5 Easy Methods to Revive Your Old Pipe Tobacco

If pipe tobacco is stored in a proper manner, it should last for many years. However, every now and then, we slip up and fail to keep up with our treasured tobacco. Then, one day we come across an old stash of pipe tobacco in a bag/jar/tin that somehow was zipped/closed incorrectly. The result: tobacco is now dry and dusty. Not only that, but it seems like it’s pretty much done… or is it?

Methods to Pipe Tobacco Revival

Turns out, you might be able to revive that pipe tobacco blend by utilizing one or more of these unique methods.

Method #1: Using an Old-fashioned Teapot w/ Basket to Hold the Tea Leaves

1. Fill the pot halfway with boiling water.
2. Then, place the dried-out tobacco into the basket.
3. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes (make sure tobacco isn’t in the water)
4. Check and see if it’s sufficiently moist.
5. If it’s not, repeat this process.

Method #2: Using a Sponge as a Humidifier

1. Get a new sponge and cut a 1x1 square off of it.
2. Moisten the small sponge square.
3. Place it in the package with the dried out tobacco.

Note: The sponge will act as a humidifier with the tobacco soaking up the moisture.

Method #3: Using a Paper Towel or Cloth Towel

1. Place your tobacco into a glass bowl.
2. Take a towel and moisten it.
3. Lay the damp paper or cloth towel over the bowl.
4. Wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap, as the tobacco should absorb the moisture from the towel although. Note: Could take a 3-4 hours to do so.

Method #4: Using a Steam Iron

1. Spread a newspaper on a heat-resistant flat surface.
2. Next, spread that dried out tobacco onto the newspaper and spray it gently with distilled water.
3. Shuffle it around a bit and again spray.
4. Heat the iron to its maximum setting.
5. Finally, steam the tobacco for about 15 seconds, and then check the results carefully and do this again if need be.

Method #5: Spray Minus the Ironing

Using the steam iron’s stream is a rapid method to rehydrate old tobacco. However, you may not wanna use the iron. No worries, as instead of steaming the tobacco with the iron:

1. Moisten it completely.
2. Place it in a Tupperware or similar container that will seal effectively.
3. Leave it in there for a 2-3 days and your tobacco should be ready for use again.

Reminder: Only use distilled water for any of the above processes. Why? Because this will ensure nothing gets in the way of restoring the tobacco’s true flavor. Plus, remember to separate any humidifying object from the tobacco once it has been restored to its desired state. Too much moisture can be just as bad as too little.

Final Old Pipe Tobacco Restoring Thoughts

Yes, there are pipe smokers who give up on dried tobacco when they might not actually need to. Just as you can restore old stogies and old smoking pipes, you can, in a majority of instances, also breathe new life into old/dried out tobacco. By employing a bit of distilled water, common sense, and patience, it is possible to revive that pipe tobacco at last.