What is your drying process?

[t33to]

Hey all,

I was just curious what everyones drying processes were. All I do is chop em and leave them on a mosquito screen rack type dealio for 5 or so days. I try to keep the temperature on the warmer side of cool and humidity to low. I hear some people put their dried crop in papers bags and such. I'm curious if anyone out there can explain why? And is it worth it?

 

[raz1012]

I actually use hangers and tie them to a ceiling fan string and have the fan on full blast and put a supplemental fan on the floor blowing up and the plant(s) swings around in gentle circles. I find it drys very evenly in about 3-4 days, then I move them to jars.

 

[Dr Dog]

I have put them in a cardboard box to dry them. I normally would hang tehm for a day or two and then gently lay them in a closed( the way you close it, when you dont have tape) Took about a week and had some nice buds....Of course you need to open the box at leats once a day and move them around a bit.

Now I hang them, in a cooler room, maybe 16 or so C, somewhere around 60 ish f, and will leave them for like 2 weeks. I have a fan going, but it is normally a 9 inch fan, blowing behind them.

I lose less weight this way, as it takes almost two weeks to dry enough for cure

 

[FreezerBoy]

I hear some people put their dried crop in papers bags and such. I'm curious if anyone out there can explain why?

It extends drying time. Within reason, the slower the dry, the smoother the smoke.

Chop up a popcorn bud. Bake at 150F for 20-30 minutes. Smoke it and notice the awful taste and blistering heat. That's what bags and slow drying prevents.

 

[t33to]

Good replies guys.

It extends drying time. Within reason, the slower the dry, the smoother the smoke.

Chop up a popcorn bud. Bake at 150F for 20-30 minutes. Smoke it and notice the awful taste and blistering heat. That's what bags and slow drying prevents.

Does this make them retain more weight? I kind of want to go ahead and answer it myself by saying "no". All you can lose in weight is the water inside the plant correct?

 

[Lazyman]

I cut and wet trim (MUCH less work than dry trim, and trichomes are less likely to snap off wet) then dry whole branches with the nugs attached on stacking drying racks I made. If I have a bunch of larger nugs I'll put an oscillating fan near the rack, and crank my dehueys up so the room is around 40% RH.

 

[sackoweed]

Avon boxes with lids i cut holes in the sides, and the top every coupla hours turn the nugsz so they dont get flat on one side.. Works cherry.. peace.

sack

 

[t33to]

I cut and wet trim (MUCH less work than dry trim, and trichomes are less likely to snap off wet) then dry whole branches with the nugs attached on stacking drying racks I made. If I have a bunch of larger nugs I'll put an oscillating fan near the rack, and crank my dehueys up so the room is around 40% RH.

Wet Trim? Like you cut branches off and dip them in water or something?

 

[smalltymer]

Wet Trim? Like you cut branches off and dip them in water or something?

i think he means when the bud is still wet rather than dry.

 

[geopolitical]

That's right small. I also cut & wet trim. Then I hang dry in a dark room with moderate airflow and an ambient temp around 65 or so. Takes about a week to dry enough to either jar cure or throw into the humidor if we're really low.

That being said what really happens is I cut, do a wet trim, hang them, hope the wife doesn't find them, check on them in 6 days to find several of the nicer ones gone, give up on getting her to wait for anything to cure and then make sure to really hide the jars well this time. . .so well I've sometimes found a jar from a few years ago when cleaning up around here.

 

[FreezerBoy]

Does this make them retain more weight? I kind of want to go ahead and answer it myself by saying "no". All you can lose in weight is the water inside the plant correct?

You have officially stumped my band, winning dinner for two at Ptommy's Ptomaine Ptavern. I'll guess, no.

"Wet" or freshly cut weed is easier to trim. I hate trimming limp leaves. This is not to be confused with "water curing" which is another story.

 

[420chuy]

Does the room have to be dark?

 

[Aerohead]

Does the room have to be dark?

Yes!! Light breaks down THC and gives you the munchie smoke...

 

[humboldtlocal]

I cut and wet trim (MUCH less work than dry trim, and trichomes are less likely to snap off wet) then dry whole branches with the nugs attached on stacking drying racks I made. If I have a bunch of larger nugs I'll put an oscillating fan near the rack, and crank my dehueys up so the room is around 40% RH.

I like your racks. I dry on the collapsible hanging nylon drying racks. I use a trim machine so my buds are trimmed and cut off the stem before drying and the hanging racks work great. You can shake them around and your buds don't get flat. I usually put 2-4 lbs in each one. If I am in a rush I can dry in three days or I can take as long as a week.

 

[t33to]

Yes!! Light breaks down THC and gives you the munchie smoke...

What?! I have never heard of that before. Can you back that up with any kind of scientific explanation? Anyone else ever heard of this?

 

[geopolitical]

Yes, light, oxygen and heat can all break down THC.

 

[Lazyman]

I like your racks. I dry on the collapsible hanging nylon drying racks. I use a trim machine so my buds are trimmed and cut off the stem before drying and the hanging racks work great. You can shake them around and your buds don't get flat. I usually put 2-4 lbs in each one. If I am in a rush I can dry in three days or I can take as long as a week.

Cool deal, I've seen those and I think that your racks, coupled with a simple handytrimmer is a WIN combo. I might switch, so I only have to handle em once, and your racks collapse into nothing, mine dont!

 

[humboldtlocal]

Yeah it is great to be able to hang them anywhere and then poof! they disappear into a trash bag till the next time they are needed.

 

[lordbudly]

Yes, light, oxygen and heat can all break down THC.

i believe hes talking about the munchies smoke quote

 

[FreezerBoy]

What?! I have never heard of that before. Can you back that up with any kind of scientific explanation? Anyone else ever heard of this?

I've got no "proof" but, I've heard the same thing. A quick look in my Marijuana Growers Guide mentions both sun drying and sun curing. Both include warnings that prolonged exposure to sunlight can reduce potency.