Non-Mason storage question

[AndyCAYP]

We started talking about this at the shop today and although I've read never to do it, I've never read first-hand why you shouldn't do it or why it doesn't work.

Can tobacco be stored long term in zip-top freezer bags two or three thick, or in heat/vacuum-sealed foodsaver bags? Obviously I would assume there is too much air transfer for it to be a decent solution if you're only using one bag, but for something like a 17.6oz block from GH & Co., which is already boxed in a baggie, could it be saran-wrapped (or wax-paper wrapped) and then put into a few heavy duty baggies and/or lightly vacuum sealed and then put in a heavy duty baggie?

[Tobias Lutz]

I don't see why you couldn't. Bags of Esoterica and Dan Tobacco come to mind as ones that do fine on the shelf for several years in their original "vacuum pack".

[Alligator Gar]

I keep 40-50 ziplocks in a large Tupperware with humidity tubes. As long as I don't open it real often things stay nice and smokeable in there.

[AndyCAYP]

Thanks for the responses!

Tobias, the only difference is that Dan & Esoterica are using foil bags, and that may aid in sealing off the transfer of air - where I could see it being a bigger issue with plastic.

Jim, I do the same with smaller baggies (stuffed into bigger ones), but that's for tobacco I plan on consuming in the near future. My worry is that long-term, years, would be too much.

This came up because someone questioned me about my tobacco storage at home, and I mentioned that my cooler filled with Mason Jars is at capacity and a serious waste of space, given that they're cumbersome to store and not all filled to capacity. My customer's lightbulb went off and he said "transfer everything to vacuum-sealed food storage bags and open up half your storage space for more tobacco!"

I love the enthusiasm, and making room for 20 pounds of tobacco without actually buying a new storage container sounds great, but I'm not convinced it's a viable solution for tobacco going down for a 10 year nap.