How to quick dry buds for testing

When it comes to cannabis, patience isn’t just a virtue—it’s a necessity. After months of tending to your plants, you might be wondering, “How long does it take for wet bud to dry?” The short answer is approximately one to two weeks. However, if you like most growers you can’t wait that long, there are a few ways that you can quick dry your buds for a smoke test.

Ways to Quick Dry a Sample Bud?

While we’ve established that slow drying is the gold standard for preserving the taste, aroma, and potency of your buds, there are instances when quick-drying a sample bud is necessary. Here are some methods that you can use:

In the Oven

Using the oven is one of the fastest ways to dry your buds and is great if you’re in a hurry because it can be done in as little as 10-15 minutes.

Pros

Cons

How to quick dry bud using an oven

1. Preheat the oven to a low temperature, about 100-150 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place the buds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake them for 10-15 minutes.
3. Check them every 3-5 minutes and turn them to make sure they are drying evenly.
4. Keep a close eye on the buds to avoid burning them.

Using a Dehydrator

Food dehydrators are designed to remove moisture quickly and can do the same for your buds in only a couple of hours. They are much less risky than using an oven and some dehydrators have settings and timers to prevent your bud from becoming overly dry.

Pros

Cons

How to dry bud fast using a dehydrator

1. Set the temperature to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the cannabinoids and terpenes.
2. Spread the bud evenly inside the dehydrator.
3. The duration may vary, but usually, a few hours in the dehydrator on a low setting will do the trick.

Using Brown Paper Bags and a Fan

Using a paper bag to dry your bud quicker is one of the oldest tricks. There’s two ways that you can do this. The first is using an ordinary electric fan and the second is by placing your bud in a paper bag and then next to the fan of your computer. This adds an element of heat into the process and can speed it up slightly but it does mean that you need to leave your computer on for a long time.

Pros

Cons

How to dry weed fast using a paper bag and a fan

1. Place your buds in a brown paper bag and fold the top of the bag over a couple of times.
2. Position a fan to blow air over the bag but not directly into it.
3. Check the bud every 12 hours.
4. This method creates a dry environment that can quicken the drying process without introducing excessive heat.

Natural Sunlight Drying

While not the quickest method, drying buds in sunlight is natural and straightforward.

Pros

Cons

How to quick dry weed in sunlight

1. Place the buds in a sunny, well-ventilated spot for a few days.
2. Be sure to rotate them occasionally for even drying.
3. Check the bud every couple of hours and make sure it isn’t becoming overly dry.

Remember, each quick-drying method has its drawbacks. They may expedite the process, but they also risk damaging the quality of your buds. Of these methods the least damaging is using a paper bag and fan, however, this does take 2-3 days so if you want quick results with the least damage, I would go with the dehydrator method. Dehydrators are designed to dry food in a controlled way so as not to over dry and ruin the flavor allowing you to do it in a more controlled approach.

Why is Drying Buds Slowly Better?

Drying buds slowly is akin to aging fine wine—it takes time, but the end product is worth the wait. Slow drying allows for proper curing, a phase where the buds mature, and their unique characteristics, including taste and aroma, are enhanced.

Better tasting

During slow drying, chlorophyll, the compound that gives the plant its green color and a “grassy” taste, breaks down. It is chlorophyll that gives weed its harsh bitter taste, so by breaking this down the smoke smoother and better tasting.

More potent

Slow drying also facilitates the conversion of non-psychoactive cannabinoids to their psychoactive forms, contributing to the bud’s overall potency while also giving the terpenes and compounds plenty of time to fully develop fully.

Less mold

Slow drying also reduces the risk of mold and bacteria growing on your bud once it is stored for longer periods because it allows more moisture to evaporate during the burping process.

How Long Does It Take for Wet Bud to Dry?

On average, the drying process takes about one to two weeks, however, it really depends on how much bud and the temperature and humidity of your drying room. Drying weed slowly over a couple of weeds allows for the gradual evaporation of moisture from the bud, a process crucial to preserving the bud’s flavor, aroma, and potency.

The environment plays a significant role in this timeline. Factors such as temperature, humidity, and airflow can speed up or slow down the drying process. Ideally, you want a cool, dark room with a relative humidity of around 45-55% and a temperature of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Does Drying Buds Quickly Damage the Taste and Potency?

Drying weed slowly is not just about removing moisture, but also about preserving and enhancing its flavor, aroma, and potency.

When buds are dried too rapidly, the plant doesn’t have enough time to undergo certain biochemical processes. Such as the conversion of non-psychoactive cannabinoids into their psychoactive counterparts, a transformation that contributes to the bud’s overall potency.

Also, the terpenes (the compounds responsible for the plant’s aroma and flavor) are highly sensitive to heat and can evaporate when the bud is exposed to high heat, such as an oven. The same occurs with the cannabinoids, if the heat is too high, then they will degrade. The result will be weed that does not taste as good, and is not as potent.

When should you quick dry buds?

If you’re eager to sample a strain, quick drying provides a preview of its potential flavor, aroma, and effects. It also enables you to run a preliminary test for mold or pathogens, ensuring the health and safety of your remaining crop.

In a commercial setting, quick-drying methods can be beneficial to expedite the testing process. Regulated markets often require lab testing of the product before it can be sold. A quick-dry sample can be sent off for testing while the rest of the batch continues to dry and cure at a normal pace.

However, remember that quick drying should be the exception, not the norm. Despite its utility in certain scenarios, it doesn’t replace the value of properly drying and curing your buds to achieve their maximum quality and potency. Quick-drying methods should be used carefully and with a clear understanding of their limitations and impacts.