Tuppammonia

[tippexx]

As we have a 'smell like' thread, and I hope it isn't just me.

My tupps are pretty tight seal, and while I've thought about drilling a few small holes through the sides, I haven't done it.

If I leave the tupps for any length of time and open them I'm usually greeted by an ammonia smell. My boxes are pretty tight packed so it's pretty hard to nail down a worst culprit, though I would say my LGdC Tainos come close. However, if I take a box out and leave it open for a bit the ammonia goes and is replace by tobacco aroma .... except, if I sniff the cedar divider, I can still pick up traces. (That bit doesn't really make much sense to me because there is no ammonia smell in any of my cedar lined humidors?)

Which suggests that ammonia dissipation is not totally a one-off and only early in cigar life. It suggest that cigars loose ammonia in a gradually weakening on-going process, and which in an open well vented situation wouldn't even be noticed.

Views?

[Edamski]

As we have a 'smell like' thread, and I hope it isn't just me.

My tupps are pretty tight seal, and while I've thought about drilling a few small holes through the sides, I haven't done it.

If I leave the tupps for any length of time and open them I'm usually greeted by an ammonia smell. My boxes are pretty tight packed so it's pretty hard to nail down a worst culprit, though I would say my LGdC Tainos come close. However, if I take a box out and leave it open for a bit the ammonia goes and is replace by tobacco aroma .... except, if I sniff the cedar divider, I can still pick up traces. (That bit doesn't really make much sense to me because there is no ammonia smell in any of my cedar lined humidors?)

Which suggests that ammonia dissipation is not totally a one-off and only early in cigar life. It suggest that cigars loose ammonia in a gradually weakening on-going process, and which in an open well vented situation wouldn't even be noticed.

Views?

I see where you're coming from here. Interested what some of the more knowledgable think [emoji4]

[TheMonk]

Sounds like a very interesting point, I'll be looking forward to see some experienced replies.

[cj121]

I'd guess this has a lot to do with the combination of your tuppies being very well sealed, and the fermentation/breakdown process as you know Arf. An almost hermetically sealed environment won't be lending itself to the dissipation of much as it's self contained. Perhaps as a longitudinal study, you could set up a control with one box being tupperdored and another in a regular humidor? I think the environment will play a significant part in the rate of dissipation. I might be wrong as this is only based upon my own logic.

[Edamski]

I'd guess this has a lot to do with the combination of your tuppies being very well sealed, and the fermentation/breakdown process as you know Arf. An almost hermetically sealed environment won't be lending itself to the dissipation of much as it's self contained. Perhaps as a longitudinal study, you could set up a control with one box being tupperdored and another in a regular humidor? I think the environment will play a significant part in the rate of dissipation. I might be wrong as this is only based upon my own logic.

This makes sense to my mind as well.

I just don't have much luck with humidors haha

[Emaresee]

I'll throw something in here.... Just smoked a near 20 yr old wonder stick. After an ash fall that nearly broke my toe, for readons best known to the gods i decided to try smelling the burning face. Guess what met me.... the smell of ammonia. Strong, unmistakeable, but fleeting. And no hint of it in the smoke itself...
Unless thats the smell of burning nose hair....... I seriously cant fathom it!

[tippexx]

I think the environment will play a significant part in the rate of dissipation. I might be wrong as this is only based upon my own logic.

What you're saying CJ is pretty much inline with MRNs expriment. Sealing boxes in foil would obviously prevent Ammonia dissipation. Ammonia is both the kick-start and by product of the fermentation process. So his idea to hurry or attempt to keep fermentation continuous and so reduce aging times makes some sense .... I think?

[ValeTudoGuy]

Sorry if this has been covered but my phone is playing up and I can't read all the replies. Ammonia is a product of fermentation and the fermentation requires moisture to take place. In a sealed container like Tupperware there is less opportunity for air transfer ( wood Will breath and even absorb moisture) There's IMO every possibility that the Tupperware is allowing water to condense which is allowing a certain amount of fermentation to take place and give Off Ammonia.

[tippexx]

Sorry if this has been covered but my phone is playing up and I can't read all the replies. Ammonia is a product of fermentation and the fermentation requires moisture to take place. In a sealed container like Tupperware there is less opportunity for air transfer ( wood Will breath and even absorb moisture) There's IMO every possibility that the Tupperware is allowing water to condense which is allowing a certain amount of fermentation to take place and give Off Ammonia.

I would agree with that. Especially in Winter in a centrally heated home, when the heating goes off at night the temperature must drop in the tup and some condensation may result. My Tupps are well buffered with cedar liners, but there are gaps.

[Edamski]

So what's the advice here then?

If you're going to use tipper ware stock with plenty of cedar as well?

[cj121]

If ammonia is an issue with freshies, open the tupperdor up now and again and let them breathe occasionally I'd say.

Alternatively, experiment with a pinhole in each corner of the lid and monitor your RH. If it drops unacceptably, tape one, two or three up. No standard humidor is airtight, so some transference of air takes place and I can see no reason why a small, controlled, amount can't be applied in the use of tupperdors. I have a tuppy of old rejuvenated CCs that are being saved for a project (one day) and I used a couple of pinholes, with Kitty litter. I can't accurately report on how it performed as there was never a hygro in there over a sustained period, but when checking now and again, the RH was in an acceptable range. For the cost of a cheap tuppy, it would be worth experimenting I reckon. Of course as they say YMMV

[cj121]

So what's the advice here then?

If you're going to use tipper ware stock with plenty of cedar as well?

Always try to buffer the environment, with as much timber as space allows, if you can I think. If stick is boxed, it won't be as big an issue obviously. If stocked with lots of singles, timber up