Storage and curing

[hangshai]

I know this question has probably been asked a million times before, but, I would like a quick and concise reply, so Im asking again. WHat is the best way to store weed if it is to be stored for long periods (months at a time). Would the best way be to bottle it, or vacuum sealed bags? And then is dark and cool good enough, or does it have to go in the fridge/freezer?

So, hypothetically speaking, if one was going to harvest and say, try to keep the harvest around for a few months, and pace it, would one be able to store it for that long (just for the sake of conversation, lets say you have 2 pounds, and you smoke 2 ounces a week, thats a 1/2 pound a month, would I be able to safely store the two pounds for the whole two months, and would the first batch be as good as the last, and vice versa? would the later batches be even better because of the extra time spent curing? thanks in advance for all replies!

 

[Sjerpsy]

Anything air tight that isn't going to crush your buds like the vacuum sealer,if useing something like that put in a container...then seal.But generally you want glass...plastic can absorb from the weed over time.I don't really know a whole lot about it but why don't you try and buy some dope and se how long you can keep it for and then try and smoke it!?

 

[hangshai]

can anyone give me a better answer to my question?

 

[ford442]

big, airtight mason jars FTW..
i had some from one year ago the other day and it wasnt unacceptable..

 

[ToneTone320]

Mason jar or freezer for long time storage. Anything airtight will really be great.

 

[Hillbilly420]

mason jars with a packet of silica beads... it absorbs moisture so that there is no chance of mold.

 

[Hillbilly420]

freezer is actually really bad for your weed... do some research. its breaks the cell walls causing accelerated decomposition and causes the trics to break off...

 

[gardenandcats]

I always use air tight mason jars. I do check and burp the jars a very couple of weeks to make sure theres no mold.Store the jars in a dark place not in direct light.This works for me I have store Mj for months like this.

 

[hangshai]

Thank you very much for all your answers.. I have decided to go with :
Paper bags after the hang for a couple days (1-2)
Then on to airtight jars purchased from target for 20 bucks a piece (big jars that hold about 1 lb +), to be burped daily as needed... For what, about a month, then I can keep it in the jars I guess, and burp often as needed...

 

[T.H.Cammo]

The absolute best way to store pot for long periods of time, is the same way you store fine cigars. After a proper drying and curing pot can be stored for years in a good humidor - and only get better!

If maintained properly, in a good humidor, Pre-Castro Cuban cigars can taste better than they did over fifty years ago. But you best to be puttin' some good shit in there, if you're gonna wait that long!

 

[K1Ng5p4d3]

man, i never thought of using a humidor before. I got a BIG fuckin humidor cabinet man, holds 1000 cigars, lol. Maybe i should clear out all my trash cigars ive been keepin in there, move all my primos to the top (Cusano 18 Churchhills - fuckin nice cigars ), and just stuff the shit out of the rest of the damn thing, lol. holds the same principal as a mason jar would, but then again, are you SURE it would work?? my humidor has a built in humidifier - wouldnt that slow down the process of curing from the inside out, because the outside of the nuggets wouldnt have the oppurtunity to dry out, allowing for the moisture from inside to spread evenly throughout the bud?? If im wrong here, sorry, i havent properly cured a harvest yet, but im about to, so id really like to know how sound this theory is. Has anybody done it before??

 

[T.H.Cammo]

Well, like I said, the humidor is for long term storage after the drying and curing process. Curing should, at least, be done untill a low level moisture has stabelized and there is no more danger of anerobic bacteria or mold. The humidor can then keep the buds "in the Sweet Spot" - moist enough to not dry-out, but still dry enough not to spoil. Over time, in this near perfecet condition, the curing process continues in super slow-moton! The charactor and flavor becomes more mature and complex, and as the cannabinoids (ever so slowly) continue to convert - the shit just keeps getting more dank!

I don't keep fine cigars, and to be honest I've never used a humidor. But I learned this from my mentor, who's word I take as gospel (may he rest in peace!). I'm sure you know more about humidors than I do, but the point is they work. They not only work - but they KICK ASS! The bottom line is "Long term storage in a humidor will work the same "magic" on buds that it will on fine cigars!".

 

[hangshai]

King spade, do a google search for Ganja Guru's Curing and Drying 101... He discusses humidors in it... I think that's where the quote about pre-castro cigars was from, actually... Now, does that mean you have to actually roll the bud, or keep it in a baggie in the humidor, or even just leave the bud naked in there? Also, about the curing process, how dry is dry enough to go into jars? Does the stem actually have to snap, or just crack and provide some resistance when bent. I mean, there are many stages of dry.... Thanks in advance for any answers...

 

[T.H.Cammo]

.... Now, does that mean you have to actually roll the bud, or keep it in a baggie in the humidor, or even just leave the bud naked in there?
You wouldn't want it in an "air-tight" package, inside the humidor, that would defeat the purpose. I have always pictured a few paper "Lunch Bags" (each one with a quater pound, or so, of buds loosely folded up inside), inside the humidor - no baggies, just paper bags. I would think that leaving the buds "naked", or even wrapping them up in cloth of some kind would serve the same purpose.

Also, about the curing process, how dry is dry enough to go into jars? Does the stem actually have to snap, or just crack and provide some resistance when bent. I mean, there are many stages of dry....
The stem should snap - but not shatter into pieces, like dry pasta. It doesn't even have to break completely in two (a few fibers always seem to hold on!). It's just something you have to get the "feel of". The slower you dry, the more internal moisture migrates out. When you do go to the jars - be on constant look out (for the first few days) for any "sweat" or ammonia smell that might collect in the jars. Sweat on the inside of the glass just means that the buds aren't really dry enough yet - take them out and let them dry a little more, then try again! If there isn't any sweat, but the buds are still "too limp", leave the lids off for an hour, or so, each time you open them, to incourage transperation. If you detect the dreaded "Ammonia Smell" - well I guess you know what that means!

Thanks in advance for any answers...

You're welcome!

 

[hangshai]

awesome. Thanks man... Ive been pulling them out of the jars into turkey bags for a few minutes every day, about every 18-24 hours or so, to let the air refresh within the jars, at least for the first couple days... I havent been getting any sweat on in the inside of the jars, and the smell is dynamite. I sampled some today, and I have to say, I am FUCKING stoked! I felt a complete body high with warm spots on my back and knees, and it had a great creeper quality that you can feel along your scalp as it comes on... Really great indica high.. Ill try to post some pics, but my camera has been having problems with the close up shots...

ok, here is a good one, finally...