Re: wax sealing storage jars, was: tiny gloat....

Thanks David. I read the ASP FAQ's on aging, jarring, cellaring, etc. early on in my pipe smoking career as well as visited Greg's site on many an occasion to enjoy his Briar and Leaf chronicles as well as his insight on the topic at hand.

All of my stored tobacco is in rubber gasketed, bail top jars. The exception is that limited amount which I would have on hand to smoke daily.

Joe mentioned he would use the jars I described for daily use but not for long term storage. I'd agree since these jars don't have a rubber gasket and bail or screw down lid with a rubber seal, unless another method of sealing is used.

So, I see no reason why the jars could not be used for long term storage IF they are sealed with paraffin wax as I mentioned I had done.
The paraffin wicked between the glass surfaces while hot and sealed the glass top to the jar bottom sufficiently that I was able to pick the entire jar up by the top, heavy jar and contents, without the seal breaking. I then painted the edge of the jar lid/jar bottom with paraffin to a good thickness, which I believe makes it an airtight seal.

I'm open to discussion on this matter....several times in the ASP FAQ on
aging there was mention of using the paraffin to supplement the mason jar approach. These aren't mason jars but the wax seal is stout. For years sealing jams and jelly jars with paraffin (in some cases with NO lids) was the norm. It is no longer the norm now with gasketed lids and screw down caps, but it IS still done. My great grandfather from Italy made huge cheeses and sealed them in wax and aged them for years with no problems, he did the same with the thousands of gallons of wine he made and bottled, after corking he dipped the corked bottle in wax to seal.

And somewhere out there is a plumber who uses paraffin to effect a very sturdy seal between the toilet and the waste piping for very long times.
Maybe he'll weigh in on the subject of watertight/airtight seals with wax.

Bill

David wrote:

Joe's still right. :-) To see why visit the ASP FAQ on aging tobacco
or Greg Pease's URL and search there.

david N.

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Jarring question
    ... I was thinking I should wax the seals to ensure that no ... I ordered some Paraffin wax, ... how to apply said wax to the jars. ...
    (alt.smokers.pipes)
  • Re: Jarring question
    ... I was thinking I should wax the seals to ensure that no ... I ordered some Paraffin wax, ... how to apply said wax to the jars. ...
    (alt.smokers.pipes)
  • Re: Jarring question
    ... I was thinking I should wax the seals to ensure that no ... I ordered some Paraffin wax, ... how to apply said wax to the jars. ... A wax seal will insure that your precious stored tobacco will remain isolated from any atmospheric changes in temperature and pressure. ...
    (alt.smokers.pipes)
  • Re: Jarring question
    ... I have read here for a long time about using wax to seal the jars. ... Every once in a while I push on the buttons in the center of the lids ... I was thinking I should wax the seals to ensure that no ...
    (alt.smokers.pipes)
  • Re: Substitute for Mason jars
    ... For personal consumption within a year I fill old jam jars and keep it ... community garage sales. ... The glass doesn't wear out but the screw rings and seals to. ...
    (rec.food.preserving)