Accelerated aging.

[Eddie]

As a scuba diver I have access to oxygen enriched air. (normal air = 21%O2 I can get upto 40%) Would it help with aging if I was to flood my humi with this? The only downside I can see is it is dry therefor the beads will take a kicking.

[Eddie]

Or to take this further what about using hydrogen peroxide as a humidification solution?

[The Freck]

Give it a bash and let us know how you get on!

[cbob]

Very scary ideas here.
Some schools of thought actually maintain that air circulation prevents proper ageing (read Min Ron Nee) and seal boxes in cling-wrap to keep oxygen out. The theory being that the main chemical reaction is Reduction.
Many other experts swear by leaving boxes unsealed to that air can circulate through the ageing smokes. They suggest occasional "peeking" at your cigars to let in fresh air. The theory being that the main chemical reaction is Oxidation.
I've only been "resting" cigars for just over 15 years and have found that limiting the air flow and air exchange without actually sealing up the cigars has worked very well.
MY theory (ahem ahem) as Anne Elk might say, is that a little of both chemical reactions is best. (Ahem). This is my theory- a theory that I have (ahem ahem)

Choosing a reasonable temperature and humidity with reference to Habanos guidelines (16?C-18?C and 65%-70% RH) has been my mantra.
But hey: if you have cigars that you can afford to experiment with (read totally f-up)- go for it.

[Smallclub]

"Accelerated aging" is an oxymoron.

[TJCoro]

Sticks and Stones!

"Accelerated aging" is an oxymoron.

Dems sound like fighting words, senor lil'stick!





Jay, Ray Jay


Hey Ray Jay! Sorta' reminds me of the Jumbo Shrimp I had for dinner last night.


(Hurumph!) Boobs!


Haha! The stupid looking dawg-smiley said "Boobs!"

[monkey66]

It is a very interesting discussion and a totally unquantifiable one I suspect.

As Bob says there are several schools of ageing theory and in another 30-50 years some of the longer-term tests should show results.

Have a play and see what happens, take a box and seal half the sticks in individual containers with enriched air and the other half stored as normal. Each year crack open one of the sealed sticks and parallel smoke it with one of the regular sticks.

Report back in 12 years and let us know your findings.

[RedRum]

"Accelerated aging" is an oxymoron.

I need to show you pictures of myself before and after I started commuting...

[bfg84]

I need to show you pictures of myself before and after I started commuting...

PMSL

[Pipe Dude]

I thought aging was an anaerobic thing?

[cbob]

"Accelerated aging" is an oxymoron.

Nope.
Anyone who has ever worked in the electronics industry or medical testing knows about accelerated aging practices. Look up the accelerated aging caused by progeria and if you are a coke addict, you know that you have accelerated your path to old age.
Have any long-term cigarette smokers in your family? Then you know about the accelerated aging of the skin-even worse than that caused by even short-term sun exposures.
Not the same thing as "military intelligence", "virtual reality", "Marineland" etc.

Of course I intend this reply as "constructive criticism" and THAT'S an oxymoron.

[Simon Bolivar]

Just a thought from the 'Safety Officer': Playing around with 40% O2 sounds like increasing the fire risk, wouldn't want to see them turned to ashes before you got around to doing it yourself (let alone your home).

[JamesA]

Shouldn't have any trouble lighting it after soaking it in 40% O2 for awhile anyway

Sent from my mind with the help of HTC

[Eddie]

One of the reasons for 40% being the limit is that equipment doesn't need O2 cleaning like it would at higher percentages, so I can't see it being a risk. We are set up to premix it before going through a normal compressor as long as it's below 40%

[cbob]

Does anyone remember this old chestnut from the 'early days' of the internet?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sab2Ltm1WcM