A perfect cure every time

[greenmatter]

I like the Anchor Hocking jars for bringing the product down to the right humidity and for the initial curing stage, but not for starage. Like many, I use the bigger 1/2gal Ball jars from Ace Hardware. I also use 1gal glass jars from Walmart with screw-on tops, in conjunction with Glad Press 'n Seal plastic wrap. The Press 'n Seal is a killer product for our needs. It turns virtually anything into an air-tight container. With the 1gal Walmart jars, I use the wrap to seal the jar before screwing on the lid. The belt and suspenders appraoch, if you will. I vacuum-seal the 1/2gal Ball jars.

Did I answer your questions?

Simon

yes sir thanks again

 

[koyote]

I just want to say Thanks again This has realy helped my harvest a good cure is key.Now I know
"and knowing is half the battle"

 

[ion]

hey simon, what about issues with drying too fast? the avg hum. in my place is 30-32%....bonedry.... most of my flower is 1.5" at mostat dry time, not too big(most is smaller)and i try to keep the drying room closed off to propane heat in the main room(room still stays above 60f) but they dry in 2-4 days...5-6 max for the denser stuff. ive been keeping as much stemmage on as poss. to slow the dry down........i monitor the cure with feel and touch and it runs out good/great, but it usually smokes hot, ........wanna get dialed in.........any ideas?

 

[vender]

I just want to say Thanks again This has realy helped my harvest a good cure is key.Now I know
"and knowing is half the battle"

I had to comment, well said. The only way is trial and error and listen to people like simon. What a great hobby.

As for the low RH in the room you need a humidifier. Get some humidity in the room.

 

[chargers123]

simon, you said you vaccum seal the 1/2 gallon jars. Does it no longer cure when you do this, since you said it needs air to cure?

 

[simon]

simon, you said you vaccum seal the 1/2 gallon jars. Does it no longer cure when you do this, since you said it needs air to cure?

I should have been more clear. The jars are sealed with their respective lids, and then vacuum-sealed, so the curing process continues as there's still enough air inside the container.

Simon

 

[tr1ck_]

Does it matter how fast you bring it down to 60%? Like ION's situation, I have incredibly low RH around here (I struggle to keep my RH at 25% during veg). If I let the plants hang for 48 hours and then put them in the jars they are at about 60-65% humidity already. Is it beneficial to slow down the initial drying process? Or is it irrelevant and the only thing that matters is the jar time.

 

[simon]

Does it matter how fast you bring it down to 60%? Like ION's situation, I have incredibly low RH around here (I struggle to keep my RH at 25% during veg). If I let the plants hang for 48 hours and then put them in the jars they are at about 60-65% humidity already. Is it beneficial to slow down the initial drying process? Or is it irrelevant and the only thing that matters is the jar time.

My drying time varies from 2-3 days in the winter to a week or more in the summer. I honestly can't say that I've noticed a significant difference, after the product was cured.

Simon

 

[canadian123]

If your product is less than 55% RH how can I bring it back up?

thanks,

c123

 

[Dave Coulier]

If your product is less than 55% RH how can I bring it back up?

thanks,

c123

Boveda Humidity Packs.

 

[fatboycantpost]

what an excellent idea. i've just ordered one.

hmmmm. i just realized that i'll have 22 separate jars for my 22 plants (no clones). fuck! i didn't think this one through! lol

i guess i can use the one as a gage? i'll figure it out.


after doing more reading, i've just bought 3 analog hygrometers too! thanks to the guys who mentioned them.

i went to buy 3 of them from one store (for $4.95 each) and they wanted $17.00 shipping. freaking theives. i got 3 for $5.95 each and $5.00 shipping. i love amazon and they better love me considering how much stuff i buy there.

i decided to buy a humidifier too. my flower room was at 20%! might as well do it right, right?

i'm at post 206. only 800 or so to go!

 

[Digger_dude]

hey simon, what about issues with drying too fast? the avg hum. in my place is 30-32%....bonedry.... most of my flower is 1.5" at mostat dry time, not too big(most is smaller)and i try to keep the drying room closed off to propane heat in the main room(room still stays above 60f) but they dry in 2-4 days...5-6 max for the denser stuff. ive been keeping as much stemmage on as poss. to slow the dry down........i monitor the cure with feel and touch and it runs out good/great, but it usually smokes hot, ........wanna get dialed in.........any ideas?

Dear Ion,
Our winters are that dry too. And I had the same problems - too dry - no cure - hot smoke.

I found something simple and useful.
1) Dry in the open, but not for too long.
2) Transfer the "still much too wet for curing" material, with stems, into paper bags.
3) Place paper bags into into some large plastic sack, preferably transparent (to simplify readings on the internal hydrometer).

4) You may want to start the 'drying in bag' with all bags (paper and outer plastic) wide open to the air. Of course you need to keep track on the humudity inside the plastic bag and occationally the paper bags, too.

5) Following the pronciple of the curing method described in this thread (Thank you Simon!), the drying is then continued, but in cycles with the plastic bag closed/open, to control sweating and eventually curing. Oh yes, at some suitable point you will of course cut the buds off the stems.

I finish the curing in glass jars but I believe I would use the paper/plastic bag method all the way if I were working with larger volumes.


Thanks and good luck!

The digger dude

 

[fatboycantpost]

Dear Ion,
Our winters are that dry too. And I had the same problems - too dry - no cure - hot smoke.

I found something simple and useful.
1) Dry in the open, but not for too long.
2) Transfer the "still much too wet for curing" material, with stems, into paper bags.
3) Place paper bags into into some large plastic sack, preferably transparent (to simplify readings on the internal hydrometer).

4) You may want to start the 'drying in bag' with all bags (paper and outer plastic) wide open to the air. Of course you need to keep track on the humudity inside the plastic bag and occationally the paper bags, too.

5) Following the pronciple of the curing method described in this thread (Thank you Simon!), the drying is then continued, but in cycles with the plastic bag closed/open, to control sweating and eventually curing. Oh yes, at some suitable point you will of course cut the buds off the stems.

I finish the curing in glass jars but I believe I would use the paper/plastic bag method all the way if I were working with larger volumes.


Thanks and good luck!

The digger dude

very nice first post digger! it's a good idea! i'm going to keep it in mind if the colas seem like they are going to dry too quickly.

i'm in a desert and the humidity is 35ish. not good for man nor plant!

 

[THC123]

hey simon quick question

i dreid a harvest but wasnt able to manicure

so at day 7 i manicured and jarred

the tems where still bendy and the buds very sticky

now 2 of the8 jars show a reading of 60% after 24 hrs , the rest have 63-37-70% readings so still more thn mist enough


doest this mean , even though they where just put injto the jar , that i can already leave the jar closed for a week?(i'm sure RH will evnetually gradually rise by next weekend)

or should i open them the first 2-3 days to be sure?

 

[simon]

I'm assuming you're using Calibers. If the hygrometers read within our curing spec, if you will, there's no need to open the jars. HTH

Simon

 

[NorthernBigBuds]

Hey Simon,

Thank you for the wicked thread filled with tons of information; worthy of it's immortalization on multiple forums.

My hygrometers were found at Home Depot, 2.99, round analog type with magnetic back. I bought eight of the ten they had...and all were +/-2, except the two I did not buy. I have two digital meters already.

It fits perfectly on the underside of a metal mason jar lid, can be read inside a full jar, and you can flick the lid-top to make sure the needle is not stuck.....I find a little tap will sometimes move the needle over 1 or 1.5 degrees. I think the needle lags behind its true reading sometimes, because the slight change in rh wont overcome the friction of the needle, but catches up to an accurate reading if its not broken.

If the optimal stabilized rh of the jar is heavily strain dependant, and its a test run, would this work?: Put bud into jars early, so that the rh settles in around 70-72 after 12 hours, temps are cool. Just as you would normally, air all the jars out. But, keep the moisture loss to a minimum by shortening the length of the first burp for the entire crop. Then, take 5 test jars and let each one stay open progressively longer in order to produce jars at approx 64,62,60,50 and 56. Basically, slow the drop in rh for a week with the majority to see what % comes out the best with the samples. Does this make sense?

Thanks again....peace!

 

[fatboycantpost]

i'm at post 600!

i can't believe i'm reading this whole thread. good thing i'm retired!


i got so lazy about drying/curing over the last few years i just shake my head in amazement. WTF was i thinking?

this thread has definately changed the way i will be doing things from now on. i've been growing for 17 years so old dogs can learn new tricks!

damn fine information and give and take from everybody and simon i can't thank you enough!

ok, now back to post 601.

 

[THC123]

I'm assuming you're using Calibers. If the hygrometers read within our curing spec, if you will, there's no need to open the jars. HTH

yeah i'm using calibers


reason why i asked the question was cuz it seemed strange to just put em in there without "burping" the first day(s)

But i will follow your advice

now another question


I had herijuana that was at 64% yesterday , when i got back from work the RH was at 79%


i see no mold , but the smell is a bit strange now , still smell the aroma but it has a bit of a stale smell now


could invisible mold have formed so fast?

Still i'll keep curing that jar as the buds look okay i checked a few to see if i saw mold in the inside , but nothing , they look nice and christally

 

[simon]

yeah i'm using calibers


reason why i asked the question was cuz it seemed strange to just put em in there without "burping" the first day(s)

You can certainly burp, if you prefer, as long as the product maintains the humidity inside the jar in the desired range.

I had herijuana that was at 64% yesterday , when i got back from work the RH was at 79%


i see no mold , but the smell is a bit strange now , still smell the aroma but it has a bit of a stale smell now


could invisible mold have formed so fast?

The odds of it developing mold this fast are very slim. Most likely, it's just a bit wet.

Still i'll keep curing that jar as the buds look okay i checked a few to see if i saw mold in the inside , but nothing , they look nice and christally

Best of luck!

Simon

 

[legalnluvinit]

I bought three a while back and have had great success. Thanks Simon