curing temp & RH??

[Mississippi Steve]

Can anybody tell me what the ideal temperature and RH is for the *best* curing?? I can control the temp within 1 degree and RH within 5%.

I got most of the rest of it figured out.... when I harvest, pull out the entire root ball, wash the dirt off, then hang it upside down, give it some air circulation, and let it dry/cure. Unless somebody tells me I am doing it wrong, I guess all I need to know is the ideal temp/RH to do it in.

I will be doing the dry/cure in an old glass door cooler, so I can control temp/rh exactly.

Any help??

Mississippi Steve Reviewed by Mississippi Steve on 07-08-2007. curing temp & RH?? Can anybody tell me what the ideal temperature and RH is for the *best* curing?? I can control the temp within 1 degree and RH within 5%. I got most of the rest of it figured out.... when I harvest, pull out the entire root ball, wash the dirt off, then hang it upside down, give it some air circulation, and let it dry/cure. Unless somebody tells me I am doing it wrong, I guess all I need to know is the ideal temp/RH to do it in. I will be doing the dry/cure in an old glass door cooler, Rating: 5

[Dutch Pimp]

Drying:

I just cut the plant off at base...and hang the whole plant upside down on a clothes line, indoors...the bottom branches hold it well...

dark, cool room, with indirect air flow...around 50% humidity and 70 degrees or lower..

the branches should break with a snap (but not break into)...when ready for the jars....(one or two weeks)...

Curing:

Large mouth, glass quart jars...(canning jars)

Large colas in the bottom...popcorn buds loosely filled to the top of the jar.
store in a cool, dark place. Burp the jars every few days, to let built up gases escape, but you are not wanting to add fresh air.

I really don't know how a glass cooler would work. For curing ..you want something air tight.

[razzapiggy]

I did 45% r\h, wouldn't go too much lower than that though because the d\h will suck the water out of the plants too quickly, and lessen your flavor\taste though I suspect 40% would be fine. You want a slow dry if possible though. Hang the entire plant by it's base, they fit very nicely actually. Chopping each individual branch and hanging them seperately will also speed up your dry.

As for curing, yeah you need something air tight. I have seen people use turkey bags - though they aren't 100% air tight, they do hold alot of the gases inside and also prevents your whole house from smelling like herb. Me personally I use big mouth jars, I just load em up about 1\5 from the top of the jar, pack the nuggets loosely... they want to breathe and open the jars up every so often. Good luck.

[Mississippi Steve]

Thanx for the replies. I guess I could just dry it in the house. I keep it at 75 degrees @ 50%RH. As far as the smell, its only me and my cat who live here. Thats pretty much of a non issue, I can just hold his little nose
I guess I need to get some mason jars.