Storing Pu?

[GongFuPanda]

I'm interested in storing my Pu...I don't have much nor any expensive Pu's yet, but what I have I want to learn to store it correctly for when I DO bite the bullet on something more expensive! Also, What Shou I have (one cake), should I store it whole, in cake form, or can I break it up and store it in an airtight container? The container is metal and it is airtight and light tight. I have read people storing pu in cardboard boxes...is this good practice? Of so, what KIND of cardboard? Shoe box (no pun intended... )?

Any thoughts?

[Jaymo]

For shu, I would say it depends on the tea. If it's got some funk that could use airing out, break some of it up and see if it helps! If you like it how it is, I'd just leave it in cake form. Shu tends to change less over time than sheng does.

[BioHorn]

Is this THE Gong fu Panda? If so, welcome to TeaChat!
Keeping it whole as stated sounds like a good plan. You can then nibble off bits for each session. Atlanta is probably a pretty good climate for storing pu. It has been covered numerous times on the forum. With one cake, be sure to keep it out of the light, excessive heat and kitchen/strong odors.

[steanze]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

they hold 7-8 357 cakes.

I add a humidifier like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Color ... SwZjJU6JgK to keep it between 60% and 70% humidity in the winter months when the heating is on.

[Exempt]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

they hold 7-8 357 cakes.

I add a humidifier like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Color ... SwZjJU6JgK to keep it between 60% and 70% humidity in the winter months when the heating is on.

Be careful with those. When I was using cigar humidifier beads I found they absorbed a chemically/ammonia which I assume is a byproduct of all my puerh aging. If I changed them every week or two it wouldn't get too bad but still not something I wanted around my tea

[mr mopu]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

they hold 7-8 357 cakes.

I add a humidifier like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Color ... SwZjJU6JgK to keep it between 60% and 70% humidity in the winter months when the heating is on.

Be careful with those. When I was using cigar humidifier beads I found they absorbed a chemically/ammonia which I assume is a byproduct of all my puerh aging. If I changed them every week or two it wouldn't get too bad but still not something I wanted around my tea

+1 for sure

[steanze]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

they hold 7-8 357 cakes.

I add a humidifier like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Color ... SwZjJU6JgK to keep it between 60% and 70% humidity in the winter months when the heating is on.

Be careful with those. When I was using cigar humidifier beads I found they absorbed a chemically/ammonia which I assume is a byproduct of all my puerh aging. If I changed them every week or two it wouldn't get too bad but still not something I wanted around my tea

+1 for sure

I have been using them for a while. No smell and no issues so far.

[mr mopu]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

they hold 7-8 357 cakes.

I add a humidifier like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Black-Color ... SwZjJU6JgK to keep it between 60% and 70% humidity in the winter months when the heating is on.

Be careful with those. When I was using cigar humidifier beads I found they absorbed a chemically/ammonia which I assume is a byproduct of all my puerh aging. If I changed them every week or two it wouldn't get too bad but still not something I wanted around my tea

+1 for sure

I have been using them for a while. No smell and no issues so far.

I used them for about 6 months and noticed a change. I then went for cigar humidifiers with electronic control. Almost 3 years and working well.

[curlygc]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

I am thinking about getting a couple of these (probably the one gallon size). I am assuming I can put similar cakes in them? For example, a Little Walk cake and a Poundcake could probably go in the same crock? And similar shous could go in another? Or should you stick to one specific cake per crock?

[iGo]

Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?

[Exempt]

Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?

http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/electronic.htm I haven't touched it since I bought it 2+ years ago

[steanze]

I use these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... ody_rv_img
with these: http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... d=32443716

I am thinking about getting a couple of these (probably the one gallon size). I am assuming I can put similar cakes in them? For example, a Little Walk cake and a Poundcake could probably go in the same crock? And similar shous could go in another? Or should you stick to one specific cake per crock?

You need to check the diameter. It might not be wide enough for 357 grams cakes. Yes different cakes in the same crock is fine. I try to separate shu and sheng.

[steanze]

Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?

http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/electronic.htm I haven't touched it since I bought it 2+ years ago

Electronic humidifiers that shoot out vapor are at high risk for mold if any tea is in the trajectory of the vapor IMO

[mr mopu]

Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?

I use these with small computer fans I run a few minutes each day.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/CIGAR-OASIS-Plu ... SwEK9TyXh7
Like what was said earlier, I don't keep anything directly over the units. Uses distilled water and everything has worked well so far.

[Drax]

Mr. M, might you be able to recommend any electronic humidifiers with which you have had success?

http://www.aristocrathumidors.com/electronic.htm I haven't touched it since I bought it 2+ years ago

Electronic humidifiers that shoot out vapor are at high risk for mold if any tea is in the trajectory of the vapor IMO

The humidors from that site are designed to minimize that problem. The humidifiers sit in the corners, and the shelves above have their corners cut to allow air flow. Vapor doesn't travel in a tight stream, but it works pretty well. Of course, you can negate that effect by overpacking the shelves and blocking the air flow.

In the 6 years that I've been using them and this system, I have had no problems.