Fridge Drying
The Theory:
Our understanding is that after harvest, cannabis is best dried to ~60% RH (relative humidity) in order to keep the end product shelf-stable, flavorful, and potent. Optimal drying conditions consist of low humidity alongside cooler temperatures; moderate air flow is also important. We are ultimately working to prevent mold and loss of odor/volatile terpenes while slowly drawing excess moisture out of the buds.
A frost free refrigerator ends up being a fantastic tool with which to do this; they natively remove moisture while providing cooling and circulating air.
Final product will be ready to jar and cure, store, or enjoy outright. Colors from the harvest will be retained. Fragrance grows as the flowers return to room temperature and begin the cure in earnest.
Supplies:
- Frost free refrigerator - Test potential units by sealing a hygrometer inside until temperature and RH readings stabilize. A RH below 50% should be fine, mine gets as low as 35%.
- Paper bags - These serve to regulate humidity and keep the buds from drying out too quickly.
- Hygrometers - Suggestion
- Jars
- Sharpie/pen, binder clips
Method:
Note: There is a lot of variability in how this can be done so I’m going to list my current best practices. Constructive input is always appreciated.
- Fresh buds are pruned from the branches directly into paper bags. Approximately 30 grams per bag works well. Label bags with both plant information and date if desired.
- Bags are folded closed, clipped, and laid horizontal in the refrigerator. These can be stacked as long as they are not crushing each other.
- Every couple of days rotate the bags and give them a gentle shake to break up the buds.
- After 1-2 weeks remove a couple of bags from opposite corners of the fridge. Seal the contents of each in separate jars with hygrometers. After about an hour the buds should be at room temperature; take a reading.. If they are above 70% put them back into bags and check again after a couple of more days; if below 70% all bags can be individually removed, tested, and jarred. I personally wait until the low 60’s are reached.
- Proceed to burp and cure as needed.
Tips:
- Expect humidity inside the fridge to spike for the first few days.
- Timing is affected by a number of variables: size/density of buds, amount harvested, and the refrigerator itself are among them. Feel free to be paranoid and take as many readings as you feel appropriate but keep in mind that every time the door opens, humid air delays the process.
- Some bags will need to stay in the fridge longer than others to get down to your target humidity.
- Buds can be washed first. /u/n7mob recommends this method.
- The initial odor will be strong when the fridge is opened (and perhaps with it closed!) This fades as humidity draws down.
- Put larger “popcorn” buds into their own sack for a quick(er) treat.
- Bagging can be done just after a wet trim or with a dry trim in mind for later.
- Trim/larf can be dried in its own bag.
- Consider removing unsealed and/or flavorful ingredients/food from the fridge. I’ve not had issues with flavor contamination but neither have I risked it.
- Many fridges have storage for vegetables, these drawers hold more humidity for slower drying.
- Smaller “dorm” fridges tend to have freezers in the top that will build up frost over time, these can sometimes be used with strict attention to the conditions.
- Instead of bags, open jars can be used; follow the link in the source below to read more.
Source:
This method is entirely and shamelessly stolen from the 420 Magazine forums, feel free to give them a shout out for all the aggregation/troubleshooting they are doing over there:
https://www.420magazine.com/communi...d-slow-drying-maximizing-your-harvest.366783/
