What is Threshing & Why Measure Moisture?

One of the main methods of processing tobacco today is threshing. Tobacco threshing moisture content is easily and accurately read with MoistTech’s 828 model sensor. Threshing involves conditioning tobacco with heat and moisture so that it becomes pliable enough to enter the threshers. If the correct amount of moisture is not maintained, the midribs of the tobacco leaf will not be removed properly. When too many stems are present in a cigarette, they may pierce the cigarette tubes, resulting in losses.

Effective threshing of green tobacco leaves requires the leaves to have a moisture content ranging from 17% to 22%. Conditioning cylinders are used to treat the green tobacco leaves with steam in order to achieve the ideal moisture levels, which can be regulated to control the moisture content upon exit.

• Burley and Virginia Tobacco 10-15%
• Exit of Burley and Virginia Conditioning cylinders   14-16%
• Exit of Burley Casing Cylinder 28-32%
• Exit of Burley Toaster 18-20%
• Exit of Virginia Casing Cylinder 20-22%
• Cut rolled stem (exit cutters) 15-30%
• Exit of Stem Conditioning cylinders 35-50%
• DIET   3-15%
• Reconstituted Tobacco 12-20%

From the start of the threshing process to packaging the final product, moisture is key to producing quality tobacco. MoistTech tobacco threshing moisture sensors measure moisture levels to within tenths of a percent. Our instruments help you monitor moisture and other levels to help you create the highest-quality tobacco products possible. With our instant non-contact measuring capabilities, MoistTech sensors are the ideal choice for your tobacco processing needs.