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Post by adui on Sept 19, 2022 11:00:15 GMT -5
I couldn't find a better place for this so it's posted here. Yesterday on a whim I decided to try pressing my tobacco using blends I have on hand. I selected two pure Virginia blends, added a dusting of Latakia flake, and stuffed the well-tossed mix into a PVC tube. I then put that tube in my bench clamp using a dowel that fit nicely (a little loose but near perfect into the inch and a half id pipe.
My question is, how long do I leave this conglomeration in the press before it should be ready to try?
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Post by Darin on Sept 19, 2022 12:33:28 GMT -5
I'd go at least 72 hours but up to several weeks if there were several different leaf varieties that needed to meld. After removing, it can take several months in a jar to settle back down.
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Post by adui on Sept 19, 2022 12:58:36 GMT -5
OK s the two weeks I planned to leave it pressed is plenty long
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Post by Silver on Sept 19, 2022 14:41:29 GMT -5
I've been curious about trying this myself for a while. I've read how some guys build their own "presses", use noodle presses and also aluminum pre-press molds (I have them both in my Amazon cart). In the meantime, I'm using a C&D tobacco tin lined with plastic wrap. I found that a hockey puck fits the tin nicely. A couple c-clamps provide the pressure. Whipped up a 2 oz. batch 50/30/20 % Three Friars/LS Virginia Burley/Bayou Morning. We'll see what it's like in two weeks!
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,359
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
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Post by Zach on Sept 19, 2022 14:58:48 GMT -5
Have a Scottish friend that simply uses some form of a wooden puck he made and then all he does is put it under his bed post! Sleeps on it a few weeks and pulls it out, all pressed. LOL
But I've not yet tried pressing any of my own blends. I think I will eventually using a simple premold container and c-clamps or something. You'll have to let us know after you undo your press in a couple weeks how it's smoking in the main What Are You Smoking thread.
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Post by adui on Sept 19, 2022 15:10:03 GMT -5
I'll definitely give a report. As it sits, the two VA blends I mixed are ok to me, but I have to be in the mood. I'm hoping this will mellow the parts I don't like without ruining the parts I do. One thing I will do for sure next time though; I filled the 3" section of PVC to the top, but I did so loosely without packing. The result, under pressure anyhow, is about a quarter inch thick. Mind you I'm using the wood clamp vise attached to the side of my workbench (Harbor Freight Wooden Workbench: www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage-organization/workbenches/60-in-three-drawer-hardwood-workbench-58832.html)In spite of being wood, this thing applies some real pressure. More than I could do with a C clamp and my weak hands.
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Zach
Pro Member
If you can't send money, send tobacco.
Posts: 4,359
First Name: Zach
Favorite Pipe: Too many currently, bound to change
Favorite Tobacco: Haunted Bookshop, Big 'N' Burley, Pegasus, Habana Daydream, OJK, Rum Twist, FVF, Escudo, Orlik Golden Sliced, Kendal Flake, Ennerdale
Location:
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Post by Zach on Sept 19, 2022 18:36:14 GMT -5
I really like the looks of that hardwood workbench, Terry. It tells me they're in stock here in town, too.
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Post by adui on Sept 19, 2022 18:39:11 GMT -5
I really like the looks of that hardwood workbench, Terry. It tells me they're in stock here in town, too. It was a gift from my wife last year, maybe two years ago?? Yup at least, it was pre-pandemic LOL. I don't use it as much as I would like, but with my shop in my living room, I do have to take it easy.
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Post by trailboss on Sept 19, 2022 19:03:52 GMT -5
If you really need a heavy press, I know where one of these are parked.
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Post by adui on Sept 19, 2022 19:39:41 GMT -5
If you really need a heavy press, I know where one of these are parked. Thats PERFECT! Thanks Charlie!
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Post by adui on Sept 20, 2022 20:56:11 GMT -5
Well I went over to that other place and reviewed a thread on this subject that someone reminded me about. Among other things it had a recipe I have the ingredients for, mostly (I don't have perique but my Latakia flake has some in it so I'm ok with that.) So after about 48 hours I pulled that plug and made a new one that due to its size will be pressed the full two weeks. The plug I made to test the waters is a solid black plug with the consistency of Salty Dog, so I think the time it was pressed was sufficient.
Now to have the patience to let the new batch press the full time AND age it in a jar for at least a year before using it (Ok I will likely cut a small bit off for a few smokes right after pulling it from the press LOL)
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Post by Silver on Sept 21, 2022 12:11:26 GMT -5
Continuing my cake making experiment. Following Terry's lead, I pulled the first batch after about 48 hours. It yielded a nice crumble cake, which i broke in half and jarred. It has a very nice, rich aroma. I whipped up another batch and refilled the "press". This one will sit for a week. Then, I'll do one for the full two weeks. I know that I'm going to sneak a taste, here and there, along the way. The plan is to have enough of each after a few months aging to compare.
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Post by adui on Sept 21, 2022 12:14:50 GMT -5
~Snip~ I know that I'm going to sneak a taste, here and there, along the way. The plan is to have enough of each after a few months aging to compare. Great minds think alike
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Post by john on Sept 21, 2022 13:17:22 GMT -5
If you really need a heavy press, I know where one of these are parked. Hey Terry, since you’re both in Arizona you should just drive over and let Charlie park on it for a couple days!
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Post by Silver on Sept 26, 2022 18:33:18 GMT -5
Reporting back on my crumble cake experiments. The first batch was pressed for 2 days, then broken in half and jarred. When taking a piece out of the jar to photograph, it started to crumble without trying. The cake appears pretty loose. The second batch was pressed for 5 days, then broken in half and jarred. It appears to be much denser, holds together better and has a shine on the top and bottom surface. I'll be smoking the loose tobacco from the 2-day cake. The rest of the 2-day and all the 5-day will be put away for awhile. I've got a couple more batches going. They'll go about a week and two weeks.
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Post by kxg on Sept 27, 2022 16:32:09 GMT -5
One thing I found to help the density of the puck was to heat the loosely mixed tobacco in the microwave for 8-10 seconds before putting it in the press. I use one of the all metal noodle press that allows for a bit more pressure than those with plastic parts. I also use a round cut-out of wax paper in the top and bottom of the press to prevent any sticking.
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Post by adui on Sept 27, 2022 18:02:54 GMT -5
One thing I found to help the density of the puck was to heat the loosely mixed tobacco in the microwave for 8-10 seconds before putting it in the press. I use one of the all metal noodle press that allows for a bit more pressure than those with plastic parts. I also use a round cut-out of wax paper in the top and bottom of the press to prevent any sticking. I'll try the heating next batch, thanks! As for the press, I'm pretty sure Im getting good pressure with my bench clamp
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Post by adui on Sept 27, 2022 18:04:12 GMT -5
I tasted the tiny plug I made in my first experiment this weekend, it was pretty good! the Virginias had a smoother more mellow flavor. I didn't taste any Latakia, so I probably didn't add enough to matter.
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Post by urbino on Sept 27, 2022 18:28:16 GMT -5
One thing I found to help the density of the puck was to heat the loosely mixed tobacco in the microwave for 8-10 seconds before putting it in the press. I use one of the all metal noodle press that allows for a bit more pressure than those with plastic parts. I also use a round cut-out of wax paper in the top and bottom of the press to prevent any sticking. Hey, look who's here!
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Post by Silver on Sept 27, 2022 18:34:14 GMT -5
I've got my molds filled with tobacco. When the next batch comes out, I'll try heating the tobacco before I load the mold again. I have a feeling I'll be doing this often. It'll keep me occupied over the coming 6-month winter.
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Post by trailboss on Sept 27, 2022 19:04:37 GMT -5
One thing I found to help the density of the puck was to heat the loosely mixed tobacco in the microwave for 8-10 seconds before putting it in the press. I use one of the all metal noodle press that allows for a bit more pressure than those with plastic parts. I also use a round cut-out of wax paper in the top and bottom of the press to prevent any sticking. Hey, look who's here! Yeah, Kelly has been gone for a long time. Welcome back, Kelly!
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Post by kxg on Sept 28, 2022 12:26:43 GMT -5
One thing I found to help the density of the puck was to heat the loosely mixed tobacco in the microwave for 8-10 seconds before putting it in the press. I use one of the all metal noodle press that allows for a bit more pressure than those with plastic parts. I also use a round cut-out of wax paper in the top and bottom of the press to prevent any sticking. Hey, look who's here! Yep, I've been lurking around.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 4, 2022 12:18:57 GMT -5
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Post by Silver on Oct 4, 2022 12:44:50 GMT -5
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Post by Silver on Oct 4, 2022 12:48:01 GMT -5
Pulled my latest cake from the mold yesterday. This one went a full seven days. The perimeter is a little ragged, but the cake is dense and holds together well.
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Post by trailboss on Oct 4, 2022 13:18:05 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2022 14:21:15 GMT -5
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Post by Professor S. on Oct 14, 2022 20:17:40 GMT -5
What am I missing, guys? What is the point or advantage of pressing pipe tobacco?
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Post by trailboss on Oct 14, 2022 20:28:30 GMT -5
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Post by adui on Oct 14, 2022 20:29:20 GMT -5
If my research is correct, it changes the flavor profile blending the different types a bit more. Also, my guess why it started being done is it is easier to store small pressed cakes than the same quantity of loose tobacco.
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