How to Freeze and the Science behind it. Long Post

It occurs in CC and NC alike, have a look at the pic of the padrons in the first post of this thread

[Sr Mike]

I have seen more beetles in Padron's (1926 and 1964 boxes too be specific) than any other cigar brand.

got a special box that arrived today heading to the freezer with a stop in the fridge. Great post, thanks!!!!

[DPD6030]

So does one have to wrap in plastic before putting boxes in the reefer or can one just put the boxes in by themselves? Also, now that I found a few with holes do I just wipe out my vino with distilled H2O or something else?

Yes, seal the box's before you freeze.. About the vino, I heard to wipe the inside of humidors with Cognac, kills the larvae and won't hurt your cigars.. Just let it air out before stocking it back up...

Seems to be a bunch of beetles popping up so I thought I would bump this back up

CLICK HERE TO GO TO FIRST POST

Let's get this thread stickied!!!!

Awesome thread Fox.

Originally Posted by Langod

Here you go, so you don't have to go convert on another site:
-20C = -4F
-15C = 5F
-10C = 14F
-5C = 23F
0C = 32F
+5F = 41F
+10C = 50F


Great writeup SilverFox. Thanks. I think I might start freezing my sticks.

In case this one gets stickied, here is the Fahrenheit conversion of the white paper on cigarette beetle mortality I posted in another thread on this topic.

--------
Keep in mind that most home freezers at their lowest setting only go down to about 17 degrees F. As long as the larval stage has not been acclimated to 60 degrees for several months before freezing occurs, 4 days in a home freezer should result in 100% mortality.

Cigarette Beetle Mortality White Paper Chart

Stage/Temperature (F)/100% Mortalitiy (hours)
Egg............-4...................1
..................5...................4
..................14.................12
..................23.................48
..................32................240
..................41................336

Larval .........-4.................1
..................5..................3
.................14.................12
.................23.................96
.................32.................288
.................41.................336

Acclimated larval (59 degrees for 1-3 months)
.................-4.................1
..................5..................6
.................14.................24
.................23.................504
.................32.................1176
.................41.................1680

Pupal.........-4..................1
.................5...................2
.................14.................4
.................23.................48
.................32.................288
.................41.................840

Adult..........-4.................1
.................5...................2
.................14.................2
.................23.................72
.................32.................288
.................41.................840
__________________

[BamBam]

Originally Posted by Kwilkinson

Let's get this thread stickied!!!!

Awesome thread Fox.

I agree....it's great info

[CigarmanTim]

Drat's last post looks similar to the Cigar Magazine 2008 Summer issue. In my mind it quotes the formost indepth study done on beetles. There are some differences .. Use the acclimated larval chart to be safe. Japan Tobacco's study shows a freezer at 32 degrees takes nearly 2 months to kill 100% of the beetles (all stages) They brought in infected bales and put them in freezers at various temps. Then got the old microscope out... it also agrees with Drats 100% kill at -4 F

Pick up the Cigar magazine with Vince Curatola on the cover.

Here is the actual Table from the WhitePaper.

The times for mortality are in hours.

[marge796]

Got the first batch in the fridge and in 12 hours they go to the deep freeze for a nice long nap.

Thanks for making this a sticky!

Congrats Hairball.

[bonjing]

So freezing in tubes or take them out first?

Might have been posted but here's a little tidbit of info...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxmXH...layer_embedded

[md4958]

Originally Posted by BDC

Might have been posted but here's a little tidbit of info...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxmXH...layer_embedded

good post, ive never seen that video before

Originally Posted by bonjing

So freezing in tubes or take them out first?

Boxes, Tubes, Coffins, Cabs I leave em in what they came in. I have frozen everything from Glass and Aluminum Tubes to Coffins and Cabs.

[bonjing]

thanks SilverFox!

[brigey57]

Thanks SilverFox for the post. To often you can say I had no idea but it pays to read and pay attention. It is better to freeze then to burn!!!

[boom]

I gotta do this from now on no matter what!!!