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Last post 7 years ago by SteveS. 44 replies replies.
To Strip or not to Strip
alfgomezjr@mybizrate Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2000
Posts: 7
What is better: strip the cello from cigars when you put them in the humidor or not?
rookie139 Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 03-02-2000
Posts: 2,149
I usually do remove the cello off of my stogies when putting them in the humidor if I'm not going to smoke them anytime soon or let them age a bit...If I feel that I'm going to bring one to work to smoke within the next week or so, I leave the cello on so the cigar doesn't get damaged (especially if I happen to misplace my cigar case..which is pretty frequent)...Hope this helps..only my opinion...Keith
Slimboli Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
-- Cellophane on Your Cigars - To Remove or Not? --

Some cigars arrive individually cellophaned, while others are "naked." Here's the scoop on removing the cellophane - it's up to you. The argument against: if you have several brands in your humidor, the flavor of each brand will intermingle and "marry," and the uniqueness of the cigar will be diminished over time. The cellophane will also help trap in moisture to a certain degree for shorter storage periods. The argument for: if it's the only brand you plan to store in your humidor and you feel like it, then go ahead, because they will age better in the cedar-lined environment if left naked.
unklebill Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-1999
Posts: 729
With the amount of action the cigars in my humidor get, I leave the cello on. This protects the wrappers. I have experimented with taking the wrappers off when I buy a whole box, but then when I want to send a cigar to a friend or whatnot, I end up short a cello-protection sleeve. Then the cigar arrives damaged and I have to replace the cigar, with another cello-less sample, because I tried to be cool and remove the cello from that one too. So I send it naked and it arrives damaged. Then I have a discouraged friend, where I was tring to have a pleasantly suprised friend.... So I send a replacement.....but I have no cigars with cello 'cause I tried to be a cool-guy and "let the essences 'marry'". So I send it naked......
an then there are the times I travel out of town, or go to a restaurant or bar with my cigars in tow. I get to my destination and pull out a cigar...... and remember that time I tried to be a hipster and remove all the cello from my cigars..... Then I think to myself.......If I have the time to take all the cello off of my cigars, I have the time to buy some vegetable gum and glue all the bits of cigar wrapper in the bottom of my shirt pocket back onto the cigar. But at that moment, my need for immediate gratification wins out and I stride over to the establishments acrylic cigar humidor (in which the savy barkeep has neglected to charge in the last 8 months) and purchase a dried out Don Tomas at the close-out price of $18.50. But at least its in good shape, as the bartender (not being an aficionado...) left the cello on. Then in the 7 minutes it takes this bone-dry peice of kindling to become a nub, I use the newly acquired cello to hold the remains of my other cigar wrapper freshly harvested from my shirt pocket. ..............................oh...........I mean....
"Check the archives, newbie. "
BrentM01 Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 05-30-2000
Posts: 343
It's simple really. You put a word or a combination of words into the space provided below the words "Search the Boards" on the Forum homepage. You hit the "Search" button and voila, you are given a tremendous amount of information on the subject you are looking for. It's amazing really. Boggles my mind every time I do it. See, that way we don't bother our friends with silly, inane and often repititious (very repititoius), questions that can be easily answered. However, if you just want to say hi, that's ok too. Just keep it short....Have a nice day....Brent
RICKAMAVEN Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 10-01-2000
Posts: 33,248
Most craft store and all head shops have zip locks that will fit one cigar. The head shops use long ones for incense and they will ususally give you a few or sell them for about a dime. Craft stores usually sell them for about a dime in packs of twenty or fifty.
unklebill Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 12-29-1999
Posts: 729
Thank dude. Do you know where I can score a dime-bag?
jcrimmins Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 04-26-2000
Posts: 787
I usually remove the cello if I'm definitely going to be smoking them at the house. If I'm planning on tansporting or shipping them, I leave them in the cello(aka cigar condom).
tailgater Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 06-01-2000
Posts: 26,185
Well, you've received the usual blather from those who hate repetativness, yet continue to repeat their plea to check the archives... Anyway, since this is a very common question, I think the real issue is this: Has anyone actually noticed a difference in the aging process due to the cellophane being left on??? Perhaps the only fair test would be two sticks from the same box, put into the same 'dor for equal time, one naked and one wrapped. I have yet to notice a difference in the aging, but I've never performed this experiment for lack of patience.
Nolan Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 09-01-2000
Posts: 15
Leave the cello on, but try not to smoke em until the cello turns a nice shade of amber. Usually about 3 or 4 years. Does anyone have a time machine?
E-Chick Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 06-15-2002
Posts: 4,877
TOP

Hahaha!

Could this be the first cello on or off post?

Maybe...Slim actually answered the question!

Hahaha!

Marla
eleltea Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 03-03-2002
Posts: 4,562
My opinion is you should strip, E-Chick.

AKA, a less frequently asked question is whether you should remove the plastic cover from a sealed box for long term storage. The answer is yes in most cases, because most plastic does not breathe. I recently bought a couple boxes that were 2 and 3 years old still in the original plastic shrink-wrap. I took the plastic off, but left the boxes sealed.
Robby Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 10-30-2002
Posts: 5,067
What eleltea said.
Natsmoker Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 09-09-2002
Posts: 138
Here is an answer to this question that can be found in most posts on the subject. And on this point I believe there is little debate. It is added again only for the newbies and someone was bound to say it sooner or later. Okay here goes...

I always take the cello off before I light it. Ba Dum Dum!
Get it? Before I smoke it I take the cello...
Uhg
Thank you very much.

Steve
arwings Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 02-09-2003
Posts: 950
I think cello on or off for single cigars is a matter of preference. For long-term storage of boxes I'm not so sure. I've noticed that many of the boxes I've recently bought don't have cello wrapped around them. They have this stretchy plastic stuff (sort of like the old weatherproofing you used to tack over house windows in the Fall to help keep the cold out/heat in). I am cautious because it seems logical to me that this type of barrier would keep the humidity very uneven as the humidor is opened/closed. The danger, so I've read from a number of sources, is that by leaving this on, there is the possibility of condensation collecting within the sealed cigar box. Obviously, if this is dripping on the cigars there is the possibly of moisture saturation, mold growing, etc., that you would never know about it until you opened the box. Maybe I'm overly cautious, but the last thing I want is to open a box of PAM's that have been aging for a year+ (or any other box for that matter) and find them ruined. Therefore I ALWAYS take the wrap off a box before putting it in the humidor for aging.

Just my thoughts, paranoid though they may be,..........(Why take a chance?)
Cigarick Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 07-28-2002
Posts: 3,078
Jeez, if you don't like talking to new guys about basic stuff, you're probably in the wrong forum. Wouldn't it be easier (or at least more polite) to just not answer at all? Personally, I like talking to new guys about my hobbies, and when I'm searching for information, I investigate all sources. Why limit yourself just to the archives?

That being said: 1) I've been cello off since I started about two years ago, but I'm probably going to go cello on for a while and see what happens, and 2) Isn't it about time for E to post some new pics?
ikonoklast7 Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 07-13-2003
Posts: 683
I'm with Cigarick,

Some of the people who responded to this post saying "Search the previous posts" were just plain rude about it!

Of course, you can search, but sometimes its easier to post a question than to have to trudge your way through ten thousand posts that all have "cellophane" in the title or body.

Plus, it gets people talking, which is the great thing about forums, and it lets us all share our knowledge, our experiences, and learn from others.

Now, about the subject. I usually leave the cello on, to protect them when I carry them around and to just not have to fool with it...but then again, I haven't been a brother of the leaf for too long, so I haven't gotten to age very many of mine yet. If I age them, I'll probably remove the cello, though most sources I've seen have said leaving it on or off doesn't make that much a difference in aging.
godfather1453406 Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 06-11-2003
Posts: 426
I never strip on the first date. WEll amybe for a cigar.
Tobasco Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2003
Posts: 2,809


Cello ON!

I have found it doesnt matter, for aging. It seems to keep my cigars in primo shape while handling though.

How many times have you emptied your humi to rearange it and found a bunch of flakes off of your wrappers, from the non-cello stogies?

Also some of my best smokes I've pulled from yellowed wrappers. Just my opinion... :>)

Mag
cwilhelmi Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 07-24-2001
Posts: 2,739
I've said it before and I'll say it again, as long as there is no "seal" that is created on the cello or box wrapper, it doesn't matter because of the properties of diffusion.

Also, when you have 1200+ cigars it becomes a pain to remove cello off of all of your cigars...
snowwolf777 Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 06-03-2000
Posts: 4,082
Where's my free matches?
gbsmith Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 08-01-2003
Posts: 4
I store with cello on. I alter the cello by pushing the cigar down to about 1/4" from the opening and then cut off the the closed end again 1/4" from the
cigar. Protection and air flow.

g
W2VQY Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 06-05-2003
Posts: 61
GBSMITH,

After reading quite a number of posts on this subject at the very end I found yours. I just want to let you know I also open the ends and leave the body covered. You are not alone brother!

W2VQY
penzt8 Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 06-05-2000
Posts: 1,771
Sometimes when I get a new box and they're naked, I wrap them in cellophane so they won't be embarrassed in front of the others.
jdobson Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2003
Posts: 241
What about protection from beetles and/or mold. Does the celoo afford any additional protection in that respect?
Slimboli Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,139
... no.
MACS Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,774
Say what!??
Hank_The_Tank Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 11-15-2016
Posts: 3,677
crazy
jjanecka Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
Ahhh... back when cbid was innocent. ;)
Peckerhead Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 05-02-2016
Posts: 479
Hahahahahaaaaa....totally fooled me!

Excellent thread title. Freshmen, pay attention!
tonygraz Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,247
Is a pole optional ?
frankj1 Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
I knew with enough prayer I could resurrect whatshisname.
MACS Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,774
frankj1 wrote:
I knew with enough prayer I could resurrect whatshisname.


Ye... of little faith?
frankj1 Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 02-08-2007
Posts: 44,221
MACS wrote:
Ye... of little faith?

I know, right?

I even pm'd whatshisname about starting the whole cello on/off tradition.
jjanecka Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
Well now that your brought whathisname back from the dead it's time we start work on that golem.
Abrignac Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,273
I prefer bare back.
jjanecka Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
Abrignac makes it sound so hot
bgz Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2014
Posts: 13,023
jjanecka wrote:
Well now that your brought whathisname back from the dead it's time we start work on that golem.


I want a golem, frank, can I have a golem?

I want to use him for my gallery so I can find my golf ball... and kick my buddies' balls in to the lake.
Ruby Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2016
Posts: 116
Cigars are like women, they look better dressed up but there more fun naked. So my humidor has half an half.
24132413 Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 01-25-2017
Posts: 556
Slimboli
#3 Posted: Tue, Dec 26 2000, 3:28 AM
Quote
Joined: 07-09-2000
Posts: 16,137
-- Cellophane on Your Cigars - To Remove or Not? --

......."Some cigars arrive individually cellophaned, while others are "naked." Here's the scoop on removing the cellophane - it's up to you. The argument against: if you have several brands in your humidor, the flavor of each brand will intermingle and "marry," and the uniqueness of the cigar will be diminished over time. The cellophane will also help trap in moisture to a certain degree for shorter storage periods. The argument for: if it's the only brand you plan to store in your humidor and you feel like it, then go ahead, because they will age better in the cedar-lined environment if left naked."

Slimboli is perfectly on the mark. Naked is best. Just use something like wax paper or more cedar to keep 'em separate. Cigars marry properly with the cello off, and if you mix them the flavor can change for the worse, especially if some of the smokes are milder. Many times I push the cigar to the open end of the cello and clip OFF what remains of the closed end leaving just enough to cover the WHOLE stick. Both ends are open and they wrapper is protected.

Ruby Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2016
Posts: 116
24132413 is right. I heard there was only 1 Opus X ever made and every year they just put it along side of thousands of cheap cigars for a year and they turn into Opus X's.
qmech Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 06-17-2016
Posts: 970
8675309!!! is back?
Q
tonygraz Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,247
Let's call him Tommy Two-Tone.


Hank is prolly confused now.
SteveS Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 01-13-2002
Posts: 8,751
tonygraz wrote:
Hank is prolly confused now.


Now ??? Do you mean to imply that he has ever been otherwise ?
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