Cannabis growers have struggled with the hang-to-dry method of drying their cannabis. While it is effective, it also has its downsides. For example, if the cannabis isn't hung correctly, it can develop mold and rot. Moreover, hanging the plants requires time and effort. Curing may take two to three weeks, but four to eight weeks of cure time will result in much greater improvement. It sounds time-consuming, doesn't it? Besides that, it takes up a lot of space.
This is why many growers are turning to freeze-drying as a more efficient alternative. It can dry and cure your cannabis in just 1-2 days, and it takes up very little space. Aside from that, freeze-drying keeps the same freshness, look, nutritional content, and efficacy as when it was new.
But what is Freeze Drying?
Freeze drying, also known as lyophilization, is a process that removes water from consumable substances in order to extend their shelf life and/or prepare them for travel. The process of freeze drying involves freezing the material, then lowering the pressure and adding heat to allow the frozen water in the material to directly transform into a vapor (sublimate).
Also, freeze drying occurs in three phases: freezing, primary drying (sublimation), and secondary drying (desorption). The end product of freeze drying is a shelf-stable food that can be stored for up to 25 years without refrigeration, allowing it to be taken on trips or sold in the wilderness. Freeze drying is very useful for survival purposes and can be used to preserve a wide range of foods, including meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and even some prepared foods. Also, it can be used to preserve herbs like cannabis.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Freeze Dryer for Cannabis Preservation
Freeze drying cannabis is one of the best ways to preserve your bud. By using a freeze dryer, you can keep your cannabis completely free of moisture. Freeze drying is one of the best ways to preserve cannabis because it prevents the plant from losing any of its valuable terpenes or cannabinoids.
However, let's talk about its advantages and risks to help you decide whether this is the right preservation method for your cannabis.
Advantages of Freeze-Dried Cannabis
- Freeze-dried cannabis retains greater levels of THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, and CBC than other drying techniques.
- Remove the potential for mold and insect contamination.
- Has a very clean procedure. The chambers, shelving, and trays are made of stainless steel that is food and pharmaceutical grade.
- During the cannabis drying process, the product is contained in a vacuum-sealed container. This offers both odor control and protection.
- Obtain consistent, dependable results while automating and expediting the cannabis curing process.
- Achieved drying and curing at the same time with a freeze dryer in just 24-36 hours.
Disadvantages of Freeze-Dried Cannabis
- Cannabis that has not been freeze-dried properly will be over-dried, resulting in decreased aroma and flavor (terpenes) and a quicker, hotter burn.
- Freeze-drying has high energy-consumption and can be expensive.
What is a Harvest Right Freeze Dryer?
The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is a freeze drying system that features a user-friendly interface with real-time readings of temperature and pressure, as well as full control over temperature and pressure.
With this freeze-dryer, you can dry up to 1 to 2 gallons of cannabis at a time. The insulator pad will keep your product safe from external forces like temperature fluctuations or air currents that could cause damage during the drying process.
The Harvest Right Freeze Dryer comes with everything you need to start drying cannabis: a commercial oil-free pump for easy extraction, four stainless steel trays for holding your product, an insulator pad for keeping your product safe from external forces during the drying process, plus a three-year warranty from Harvest Right.
Tips On Using Freeze-Dryer for Cannabis Preservation
To make the best use of your freeze dryer for cannabis preservation, keep these tips in mind:
- Use a high-quality freeze dryer to ensure that you get the best results from your cannabis.
- Go for a low 75 degree temperature setting because cannabis has trichomes which can be damaged at higher temperatures.
- Once you have finished, remove the cannabis from the chamber and store it in polybags if you want to be able to use it for at least three months, but store it in cans if you intend on keeping the product for 25 years or more.
- Don't try to rush the process by using less time than recommended or by increasing the temperature too much--you'll end up with an inferior product!
Wrapping Up
Cannabis industry has been growing by leaps and bounds over the past few years, and it's easy to see why.
With more states legalizing cannabis for medical or recreational use, or both, there's a lot of potential for profit in this industry. That’s why the Harvest Right Freeze Dryer is a great investment for your cannabis preserving needs. With its high-quality construction and easy to use features, you'll be able to enjoy your dried flowers longer! Plus, you can also freeze dry your foods and herbs for later use, which is a great way to save money and preserve freshness.
Have you ever tried cannabis that was freeze-dried? Come on over and let us know!
