Cannibas Drying Methodologies

[Tremojem]

I am asking everyone how they dry their harvests.

One methodology proposes you weigh the hanging plant and record it's total hang weight. Depending on what you read online, you would then multiply the total weight of the plant by, anywhere from, .20 to .28 and the sum is your target dry weight.

Another methodology is to measure the moisture of the plant, using a moisture meter. Many of these devices are available and the online concensus is to set the meter to the "Wood" setting, and take a sample at the stalk, or directly into a bud, or both. These moisture meters are equipped with two prongs that stab into the material you are measuring. The online consensus is anywhere between 9 and 12 for a target measurement. Once you reach that level of moisture, you trim and start the Cure.

So, what are you doing and how?

 

[Bandit420]

I dry several ways and have read about the moisture meter. Never heard of the weight method.
I've always just used snap and smoke.
If it can snap off the branch then it's time for the smoke test. If it smokes good and burns properly, then it's ready for cure.

 

[Tremojem]

Hey, don't knock it.

It's a proven methodology.

It works for me. And I will continue to use it in concert with the new methods, as I experiment with them.

 

[Bandit420]

Hey, don't knock it.

It's a proven methodology.

It works for me. And I will continue to use it in concert with the new methods, as I experiment with them.

Not sure how I "knocked" anything you do. Happy you found something that works well for you

 

[Tremojem]

Bandit, my apologies. Didn't word that correctly.

I support it. What I tried to say was...hey don't knock the snap method. I use it and it is proven to work. I will keep using the snap method while I experiment with the 2 new methods.

Instead, what I wrote came off like this...hey don't knock my 2 new proven methods. Your snap method is whatever.

That is NOT what I meant.

Please accept my apologies Bandit420

 

[TomH]

I use mostly what bandit does, I only apply the wood moisture meter after a little while in the jars to make sure they aren’t rising in RH.

 

[moe.red]

This is an area I can improve upon, and plan to with the next harvest.

I like the idea behind a cannatol, just not the limited space and price tag.

I have been drying in a temp/rh controlled tent for years. Then jar them up in 2.5 gallon glass jars for cure with boveda. I recently found mold in one of my older jars. Alarm bells going off.

So following to see what ideas come up. There are a few creative projects going on here by a few members. Hopefully they post results.

 

[Pipecarver]

I am asking everyone how they dry their harvests.

One methodology proposes you weigh the hanging plant and record it's total hang weight. Depending on what you read online, you would then multiply the total weight of the plant by, anywhere from, .20 to .28 and the sum is your target dry weight.

Another methodology is to measure the moisture of the plant, using a moisture meter. Many of these devices are available and the online concensus is to set the meter to the "Wood" setting, and take a sample at the stalk, or directly into a bud, or both. These moisture meters are equipped with two prongs that stab into the material you are measuring. The online consensus is anywhere between 9 and 12 for a target measurement. Once you reach that level of moisture, you trim and start the Cure.

So, what are you doing and how?

I over dry the sht out of mine. it can turn to dust sometimes if I don't strip buds off whole. Into Grove bags with 62% humidity packs. The more the merrier, up to 4 size 67 boveda or boost integra in 1/4 lb bags. After 2-3 weeks its nice easy smoke, bag smells great., buds bust up nicely. I may lose some taste and smell by over drying but it doesn't mold and I smoke it all.

My method needs work, I need a machine? I priced out the copper & fittings, about $100 so not bad to play with. I don't solder without burning myself once or twice, I need practice and I like playing with fire so a bonus project is in the works.

 

[Pipecarver]

I over dry the sht out of mine. it can turn to dust sometimes if I don't strip buds off whole. Into Grove bags with 62% humidity packs. The more the merrier, up to 4 size 67 boveda or boost integra in 1/4 lb bags. After 2-3 weeks its nice easy smoke, bag smells great., buds bust up nicely. I may lose some taste and smell by over drying but it doesn't mold and I smoke it all.

My method needs work, I need a machine? I priced out the copper & fittings, about $100 so not bad to play with. I don't solder without burning myself once or twice, I need practice and I like playing with fire so a bonus project is in the works.

Then again instead of trying to make a chiller I think I could cut 2 holes in the lid, one intake and one exhaust with ducts running to and from my dry box, 2 small fans circulating on a thermostat. I could try to get it for $60...hmmm

• Condition
  Used - like new

Specifications:✔ Model: WHS-185C1WS✔ Capacity: [Check and confirm the exact capacity if possible]✔ Rated Voltage: 115V AC✔ Rated Frequency: 60Hz✔ Rated Current: 1.2A✔ Power Input: 93W✔ Refrigerant: R600A (1.62oz)✔ Net Weight: 62 lbs✔ Manufactured: January 2017 Features: Works perfectly and keeps food frozen Energy-efficient and reliable Compact size, perfect for home or garage use Free-standing installation only

 

[Tremojem]

Okay, so as mentioned earlier...I have a Moisture Meter.

Pin-Type LCD Moisture Meter

The Pin-Type LCD Moisture Meter is ideal for use in woodworking, building construction, home inspection, lumber selection and water damage restoration.

generaltools.com

And a Weight Scale.

Etekcity Digital Hanging Scale

Accurately weigh items up to 110 lb / 50 kg with the Etekcity Digital Hanging Scale. The stainless steel hook and LCD display make it easy to get accurate results.

etekcity.com

Started the Dry today. Gotta get my temperature down. Working on it lol.

I will monitor and report.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Okay, so as mentioned earlier...I have a Moisture Meter.

Pin-Type LCD Moisture Meter

The Pin-Type LCD Moisture Meter is ideal for use in woodworking, building construction, home inspection, lumber selection and water damage restoration.

generaltools.com

And a Weight Scale.

Etekcity Digital Hanging Scale

Accurately weigh items up to 110 lb / 50 kg with the Etekcity Digital Hanging Scale. The stainless steel hook and LCD display make it easy to get accurate results.

etekcity.com

Started the Dry today. Gotta get my temperature down. Working on it lol.

I will monitor and report.

I dried and cured my first ever grow, last Fall. So, not wealth of experience. I followed recommendations from @Stoneyluv to target relative humidity a dew point of 54℉ for 4-7 days and drop to target 52℉ DP for the cure. I was able to come pretty close to that controlling temperature and humidity in a tent in my basement, as the conditions weren't far out of range to begin with. It worked so well, I don't have plans to change anything. Your perfectly inline with those numbers. Like dead on:


I'll bet your gonna end up with a great smoke.

How much are you wanting to lower temperature?

Here's some targets @Aqua Man shared with some cooler temps and target range for moisture content (I see you have a moisture meter. I didn't/don't, yet):

I like 60-65f 55-60% rh air movement but not against the buds.

First 3 days 70F and 40-50% Rh to dry the outside and then nice and slow 60-65F and 55-60% Rh until you get the moisture content of the bud between 57-61%

It all depends on the size of the buds but usually around 14 days. Even at 14 days it should be good to go into groves.

The key is always moisture going out not into the buds that what is likely to cause mold.

Then into grove bags to finish curing after 7 day min up to 14 better and past that not much difference of a dry. That allows the breakdown of sugars and starches to be completed. Curing for at least a month makes for really good smoke beyond that i don’t find to much of a benefit.

It'll be interesting to see where you land on weight and moisture content. I'm sure I'll be learning a lot.