Sorry about the random bump, was just reviewing my previous threads and realized this one had a pair of replies I missed. It seems like we have a 2vs1 on this issue and I would really appreciate a concrete answer from someone knowledgeable in this area. A few more questions for an expert while I'm at it:
1. A one-quart Mason jar should hold about how many zips?
2. Is 75% full the optimal curing strategy?
3. Once cured can you, and if so, are you better off completely filling a jar to reduce the amount of air in it?
4. Once cured do you want to continue to burp it for 15 minutes X amount of times per day, or only open jar to extract herb?
Thanks, really appreciate any help as I'm even more ignant to curing than I am to growing.
I like your style Doc!
Here is what i can help with.
1. A one quart Mason jar will hold nearly 2 ounces of bud. I would not suggest, however, that you attempt to cure with that much in a jar at once. For storage purposes (RH between 55-60%), about 2 ounces. I cure with half gallon mason jars for that reason, and each jar has it's own hygrometer. The idea is dry as slowly as you can, so the fewer the burps, the better, but don't let your RH exceed 65-70% without a burp or two.
2. No. The jar should be filled to about 90% capacity to promote fermentation and the breakdown of sugars in the bud. Using a hygrometer is key to this method, otherwise, 75% full and burp whenever you best guess to burp. (You really need a hygrometer for each curing jar. That is why I went with half gallon jars.) A nearly full jar is just as prone to mold as a half full jar, if the RH in both is higher than 65%. It's important to stir up buds with a chopstick or tap and roll the jar to move buds around if you left room in the jar.
3. Absolutely. Once your treat has reached 55% or round about RH, the content is ready for long term storage and it may be packed tightly. I prefer to leave some room as to not compress the bud and mess with the terpenoids.
4. Do not burp a cured jar. Keep it in a cool, and dark location. If it is the jar you are smoking out of, get a smaller container or jar and grab several buds to last you a couple of days. You want to open a cured jar as few times as possible.
