how and what do you use to keep your buds fresh and mold free?

[stinkytofus]

boveda hygrometer looks good, cheap too

 

[arthritisbites]

Hey everybody, question from a newbie: My dispensary had a sale so I loaded up. The bud is sold in green plastic prescription pill bottles that are otherwise unsealed. I have no idea if these bottles are the appropriate thing to be storing them in. I have all the bottles in an airtight box with no humidity control. It’s probably going to take me several months to go through this stash. Do I need to be worried about it going bad or do you think it won’t be an issue? I’ve never had more than one month’s supply before…

On a similar note, I was thinking that I would like to grind up a few of the bottles so that I don’t have to grind before each session. Is that a bad idea? Or is it OK to grind and then store?

 

[Squiby]

Hey everybody, question from a newbie: My dispensary had a sale so I loaded up. The bud is sold in green plastic prescription pill bottles that are otherwise unsealed. I have no idea if these bottles are the appropriate thing to be storing them in. I have all the bottles in an airtight box with no humidity control. It’s probably going to take me several months to go through this stash. Do I need to be worried about it going bad or do you think it won’t be an issue? I’ve never had more than one month’s supply before…

Those pills bottles will dry out your stash fast. For a cheap solution seal your bud inside a mason jar. To go one step further include a Bodeva pack in the mason jar to maintain the proper humidity. Your bud will stay fresh for many many months.

https://www.amazon.ca/Boveda-Humidi...pID=41XxZwlWOXL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

 

[howie105]

We know that well dried and cured bud will last a reasonable amount of time if processed and stored correctly, happily there are multiple right ways to do it. I am simple sort of guy so I go with simple supplies and a relatively low tech approach to the process. Using a closet, fan and some pickle jars, however everybody enjoys a different approach to the task.

 

[arthritisbites]

What about pre-grinding? I would assume that would make it lose moisture faster, but if it’s in the mason jar and has the humidity packet, would it not matter?

 

[Squiby]

For medium or long term storage, I would keep my buds intact. No point exposing the bud surface area to more oxygen than absolutely necessary.

 

[Jill NYC]

What about pre-grinding? I would assume that would make it lose moisture faster, but if it’s in the mason jar and has the humidity packet, would it not matter?

I usually pre-grind about a weeks’ worth of buds at a time and keep them in an air tight container (I use jyarz).
The first few days the ground bud is still fluffy and aromatic. By the end of the week, it is a bit “stale”, but still potent and somewhat tasty. For me, the system works. Others may not want to sacrifice the extra flavor you get from freshly ground herbs. I do not grind more than a week of bud, because for me the quality falls below what I consider acceptable, but again, that is my personal opinion.
But bottom line, every time you open a sealed jar, oxygen gets in and will compromise the freshness a bit. If it’s already ground, as Squiby said, you are exposing air to more herb.

 

[snamuh]

When I am anticipating long storage for dud I use that silica stuff and get most the moisture out.

I don't know if that's good or bad...

 

[Squiby]

When I am anticipating long storage for dud I use that silica stuff and get most the moisture out.

I don't know if that's good or bad...

I wouldn't do that to cured bud. You want to keep the relative humidity (rh) somewhere around 59° and 62°. You can get a hygrometer to check the rh for just a few bucks.

Cured bud can be preserved well for a long time if you keep it cool, away from light with minimum exposure to oxygen, maintained at the proper humidity.

I use air tight, vacuum sealed mason jars to remove oxygen. Each jar containing a 62%rh Bodeva pack and stored in a cool, dark place.

 

[ginolicious]

Store with Boveda packs. I have bud from Boxing Day and I vaped. Been stored in a mason jar. And gee it’s now pretty dried out. Still good. But dry. Not fluffy anymore. Just dry and dense as hell. Wish I had used a Boveda pack.

 

[Ramahs]

I've been using CVaults with Boveda packs (62%) for a couple years now, and have had zero negative experiences.
So far I've pulled out buds that have been in there for something like 6-9 months, and it seemed as fresh as when I'd first put it in.

 

[Summer]

@Squiby, at what stage do you incorporate the oxygen packs you once mentioned in a post? Do you use it when you're removing the herb from your above-mentioned storage regime for near-term use?

@Ramahs, I have the extra small CVault without the clips & it's horrible. Even with a boveda pack the herb dries out in a relatively short time as it not air-proof nor smell-proof. I use 4oz. mason type jars from artichoke hearts & they're great. Although I know Squiby's way of vacuuming out the air from mason jars is undoubtedly the best way to go.

 

[Squiby]

@Summer I have bud that I harvested in the fall of 2017 that is still fresh with no discernable loss of flavor or potency using my method.

After drying the fresh harvested bud down to about 60%rh, it is placed into large mason jars with a hygrometer and sealed finger tight. The rh will rise as it equalizes inside the jar. It is burped frequently at first to release any excess humidity, then maybe once a week, then once a month, all the while taking note of the rh inside the jar. Burp more when rh is above 65%rh, less when closing in on 62%. After the bud is fully cured and stable, usually around 4 months after harvest, it is ready for long term storage.

https://www.amazon.ca/Quality-Impor...TF8&qid=1526880678&sr=1-9&keywords=hygrometer

For long term storage I incorporate an oxy pack as a back up to vacuum sealing as a fail safe measure. When I open a vacuum sealed jar, I hear the assurance of the swhoosh you hear when breaking the seal. Oxygen packs get hard as they absorb oxygen. Since there is not much to absorb in a vacuum, the oxy packs stay soft and fresh. It's like the second disc in a VC cap, a redundant fail safe feature. Not completely necessary but appreciated.

This is what I use to vacuum seal my jars.

https://www.amazon.ca/FoodSaver-Reg...qid=1526880350&sr=1-44&keywords=vacuum+sealer

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005FBQR38/ref=twister_B006VI7XQY?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

You can also use oxy packs to vacuum seal your container without using an actual vacuum sealer. Just loosely but fully pack an air tight container with bud and throw in an oxy pack. It will remove the remaining oxygen and create a vacuum, preserving your bud or any dry pantry goods.

https://www.amazon.ca/Oxy-Sorb-100-...d=1526880211&sr=8-3&keywords=oxygen+absorbers

 

[Ramahs]

@Ramahs, I have the extra small CVault without the clips & it's horrible. Even with a boveda pack the herb dries out in a relatively short time as it not air-proof nor smell-proof. I use 4oz. mason type jars from artichoke hearts & they're great. Although I know Squiby's way of vacuuming out the air from mason jars is undoubtedly the best way to go.

You should probably contact the manufacturer for a replacement. Though I've only ever used the medium and large CVaults (I have 3 large and 1 medium), mine have been perfect. None of mine have malfunctioned at all, like yours, and they have a top-of-the-line reputation.

 

[invertedisdead]

I haven't had a chance to use a Boveda pack yet, but will be trying that shortly thanks to the big homie @psychonaut

Currently I just follow a tip I read on a grow site, cut a Q-tip in half, wet the cotton and tape it to the lid of your jar. Depending on the size of the jar you might leave the Q-tip whole. Works great at freshening up my material for pressing rosin.

 

[psychonaut]

Just remember folks, you can recharge your bovedas, I know they're like $1/ea but it's a bargain considering I've been using some of the same ones for years.

Simply take a large container (with lid) and a small container (no lid), pour about 1" of distilled water (only!) in the large bowl, then take the smaller bowl, place the dried boveda in it, and float it inside the larger bowl on top of the water, then take the lid for the large bowl and cover it. Wait 2-3 days and check your boveda's. They should have the gel like feeling in them once again.

 

[Squiby]

^^^^^

I do the same. I've been using the same Bodeva packs for years. One time I left them in the inner bowl rehydrating for a bit too long. I forgot about thrm. They over hydrated a bit but still worked great.

 

[Ramahs]

Just remember folks, you can recharge your bovedas, I know they're like $1/ea but it's a bargain considering I've been using some of the same ones for years.

Simply take a large container (with lid) and a small container (no lid), pour about 1" of distilled water (only!) in the large bowl, then take the smaller bowl, place the dried boveda in it, and float it inside the larger bowl on top of the water, then take the lid for the large bowl and cover it. Wait 2-3 days and check your boveda's. They should have the gel like feeling in them once again.

I just put mine in the cabinet, in a ziplock bag blown full of air that contains a bowl of water and the boveda pack simply sitting next to the bowl, completely separate. That seems to work fine too.

 

[ginolicious]

I’m looking at getting on the Boveda train. I noticed that my bud is getting super dry and dense from sitting in a mason jar for months. Upwards of 4-6 months. I’m missing out on the nice taste and smell, that fresh taste if you will.

If I start using Boveda packs how long will the pack last? How many should I use? I generally only keep 2 grams at a time and that usually lasts me a very long time. Contemplating getting some from a cigar store as I rather not wait to buy online.

 

[Squiby]

If I start using Boveda packs how long will the pack last? How many should I use?

Years, if stored in a stable environment. If you store your bud in a vacuum packed jar with properly cured bud, the Bodeva just maintains it and will last a long long time. In fact the vacuum should create a stable environment to keep your bud at the proper humidity all by itself, but fail safe systems are the way to go IMO.

If you store your bud in day a glass jar with a tight fitting lid, the bodeva contents will slowly dry out crystalize and after say 6 months you may need to recharge the bodeva.

I generally only keep 2 grams at a time and that usually lasts me a very long time.

store your bud in a 125ml mason jar with a 4 gram boveda pack and an oxygen absorber and/or vacuum pack it and your bud will be preserved for years.

Jars.

https://www.amazon.com/Bernardin-Ma...id=1528745478&sr=8-1&keywords=125ml+mason+jar


Boveda Pack.

https://www.amazon.com/Boveda-Perce...586&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=Boveda+4+grAm&psc=1


Oxygen Absorbers.

https://www.amazon.com/Oxy-Sorb-100...d=1528745672&sr=1-5&keywords=oxygen+absorbers


Vacuum Sealer.

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-Fr...45772&sr=1-6&keywords=Mason+jar+Vacuum+sealer

https://www.amazon.com/FoodSaver-FC..._rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=6THRG83492RVMDN39EYY

 

[Flower of empathy]

The only negative thing i read about boveda is that some say it also absorbs a bit of flavour?
Anyone with more boveda experience noticed that?
Just started testing some 62% Boveda and 55% Integra Boost, so far still a bit too humid for my preference (imo for vaping it should be dryer than for smoking). 50% would be nice, but there are only large packs for wood instruments in that range...

 

[Hogni]

What are your longtime experiences on the Integra Boost compared to the Bovedas? I got some for testing from the producer at the Mary Jane Expo in Berlin last weekend.

He said the Integras are without any salt just glycerine and they don't give any taste to the herbs compared to the Bovedas (I never noticed a special taste of the Bovedas in my herbs )

I asked him if it is possible to rehydrate the Integras like the Bovedas what he denied. But he was surprised that it should be possible with the Bovedas.

 

[Flower of empathy]

I asked him if it is possible to rehydrate the Integras like the Bovedas what he denied. But he was surprised that it should be possible with the Bovedas.

Thanks, i was looking for that info (big plus for the bovedas) - but i'll try it anyways (also sounds salesman like..)
Don't have much experience with the Integras, got them 2 weeks ago...

Yes, it's not like the bovedas give away their own taste, but some say it absorbs parts of the taste - maybe some terps are absorbed like H2O?

 

[Hogni]

Sorry, you are absolutely right. He told that the Integras don't absorb terpenes as the Bovedas cause they are saltless.

I'll start some comparisons of both the next times with the same herb in an equal CVault to see which one stays longer fresh and if there's a difference in taste.

EDIT: Btw there were offered clones of the CVault at the Mary Jane, the Freshkeeper, which are nearly identical (produced by the same Korean factory) but without the pack holder in the lid for much less money

 

[psychonaut]

Never experienced a different in taste using bovedas. I'm a boveda black belt, been using them for years! The caregivers out here use a variety of different 2-way humidipack brands, and even mixing them together. The buds always smell dank I think there are other issues, perhaps with peoples storage technique, buds and/or peoples minds are playing tricks on them