[Bobbo4200]

Smoke test was done after the freezer cured medicine was in the freezer for 8 days. The medicine that was done pretty much the normal way of curing (burping the jar), was smoke-tested after 9 days. I couldnt really tell the difference between the two, except maybe alittle more chloraphyl taste in the freezer cured. I think I would have to say the freezer cured got me more stoned though! &, Im not even sure if my freezer is a frost-free. I think I am going to continue to cure both ways...

[BongDaddy]

Hey JPG I hope you're still watching this thread. I was hoping to find an alternative method to the "standard" way of curing and I'm intrigued by this. I've seen lots of people post on lots of different threads that they would never freeze their buds because of the cellular damage that comes with freezing. But then you mentioned (can't remember if it was this thread or another one you commented in) that that's only an issue if you freeze the buds when totally wet. That makes sense to me, but I wonder - does the remaining moisture in the partially dried bud not cause any cellular damage, at least on a smaller scale? I suppose it's more of a rhetorical question, since your many different results posted seem to indicate that's not an issue.

Ed Rosenthal is a god in my eyes and my first ever grow was inspired by reading one of his books ("Closet Cultivator").

Have you ever noticed any issues if you leave the bud in the freezer too long? Or is there such a thing?

I have a flower cycle running right now and all the girls probably won't be done until a couple of days before I leave for a 20 day vacation. I'll probably have time to dry them a couple of days (and that probably should do the trick because I live in an area of pretty low RH), and then I'll be leaving before I get a chance to cure them properly using the standard method. I was actually starting to sweat it, wondering if I should just let them hang and get however dry while I'm gone, or to throw them in jars and hope I don't end up with too much mold. Your method seems perfect for my situation so I've read all your results etc. to learn as much as I could about it. Your "set it and forget it" comment is what really sold me, that's exactly what I was looking for.

A couple of questions - Have you ever experimented with NEVER opening the freezer for the entire cure time? I'm wondering what happens to the moisture that's sublimated from the buds if the freezer isn't opened occasionally to let it out.

Also, have you tried different temperatures in the freezer? My freezer has adjustable temperature (no numbers, just "Colder" and "Less Cold" on opposite ends of the dial lol). I'm curious if different temps (although all still below freezing) could speed up/slow down the process.

[jus'plain'gill]

Hey BongDaddy, I'll answer your questions more in depth after I get some inspiration from my new bongmomma.

Short answer: I've noticed no problems with pot left in the freezer for MONTHS (I will explain in detail) and I'm still smoking Kali Mist that was harvested then freezer dried 5-6 months ago and it is Awesome.

Freezer drying sounds perfect for your situation. Depending on how "dry" you let your weed get before it goes in the freezer, it can stay closed up in the freezer for 3+weeks before it's even dry enough to smoke, no attention required. A long, slow cure is what you're after anyway!!

Be back shortly.




.JPG

[jus'plain'gill]

Originally Posted by BongDaddy

Have you ever noticed any issues if you leave the bud in the freezer too long? Or is there such a thing?.

None at all though your weed will eventually get too dry. This process happens slowly though so I wouldn't be too worried about it. And after having it in jars for many months, I can tell you this stuff gets better as time goes by. It still has the perfect texture and hits nice and smooth leaving a clean, white ash and a smile on my face.

Originally Posted by BongDaddy

Have you ever experimented with NEVER opening the freezer for the entire cure time?

Yes. After a couple rounds of drying, once you have a better feel for the timing, it gets boring checking on the progress; much like watching paint dry. I did leave some moldy buds in the freezer for several months (been making iso with 'em) with no ill effects either, just very dry.

Originally Posted by BongDaddy

Also, have you tried different temperatures in the freezer? My freezer has adjustable temperature (no numbers, just "Colder" and "Less Cold" on opposite ends of the dial lol). I'm curious if different temps (although all still below freezing) could speed up/slow down the process.

Never did. Just put the semi-dried buds in there and let the process go. Temperature is only part of why this is so awesome, the fact that its a huge vacuum is another reason

Please experiment and report back with how it worked for you. I can't currently grow and will eventually be out of the meds but I still get pumped about it!




.JPG

[BongDaddy]

I sure will let you know how it goes. I've pretty much decided that the freezer method is what I'll be using. I don't leave until early July though, so it won't be until near the end of July that I'll have my results.

My only real worry is about the cat sitter we use when we go away for more than a couple of days. I know that no matter how much you think you trust someone, lots of people snoop when they have the opportunity. Do you think it would still work if I put the buds in some kind of cardboard box, and closed it but didn't seal it tight (still in the freezer of course)? Have you ever tried it using a closed box, or only open jars? I have no bud right now, so I can't even experiment on my own. I can't really see that as causing any harm, other than possibly lengthening the time needed to cure. I don't care if it's not cured "enough" by the time I get back. I can always do whatever to finish the cure then. I just want to avoid it getting overly dry while I'm gone.

Just curious about one other thing you mentioned - you said that the freezer is a "huge vacuum." I can see it being airtight (or at least pretty close, depending on the seal on your freezer door), but a vacuum? I would think that air pressure inside a freezer would be the same as outside. Or does cooling the air somehow reduce pressure inside the freezer?

[compost]

Good information on this thread

[jus'plain'gill]

Originally Posted by BongDaddy

I sure will let you know how it goes. I've pretty much decided that the freezer method is what I'll be using. I don't leave until early July though, so it won't be until near the end of July that I'll have my results.

I can't wait! I need the validation

Originally Posted by BongDaddy

Do you think it would still work if I put the buds in some kind of cardboard box, and closed it but didn't seal it tight (still in the freezer of course)? Have you ever tried it using a closed box, or only open jars?

That absolutely will work and is just how I did it. I used cardboard boxes, filled loosely with weed, then the "lid" closed (four flaps folded to close the top). It worked well.

Originally Posted by BongDaddy

Just curious about one other thing you mentioned - you said that the freezer is a "huge vacuum." I can see it being airtight (or at least pretty close, depending on the seal on your freezer door), but a vacuum? I would think that air pressure inside a freezer would be the same as outside. Or does cooling the air somehow reduce pressure inside the freezer?

You got me there. I had to dig the book out to make sure he used the word vacuum and he does: "...Then the bud is placed in a vacuum, and the ice is drawn off under the low pressure and evaporates." He is describing how freeze drying works and then he goes on to say: "You probably have a freeze dryer at home: it is the frost-free freezer attached to your refrigerator." I don't know what it is that makes the freezer a vacuum and I have no HVAC friends that could answer that question

I took a leap of faith and it paid off, big time. Odor control is EXTREMELY important to me and this allowed me to avoid building a drying cab/chamber while keeping the whole curing process 100% odorless. Quality finished product was also a main goal. I have pot that was dried and cured this way that is 7+ months old and it just keeps getting better! The more refined and potent aspects of the flavor and aroma of the Kali Mist has really come out in the last 2-3 months. I didn't separate the 4 different phenos so every bowl is a crap shoot but I come across crazy flavors like Coffee! The buzz still works too! I wouldn't say there is no tolerance buildup or no ceiling to the high but I am very happy that after smoking one strain for 6-7 months, all day everyday, it still gives me a good buzz every time.

Set it and forget it. End up with the exact end product that you are after. 99% fool proof. This should be the biggest thing since they started slicing bread.



.JPG

[BongDaddy]

Good enough for me. I still don't get the vacuum part, but I have no argument with the freeze dryer part. I see it every time I leave a steak in there too long and have to throw it out because it's all shriveled and dried out.

heh...makes me wonder if a person could make beef jerky in their freezer.

[DMTspice]

Great thread! I have some bud drying that's almost ready to cure thinking about trying this method on a small sample.

I read the entire thread, but may have missed something. Okay, so the process of sublimation, which from what I read is the process of transition of a substance from the solid phase to the gas phase without passing through a liquid phase. So after the 15 days of freezer drying, if you bend the stem, does it snap just like it would from a 15 jar cure? Not sure I understand how frozen water in the stem can evaporate into the air.

[BongDaddy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sublima..._transition%29

Basically it says that many different solids will sublime (transition from a solid directly to a gas), but water is unique in that it will happen at just under 0*C (32*F), the temperature at which most of our freezers are set. That's what "freezer burn" is - sublimation of moisture from your food. When you thaw food that has been freezer burned, the spots where it was "burned" will be dried out.

A simpler way to say it is that ice will evaporate just like water (although quite a bit slower), if it's at a temperature just below freezing.