How I "lift" the RH% of overdried flower

[Pigeonman]

Hey folks!

A lot of times I end up over drying my outdoors. Partly because of my drying conditions and mostly because I don’t want any pathogens to survive the curing process.

This means though that I needed to get competent at raising the RH% of my flower without terp stealing bags like Boost and Bovida’.

So I went old school using hydrostones.

Raw makes them small but they cost a lot for what they are…

So I also use “brown sugar savers”, which I buy at 1.50$ Canadabucks per unit at the dollarstore.

First I got the jar of flower; in this case it’s some nice Pink Lemonade #2 which I want to lift from it’s current 55% to 63% for pressing.

2x “stones” ready for charging.

Here’s everything I use: 1x click-lock container, 1x pyrex glass for soaking, 2x stones, & 1x hygrometer.

The hydro-stones go into the pyrex container and get totally submerged in boiling water.

It’s very important to use boiling water so that any pathogens in the stones get killed off.

Now let them sit for a while. You’ll see micro bubbles appear as the water soaks into the “stone”.

Once the micro bubbles stop, pull those stones out and pat them “dry” with paper towel.

Toss the flower into the click-lock container.

Add the stones and hygrometer. I like to put the large stone underneath and the smaller on-top with the hygrometer away from both so it’s the ambient RH vs reading too close to a stone.

Cover and monitor!

It really does not take long for all this to bring up the RH. Every 12 hours or so I like to remove the stones and hygrometer so I can “fluff and mix up” the flower so things even out.

Usually it’s less than 24 hours and you’re good to go.

I hope this helps anyone with crunchy buds!

[mota]

The Brown Sugar Savers is a most excellent idea!

[Gpaw]

Excellent post!
I have one of these in my brown sugar…
Using boiling water is a great idea, that will actually get a bit more water drawn up into the stone as well as sterilize.

Cheers
G

[TeddyNuggets]

Nice! Thanks for the tips. I didn’t know that about using boiling water. Makes sense though.

I used to use those brown sugar saver stones back in the day. These days I just use boveda packs. Not as cheap as the stones but they were very precise. I can just toss one in the curing jars with the weed, seal it up and leave it without worry of getting the flower too moist.

I usually keep some of the 58% and 62% boveda packs on hand. I also have some of the 65% but use them for other things (like rehydrating dried out cashews or nuts. lol)

[BTYGMO]

I do not use this tech for reg flower to smoke but if I’m going to press I load up the boveda 62% packets oversized for the quantity of the amount I’ll be pressing. I will leave it sit for a day or two in advance to gain moisture in an air tight bag with a good amount of head space. I figured the Boveda packs cost a little bit of money. But it’s a good investment compared to the time and energy spent to get to the point to press. I want to get most out of the press this help helps you to do that. Cheers !!!

[Pigeonman]

@TeddyNuggets

These days I just use boveda packs. Not as cheap as the stones but they were very precise.

I hear ya on them being convient. After some waffling I tested a batch of flower with using 1x boveda in on jar and the hydrostone in the other.

While I did have to monitor and interact with the hydrostone vs the “set it and forget it” boveda, i actually found the terps a little muted with the boveda vs the stone which is why I put in the extra work now.

Granted, i used to lift whole lbs using a gamma seal lid and a 5 gal bucket + 1lb size bovedas and it worked wonderfully!

If you never heard of gamma lids:

Freaking awesome bit of kit. I use them for large batch flower RH lifitng and to hold amendments!

With the pucks I need to build a rig that suspend the stones from flower for a bucket that size

[TeddyNuggets]

Interesting info on the terps. Maybe I’ll have to give the stones a try again and compare! Thanks!

I try my best not to let them get over-dry but it definitely happens. I tend to jar a day early these days, then just keep the lids loose on the canning jars (or off if it gets too humid). The nice thing about leaving the lids loose is that they can burp themselves.

I remember reading years back that if the buds got too dry they would stop curing and re-moistening them technically wouldn’t restart it. But that may just be some “bro science” because I’ve had some really good, smooth, tasty smoke that started off over-dry and seemed to cure out fine

Oh, and no I’ve never used those bucket lids but they look cool! I probably should have tried them. We used to use crazy amounts of mason jars or just Mylar bags. The buckets look like a better solution. I’ve seen the DIY bucket systems that can burp themselves. Those look cool too.

[CADMAN]

@Pigeonman I use these pucks too, they are great.

[Pigeonman]

@TeddyNuggets

I remember reading years back that if the buds got too dry they would stop curing and re-moistening them technically wouldn’t restart it. But that may just be some “bro science” because I’ve had some really good, smooth, tasty smoke that started off over-dry and seemed to cure out fine

This is what I found too growmie. I still don’t have a test under my belt but my anxiety would rather me have too dry with the needed lifting time vs finding a 1lb bag of mould.

@TeddyNuggets

I’ve seen the DIY bucket systems that can burp themselves.

I almost did this but then when “grove bags, just grove bag it dude.”

@CADMAN

I use these pucks too, they are great.

If they were working well 100+ years ago for shipping tobacco across the world then why the fuck not in the 2020’s!

[ifish]

Just breath blow into the jar
And reseal

That will raise humidity

Do that everyday till desired rh is achieved

[TrichomesToStun]

very cool! I’ve seen the stones online but haven’t found them local. Awesome idea on the brown sugar saver!

I had a cvault with the boveda holder deal. I experience the same thing as you, didn’t kill my terps but it change them. I stopped using those after a few tries. Now the c-vauly holds all my rosin press supplies

[CapnCannabis]

Wonder what type of clay that button is made out of exactly? Some sort of Terra Cotta thats for sure wonder if something like this would work for your application @Pigeonman for that bucket?It would be alot bigger and its pretty Cheap at Wally Worlds site.Just brainstorming for something to attach to the bottom of one of those gamma lids.

[Pigeonman]

These pucks are made of terra cotta. I’m sure I could make a hook and hold a 4" unglazed terracotta pot from the lid.

The extra surface area would also be interesting to see how much faster the RH% lifts.

Only hiccup with the gamma lid version is you need to really mod the bucket with a probe hygrometer so you know whats going on inside without breaking the seal.

[Emeraldgreen]

I’ve been raising rh in over dried weed for years . I’ve always found it’s great if I’m slow and steady as opposed to to fast.
Found that adding moisture back in brings back lost terps. It also helps it burn correctly

[Tuned]

Awesome post.
Thanks for the tips on rehydrating.

[C_in_CT]

I have a pile of these bluetooth hygrometers that I use in various parts of the grow room. Could throw one in a bucket without needing to modify. There are also Govee ones people recommend a lot.

[PadawanWarrior]

I just throw a moist paper towel in a Grove bags for an hour or two. Then mix the buds around a bit and watch the hygrometer readings. I don’t let the paper towel touch the buds though. And when I take out the moist paper towel I wipe any moisture it left with a dry paper towel. I like the idea of using terracotta though. I might just bust up a pot and try that.

[Emeraldgreen]

I use a paper towel also. Just damp, no excessive water in it. I’ll often have to remoisten it over time until I get to the correct spot
Landed on this method as it does not change the smell or taste

[Low.Poly]

Tell me more about that crystal you pop in there if ur willing!

[Foreigner]

It’s a really good idea.

I had one where I just take a shower with the jars open in the bathroom and have Mrs Foreigner seal them when they hit 60%

I may or may not do this.