemade-Tobacco-Kilns

 

[Randy]

Just wondering if anyone has heard of this..after cutting the leaves/stalks you lay them on the ground and cover with clear plastic for a few days removing the plastic once a day to air-out then after fewdays hang some were to finish air-curing??

Randy

 

[SmokesAhoy]

The Asians do something that might be similar that I read here about, after harvest bag in burlap, put in a pile of earth above water level for 18 days. All these methods seem pretty close to dash curing in that it should work fine but ultimately produce something inferior to doing everything the right way, but better than letting it dry green.

 

[Knucklehead]

BigBonner stalk cuts his Burley and leaves it in the field awhile to wilt. Other varieties are prone to sun scald.

 

[Randy]

For what I read the reason was to quiken the early stages drying of the leaves for just day-or-two before regular curing out of the sun..but in 90-100F heat around here you would have to be very carful abt leaving anything out in sun for anytime!!! but on the other hand I read that the Turkish tobacco is picked than "piled" then suncured? by the way speaking of Turkish tobacco..does anyone have any seeds they would like to trade or sale?? lokking over my seed collection noticed I dont have any and now wife wants me to grow more ciggertte tobacco.most seeds I have is for cigars.

Randy

 

[Randy]

AlabamaKukes I have seen that alot around here in the tobacco fileds they cut the stalks and make "teepees" for few days before they collet them

randy

 

[Jitterbugdude]

80 degrees is pretty hot. Most tobacco companies keep their curing/fermenting processes secret. Most will say though that they never let the temp get above 71 degrees C. Depending on how long they were cooking will determine if they are dead or not. I would let them cool down, remoisten and try again. Also, the sun's rays kill the bacteria/fungi etc that are responsible for fermenting. Keep them in an opaque container.

 

[Frozenthunderbolt]

I would let them cool down, remoisten and try again. Also, the sun's rays kill the bacteria/fungi etc that are responsible for fermenting. Keep them in an opaque container.

Never thought of that aspect. Cheers