Bud Curing System Prototype

I started a thread a few months ago about an idea to build a curing system, and I finally completed the project. The heavily modified microfridge should automatically maintain ideal temperature and humidity levels throughout the curing process without environmental adjustment guesswork or need for burping jars. After tinkering with the controls, the system is maintaining a perfect 66F degrees at 50% humidity.

My recent harvest (and best grow ever) is the guinea pig for the curing system prototype, and I plan to market the design if the end product lives up to my expectations. Naturally, it would be a violation of website rules to market the product here, so I just wanted to get some feedback from other growers if there is any interest in a curing system. Let me know what you think, and feel free to discredit the idea if you think it sucks. The digital controls in pic #1are displaying the original numbers before making adjustments. Thanks all

Very cool! Most people highly underestimate the power of a good cure... I use to cure for 3 weeks before I started breaking into my stash, but after accidentally forgetting about a jar for 6 months and then trying it, I am NEVER going back! I've never had bud so smooth and delicious before! In my opinion potency increased by at least 30% as well compared to the 3 week cure.

It aint gonna work, you're gonna open that thing every 20 minutes just to take a peek inside. Ya need a glass on that thing
And why are the jars closed?.. are they done curing?

Just kidding!.. Nice work..! I've seen those controllers on amazon. Its nice!

Now I feel like a slacker for just throwing in a boveda pack and checking it from time to time.

I think I should test one in my environment. Send me one and I'll even pay the shipping. Just kidding, great idea. I'm very intrested in the outcome.

Very nice setup, good work. Why did you settle on 50% RH? Just curious.

And what type of filter did you use? Is it scrubbing the smell 100%?

greenlikemoney said:

Very nice setup, good work. Why did you settle on 50% RH? Just curious.

And what type of filter did you use? Is it scrubbing the smell 100%?

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I too was wondering about the 50%.

Is there a dehumidifying element involved or are you just using humidity-level-triggered fans to vent the air whenever humidity crosses a certain threshold?

Cool! Would love to see a complete DIY tutorial. Did you take pictures during the design and build process?

there are designs for this on the internet already

I want one!

I just posted this response this morning, but somehow it didn't actually post. Weird!

The closed jars are from a previous grow, so I'm just storing them there because the temp and darkness are ideal. I don't need a dehumidifier because the RH almost never exceeds about 45% around here, so when humidity reaches 50%, an exhaust fan kicks in for a few seconds. The system is in the closet of my grow room, which has its own carbon filtration, so I didn't really need a redundant filter.

I chose 50% as the RH limit because most sources suggest RH should be between 40-50% for curing and temp should be between 60-70F. Since our dry climate has been my nemesis since I started growing, i opted for the 50% figure. I'm not surprised if similar systems are available already online, but i sure couldn't find any when i did my search. I work in a plant genetics lab, and some of our equipment catalogs have similar equipment for about $2500. It is so obvious that their systems are based on a microfridge. That's where I got the idea.

Update - The buds are shrinking but still staying barely damp (exactly what I wanted). The smallest buds already have a nice skunky smell, but the largest buds still smell a bit veggie. Temp and humidity are still perfect.

Is the temp and RH adjustable?

If yes, could it maintain a RH of 62% and a temp of ~ 60F....the reason I ask is because you may have a large market as a cigar humidor

I'm downnnn

How much does it hold?

vitamin_green_inc said:

How much does it hold?

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About a pound.

***Update***

The trial run has been partially successful, but it needs some tweaking. After the first five days, in less than a 12-hour period, the buds went from perfectly damp to too dry. Problem is that the only source of humidity comes from the buds themselves. As soon as the release of moisture reaches a tipping point, it declines dramatically. I also had too much air circulation. I anticipated this, so the next modification will contain a tiny humidifier, and the circulation fans will be slowed to 1/4 power. Luckily, I caught the problem before harming this batch, and I'll be burping jars for the remainder of the cure while I make modifications. Unfortunately, the next test run is at least 10 weeks out since I haven't started flowering the next batch yet.

Depending on the size of the buds, the system is designed to hold about 20 oz. (final weight after curing). However, if the buds are too large, the racks will have to be spaced further apart, and this could reduce rack space by up to 50%. If I can source a microfridge with better shelf spacing, it would be a major improvement.

Temp and humidity are adjustable, but there isn't a source of heat (only cooling). Also, the thermostat can only run an upper limit or lower limit (not both simultaneously). I've sourced better controls that will provide a full range of adjustable limitations. When I add the humidifier, I will also have to seal the control units. It could definitely double as a humidor.