Hi again, So ive put my buds in their jars to start curing and its staying right around 60%. But when burping, ive noticed a couple times that i forgot to put the lids back on and 15min later, the jar hydrometers were still reading 60%.
So if i can keep the humidity right there, (or at times when i can), should i just leave the lids off? Im having a brain fart and wondering what purpose my jars are serving. Thanks!
Also, how long am i supposed to be keeping it at 60%? Ive read plenty about it being the curing goal, but idk the difference between the end of curing and the beginning of just sitting in a jar, waiting to be smoked. So im guessing my humidity level will naturally be dropping at some point?
If they stay at 60% 24 hr later, then you are done imo. Should start burping jars around 65% down to 61 or 62. Atleast this is how i do it.
Thanks for the reply. Im confused because you say that im done, but then say start burping. So done with what? Drying? If im burping them, then im still in the curing process right?
I guess im trying to figure out the difference between curing with a closed lid and “just sitting in jars”, since my temp/humidity seems to be the same whether the lid is on or off. Sorry for the brain fart.
Also, im confused because you said at 65%, to start burping them diwn to 61 or 62. But mine arent getting up to 65 in the first place.
What i mean is, once they are jarred, you want them in a specific range or mold could start. Its about bringing the inner moisture to the outside of the bud. If your rh is at 60% after 24 hrs sealed, then burping serves no purpose, u r done. You want your jar to be around 65% after 24 hr, then bring it slowly down to 62 by burping 1 to 2 times a day.
at this point you can leave the jar closed.
Kinda like when does a cucumber in vinegar become a pickle? I have smoked it as soon as it is dry enough and I have smoked it after several weeks of cure. It is like aging wine, it gets mellower and the flavors get more balanced I guess.
You can look at it that way. I dry until it stays right at 62% when sealed then into Grove Bags for curing/long term storage. They take the guesswork out of it by doing both/either.
I like the cucumber in vinegar analogy. I actually find that to be the best explanation ive read of how to look at the process.
So if im staying at 60% sealed after 24hrs, then i should consider myself simply in the storage phase now?
I think why im a little confused is because these dried for a week max in appropriate ranges and almost after the first 24hrs in the jar, they were at 60%. Im in about day 3 of curing and they still keep sitting at 60%. (Same in all jars with different hydrometers.) And i thought curing was a process of controlling moisture through burping.
So im like, “Did i miss the curing process?”
You are in curing/storage at 60%. Closem…put in dark cool place. Burp once a week for couple weeks. Then once a month. The smell will get strong after a week or so. The buds will tighten.
10-4 Roger that. Thanks! Over and out.
It is a process. You start above 90% when cut. Jar at 70, burp to 62 and daily watch until 60 is hit.
Thats what most forum readings could agree upon. The lower the number gets, the slower to recover.
If I were to forget and read 52, i would add a fresher bud and cap jar. I am at the point of 65% with lids on, 60% area no jars. SO I check and open and balance buds for the 63% RH. All to learn how the dry process works. My good buds just got cut and are hanging. Start over, works ok for me. Further curing process is like WHISKEY in barrel. AGE makes smoother better drinkability. SO jared or bagged at 60-62% and hold on tight. How long? Best buds hanging, relatives in October, trim and burn party.
NO, Never, may pick up smell from CAT or DOG.
Wife uses dryer “smell nice” sheets.
Not sure I like the smell on my smoke.
Drying process complete at 60%. C-U-R-E begins and you determine when to partake.
Yes, i like that explanation. Thanks!
Read up on tobacco curing The processes are similar.