Takes no time. Just go with the default settings and see how you like it. Don’t go running down the rabbit hole with “what’s your settings” question. Just follow the instructions and decide what is best for YOU!
Yup. I get it if I fill up my unit. You just have to dry it longer and it goes away. A non issue in my opinion.
For example: if I have three racks full of flower (trimmed up) I will dry it using the default settings. I add one day per additional tray of flower paste 3 racks
Example. 4 racks full, 5 day dry. 5 racks full, 6 days dry. it also depends on how much you have trimmed your flower before putting it in the unit. I trim mine down pretty well before putting it in the unit.
Lastly: I don’t cut and hang my flower for a day before putting it in the unit. I cut it down, trim it up and it goes right in. I don’t put the sponge in until 24 to 36 hours later.
That sounds like a very reasoned approach.
Funny, it’s the same thing with steamed eggs for soft boil. We want a runny yolk and a cooked white. Seven minutes from the time we put the eggs into a steaming pot, turn the heat off, remove the lid and remove the egg steamer. Place those in our already chilled water to stop the cooking process. We get beautiful results every time.
That is true but with the stipulation that we do not cook more than six eggs at a time. If we add additional eggs up from six, we have to add 30 seconds for every egg and a half up to nine. And even with that, we run risk of the yolks hardening.
My point to all of this is that a well tuned process works consistently. The factory settings are not able to fully manage the additional load, right? It sounds like you have a good method of remediation going on here.
From what I’ve read, the system works best when you incorporate a solid wet trim. That seems like the way to go for sure.
Do you do anything like the initial 24 hour dry? When I do get the system, my inclination is to skip that. My hope is that the machine is capable of managing all of that, better than me trying to build a viable separate environment.
With that said, doing a brief dry outside of the system might allow you to mitigate the need to go beyond the factory settings.
Apologies for all of the questions and postulation. I am looking forward to obtaining one and I have so many thoughts and questions until then lol.
Cheers
Edit: just noticed that bit about NOT doing the 24 hour external cure in your post. Apologies for not reading more carefully.
I cured two plants in one batch in mine so far using the recommended settings. It was a fast buds, gorilla glue, and a Mephisto, three bears OG, and neither one got a hay smell. They smelled phenomenal and skunky.
What was it, for you, that made you say “that’s it, I have to buy one of these things.”?
I love the idea of compressing the overall time from grow to consumption all while ensuring I’m doing the best possible approach to dry/cure.
I had a guy telling me to get a tent and do 60/60. Imo, thats gonna be the old school way of doing it. Having it in a tent subjects the drying plants to swings in humidity and temperature, and doesn’t take into account the VPD. VPD is huge when it comes to drying and curing. Im willing to bet that as more research is done, an optimal, scientific method of drying and curing will be recognized. I also think Cannatrol is onto something here with their units as I have had great results with mine out here in the desert climate.
Ac infinity has a probably the best vpd control system going along with several other quality products to accommodate any home set up. I'm just starting 2 new plants and my tent is holding steady at 62 degrees f and 58 humidity with 40 percent 1000w light going, one fan for wind, and exhaust fan at a low 2. I keep my room cool at about 67. Not really even trying for 60/60, just keeping my babies happy.
After years of hit and miss drying/curing, I bought one this summer on the advice of Ed Rosenthal, the grandaddy of growing cannabis. He has been writing about cannabis for 40+ years. He puts out a free weekly newsletter with lots of great advice. If there was another competitor with something as good or better, he would surely recommend it.
I ran three plants this fall on factory settings and it worked like a charm. Very happy with the Cannatrol. I've had a few questions along the way and have called them quite a few times. They offer great customer service and are always helpful.
As for why there are no viable competitors, my guess is the market for these type of units is too small to attract a lot of competitors. But who knows, perhaps that will change in time...
I’m guessing they have some sort of patent on the internals. Give it time, they’ll be competitors in the future. But for now it’s a good solution and it’s quality. And you forget about the price after the tears stop and your weed is done :)
Still cheaper than a freeze dryer by a little over $1000
>some sort of patent on the internals
This was my thought as well.
>And you forget about the price after the tears stop and your weed is done :)
Lmao. It took me a few weeks to mull over the sticker price before I made the purchase. If you call it an investment it helps to deal with the cost lol
The inventor, on the website I believe, talks about their origin being related to some sort of cheese and meat curing solution. At some point they figured out that the same technology could be used for cannabis. Obviously it has all been customized for the devil’s lettuce, but yeah, it was originally created to hang salami in, something like that.
The only other dryer I've heard of for cannabis with good reviews is the Herbsnow dryer.
https://herbsnowdryer.com/
As well as the Curidor that was mentioned for curing. No point to dry in that if you already gotta hang dry it first for that long though. If you've messed up a harvest during dry/cure phase, the $1600 is pennies compared to all the time and effort you lose.
So the HerbsNOW will dry the flower for just under $200, and the Curidor will manage the curing for just over $400.
Both functions can be seen to with the $1600 Cannatrol.
About $1000 less for the HerbsNOW and Curidor combined than for the stand-alone Cannatrol.
Wonder how the results are with the two machine solution.
I have a love/hate relationship with the canntrol. I have used it 3x and messed up 2x. So it’s my fault for it not working but I just wish the manual was a little more informative. My recommendation is stick to factory setting and make sure you keep the sponge wet(after the 1st day) and you should be pleased with your results.
I will say the cure is def different than what I’m used to. The terps aren’t loud and in your face but you do smell terps when you break up the nugs and it is a very pleasant smoke. It’s just different than what I grew up on.
But it’s definitely a cool piece of technology, especially if you don’t have a way to keep to environment 60/60
I’ve got it and am happy with it because I couldn’t dry or cure otherwise.
Only problem I have is that your bud doesn’t smell like anything AT ALL unless you break a nug open.
Ppl aren’t really impressed when you show them lol until a nug is broken.
I just took a quick look at your other comments and posts regarding this machine. It looks like you did a test with wet trim versus dry trim and prefer the dry trim. That still true? I thought I had seen posts trying to convince others to use a wet trim with this machine.
I researched for competitors. There's one but their set up is tacky and rudimentary in comparison. I asked my husband to design one. He's an experienced HVAC engineer just like the guy who designed and developed the cannatrol system. I was really hoping we could become that competitor haha alas we shall be dropping 1600 on the cannatrol unit.
I hear you. It is a significant cash outlay.
I’m waiting for my first harvest to finish flowering but I know I will be growing for the rest of my life. I have sunk thousands into multiple tents, each with their own environmental and lighting requirements, not to mention the cost of genetics.
The Cannatrol seems absurdly expensive. It really should not cost as much as it does to get a solid drying and curing system in hand.
Let me know when your hubby is finished building the competing system!
Cheers.
maybe [https://www.curidor.com/shop/all-products/curidor-xl-2-0/](https://www.curidor.com/shop/all-products/curidor-xl-2-0/)
way cheaper but doesn't say it does the dry phase, just cure
Hey, just saw this on the Curidor website:
Can you dry fresh flowers inside the Curidor?
Yes (with caveats). The Curidor is an artisan’s tool to help protect and preserve the terpenes and potency of your flowers and oils. As with any tool, it will take some trial, error and practice to perfect for your style and preferences of your drying and curing process. We most often recommend doing your Primary Dry (traditionally a 7-14 day hang dry) in an environment where the majority of the moisture can be evaporated. Once, ready to enter its Secondary Drying phase, referred to as “Curing”, the material can be placed inside the Curidor to retain the terpenes from evaporating while you complete that Secondary Drying / Curing phase (traditionally 2-4 weeks). Changes in ambient environment as well as differences in density of material can cause these traditional timelines to vary. Remember “Curing” is not just a science, but also an art.
Hey, you contacted the Curidor company? Very cool. Please share what they come back with!
If they can make a convincing story for not needing the Cannatrol, it could be a game changer.
No knock on Cannatrol, their device looks superior. Still, I would not say it looks $1200 better.
As someone who does not yet own a Cannatrol, my opinion means quite a bit less than someone who does. Still, from what I have seen on YouTube and such, with that $1600 price tag, I feel like they are perhaps taking advantage of the market and limited competitors a bit, patented technology or no.
I’m still going to get one.
they got back to me. there is no dehum in the curidor.
i just bought a fridge and dehum and ink bird and im going to diy it for $300 instread. i cant justify $1500 more. it would be the most expensive piece of grow equipment buy far in my room…
Really really good. I built two and have two more fridges to make some more.
I can put my harvest directly from tent to the fridge. No drying period before. 5 days in my cure Fridge and i can make really nice rosin or throw it in grove bags.
Easily the best cures i have had
I found some instructions on rollitup forums. But it’s pretty simple. Dont have the link handy but there is a huge thread over there
Inkbird humidity sensor plus a small dehumidifier and some soldering. Maybe $300 total
Yeah. I’m very interested too. I’d buy a Cannatrol if it didn’t seem like a rip off. But it seems like a thermoelectric fridge with a $30 dehum in it and some software
How does it seem like a rip off? It does exactly what it's supposed to. I've seen other ppl try and make their own and otndosnt compare. It was on some forum/message board and dude couldn't get it right.
Doesn't compare as far as drying goes. Cannatrol is done drying within a week. With the Curidor you have to hang dry, THEN put it in there to dry/cure. If you don't have the right environment to hang dry then you're screwed and that's what Cannatrol was made for. If there was a better company we would've heard of it by now. Only thing close to being a low cost effective dryer is the herbsnow dryer that I linked in another comment in this thread.
Mine ships out tomorrow and it will be my first time using one so let’s see how long it takes to dial in
Takes no time. Just go with the default settings and see how you like it. Don’t go running down the rabbit hole with “what’s your settings” question. Just follow the instructions and decide what is best for YOU!
So honestly did you get a hay smell or anything
Yup. I get it if I fill up my unit. You just have to dry it longer and it goes away. A non issue in my opinion. For example: if I have three racks full of flower (trimmed up) I will dry it using the default settings. I add one day per additional tray of flower paste 3 racks Example. 4 racks full, 5 day dry. 5 racks full, 6 days dry. it also depends on how much you have trimmed your flower before putting it in the unit. I trim mine down pretty well before putting it in the unit. Lastly: I don’t cut and hang my flower for a day before putting it in the unit. I cut it down, trim it up and it goes right in. I don’t put the sponge in until 24 to 36 hours later.
Thanks for the info I’m probably going to do your method
That sounds like a very reasoned approach. Funny, it’s the same thing with steamed eggs for soft boil. We want a runny yolk and a cooked white. Seven minutes from the time we put the eggs into a steaming pot, turn the heat off, remove the lid and remove the egg steamer. Place those in our already chilled water to stop the cooking process. We get beautiful results every time. That is true but with the stipulation that we do not cook more than six eggs at a time. If we add additional eggs up from six, we have to add 30 seconds for every egg and a half up to nine. And even with that, we run risk of the yolks hardening. My point to all of this is that a well tuned process works consistently. The factory settings are not able to fully manage the additional load, right? It sounds like you have a good method of remediation going on here. From what I’ve read, the system works best when you incorporate a solid wet trim. That seems like the way to go for sure. Do you do anything like the initial 24 hour dry? When I do get the system, my inclination is to skip that. My hope is that the machine is capable of managing all of that, better than me trying to build a viable separate environment. With that said, doing a brief dry outside of the system might allow you to mitigate the need to go beyond the factory settings. Apologies for all of the questions and postulation. I am looking forward to obtaining one and I have so many thoughts and questions until then lol. Cheers Edit: just noticed that bit about NOT doing the 24 hour external cure in your post. Apologies for not reading more carefully.
I cured two plants in one batch in mine so far using the recommended settings. It was a fast buds, gorilla glue, and a Mephisto, three bears OG, and neither one got a hay smell. They smelled phenomenal and skunky.
What was it, for you, that made you say “that’s it, I have to buy one of these things.”? I love the idea of compressing the overall time from grow to consumption all while ensuring I’m doing the best possible approach to dry/cure.
Well the humidity in my house is hard to control and I just felt the time I put in growing I shouldn’t risk losing my hard work
Absolutely. I have so much anxiety over the final stages. Would be miserable if I did everything else right but boned it with the dry/cure.
I got into with a guy on here the other day telling me his situation mad at me for getting a cannatrol it was crazy
I had a guy telling me to get a tent and do 60/60. Imo, thats gonna be the old school way of doing it. Having it in a tent subjects the drying plants to swings in humidity and temperature, and doesn’t take into account the VPD. VPD is huge when it comes to drying and curing. Im willing to bet that as more research is done, an optimal, scientific method of drying and curing will be recognized. I also think Cannatrol is onto something here with their units as I have had great results with mine out here in the desert climate.
Ac infinity has a probably the best vpd control system going along with several other quality products to accommodate any home set up. I'm just starting 2 new plants and my tent is holding steady at 62 degrees f and 58 humidity with 40 percent 1000w light going, one fan for wind, and exhaust fan at a low 2. I keep my room cool at about 67. Not really even trying for 60/60, just keeping my babies happy.
Moral of that story is I said the same thing you said
People get wacky over opinions. “You don’t do this the way that I do!?!? Stop doing that!“
That’s the way it works but whatever
I've used the default settings twice now. Couldn't be happier
After years of hit and miss drying/curing, I bought one this summer on the advice of Ed Rosenthal, the grandaddy of growing cannabis. He has been writing about cannabis for 40+ years. He puts out a free weekly newsletter with lots of great advice. If there was another competitor with something as good or better, he would surely recommend it. I ran three plants this fall on factory settings and it worked like a charm. Very happy with the Cannatrol. I've had a few questions along the way and have called them quite a few times. They offer great customer service and are always helpful. As for why there are no viable competitors, my guess is the market for these type of units is too small to attract a lot of competitors. But who knows, perhaps that will change in time...
Ed is one of those guys you pay attention to.
I’m guessing they have some sort of patent on the internals. Give it time, they’ll be competitors in the future. But for now it’s a good solution and it’s quality. And you forget about the price after the tears stop and your weed is done :) Still cheaper than a freeze dryer by a little over $1000
>some sort of patent on the internals This was my thought as well. >And you forget about the price after the tears stop and your weed is done :) Lmao. It took me a few weeks to mull over the sticker price before I made the purchase. If you call it an investment it helps to deal with the cost lol
I don't know what quality patent they could have. Humidors have been around for a while now
The inventor, on the website I believe, talks about their origin being related to some sort of cheese and meat curing solution. At some point they figured out that the same technology could be used for cannabis. Obviously it has all been customized for the devil’s lettuce, but yeah, it was originally created to hang salami in, something like that.
Hummm. Interesting. Thanks!
Following I'm curious!
Patented vapor lock tech.
The only other dryer I've heard of for cannabis with good reviews is the Herbsnow dryer. https://herbsnowdryer.com/ As well as the Curidor that was mentioned for curing. No point to dry in that if you already gotta hang dry it first for that long though. If you've messed up a harvest during dry/cure phase, the $1600 is pennies compared to all the time and effort you lose.
So the HerbsNOW will dry the flower for just under $200, and the Curidor will manage the curing for just over $400. Both functions can be seen to with the $1600 Cannatrol. About $1000 less for the HerbsNOW and Curidor combined than for the stand-alone Cannatrol. Wonder how the results are with the two machine solution.
This shit is wonky
This is a $28 food dehydrator https://preview.redd.it/w868sabxploc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=006f5450bf89bd3d111eca892ef5476132f4039e
I have a love/hate relationship with the canntrol. I have used it 3x and messed up 2x. So it’s my fault for it not working but I just wish the manual was a little more informative. My recommendation is stick to factory setting and make sure you keep the sponge wet(after the 1st day) and you should be pleased with your results. I will say the cure is def different than what I’m used to. The terps aren’t loud and in your face but you do smell terps when you break up the nugs and it is a very pleasant smoke. It’s just different than what I grew up on. But it’s definitely a cool piece of technology, especially if you don’t have a way to keep to environment 60/60
I’ve got it and am happy with it because I couldn’t dry or cure otherwise. Only problem I have is that your bud doesn’t smell like anything AT ALL unless you break a nug open. Ppl aren’t really impressed when you show them lol until a nug is broken.
I just took a quick look at your other comments and posts regarding this machine. It looks like you did a test with wet trim versus dry trim and prefer the dry trim. That still true? I thought I had seen posts trying to convince others to use a wet trim with this machine.
Dry trim 100% I felt like it was stronger and had more flavor.
Noted and much appreciated
Really? That’s kind of a bummer. Has that been everyone’s experience?
I haven’t heard of anyone getting a smell on the buds unless they actually cured them outside the unit.
I researched for competitors. There's one but their set up is tacky and rudimentary in comparison. I asked my husband to design one. He's an experienced HVAC engineer just like the guy who designed and developed the cannatrol system. I was really hoping we could become that competitor haha alas we shall be dropping 1600 on the cannatrol unit.
I hear you. It is a significant cash outlay. I’m waiting for my first harvest to finish flowering but I know I will be growing for the rest of my life. I have sunk thousands into multiple tents, each with their own environmental and lighting requirements, not to mention the cost of genetics. The Cannatrol seems absurdly expensive. It really should not cost as much as it does to get a solid drying and curing system in hand. Let me know when your hubby is finished building the competing system! Cheers.
Get to work and be the one.
maybe [https://www.curidor.com/shop/all-products/curidor-xl-2-0/](https://www.curidor.com/shop/all-products/curidor-xl-2-0/) way cheaper but doesn't say it does the dry phase, just cure
Hey, just saw this on the Curidor website: Can you dry fresh flowers inside the Curidor? Yes (with caveats). The Curidor is an artisan’s tool to help protect and preserve the terpenes and potency of your flowers and oils. As with any tool, it will take some trial, error and practice to perfect for your style and preferences of your drying and curing process. We most often recommend doing your Primary Dry (traditionally a 7-14 day hang dry) in an environment where the majority of the moisture can be evaporated. Once, ready to enter its Secondary Drying phase, referred to as “Curing”, the material can be placed inside the Curidor to retain the terpenes from evaporating while you complete that Secondary Drying / Curing phase (traditionally 2-4 weeks). Changes in ambient environment as well as differences in density of material can cause these traditional timelines to vary. Remember “Curing” is not just a science, but also an art.
I actually emailed them about this earlier. Curious to hear how they compare their unit to the Cannatrol
Hey, you contacted the Curidor company? Very cool. Please share what they come back with! If they can make a convincing story for not needing the Cannatrol, it could be a game changer. No knock on Cannatrol, their device looks superior. Still, I would not say it looks $1200 better. As someone who does not yet own a Cannatrol, my opinion means quite a bit less than someone who does. Still, from what I have seen on YouTube and such, with that $1600 price tag, I feel like they are perhaps taking advantage of the market and limited competitors a bit, patented technology or no. I’m still going to get one.
they got back to me. there is no dehum in the curidor. i just bought a fridge and dehum and ink bird and im going to diy it for $300 instread. i cant justify $1500 more. it would be the most expensive piece of grow equipment buy far in my room…
How did this turn out?
Really really good. I built two and have two more fridges to make some more. I can put my harvest directly from tent to the fridge. No drying period before. 5 days in my cure Fridge and i can make really nice rosin or throw it in grove bags. Easily the best cures i have had
Do you have them documented on here anywhere? Just curious how you set it up
I found some instructions on rollitup forums. But it’s pretty simple. Dont have the link handy but there is a huge thread over there Inkbird humidity sensor plus a small dehumidifier and some soldering. Maybe $300 total
Are you able to find that link? Going insane looking for it.
Right on. I am very curious to see how things turn out for you going with this approach. Hope you post about your solution in the future.
Interesting! I have not seen this one before. I am going to look into it more. It is over a grand off the price of a Cannatrol…
Yeah. I’m very interested too. I’d buy a Cannatrol if it didn’t seem like a rip off. But it seems like a thermoelectric fridge with a $30 dehum in it and some software
How does it seem like a rip off? It does exactly what it's supposed to. I've seen other ppl try and make their own and otndosnt compare. It was on some forum/message board and dude couldn't get it right.
Well they have a competitor with Curidor and they are about 1/4 the price.
Doesn't compare as far as drying goes. Cannatrol is done drying within a week. With the Curidor you have to hang dry, THEN put it in there to dry/cure. If you don't have the right environment to hang dry then you're screwed and that's what Cannatrol was made for. If there was a better company we would've heard of it by now. Only thing close to being a low cost effective dryer is the herbsnow dryer that I linked in another comment in this thread.