Drying time

[Dingo]

Hey gang i just trimmed up an Amnesia Haze I had hanging for 2 weeks. The stems were still bendy. On a time crunch and need to make room for more about to get yanked. When I jarred up the goodness and put a hydrometer in, after a few hours got a reading of 64%. Am I susceptible to mold at that reading? I plan on longer and more frequent burps. Anyone else have any better suggestions?

 

[Beachwalker]

Hey gang i just trimmed up an Amnesia Haze I had hanging for 2 weeks. The stems were still bendy. On a time crunch and need to make room for more about to get yanked. When I jarred up the goodness and put a hydrometer in, after a few hours got a reading of 64%. Am I susceptible to mold at that reading? I plan on longer and more frequent burps. Anyone else have any better suggestions?

I'm going to use Grove bags for the first time on this approaching harvest, I don't understand exactly how they work yet so I'll be asking questions about them coming up, but these guys know!

 

[Dingo]

I'm going to use Grove bags for the first time on this approaching harvest, I don't understand exactly how they work yet so I'll be asking questions about them coming up, but these guys know!

I’ll take a peak into those thank you.

 

[Beachwalker]

I’ll take a peak into those thank you.

This was my question about Grove bags from a while ago, hope it helps!

Grove Bags ??

When I quit growing four years ago these weren't around yet, but I'd sure like to give them a try Could someone who's used these give me an opinion please?

budbuilders.org

 

[Dingo]

This was my question about Grove bags from a while ago, hope it helps!

Grove Bags ??

When I quit growing four years ago these weren't around yet, but I'd sure like to give them a try Could someone who's used these give me an opinion please?

budbuilders.org

From what I read about them I think that might be the way to go for me at this point in time anyway with time constraints and moving. Gave Jeff Bezos more money to get them here to me today. Thanks again Beachwalker I heard of them but didn’t understand them so never looked.

 

[Beachwalker]

From what I read about them I think that might be the way to go for me at this point in time anyway with time constraints and moving. Gave Jeff Bezos more money to get them here to me today. Thanks again Beachwalker I heard of them but didn’t understand them so never looked.

I just bought these, still not exactly sure how they work, going to read that thread again. I've got time, haven't even chopped yet

 

[Garbage_bear]

I do 60% humidity, 60 degrees Fahrenheit for about two weeks then grove bags.

 

[growsinse79]

Works for me.

 

[Beachwalker]

From what I read about them I think that might be the way to go for me at this point in time anyway with time constraints and moving. Gave Jeff Bezos more money to get them here to me today. Thanks again Beachwalker I heard of them but didn’t understand them so never looked.

Jeff's gonna need the money, he just got married, $he'll be taking half soon!

 

[Pipecarver]

Drying is the hardest part of growing for me. I can get 60-62% but I can never get 60-62f. The best I can do is 68f in the winter maybe 65f, summer I'm fked with temp lucky if I can get 74f..at night....So I over dry always so they snap off the branches then put in Grove bags, sealed with 1-2, 62% humidity packs in them. I use the 1/4lb bags with 2 size #67 humidity packs in them. 2 weeks + and longer in the bags brings back the moisture and smell. I don't have a Cannatrol so this is the best I can do and for me it works great. My weed smells great and is hard and burns perfect.

I built a 3x3x3' wood box with a12 v computer fan exhaust , passive filtered intakes and a small osculating fan inside 2 weeks and they're done into the bags they go

 

[Dingo]

Drying is the hardest part of growing for me. I can get 60-62% but I can never get 60-62f. The best I can do is 68f in the winter maybe 65f, summer I'm fked with temp lucky if I can get 74f..at night....So I over dry always so they snap off the branches then put in Grove bags, sealed with 1-2, 62% humidity packs in them. I use the 1/4lb bags with 2 size #67 humidity packs in them. 2 weeks + and longer in the bags brings back the moisture and smell. I don't have a Cannatrol so this is the best I can do and for me it works great. My weed smells great and is hard and burns perfect.

I built a 3x3x3' wood box with a12 v computer fan exhaust , passive filtered intakes and a small osculating fan inside 2 weeks and they're done into the bags they goView attachment 107079

Yeah I’m seriously considering building a DIY cannatrol for this reason. It’s difficult for anyone to get down to a consistent 60 degrees.

 

[Dingo]

View attachment 107076I just bought these, still not exactly sure how they work, going to read that thread again. I've got time, haven't even chopped yet

That’s the ones I got plus an order of 1/2 ponders so I can get it here today!

 

[Pipecarver]

Yeah I’m seriously considering building a DIY cannatrol for this reason. It’s difficult for anyone to get down to a consistent 60 degrees.

I had plans this year to buy a small freezer and run 4" ducts from the freezer to my box with an intake and an exhaust fan on a thermostat, Moe said great what about condensation? it will build up inside the freezer. scrap that plan.....a small air conditioner with ducts into my box is option 2 but I still need exhaust for the aircon down in a windowless basement

 

[Tremojem]

I took the plunge and purchased a bunch of items.
Here is what I am thinking.
Strip contents.
Start unit under load with some garden plant clippings.
Install fans for indirect air flow.
Monitor to determine how the unit will work.
Add Dehumidifier if applicable.
I will be hanging the plant material just like cannibas.
Here are the purchased items...and I will be using an AC Infinity controller to monitor and control.

 

[Tremojem]

It goes without saying, that there are things to consider here. For example...
Humidity control
Fresh air turn over
Temperature control
Air flow
So, I will be looking at how all that works together. I make the assumption that the unit pulls in fresh air, but it might not do it frequently enough. So it might require some slow and steady air turnover, using some filtered 1 inch fans installed in opposing sidewalls. Just a thought.

Of all my dries, a total of 4 or 5, the best was 60F and 60 RH. I am looking to improve it with some methodologies I read online. It is a 3 day drawdown from the original amount of moisture introduced in the initial introduction of plant material to the space. If you load and set for 60/60, it will dry out the material to fast. You must slowly pull our moisture over days, to get to 60/60. It's a dance with mold too. If you take too long to stabilize, you run the risk of mold. There are additional methods of target Temp/RH measurements, such as VPD, but I have not researched it as of yet.

In short...meat, cheese, wine, tobacco etc., have 100s of years of experience and knowledge doing the same thing we are doing with cannibas, that is, drying and curing. After you busted your ass growing a fabulous plant, why not finish it correctly with proper drying and curing methodologies. Just saying...lol.

I'll keep trying and sharing. Beats 1000s of dollars on Cannatrol. Just imagine..
Cannatrol is not much different than what us do it yourselfers are doing. If they would just sell it at a fair price of 300-500 dollars, they would be flying off the shelves. But instead I imagine they are collecting dust in a warehouse somewhere in China. Oh well.

 

[Tremojem]

I also looked at some Peltier devices as well. Many have purchased the small Dehumidifier devices and stripped them down to the peltier device, as the housing etc., is not needed.

My concern was that the peltier device didn't actually remove moisture, but instead raised the internal temperature and signal the wine cooler to cycle, which in turn moves air, cools, and pulls out moisture. It is my belief that the peltier device may indeed remove some moisture out of the environment and returns it in the form of small droplets that are collected and drained out of unit. But, this is miniscule compared to the moisture removing capabilities of the wine cooler. So, it seems that the design would benefit from an actual Dehumidifier, but time will tell. It's all new to me and I'm NO engineer. Just read tons of posts online about this and how to proceed. I took a closer look at Cannatrol and it is almost the same damn size as my unit. 1600 dollars. All in, I am not remotely close, maybe 400 dollars tops. Geez loo weez. Get a fucking grip Cannatrol you trolls.

 

[steamroller]

I like to dry in my room or tent in the room if I can manage it. Sometimes it means cutting a few plants late and a few plants early.
I run 62-68f with humidity at 50% first couple days then 62%.
Could be a week or 2. Never had my stems snap unless the whole plant was over dry or small stem.
I like to finish in a paper bag for maybe 3-7 days still in the room or tentbefore jarring with hygrometer and Boveeda 62% pack.
Having your herb at 62% is ok.
Over 65% is time to air.
I never burp unless I am out of range[over 65%].
I also have a cannatrol for when I can't just convert the room, or tent for the one or two oddball plants that can't play well with the others.
It only holds 2lbs wet and takes 5 days or so before I can jar. Good tool but has limits.

 

[Bandit420]

In short...meat, cheese, wine, tobacco etc., have 100s of years of experience and knowledge doing the same thing we are doing with cannibas, that is, drying and curing. After you busted your ass growing a fabulous plant, why not finish it correctly with proper drying and curing methodologies. Just saying...lol.

The closer I get to recreating a cheese cave, the better my weed gets.

 

[Pipecarver]

The closer I get to recreating a cheese cave, the better my weed gets.

 

[smoke]

Hey gang i just trimmed up an Amnesia Haze I had hanging for 2 weeks. The stems were still bendy. On a time crunch and need to make room for more about to get yanked. When I jarred up the goodness and put a hydrometer in, after a few hours got a reading of 64%. Am I susceptible to mold at that reading? I plan on longer and more frequent burps. Anyone else have any better suggestions?

Your good at 64%. Jar them up and burp once a day, if they stay the same, your good to seal them up and start curing.

No molding at 64%

Edit: 64% humidity at 72deg f

 

[Dingo]

Your good at 64%. Jar them up and burp once a day, if they stay the same, your good to seal them up and start curing.

No molding at 64%

Edit: 64% humidity at 72deg f

Thank you that is good info to know and going in my notes.

 

[smoke]

Thank you that is good info to know and going in my notes.

I can't scientifically verify but have read that curing stops below 58% humidity

 

[Observer]

58-62% RH for buds sitting in jars, higher than that and molding possibility.

From everything I've read.

Bud moisture content should be between 8-12%

 

[Tremojem]

Unfortunately, this damn unit is kinda necessary. It would cost so much more to close in the lung room and control the environment in the lung room.

Right now my lung room is ny basement. The tent is located in the cistern, to which I modified to have an entrance. I could close in on the cistern, but the cost is too much.

The wine cooler is my go to for now. Maybe I can revisit an alternative later.

 

[Tremojem]

Hey everyone...got a little problem here. The koolatron wine fridge has a problem with its interior. It smells. The odor reminds me of coming out of anesthesia while the oxygen mask is on your face. There is a strange odor, either from the mask or the delivery system, and as soon as you are able, you find yourself pulling the mask off of your face, while the nurse puts it back on your face and you fall asleep again lol. Any way it is a factory or industrial smell, oh yea maybe a hint of break cleaner smell...hell I don't know lol.

Here is what I have done...

Day one - Wiped entire unit down with white vinegar and then wiped again with water. Left door open to off gas.
Day two - Energized unit and let run for 12 hours at highest allowable temperature, with a dc fan laying on the bottom facing up. Finished another 12 hours at 66 degrees.
Day three - Opened door and placed a strong fan in front, blowing into cavity of cooler, for 12 hours. Also placed a strong fan at rear of cooler, where the peltier and control board are located.
Day four - Placed a plate of baking soda in bottom of cooler, run for 12 hours at highest allowable temperature.

So, I am in hour one of baking soda trial. I am confident this is a waste of time.

Sooooooo.....what do you think will help, and thank you.

Might just have to surrender and fill with wine bottles and build my own box...yeesh

 

[Tremojem]

Read some suggestions online that included my aforementioned efforts, here are some more I have not tried...

Wipe down with baking soda/water paste.

Place crunched up newspaper inside.

Place coffee grounds inside.

Take up to and more, than 7 days to try all of theses methods until it works. Lol!

Hey, I still have some faith I will prevail, but am considering a new build lol.

 

[GrumpAzz]

I've got to lend some credence to the Grove Bags...

We've been low on bud lately and my guy has pounds of shit weed so I ain't buying. It's basically shwag minus the bricks. It's terrible. I know the grower and dunk on him as often as possible.

Either way.. we had to tap into my bags of trim FROM 3 HARVESTS AGO. Whatever was in the bottom of the bowl trimmer got bagged up and saved for a rainy day. Well... it's been in the grove bags for over a year and it's still a sticky mess in there and the terps haven't lost any luster. Still moist with no mold. I'm honestly hella impressed by the quality of this trim. It's mostly sugar leaves with some shake sprinkled in and it's been doing a great job of keeping me from supporting a shitty grower that doesn’t care about anything but plant counts.

In my opinion, if these bags can keep my TRIM smokeable for over a year, they're worth every penny. Bag it and forget about it.

 

[Tremojem]

Update on off gasing the Wine Cooler...

It's been a week. Some improvement has been observed. This is a result of keeping door open while strong fan cycles fresh air into the interior.

I am now introducing some low heat. The ambient temperature of the interior with the door closed is about 80F. My goal is to raise temperature to a max of 90F. It is not my intention to shake things up too much, but to gently convince the interior to release its chemical in an off gasing if you will. By warming the interior and carefully monitoring, I am hoping this speeds things along.

I am currently using the Lotus method of drying at the moment. This is because I don't have a choice. I have the buds in paper bags and am shooting for a temperature of 50F and 40% RH, with a goal of 7 to 8 kpa. I will then slowly, over days increase the kpa to no more than 1.2, if possible. Typically, allowing the environment to settle for a couple days, then increase by another kpa value. That equates to roughly, an 18ish day drying time.

Oh boy, here we go.

 

[Tremojem]

Off Gasing Update...

Soooooo...I used heat and cooling to shake loose the damn chemical off gasing.

In short, I used an AC Infinity (ACI) heating pad, and a separate ACI controller to monitor temperature and humidity. Additionally, I energized the wine cooler to cool.

The heating and cooling cycles were independent of one another. Heat to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and the allow to settle to ambient temperature. Then energize wine cooler and cool to 46 degrees Fahrenheit. Step and repeat three times.

I placed one rack in the center of the wine cooler and carefully weaved the heating pad thru the rack openings. Set it to lowest temperature setting. I then let it run and monitored until temperature settled at around 98 degrees Fahrenheit on average. It never exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

It seems to have worked and I will be finishing the build, and finish drying my latest harvest in the wine cooler...maybe. I might consider finishing in fridge, just to have a data point.

But hey, I am glad to report that when energized and at desired temperature set point, the wine cooler is free of any smell at all. WHEW!!!

My only wish is that the wine cooler had twice the capacity. And my only regret is that I didn't just build a dryer from ground up. And, I still might take that build on, at a later date. Bandit is very inspiring, so you never know.

 

[Tremojem]

Okay, so I finished the build and think it appropriate to title a new thread with the build...it is titled "Wine Cooler DIY Cannatrol"

Simply search for that title to see the build. It should be completed shortly as I am just now starting it...lol.