Preparing the Tobacco

Drying and sifting stem product

image of the stem dryer and elutriator

Because moisture must be added so the stems can be cut, the stem product must be dried to reduce moisture to an acceptable level for finished cigarettes. The stem product dryer is pictured in the back right of this image. After drying, the stem product was transferred to the elutriatorClick for a glossary definition, pictured in the foreground of the image. In the elutriator, air flow lifts lighter particles up, allowing the stem particles too large and heavy to use to be sifted out and rejected from the product.