Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think?

DEZn00ts · 05-14-2018, 04:34 PM

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 · 05-14-2018, 05:26 PM

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 · 05-14-2018, 05:57 PM

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

Lots of great info here if you look.

DEZn00ts · 05-14-2018, 06:06 PM

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 · 05-14-2018, 06:23 PM

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?

Wharf Rat · 05-14-2018, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Chainsaw13 · 05-14-2018, 07:14 PM

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.

DEZn00ts · 05-14-2018, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chainsaw13

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

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 · 05-14-2018, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEZn00ts

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.

markem · 05-14-2018, 07:39 PM

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)

Porch Dweller · 05-14-2018, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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)

This.

DEZn00ts · 05-14-2018, 08:58 PM

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.

T.G · 05-14-2018, 10:17 PM

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 · 05-14-2018, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 05-14-2018, 10:57 PM

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...ubi_column.pdf

DEZn00ts · 05-14-2018, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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...ubi_column.pdf

Great little read you threw at me. also, I'm gonna have to try those Flor De Oliva's you suggested before.

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 · 05-14-2018, 11:43 PM

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 · 05-14-2018, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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).

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.

icehog3 · 05-15-2018, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEZn00ts

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.

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

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

DEZn00ts · 05-15-2018, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

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

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

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.

05-14-2018, 04:34 PM	#1
DEZn00ts What? I didn't catch that Join Date: May 2018 First Name: Xavier Location: Gary, Indiana Posts: 110 Trading: (0)	Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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?

05-14-2018, 05:26 PM	#2
Brlesq Carpe cigar! Join Date: May 2012 First Name: Bruce Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,024 Trading: (17)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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. __________________ Hey! How come "Habana" is written on here with a Sharpie ?!?

05-14-2018, 05:57 PM	#3
AdamJoshua Article 4 Free Inhabitant Join Date: Jan 2013 First Name: The Other Adam Location: Satellite Beach Posts: 14,787 Trading: (40)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? If you search or look through the forums here there are huge threads about freezing and the science behind it. Lots of great info here if you look.

05-14-2018, 06:06 PM	#4
DEZn00ts What? I didn't catch that Join Date: May 2018 First Name: Xavier Location: Gary, Indiana Posts: 110 Trading: (0)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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.

05-14-2018, 06:23 PM	#5
DEZn00ts What? I didn't catch that Join Date: May 2018 First Name: Xavier Location: Gary, Indiana Posts: 110 Trading: (0)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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? Last edited by DEZn00ts; 05-14-2018 at 06:31 PM.

05-14-2018, 07:14 PM	#7
Chainsaw13 Møøse bites can be nasty Join Date: Jan 2010 First Name: Bob Location: The Enchanted Mitten Posts: 7,180 Trading: (96)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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. __________________ My neighbor came by my house this morning at 2AM, pounding on the door. Good thing I was still up playing the drums.

05-14-2018, 07:39 PM	#10
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,622 Trading: (47)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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)

05-14-2018, 08:58 PM	#12
DEZn00ts What? I didn't catch that Join Date: May 2018 First Name: Xavier Location: Gary, Indiana Posts: 110 Trading: (0)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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.

05-14-2018, 10:17 PM	#13
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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.

05-14-2018, 10:57 PM	#15
Weelok I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2011 First Name: Dave Location: Reno, NV Posts: 4,088 Trading: (21)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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...ubi_column.pdf __________________ Drink, pray, smoke, and work out.

05-14-2018, 11:43 PM	#17
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,305 Trading: (60)	Re: Freezing Cigars For Beetles? What do you guys think? 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). __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!