Dry? Cure? Sure!

[Thurston]

AI answers;

Here is how to use weight to guide your drying process:
1. The Weight Monitoring Method
Initial Weight: Immediately after harvesting, weigh your plant or individual branches to establish a baseline.
Daily Monitoring: Weigh the same branch/plant at the same time every day.
Target Loss: The drying process is generally complete when the plant has lost about 75% of its initial,, fresh-harvested weight.
End Stage: When the weight loss slows down and finally plateaus, the plant is ready for curing.

2. General Ratios (Wet to Dry)
60–80% Loss: While 75% is a good average, depending on strain density and humidity, a safe range is a 60–80% reduction in weight.
Quick Estimate: A common rule of thumb is that the final dry weight will be roughly 1/5th to 1/4th of the wet weight.

3. Tips for Accurate Weighing
Consistent Environment: Keep the drying environment around 60-70°F and 55–60% humidity for a consistent, slow dry, which makes the weight-loss tracking more reliable.
Use a Precision Scale: Use a scale with at least 1% resolution of your total branch weight. For example, if a branch weighs 100g
fresh, your scale should detect a 1g drop, so it must be precise.

Combine with Other Tests: Weight is a guide, but not absolute. Use the Stem Test as a final check: If a small stem breaks cleanly instead of bending, it is ready.

No gummy hasn't kicked in yet!

 

[Shane Karmann]

When your freeze dryer comes into play all that goes out the window. I want to play a bit with vacuum and drying cycles to optimize results. The machine can eliminate many variables.

 

[Thurston]

Yeah! Throw the freeze drier back into the mix!
Ok you and LG and C2G talked me into it but it has to be a small one. Now to convince Lovey.

"Hey dear, do you remember all the money I saved on YOUR patio?"
"What new grow room?"
"Ok new outdoor furniture for you and freeze drier for me!"
It may work.

 

[Milky Weed]

I dry alittle different from most.

I start by chopping it down, and setting the humidity to 40-45% and 60f, and dry like that for about 4-5 days. This gets the plant out of the "mold zone" quickly while not over drying the outside of the buds.

After it has lost alot of moisture, I bring it back to 60/60 to finish off the dry for another 3 days then it gets chucked into 1oz grove bags with 1 oz humidity packs.

I have these knock off brand grove bags and the zipper on these are much more durable

 

[Thurston]

Over the years my consistency in drying has been lacking, in my opinion. No one wants to consume mold. So some have been drier than optimum. Have always checked for mold no matter how old it is. With consistency being the goal, the freeze drier makes more sense.

Especially with all the freeze drier salespeople on here bringing it up at every opportunity!

Looking at you @Laughing Grass, @Shane Karmann and @curious2garden

 

[DarkWeb]

Over the years my consistency in drying has been lacking, in my opinion. No one wants to consume mold. So some have been drier than optimum. Have always checked for mold no matter how old it is. With consistency being the goal, the freeze drier makes more sense.

Especially with all the freeze drier salespeople on here bringing it up at every opportunity!

Looking at you @Laughing Grass, @Shane Karmann and @curious2garden

It is the ultimate way. I'd like one. But I can get it to how I like it most of the time. Just change things up when the seasons change. Having a drying tent helps.

 

[Laughing Grass]

Over the years my consistency in drying has been lacking, in my opinion. No one wants to consume mold. So some have been drier than optimum. Have always checked for mold no matter how old it is. With consistency being the goal, the freeze drier makes more sense.

Especially with all the freeze drier salespeople on here bringing it up at every opportunity!

Looking at you @Laughing Grass, @Shane Karmann and @curious2garden

I was just about to grind up some freeze dried weed.

 

[Laughing Grass]

I dry alittle different from most.

I start by chopping it down, and setting the humidity to 40-45% and 60f, and dry like that for about 4-5 days. This gets the plant out of the "mold zone" quickly while not over drying the outside of the buds.

After it has lost alot of moisture, I bring it back to 60/60 to finish off the dry for another 3 days then it gets chucked into 1oz grove bags with 1 oz humidity packs.

I have these knock off brand grove bags and the zipper on these are much more durable

grove bag zippers. Some engineer needs a punch in the nose for those

 

[Milky Weed]

I was just about to grind up some freeze dried weed.
View attachment 15142

dang that looks t a s t y

 

[Shane Karmann]

grove bag zippers. Some engineer needs a punch in the nose for those

The knockoffs are way better i am a convert

 

[RickM]

A little late to the party, and still trying to perfect the dry\cure, well, not perfect it, but adjust to the conditions. I've seen some question the 60\60 rule, especially since the Cannatrol has been discussed for drying and curing. I came across this chart for drying conditions, maybe it will help some during the process. For me, if I feel it's drying too quick, I'll jar them up sooner, my main issue\concern, and burp more frequently until it feels a bit more stable\normal.

 

[Laughing Grass]

A little late to the party, and still trying to perfect the dry\cure, well, not perfect it, but adjust to the conditions. I've seen some question the 60\60 rule, especially since the Cannatrol has been discussed for drying and curing. I came across this chart for drying conditions, maybe it will help some during the process. For me, if I feel it's drying too quick, I'll jar them up sooner, my main issue\concern, and burp more frequently until it feels a bit more stable\normal.View attachment 15912

probably the least talked about and most important subject for the quality of your finished product.