Wow, this is exciting!
I bought the foam box from Kmart. In Australia we call them esky's, I don't know what they are called in other parts. The dimensions are 58 cms, long By 39 cms wide by 25 cms high. I then found and cleaned out 2, 5ltr ice cream containers- yum yum. In the shed I rigged up a 240 volt power cord to a 40 watt light bulb on a small board for support.( The cord actually gets hot enough to slowly melt the foam it lies on, so - don't let it lie on the foam. I found some old cement fibre board and broke it up to lie under the bulb and to stand it up next to the plastic containers-( just in case.)
My father in law, Bill, who knows far more than me in areas of physics and stuff, suggested I put some aluminum foil on the inside roof just above the bulb- just as a safeguard.
Next I place a 5cm thick piece of sponge in the bottom and fill to top of it. Then comes the bit I like, you get the dried leaves and having sprayed them with a fermentation solution( see Mr. Daly's booklet) I fold them into a tight bundle and push them inside one of those orange plastic knit bags that hold oranges. I twist the top and place the whole thing into another of these bags before lying it gently into the container. Thermometer in place- temp varies between 110 and 130 F
Light goes on. Lid is closed.
Each day I open up in the morning and evening, unwrap, turn the leaves- just in case some are drier than others. This lets out a dreadful stench like ammonia for a while....Blarrr- keep it in the shed, not inside like I did the first time and got the family off side a bit!
After a couple of weeks, the stench changes to a light "cigary" sort of scent. Keep it in there for the full 4 weeks, spraying with lotion if it gets too dry. I normally rip the stems out after a few weeks.
My last batch I soaked the lot it rum and treacle, then squished it in the press I made. I dried it by the fire and cut it in the food processor. 2 days later I smoked it in my pipe.
It was pleasant- not excellent yet, I still have to add some tobacco flavorings, But I reckon over the next few months it will mellow considerably.
We wish to thank Scott for his submission and hope that our readers will benefit from it.
Do you have a tip, suggestion or recipe for growing/processing tobacco at home? If so, send it to A.N. Daly and he may select it as the tip of the month and award the $25.00 prize to you!