Had 70g of 6 months old BG c99 which I decided to process. Jared at around 62% and after 6 months the jar humidity was still at 62%. No boveda packs were used at all.
I have generally squished between 25%-27% with c99. So average of 26% say.
In the past I have favoured hand packing as I believed my dp 30mm pre press reduced output, contrary to the general view.
So this time I decided to conduct an experiment with this very small sample.
I also wanted to try some 37 bags to compare with my usual 90.
So I split the 70g of cleaned buds into 10 7g lots.
3 X 90 bags pre pressed (21g)
3 X 90 bags hand packed (21g)
4 X 37 bags pre pressed. (28g)
Results were quite interesting.
90 bag pre pressed resulted in 5.1g return - 24%
90 bag had packed resulted in a 5.1 g return - 24%
37 bag pre pressed resulted in a 6.5 g return - 23%
All squishing done on my home made set up, 3*5 inch plates, 90c with 60 sec pre squish and 2 min squish up to 2 t on my gauge.
My conclusions.
I shall continue to pre press as it's quicker and easier but I'm not convinced it increases returns significantly if at all. It may help reduce blow outs but I've not had a blow out since the first few presses when I first started (except for below).
Difference between 37 and 90 bag return is minimal. I did blow the first couple of 37 bags but adjusted my technique and last 2 were intact. Just had to increase pressure more incrementally. Not an issue.
Not convinced I can taste the difference between the two but this may be more significant if fresher.
I will endeavour not to keep herb so long before processing but if this is not possible the only disadvantage would be loss of some colour and possibly some loss in taste (or a transformation of the taste to a different profile as the herb has cured longer).
I think this rosin tastes more spicy and a bit more hash like. It's not as nice as less cured c99 but still very tasty and better than some flower much fresher.
Anyway, some pictures.....
Oozing out even after 6 months in the jar!
37 bag on left. Quite dark although my camera is pants. It was very toffee like in texture initially.
After 24 hours curing. Lightened up and texture is now more butter like, much easier to manage.
I will now split into 2g packs and into the freezer.
A question if I may. I generally squish 7g in 2 by 4 inch bags. I want to start doing 2 bags at once. Do I need to increase the pressure on my gauge as I'm now pressing 2 bags? If so by how much? Had a trawl but got a tad confused.
Have a great weekend folks....
I did a 2x 25g bottle tech puck and just doubled my usual pressure for 1, the yield was the same from memory just a pain to do and parchment paper is the only extra thing used so I have never bothered again.
