Cryo Cure’s innovative machines and patented process make it possible to produce top shelf Live Cured Flower, perfectly preserved cannabis that offers a consumption experience like no other. However, in order to end up with Live Cured Flower, it’s important to utilize Cryo Cure’s machines properly and follow the process closely. Avoid these common mistakes when using Cryo Cure’s machines to guarantee you’ll get optimal, fresh frozen Live Cured Flower every time.
Mistakes to avoid when Cryo Curing cannabis
To achieve the unparalleled quality and preservation that Cryo Cure offers for cannabis flower, you must properly maintain the machines and follow the process correctly. Take care to avoid the following mistakes by adhering to the simple solutions below, and you can be confident that your Cryo Cure machine will turn out top shelf cannabis flower time and again.
1. Failing to check vacuum pump oil levels
Before each use, it’s important to check the oil levels in the vacuum pump to ensure there isn’t too much or too little fluid visible through the sight glass.
A common reason why there may be too much fluid is vapor pull-through, which occurs when the ice bank cannot condense the ice quickly enough. As a result, some of the vapor removed from the buds during the Cryo Cure process makes its way into the vacuum pump, where it recondenses into a liquid and raises the fluid levels in the vacuum pump. This can disrupt the vacuum in future production runs and lead to sublimation issues, preventing the optimal preservation of your cannabis flower.
On the other hand, if oil levels are too low, you run the risk of damaging components in the machine. Oil is necessary for lubricating moving parts to prevent friction and overheating. Maintaining oil levels can extend the longevity of your Cryo Cure machine and the components within it.
Solution: Simply check oil levels regularly and change as needed. At Cryo Cure, we recommend maintaining the oil level at the halfway point of the sight glass. Additionally, the oil should appear clean and clear. If it looks cloudy or murky, you should immediately change the oil.
2. Failing to clean the seals on vacuum doors
If you don’t frequently clean the seal on your machine’s vacuum doors, it’s only a matter of time before a vapor gap forms, creating a leak and preventing the machine from creating a vacuum. Without a vacuum, the cannabis flower will effectively defrost during the cycle, damaging terpenes and bud aesthetic. Worse yet, premature defrosting often results in elevated moisture content, which increases the risk of microbial contamination from molds and mildews.
Solution: Thoroughly clean the seals on vacuum doors before and after each use of a Cryo Cure machine. During a cycle, monitor the vacuum gauge to ensure a vacuum is established before walking away from the machine.
3. Improperly freezing flower
Prior to putting your cannabis flower through a cycle in a Cryo Cure machine, it’s critical to properly freeze it.
One common mistake is not freezing biomass at low enough temperatures or for long enough durations. Freezing your cannabis at -10℉ for one hour will not be sufficient to completely freeze the moisture within the buds. For Cryo Cure’s preservation process to work, all of the moisture content must be completely frozen.
Another common error is packing the wet biomass in bags and then loading it into the freezer. When this happens, partial sublimation will occur, which results in freezer burn. Think of a frozen steak left in the freezer for too long — it’s the same principle here. This freezer burn can damage sensitive compounds like terpenes. Once the biomass is removed from the bags, it will be stuck together in a big block that must be broken apart. This ruins the aesthetic of the buds Live Cured Flower is known for.
Solution: Ensure flower is thoroughly frozen by setting your freezer to at least -10°F. Depending on the volume of biomass you intend to freeze, you should leave your flower in the freezer for anywhere between 2 to 12 hours. The more biomass you’re freezing, the longer you should let it chill. Also, avoid freezing your buds in bags or other closed containers; instead, leave them exposed to the elements of the freezer. For best results, we recommend using WavDri Drying Trays, which easily stack and offer multiple flat surfaces to evenly spread buds for freezing.
4. Measuring moisture content and water activity incorrectly
The main objective of Cryo Cure’s process is to reduce moisture content and water activity (aW) to the ideal levels for preserving freshness, flavor, and potency for the long term. The only way to be certain that you’ve done so is to measure both moisture content and water activity with the appropriate devices.
Some producers prefer to gauge the quality of a cure by feeling the bud, and many are quite exceptional at doing so. However, if you want the absolute best results, it pays to use the right tools for precise measurement.
Solution: Always use a moisture meter and water activity meter, scientific instruments designed to precisely measure moisture content and water activity. The ideal moisture content in Cryo Cured flower is between 8% and 12%, while optimal water activity is below 0.7 aW. If you are unable to procure a moisture meter or water activity meter, leave a small section of stem on your flower when Cryo Curing it so you can perform the “snap test.” The stem of properly cured flower should pop when it’s bent. If it doesn’t, the flower is likely too wet. Similarly, if it’s extremely brittle, the flower is likely too dry.
5. Using low quality cannabis
This mistake is as simple as the old adage “garbage in, garbage out.” If you want to end up with high quality Cryo Cured flower, you need to start with high quality, fresh cannabis. Cryo Cure is best to make top shelf flower better. This process excels at preserving cannabinoids, terpenes, and the aesthetic of the bud, but these elements need to be worth preserving if you’re hoping to produce true Live Cured Flower.
Solution: Don’t use Cryo Cure on mids and expect the machine to magically turn it into fire.
The Cryo Cure process results in quality, every time
Cryo Cure machines are designed to simplify, improve, and expedite the drying and curing process, but they’re not a magic bullet. In order to get the best results, it’s critical to properly maintain your machine and adhere to Cryo Cure’s patented process. By keeping the five mistakes listed above in mind, and the simple solutions that can help you avoid them, you’ll be well on your way to producing top shelf flower quickly and easily.
If you’re interested in how Cryo Cure can help you level up your cannabis flower, check out our selection of Cryo Cure machines. Whether you’re a craft grower or commercial producer, there’s a Cryo Cure model for you. We promise after your first cycle, you’ll be amazed by the difference Cryo Cure makes.
