What is Relative Humidity?
Relative Humidity (RH) represents the percentage of moisture in the air compared to what the air can hold at that temperature.
It’s a pivotal factor in how cannabis interacts with the surrounding air during the curing process.
Through my own trials, using a digital hygrometer helped me understand the nuances of RH and its critical importance.
Why RH Matters for Curing Weed
Keeping RH levels between 55-65% during the curing process is vital.
It helps preserve the essential oils, or terpenes, that define a strain’s unique flavors and smells while preventing mold.
I learned the hard way when an ignored batch surpassed this range, leading to a loss in potency and a mildew issue that was hard to forget.
Preparing Your Buds
Before curing, properly trimming and drying your buds sets the stage for optimal RH levels.
This initial preparation reduces excess moisture and primes the flowers for a stable curing environment.
I remember spending nights adjusting my drying room’s conditions to perfect this stage – every percentage point of humidity mattered.
Choosing the Right Curing Containers
Using the right container is key for maintaining stable RH.
Glass jars with airtight seals are ideal as they prevent external air from altering the moisture levels inside, providing a consistent environment for your buds.
My go-to jars have been a game-changer, ensuring that each batch cures uniformly.
Hygrometers and Humidity Packs
A digital hygrometer for monitoring the RH inside your curing containers helps a lot.
Additionally, using humidity packs, like Boveda, can help maintain the desired RH by adjusting moisture levels inside the jar.
My logs show just how effective these packs are, especially during the critical first weeks.
Burping
Burping your jars – briefly opening them to let air out and fresh air in – helps manage moisture and prevents mold.
This practice is crucial in the first few weeks of curing, especially if you notice RH levels climbing beyond the ideal range.
From experience, I’ve found that the best time to burp is in the early morning when ambient humidity is lowest.
Long-Term Storage
During long-term storage, it’s important to continue monitoring and adjusting RH as needed.
If RH climbs, burping the jar to bring it down is necessary.
Keeping RH around 58-60% is ideal, ensuring terpenes are not overly saturated with moisture, which can mask their potency and aroma.
Conclusion
The mastery of RH is fundamental in curing cannabis to its highest quality.
By carefully managing humidity, you can ensure that your cannabis retains its best flavor, aroma, and potency.
Adopt these practices, and see the difference in your final product.
Remember, every step you take, from choosing the right jar to the daily burping is build on years of collective experience and personal learning curves – accept it to achieve perfection in your cannabis curing process.