I thought burping allowed out the moisture, you dry on racks more?We call them Mason Jars...and depends on how big you can get them. I use 1/2 gallon jars and I fill them full...not cramming, but full...so it's usually 1.5-2oz. I dry my buds on a mesh hanging rack for a week prior and get them to where they are dry on the outside but still bendy/sticky when I feel them. I use Boveda 62% (60gr) packs in each large jar and this allows me to comfortably know the relative humidity is going to be in the ideal range for curing (60-65%). I don't burp, but I do check them every other day for the first week after they are in the jar. Invest in a cheap humidity gauge ($10) and stick it in the jars when they are full and get the reading...if it is above 70% you need to dry it more.
Burping does allow moisture out...but I think that was a method developed pre-Boveda packs. Burping allows you also to check on the cure 2x a day for the first week (or two)...many just dry it to reasonable % (60-66) and put in with the Boveda. The most critical element (imo) to remove in the drying process is the chlorophyll...this will mess with the flavor. I dry my buds on the mesh hanger in my root cellar (which averages 55-60% Rh and 55-60F and is dark) for a week..this allows the buds a nice slow dry to where I can be confident the chlorophyll is gone...also avoids a common mistake of overdrying...which is harder to fix than under drying.
Thank You, great info. I understand now.
Both items are available on Amazon. Priced right and fast delivery. You don't need the gauge but it takes out guesswork. I like that. You guess if it is ready to harvest. If a pro walked in and said Definately add two more weeks or you loose a part of your volume. Then? Now you know for sure it is ready to burn. If you screwed up any where along curing, the packs help and slow down/stop mold.I'll see where I can find those packs and the digital humidity gauge, though my approach so far is just to go with the flow...my own personal use so no $$ at stake here. So far I have simply jarred the buds and put them in the fridge where it is dark and cool, burping them every day. What I have sampled so far might be a bit fresh but is a very nice smoke, no headache just good times
Have got two stems drying (hanging) outside, though in shade - and what with the smoke coverage we have in BC I am wondering if that will affect the flavor. Guess I will have to spend the fall and winter sampling these buds to figure it out!
One thing is for sure, next year I will have more confidence and be more organized to get stuff really growing. Quality not quantity.
