Trouble Acclimating Tangiers

[lunare]

So I've been trying to acclimate a pack of Tangiers Vanilla (Noir) for the past week or so using the 4-20 method, but each time I smell it I still get the burnt/BBQ smell, rather than any vanilla/butterscotch. Any ideas as to why this may be happening?

[Dom]

although many people have had luck with that method, try keeping it open to the air at all times.
it will not dry up. In fact, my containers of Tangiers are always cracked open and not air-tight to allow for constant acclimation. Eric of Tangiers does the same in his shop. Since humidity changes on a daily and even hourly basis, constant acclimation is necessary.
give that a shot.

if that gives you problems, here is another method that i use. it is not proven, but it seems to work well for me. if you have a way to test the humidity, then it works better. The tobacco seems to smoke better if the humidity of the environment it has been sitting in is greater than or equal to the humidity of the environment it is being smoked in. So if it is raining and humid outside where i keep my tobacco acclimating, i will bring it inside and smoke in the dryer air. it seems to smoke well that way. the opposite is not true. if the humidity of the tobacco is less than the smoking environment, it always smokes poorly.

good luck Edited June 23, 2011 by Dom

[Arcane]

[quote name='Dom' timestamp='1308839958' post='513449']
although many people have had luck with that method, try keeping it open to the air at all times.
it will not dry up. In fact, my containers of Tangiers are always cracked open and not air-tight to allow for constant acclimation. Eric of Tangiers does the same in his shop. Since humidity changes on a daily and even hourly basis, constant acclimation is necessary.
[/quote]

I keep my tobacco open constantly during acclimation. It works for me, but doesn't actually aid in speeding up the process. I find that, with this method, it will eventually acclimate. I feel that the 4/20 method risks the chance of putting the tobacco in shock.

Additionally, I believe the tobacco responds to absolute humidity as opposed to relative humidity. Absolute humidity shouldn't fluctuate much from hour to hour. More often than not, it's a somewhat steady change...which, I think favors the constant exposure method. But, that's probably another topic for another thread.

[Dropbear]

I just kept mixing mine every 30 mins while leaving the top open next to me for a few hours...watch a movie, tv show, play some video games...just stir it in the middle, worked for me

[Webbles]

Im guessing you have been doing the 4/20 every day? Try letting it sit in the air-tight container for a full day or 2. Let the tobacco stabilize.

When you first open the container it should reek of of vanilla, or at least a pungent vanillla/butterscotch smell. (If not, let it sit in there longer, sealed till when you do open it there is a strong vanilla scent).

Then, start the acclimation again, preferably around the same time period when you first sealed the container.

[king_lunchb0x]

[quote name='Arcane' timestamp='1308850564' post='513464']
[quote name='Dom' timestamp='1308839958' post='513449']
although many people have had luck with that method, try keeping it open to the air at all times.
it will not dry up. In fact, my containers of Tangiers are always cracked open and not air-tight to allow for constant acclimation. Eric of Tangiers does the same in his shop. Since humidity changes on a daily and even hourly basis, constant acclimation is necessary.
[/quote]

I keep my tobacco open constantly during acclimation. It works for me, but doesn't actually aid in speeding up the process. I find that, with this method, it will eventually acclimate. I feel that the 4/20 method risks the chance of putting the tobacco in shock.

Additionally, I believe the tobacco responds to absolute humidity as opposed to relative humidity. Absolute humidity shouldn't fluctuate much from hour to hour. More often than not, it's a somewhat steady change...which, I think favors the constant exposure method. But, that's probably another topic for another thread.
[/quote]

new thread would be great to explain how all the absolute and relative works, i would like to know once and for all what containers you use and how exactly you "acclimate"

[dizzbizz]

4/20 works for me too, but make sure you're stirring it during the 4 hours. I stir it every 15-20 minutes but I usually don't let it acclimate for 4 whole hours. It's usually an hour or two and it's smoke able.

Also the shisha wont always smell the say the flavor should. Sometimes it still smells like BBQ/Soy sauce and smokes great. Thats how Lime and OG Apple were for me

[lunare]

[quote name='Dom' timestamp='1308839958' post='513449']
although many people have had luck with that method, try keeping it open to the air at all times.
it will not dry up. In fact, my containers of Tangiers are always cracked open and not air-tight to allow for constant acclimation. Eric of Tangiers does the same in his shop. Since humidity changes on a daily and even hourly basis, constant acclimation is necessary.
give that a shot.

if that gives you problems, here is another method that i use. it is not proven, but it seems to work well for me. if you have a way to test the humidity, then it works better. The tobacco seems to smoke better if the humidity of the environment it has been sitting in is greater than or equal to the humidity of the environment it is being smoked in. So if it is raining and humid outside where i keep my tobacco acclimating, i will bring it inside and smoke in the dryer air. it seems to smoke well that way. the opposite is not true. if the humidity of the tobacco is less than the smoking environment, it always smokes poorly.

good luck
[/quote]

Hmm, I normally keep the tobacco acclimating inside, not far from where I smoke. I'll try the other method the next time it's getting humid around here. The other mistake I may've been making is not stirring it often enough during the 4 hours. I'll try these tips out and let you guys know if I have any luck.

Thanks for the tips everyone!

[Dom]

[quote name='king_lunchb0x' timestamp='1308867104' post='513484']
new thread would be great to explain how all the absolute and relative works, i would like to know once and for all what containers you use and how exactly you "acclimate"
[/quote]

for a reference to all, here is the absolute/relative humidity thread:
[url="http://www.hookahforum.com/topic/42679-acclimation-humidity-and-other-ramblings/"]http://www.hookahfor...ther-ramblings/[/url]

[boludo]

[quote name='Webbles' timestamp='1308853710' post='513470']
Im guessing you have been doing the 4/20 every day? Try letting it sit in the air-tight container for a full day or 2. Let the tobacco stabilize.

When you first open the container it should reek of of vanilla, or at least a pungent vanillla/butterscotch smell. (If not, let it sit in there longer, sealed till when you do open it there is a strong vanilla scent).

Then, start the acclimation again, preferably around the same time period when you first sealed the container.
[/quote]


Do as webbles says... that is exactly what I do when I have flavors that won't acclimate. It seems to work for most people.

[lunare]

[quote name='boludo' timestamp='1308945589' post='513567']
[quote name='Webbles' timestamp='1308853710' post='513470']
Im guessing you have been doing the 4/20 every day? Try letting it sit in the air-tight container for a full day or 2. Let the tobacco stabilize.

When you first open the container it should reek of of vanilla, or at least a pungent vanillla/butterscotch smell. (If not, let it sit in there longer, sealed till when you do open it there is a strong vanilla scent).

Then, start the acclimation again, preferably around the same time period when you first sealed the container.
[/quote]


Do as webbles says... that is exactly what I do when I have flavors that won't acclimate. It seems to work for most people.
[/quote]


Tried this over the weekend. The tobacco smells a little better, but not there yet. I'll try keeping it closed for a few more days.