What Size Freezer Bags?

[kevpro]

Hi Everyone,

I know a lot of you freeze all CCs and since it's hard to keep my apartment below 75F consistently I decided to freeze my recent haul but I could not find a freezer bag that fit the boxes.

The largest freezer bags they had at my grocery store were 1 gallon bags. This fit my box of Punch Punch but I couldn't close it, much less double bag, and the Monte No. 2s weren't even close to fitting. 

I am wondering what size others use and what brands carry freezer bags that fit boxes? It's not much of an issue as I put the cigars in package paper and double bagged them (this should be fine right?), but I was planning on bringing freezer bags / bovedas to Cuba and am now concerned that won't work. I saw online that Ziploc makes 2 gallon bags, but are those big enough to fit large boxes?

 

Pics of my freezer packaging in case I missed something; Cigars in paper then double freezer ziploced with the air sucked out of each with a straw.

 

 

[Trusty_Patches]

Have you thought of using Tupperware bowls/containers for this along with the freezer bags? 

[Str8BlkCoffee]

Vacuum bags, buy on the roll. Cut to size. Just stop and seal before they suck down too much or it may crush.

[kevpro]

24 minutes ago, Trusty_Patches said:

Have you thought of using Tupperware bowls/containers for this along with the freezer bags? 

For the freezer, it seems most people report double bagging is sufficient and I don't currently have large Tupperware. However, this might be a great idea for bringing boxes back on a plane!

20 minutes ago, Str8BlkCoffee said:

Vacuum bags, buy on the roll. Cut to size. Just stop and seal before they suck down too much or it may crush.

I'll have to look into this, thanks!

[Homer]

I put my 2 new boxes of cigars yesterday in 2 ziplock bags. No vacuum. Just pressed the most of air out. 

Freezer 4 days, fridge 1 day and then in to my humidor.

[Cayman17]

A company called Uline makes a 2 mil reclosable bag that measures 10 x 14 inches and will fit a dress box of Lusitanias or PLPC cab (the largest boxes that will fit). You have to buy in bulk, though. I paid $100 but I have tons of them. They are very good quality. I either seal or bag my boxes before putting them in the cooler after an initial 90-day rest period at 61 to 63 % humidity. 

[HopeUgood]

I had that issue, they make a 2.5 gallon bag now. That thing takes care of business!

https://smile.amazon.com/Hefty-Slider-Gallon-Jumbo-Storage/dp/B0741C6N93/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2Y32E3DBKXAHO&keywords=2.5+gallon+ziploc+bags&qid=1553680582&s=gateway&sprefix=2.5+gallon%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

 

edit; (maybe they always made the 2.5 gallon bag, but it was new to me)

[HopeUgood]

I through in a box of San Cristobal La Punta (25) in one of those bags so you could see. I dont know how much bigger a monte 2 box is , but I think you could fit at least two solid boxes in this bag. 


Side note*** just got the box in the mail from our host ?

[aphexafx]

After 15 years of freezing boxes of cigars, my opinion is that vacuum bags (FoodSaver, etc.) by the roll are the way to go.  Cut them long so you can reuse them a few times.  Ignore the endless generic warnings about vacuum bagging dress boxes - you aren't going to crush anything, just stop the pump and seal before that happens, like @Str8BlkCoffee said.  It's not rocket science.

Otherwise, I bought a 50 pack of these heavy duty 6-mil poly bags from CML and have never looked back.  I use them for long term storage but you could use them for freezing as well.  They are also available in freezer bag (4-mil) thickness.  I like the 6-mil bags.  The 12 x 15 bags should fit nearly anything.  https://www.cmlsupply.com/clearlybags-12x15-6mil-plastic-reclosable-zip-lock-bags/

If a cab is still too big, just wrap it tightly in a few layers of Saran wrap or whatever is equivalent and secure with a few wraps of tape.  This is plenty air-tight for a stint in the freezer.

The less air inside your packaging for the freezer, the better.  

[Rupe]

I second the Hefty jumbo bags. I picked these up on Amazon prime for $8.99




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[JGD]

When boxes don’t fit, I take the cigars out, put them in the zip lock, suck out all the air with a straw, and just throw the box in separately (without a bag). Never had an issue.

[Bucky McSwensen]

They sell jumbo ziploc bags that are 20 gallon, like 2ft x 2.7ft or something.  Home depot, amazon, home storage places have em. They are basically freezer bags but for storing shoes and sports stuff (or at least the person on the box seems to be excited about that use)

I've used these for marinating meat for a large cooking gigs and currently use them as back up humidor (stack of boxes in my closet until I get another cooler).  The seal is just fine.  Should be good for freezer if you want multiple boxes or a double corona 50 cab in one bag and can always double bag. 

But eventually get a food saver vacuum bag set up.  Cheap and life changing.

[garbandz]

57 minutes ago, JGD said:

When boxes don’t fit, I take the cigars out, put them in the zip lock, suck out all the air with a straw, and just throw the box in separately (without a bag). Never had an issue.

this.

basic, effective, works every time.

[kevpro]

Thanks for all the responses! I'll check out home depot this weekend and see what they have as far as larger bags for travel and for the next week until my humidor is seasoned.

Seems like a Food Saver is the best long term option though.

 

[Bucky McSwensen]

quick follow up.  They also sell bags for storing comforters and clothes that you can vacuum with an actual vacuum opposed to sucking air out via lungs.  Might be overkill but I've considered those for future trips to cuba.

[kevpro]

I was able to grab a box of the Hefty 2.5 gallon off Amazon. Plenty of room for double bagging the Monte No 2's. I threw a 60 gram Boveda in each box and I'm hoping it'll work for a week until my humidor finishes seasoning.

 

[CooGAR]

Another vote for the Hefty 2.5 gallon bags.  Several of the grocery stores in my area carry them.  I think WalMart does too. 

[BuzzArd]

10 hours ago, kevpro said:

I was able to grab a box of the Hefty 2.5 gallon off Amazon. Plenty of room for double bagging the Monte No 2's. I threw a 60 gram Boveda in each box and I'm hoping it'll work for a week until my humidor finishes seasoning.

 

I routinely use 2 gallon Ziplock and 5 gallon Ziplock, both available on amazon. 

 

And a ziplock will do fine for short or long term storage.  As long as the Boveda aren't drying out you’re good.  I have a couple boxes that have been in ziplocks for well over a year, and the Boveda are still fine.  A small digital hygro in the bag shows 65%.   All’s well. 

[RickHendeson]

Ziploc makes a plain-jane 2 gal freezer bag.  Been using them for a decade