Cannabis Drying Methods: My Herbs Dryer vs. Cannatrol vs. Traditional | Which is best?

Drying cannabis is a critical step in the post-harvest process that can significantly impact the final product’s quality, flavor, and potency. There’s a number of ways to go about drying cannabis. At Brothers Grimm Seeds, we know that home growers seek the best method to ensure their hard-grown buds reach their full flavor and effects potential. In this article, we compare three distinctly different and popular cannabis drying methods: My Herbs Dryer, Cannatrol, and Traditional drying.

While the traditional drying is essentially the cost of running dehumidifiers and/or AC, My Herbs Dryer is around $200 and the Cannatrol Cool Cure system for home growers is around $1600. They all work, but which is best? Is perfection possible? Make an informed decision. At this point, if you’re guessing and resisting experimenting with all methods yourself, take a look into each method’s pros and cons to help understand them better. Perhaps you’ll give something new a try.

 

My Herbs Dryer

 

My Herbs Dryer, introduced in 2018, is a small compact appliance the size of kitchen jerky dehydrator. It is designed for home growers who want to dry their cannabis fast. My Herbs Dryer dries cannabis dried in just 3 – 4 days. It uses a gentle heat and airflow system to dry. The device features multiple trays, allowing for efficient drying of small batches of cannabis. The controlled environment helps to prevent mold and mildew, ensuring a clean and safe product. My Herbs Dryer is all over social media, and reviews are all over grower forums. It is easily one of the most disruptive and long lasting pieces growing equipment that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. The price point is a real stand-out for people in a rush to dry their flowers, but what if traditional drying or Cannatrol could do it in a similar time frame. Then it would be a matter of which tastes best, and which preserve the most terpene and cannabinoid compounds.

 

Temperature and Humidity Goals:

• Temperature: Approximately 70°F (21°C)
• Humidity: Around 50%

Pros:

• Easy to use and set up
• Consistent drying results
• Affordable and energy-efficient
• Portable and space-saving

Cons:

• Limited drying capacity
• May not achieve the same terpene preservation as other methods

Cost:

• Approximately $200

Reviews:

• “My Herbs Dryer is a game-changer for my small-scale grows. It’s efficient and produces consistent results every time.” – Sarah J.
• “I love how easy it is to use. The buds come out perfectly dried without any mold issues.” – Mike I.

 

 

Cannatrol Cool Cure

 

Cannatrol, initially launched out of Vermont in 2017, is a high-tech drying and curing system that uses Vaportrol technology to precisely control temperature, dew point (thus humidity) and airflow. David and Jane Sandelman, creators of the acclaimed Cannatrol, stumbled upon their revolutionary technology in an unexpected way. While running a farm-to-table inn in Vermont, they built strong connections with local cheese and meat producers. When they noticed a demand for better humidity control in cheese aging, David, leveraging his expertise in electrical and mechanical engineering, invented the Vaportrol Technology. The company explains the method mimics the natural drying process in an optimized environment, preserving terpenes and cannabinoids while also minimizing the risk of mold and mildew. Cannatrol offers systems for commercial cannabis cultivation facilities and smaller home grow models called Cool Cures. Cool Cure units are around the size of a typical medium sized wine cooler for the home. This high-end drying option is praised by home growers not only for drying but also storing cannabis despite its high price tag.

Temperature and Humidity Goals:

• Temperature: 65-68°F
• Dew Point: 52-54%

Pros:

• Precise environmental control
• Superior preservation of terpenes and cannabinoids
• Scalable for various grow sizes
• Reduces risk of mold and mildew

Cons:

• High initial investment
• Requires some setup and maintenance knowledge

Cost:

• Approximately $1,600

Reviews:

• “Cannatrol has revolutionized my drying process. The control over the environment ensures my buds retain maximum potency and flavor.” – Alex R.
• “Though expensive, the results are worth it. The quality of my harvest has noticeably improved.” – Jamie L.

Critique From Connoisseurs:
Connoisseurs rave about Cannatrol’s ability to preserve the delicate balance of terpenes and cannabinoids, resulting in a high-quality final product. However, the high cost and complexity may be a barrier for some growers. Nevertheless, the reviews are extremely positive for Cannatrol and everyone who has agrees it is effective and a worthwhile investment.

 

Traditional Drying

Traditional drying involves hanging cannabis branches in a dark, well-ventilated space with controlled temperature and humidity. This method has been used for centuries and remains popular due to its simplicity and low cost. The process typically takes around 7 – 14 days, depending on environmental conditions and the size of the harvest. Growers dry for a longer period of time if there’s still a hay smell, or it is still full of moisture, which is common in humid environments. Fans are used to keep air flowing, but it is not recommend to blow fans directly at cannabis that is drying.

Some growers do a 60/60 approach, by far the most common and popular drying goal. (60 F and 60 RH). However, there is another popular new approach to drying cannabis based on desorption isotherms. Shark Mouse Farms has been educating on his cannabis drying schedule below.

Day 1 – 72 F  / 55 % RH
Day 2 – 72F / 55 % RH
Day 3 – 74F / 52 % RH
Day 4 – 75F / 50 % RH
Day 5 – 75F / 50% RH

Not everyone can dial in their environment so easily, so realistically, people are drying in temperatures between 60 and 75 it is safe to say. And a good humidity goal would be 50-60 RH if you manage to control your environment with limited effectiveness. Watch out for high humidity during drying, for example, if the humidity is over 70 RH for 2 weeks, your cannabis will not be dried very well at all.

Pros:

• Low cost
• Simple and requires minimal equipment
• Suitable for all grow sizes

Cons:

• Time-consuming (7-14 days or even more in humid environments.)
• Requires careful monitoring to prevent mold and mildew
• Inconsistent results due to environmental variables

Cost:

• Minimal, primarily related to environmental control and space

Reviews:

• “I’ve always used the traditional method and it works well for me, but it does take a lot of time and attention.” – Brian M.
• “It’s a tried and true method, but I’ve had issues with mold during humid seasons.” – Sarah K.

Critique From Connoisseurs:

Connoisseurs appreciate the traditional method’s simplicity and low cost but acknowledge the mold risks and time commitment involved.

 

 

Which Drying Method is Best?

Each cannabis drying method has its unique advantages and drawbacks. My Herbs Dryer is a choice for small home growers seeking a hassle-free solution and aren’t too worried about ultimate perfection. Cannatrol offers precision and best-in-class drying and curing for those looking to invest in a very well respected device that also stores your cannabis in an ideal climate. Traditional drying remains a cost-effective and simple option for cultivators of all sizes. It’s a toss up. It’s your choice.

Ultimately, the best way to determine which drying method works best for you is to try them all. Each grower has unique needs and preferences, and experimenting with different methods can help you find the perfect balance of efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness for your specific situation. You’ll figure it out!

 

Where to Store Your Dried and Cured Cannabis?

Proper storage of your dried and cured cannabis is crucial for maintaining its potency, flavor, and freshness. Once your cannabis is perfectly dried and cured, proper storage is essential to maintain its quality. Cannatrol offers an all-in-one solution with precise environmental control to store your cannabis, ensuring optimal temperature and humidity levels. Alternatively, many growers prefer to use a cool cupboard, storing their buds in glass jars or specialized bags. Research suggests that glass jars are better than bags for long-term storage as they provide an airtight seal, preventing oxidation and preserving terpenes. But some research suggest otherwise.

Then there are Boveda bags, which are humidity control packs. Use them to help maintain the ideal moisture level in jars or bags. Despite some misconceptions, storing cannabis in a freezer is not recommended, as freezing can damage trichomes and degrade potency. Other verified storage methods include vacuum-sealed containers and humidity-controlled cabinets, which are highly recommended by experts for maintaining the freshness and potency of your cannabis.

 

Store cannabis in your Cannatrol

Cannatrol offers a high-tech solution for storing cannabis with precise control over temperature and humidity. By creating an optimal environment, it helps preserve terpenes and cannabinoids, ensuring your cannabis remains fresh and potent for extended periods.

 

Store cannabis in a cool Cupboard in Jar or Bag

Storing cannabis in a cool, dark cupboard is a traditional method. Glass jars and bags can both preserve terpenes, and every grower should experiment with both. Specialized storage bags, like Boveda bags for cannabis, include humidity control packs that maintain the ideal moisture level, preventing your buds from drying out or becoming too moist. You have options.

 

Humidity-Controlled Cabinets:

These cabinets, like those offered by Cannador, maintain a stable humidity level, preventing mold growth and preserving the quality of your cannabis.

 

Vacuum-Sealed Containers:

Ideal for long-term storage, these containers prevent air from reaching the cannabis, preserving its freshness and potency.

 

Humidity-Controlled Humidors:

Customized humidors from brands like Humboldt Humidors offer tailored storage solutions that keep your cannabis at the perfect humidity levels to maintain its quality over time.

 

Note: Do not store cannabis flower in a refrigerator or freezer if you expect to smoke it.

 

At Brothers Grimm Seeds, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve the best cultivation experience possible. Explore our website for more tips and high-quality cannabis seeds to start your next grow.