How to Dry Weed Guide

A dry and cure are required for buds after they have been sliced down at harvest. These processes preserve and enhance the tastes of terpenes and cannabinoids while eliminating chlorophyll and adding a herbal flavor to the plant.

The drying procedure begins with buds being dried, which generally takes place outdoors—freshly harvested plants can lose up to 75% of their weight as a result of moisture loss, as well as sticks, stems, branches, and leaves that are cut off.

When dry trimming, the buds are trimmed after they have dried; in wet trimming, the opposite is true. If a dryer is used to hasten the process, it shouldn’t be set too low or too high: Too low and the outside of buds will appear dry but the insides won’t be; History repeats itself.too high and mold could develop on the bud.

Buds are packed into airtight containers for curing after being trimmed and dried. This prevents moisture loss, keeping flavors and aromas intact while allowing buds to develop their full flavor.

How long does it take to dry weed?

Cannabis dried for 2-7 days. When trimming wet cannabis, the drying process is typically shorter because most of the plant material is removed first, resulting in less plant to dry. To prevent buds from flattening or deforming as they dry, hang your plants upside down. You may use entire plants or just branches for this.

To remove wet trimming, lay trimmed buds on a drying rack for at least two days. After that time has elapsed, check to see if the dried buds or branches are completely dry by bending a branch or stem. If it snaps, then they’re ready. If not, leave them be and check again in a few days.

How to set up a cannabis drying room

What makes for a good drying room?

It’s a good idea to keep the temperature around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity between 55-65 percent in a drying room. A cheap hygrometer will assist you keep track of these numbers.

Depending on your home or property, you may be restricted in what you can use as a drying room. Recognize that controlling temperature and humidity in big rooms might be difficult. Also, keep in mind that the area will have a cannabis odor. Make sure the location you pick doesn’t have much of a temperature or humidity change.

If your space isn’t drying buds fast enough, try adding a fan to circulate air or adjusting the temperature or humidity.

How dark should a drying room be?

Cannabis is damaged by UV radiation from the sun, so keep your area dark to prevent it from deteriorating. Cover your buds if you don’t have a light-tight location.

It’s OK to open the door and check in on the buds, but prolonged light exposure can quicken drying.

Cannabis drying room equipment

• Drying rack or line to hang buds for drying
• Hygrometer to measure temperature and humidity
• Fan
• AC unit (optional)
• Dehumidifier (optional)

How to hang dry buds

Hang drying buds is more time consuming, but it does take up more room. It involves cutting off big branches or even hanging entire plants upside down. Because you don’t have to “buck,” or remove individual buds from branches, this saves time, but because there is so much plant hanging, drying in this manner will consume a lot more space.

Hang drying has the disadvantage of taking longer to dry buds since there is more plant matter, such as branches, stems, stalks, and fan leaves.

How to dry buds without hanging on a line

When wet-trimming, you will need a flat rack as opposed to the traditional method of hanging your buds. This is because you will have lots of trimmed individual buds and hung trim creates poor airflow. Flat racks are circular with layers of mesh which allows for better airflow circulation. Check on your wet-trimmed buds in the flat rack after 2 to 3 days by giving them a little squeeze. If they are still too moist, leave them be and check again tomorrow.

How to cure marijuana

When buds are completely dry and trimmed, they’re ready to cure. It’s time to cure your weed after the initial quantity of moisture has been removed. To keep flavors and aromas, finished buds will be stored in containers—typically airtight glass jars—to prevent moisture loss. Curing normally takes two weeks to a month, with humidity levels inside curing containers ranging from 55-65%.

Why curing cannabis is important

The curing procedure is frequently neglected, and it’s a crucial stage in the growth of cannabis. Moisture exudes from the center of the bud toward the outside during curing.

The taste and quality of the smoke are both influenced by curing. Many terpenes, which give cannabis its distinct aroma and flavor, are delicate and can deteriorate and evaporate at temperatures as low as 50°F. A slow cure at lower temperatures will keep terpenes in better condition than a fast, hot dry.

Finally, a complete cure allows you to preserve cannabis for lengthy periods without having to worry about mold or cannabinoid or terpene deterioration. Well-cured flower may be kept in an airtight container in a cold, dark place for up to two years without losing much potency.

What does curing do to weed?

Curing aids in the completion of buds, improving their flavor and fragrance. Chlorophyll continues to breakdown during curing, eliminating a plant taste—without curing, marijuana would have a fresh-cut lawn flavor. This reduction in chlorophyll makes buds less harsh and smoother to smoke.

Equipment and tools needed to cure cannabis

When drying and curing cannabis, do so in a room that is temperature and humidity stable. The space should be at room temperature with low humidity.

It’s also important to consider how light might affect terpenes. Covering jars so that light doesn’t seep in is a good idea, as well as being able to turn off the lights in the area or block out any light leaking in.

To cure buds, you will need:

• Airtight jars
• Hygrometer (for each jar) to measure temperature and humidity

Curing cannabis buds

Next, take the trimmed buds and put them in a sealed container. The most popular options are wide-mouth quart or half-gallon glass mason jars, but you could also use something ceramic, metal, or wood.

Plastic bags aren’t suitable for curing because they are permeable to oxygen. You don’t want your marijuana to have a plastic flavor as well. Pack buds loosely in containers without compacting or crushing them. Containers should be resealed and kept in a cool, dry, dark location.

By the second day, buds will become somewhat softer as moisture from the centre of the buds rehydrates the outer portions. If this doesn’t occur after a few days, your cannabis has been overdried.

The humidity inside sealed jars should be kept at 55-65%. If you’re uncertain, there’s no need to worry! You can purchase a digital hygrometer—which measures moisture—for only $20 or so from any hardware store.

If buds are too dry, you may use a humidity pack, such as a Boveda pack, to rehydrate them.

If your cannabis buds are too wet, take the lid off for 12 hours or more. Check the humidity levels regularly and adjust as necessary by removing the lid for a set period of time if they remain too damp.

Burp your buds

During the first week of curing, regardless of humidity level, open the containers every day or two for a few minutes—this is known as burping. This releases moisture and reinvigorates oxygen within the container.

When opening a container, notice an ammonia odor, it indicates that the buds are not dry enough and anaerobic bacteria are eating them, resulting in moldy, rotten cannabis. Keep the lid off for a day and replace it the next day.

Burp jars should only be used once every few days after the first week.

How long does it take to cure cannabis?

Your cannabis will be cured and ready to use within two to four weeks in containers. However, some people prefer curing their cannabis for a longer period of time, such as four to eight weeks or even six months.

How to store your harvested cannabis buds

With the right curing process, you can store your cannabis for up to two years before it starts to lose potency. Cured cannabis is similar to fine wine or whiskey in that it’s best kept in a cool place out of direct sunlight—mildew and other molds on organic matter grow rampant in warmer temperatures between 77-86°F.

Too much heat can damage cannabinoids and terpenes, ruining months of development. When these oils get too dry, it produces a hot, harsh smoke.

Here are some tips for storing buds:

• Store out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place
• Store in neutral containers, like glass mason jars
• Use hygrometers or products like a Boveda pack to monitor and control humidity levels
• Vacuum seal jars and containers to minimize oxygen exposure
• The best approach to do so is to separate the strains and maintain distinct flavor profiles, and label them with a date—it’s a pain in the ass to mix up strains.

Temperature

Low temperatures slow the process of decarboxylation, during which THCA converts into THC. Over time, THC degrades into CBN, a cannabinoid with different effects and properties. Additionally, warm air generally contains more moisture than cold air.

Humidity

Mould and other mold threats can be effectively avoided by maintaining a consistent humidity level. Keep cannabis at 55-65% relative humidity when storing to maintain color, consistency, fragrance, and taste.

Light

Cannabis degrades over time when exposed to harmful UV rays. To preserve your product, store it in a cool, dark place.

Dry Weed FAQ

How do you dry and cure buds fast?

To produce the best-tasting and smelling bud, as well as reducing any harshness, we recommend taking your time with drying and curing. Slower is better in this instance so that all the moisture has a chance to evaporate evenly. You can use equipment like fans, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers to regulate temperature and humidity where you’re keeping your product while it dries; this will create an environment more conducive to slower evaporation and therefore a smoother final product.

What humidity should buds be dried to before curing?

To keep your flowers healthy, maintain the humidity around 55-65% and temperatures between 60-70°F.

Should buds be completely dry before curing?

If your buds are too dry, the smoke will be harsh. To prevent this, remove as much moisture as possible before curing them.

How do you dry sticky buds?

Drying your buds is easy–simply use a drying rack or hang them to dry. Stickiness on the buds refers to trichomes, not moisture levels.

What does it mean when you burp weed?

While curing buds, the jar should be opened every few days or so to release moisture and replenish oxygen within the jar — this is referred to as “burping.”

Is burping weed important?

Yes; moisture needs to be released and fresh air allowed back in every few days.

Will my weed taste better after curing?

Curing weed “finishes it off” by removing the final bit of moisture and breaking down chlorophyll. This makes for a smoother smoke with improved taste, flavor, and aroma.