There’s no doubt that a favorite time for growing cannabis is the harvest. The exhaustion of all that bending, watering, adjusting, and defoliating has come to fruition. The only steps left are the drying, trimming, and curing of those sticky ladies before it’s time to enjoy.
Believe it or not, curing is part of the cannabis process that gets messed up quite often. Check out our Guide to Curing Weed if you haven’t mastered it yet!
Today, we will discuss how to store bulk weed.
Are there better ways that lead to better bulk weed? Does cured bulk weed get better with age? Is there a maximum amount of time a grower can store bulk weed? Continue reading and learn more!
Containers for Bulk Weed
The first question to address – how much bulk weed needs to be stored?
Speaking from experience at a commercial grow in Denver, there were hundreds of pounds being harvested every few weeks. Each strain was stored in a large, black bin with the yellow lid. Easy to find on the marketplace. Although these bins aren’t the first recommendation, they certainly hold a ton.
If you want your container to be absolutely airtight, go for mason jars. This feature is clutch during curing because direct air will affect your cannabis and dry it out. One thing to consider — you can debuck mass amounts of weed into the black bins until it is ready. The mason jars require several more for bulk but the final quality will be better. If you have ample space, stick with the mason jars. But if not, the bins will get the job done.
Proper Conditions for Storing Bulk Weed
Upon determining where it should go, you have to ask yourself about the conditions. Consider temperature, humidity, and lighting – they all play a factor.
Temperature
The best curing comes when the room is set to 70 degrees. This has long been a practice by growers. If slightly different, it won’t ruin your cannabis.
Humidity
The humidity is best set to 60-65% on a dehumidifier that keeps control. Some growers like to start around 40-50% first and ease into it. You will need a dehumidifier if running a commercial grow. Different sizes cover different room sizes appropriately, so do the math before spending thousands.
For smaller and home grows, adding humidity can be done in different ways. The actual humidity will depend on the legal state in which you are growing. The dryness of Colorado won’t match that damp, Massachusetts air. Spend a few bucks on a decent hygrometer and determine the humidity of your grow.
Lighting
Darker places are best for curing. Store your bulk weed in a room that goes dark once the door is closed. This will help keep the temperature on point as well.
In my last commercial grow, our black bins were being stored in our vault near the center of the building. Sunlight didn’t exist, nor did it matter considering the blackout of the bins themselves.
But what about mason jars? They’re 100% clear and won’t stop any light. In this case, store the jars in a dark spot for sure. The less light, the better. Storing copious amounts of cannabis in low-key places is smarter in general, aka don’t be loud about it.
Burping Cannabis
Burping your cannabis is the process of opening the jar or bin for 15-20 minutes each day. If you have a large bin, carefully flip the buds around to get lower to the top. If in a mason jar, carefully shake it up. Let the buds breathe and forgive excess moisture.
During the first week, you should burp your cannabis a few times. The latter weeks you can do it once a week or every few days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Full Should the Bin Be?
A good mark to remember is ⅔ full. This will allow you to burp or air out the bins without spillage or cramming. Jam-packed bins don’t cure as well and smash the buds.
How Long Should Bulk Weed be Cured?
Depending on dat stank when opened, at least 2-3 weeks. The hot number is 21 days. Growers cure up to 6 months for the ultimate cannabis. Some even longer. The peppery strains are said to get better while citrusy strains seem to flatten.
What Happens if Bulk Weed Dries Out?
This was mentioned in the 101. Something that is helpful for grows is using a humidity pack such as Boveda. These allow for exact control within your jar or bin. It will bring that dry stuff back to life. The bigger the bin, the more you will need. Some people throw in a few wet paper towels but these packs are precise.
Does keeping weed in a freezer keep it fresh?
No. If anything, this is the last place you should store your weed. There can be potential moisture and mold problems on the bud after time. It can hurt the trichome’s potency.
Try storing it in a vacuum sealed bag. Carefully withdraw much of the air but do not seal it tight or the weed will be smashed.