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rudy_failed
Stranger
Registered: 11/17/13
Posts: 7
Last seen: 10 years, 19 days
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Drying issues
#19160540 - 11/19/13 04:37 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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I harvested my first grow a couple days ago and seem to be having some issues with the drying process. I fanned them for 24 hours and then put them into a desiccant chamber to finish drying. After 24 hours in the chamber, I opened it up to check on them and the chamber was distinctly humid. The shrooms now have a musty, unpleasant odor to them and feel like they have actually gained moisture as they are less brittle than before. I've taken them out of the chamber and am fanning them again. But the smell makes me concerned that I've ruined them and should trash them and start over.
Does anyone have any thoughts on how to proceed from here?
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Stromrider
This must be the place



Registered: 06/02/13
Posts: 7,338
Loc: Dept of know what I'm say...
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It's simple. Buy a dehydrator. I'm not trying to be an asshole. Just giving it to you straight up
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elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,406
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I still fan since I spend all my money on other cultivation stuff.
You can't go by 24 hours as a 'rule' in all cases. I have some giant monsters from a third flush that are super dense and I know they are going to be sitting in front of that fan for 2 or 3 days before I put them into a desiccant chamber.
IME the mushrooms should be 95% dry before being moved to the chamber. For me that's when they FEEL completely dry but when you go to break them they won't snap but rather, reluctantly bend.
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh would’ve sold more than one painting if he’d put tigers in them.―Bill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
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bodhisatta 
Smurf real estate agent



Registered: 04/30/13
Posts: 61,890
Loc: Milky way
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Quote:
Stromrider said: It's simple. Buy a dehydrator. I'm not trying to be an asshole. Just giving it to you straight up

desiccant keeps things dry and removes trace moisture. Use desiccant once they're dry enough to crack without bending.
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rudy_failed
Stranger
Registered: 11/17/13
Posts: 7
Last seen: 10 years, 19 days
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Thanks for all the responses. This is my first try at this, so I'm doing it the low tech way. It does seem like it's going to be worth investing in a dehydrator for the future though, point well taken.
As for the current batch, is the smell issue something I should be worried about in terms of potency/likelihood of making people sick? It'd be a shame to have to scrap everything, but there's also no reason to be stupid about this if this is a common sign of contamination. Any thoughts on whether to toss them?
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elasticaltiger
Like Tigers in Coitus




Registered: 06/24/13
Posts: 8,406
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Quote:
rudy_failed said: Thanks for all the responses. This is my first try at this, so I'm doing it the low tech way. It does seem like it's going to be worth investing in a dehydrator for the future though, point well taken.
As for the current batch, is the smell issue something I should be worried about in terms of potency/likelihood of making people sick? It'd be a shame to have to scrap everything, but there's also no reason to be stupid about this if this is a common sign of contamination. Any thoughts on whether to toss them?
What is the total elapsed time they have been harvested?
I would put them in front of the fan again to get close to that 95% point or what boddhisatta said, being able to crack without bending. Re-make your desiccant chamber or wash out the old one, either way, you don't want to put them back in that environment.
Go through the process again and if, when they are finally dry, they still smell, eat one yourself and see how you feel. They're just mushrooms like any other food. They won't kill you but if there is some nasty bacillus bacteria they might make you sick which would ruin your trip.
At that point it's up to you to use your best judgement but know that they probably won't kill you to eat them... like 98% sure here. Just try them yourself before you go dolling em out to your homies and make all your friends sick.
EDIT: Potency probably hasn't been affected any more than normal.
-------------------- First time growing cakes? DON'T make a Shotgun Fruiting Chamber The Shmuvbox. - The Old TC's Like it Afraid to Start Growing From Your Own Prints? Drop it Like a Tiger! No Pouring. No Syringes. No Cutting. No flaming. No Contamination. No Bullshit. "The best thing to do while your waiting is to start more stuff. I usually got so much happening that I have tossed projects simply because I didn't have time for them. -Pastywhite QFT Pastywhite's Easy Agar Tek (PastyPlates) Tiger Drop Video Demos By munchauzen Van Gogh would’ve sold more than one painting if he’d put tigers in them.―Bill Watterson EZEKIEL 23:20
Edited by elasticaltiger (11/19/13 05:12 PM)
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rudy_failed
Stranger
Registered: 11/17/13
Posts: 7
Last seen: 10 years, 19 days
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Quote:
elasticaltiger said:
Quote:
rudy_failed said: Thanks for all the responses. This is my first try at this, so I'm doing it the low tech way. It does seem like it's going to be worth investing in a dehydrator for the future though, point well taken.
As for the current batch, is the smell issue something I should be worried about in terms of potency/likelihood of making people sick? It'd be a shame to have to scrap everything, but there's also no reason to be stupid about this if this is a common sign of contamination. Any thoughts on whether to toss them?
What is the total elapsed time they have been harvested?
I would put them in front of the fan again to get close to that 95% point or what boddhisatta said, being able to crack without bending. Re-make your desiccant chamber or wash out the old one, either way, you don't want to put them back in that environment.
Go through the process again and if, when they are finally dry, they still smell, eat one yourself and see how you feel. They're just mushrooms like any other food. They won't kill you but if there is some nasty bacillus bacteria they might make you sick which would ruin your trip.
At that point it's up to you to use your best judgement but know that they probably won't kill you to eat them... like 98% sure here. Just try them yourself before you go dolling em out to your homies and make all your friends sick.
EDIT: Potency probably hasn't been affected any more than normal.
Awesome, that's very helpful. It's been 48 hours since harvest. 24 hours of fan time then 24 hours of desiccant time before I realized that the desiccant chamber was a problem. They're back in front of the fan now to get as dry as possible. Will probably leave them there overnight (12 hours total) and then reassess. The smell has started to in the last 4ish hours they've been in front of the fan, so I'm optimistic. Good point on testing though, will definitely try a small sample initially.
Thanks!
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rudy_failed
Stranger
Registered: 11/17/13
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Last seen: 10 years, 19 days
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Meant to say smell has started to dissipate in last 4ish hours.
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TheGreenBox


Registered: 08/03/13
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Dehydrator is well worth it! You can get a cheap one for $30-50. You can also use it for other things too!
-------------------- And in my darkest moment, fetal and weeping, the moon tells me a secret - my confidant. As full and bright as I am, this light is not my own and a million light reflections pass over me. Its source is bright and endless. - Tool
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karp


Registered: 10/21/13
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Last seen: 8 years, 8 months
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i had the same problem on my first grow. i ended up getting a dehydrator and it works wonders. but if you don't want to go that route right away just fan dry again and but back in the chamber. then store in an air tight container, i use a half gallon Manson jar with at desiccant pack, like the ones you find in beef jerky packages or some times shoe boxes.
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The Alaskan Dude
Vagabond


Registered: 01/27/12
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Loc: Ohio
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Re: Drying issues [Re: karp]
#19162754 - 11/19/13 10:51 PM (10 years, 3 months ago) |
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The most important thing to do no matter what method you are using is SPLIT THE STEMS. I'm not kidding just do it and then thank me later.
-------------------- The five colors blind the eye, The five tones deafen the ear, The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind, Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not what he sees. He lets go of this and chooses that.
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AlfredHitchcock
Disco Biscuits



Registered: 02/29/12
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^^ This definitely helps on those monsters with nice fat stems. Otherwise you'll have a half dry/half wet shroom for days. I don't split the whole thing just the bottom as to give the moisture another path to escape.
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I'm drivin the Rolls Royce of Psychedelics
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The Alaskan Dude
Vagabond


Registered: 01/27/12
Posts: 348
Loc: Ohio
Last seen: 1 year, 21 days
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Quote:
^^ This definitely helps on those monsters with nice fat stems. Otherwise you'll have a half dry/half wet shroom for days. I don't split the whole thing just the bottom as to give the moisture another path to escape.
Like these?


I tend to get a nice sharp knife, split just a couple inches of the bottom and then pull the two sides apart until they are split right up to the base of the stem. But I agree not all need to split to achieve appropriate drying.
-------------------- The five colors blind the eye, The five tones deafen the ear, The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind, Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not what he sees. He lets go of this and chooses that.
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twistedty
Forcefully Retired



Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 5,487
Loc: Middle
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
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Quote:
elasticaltiger said: I still fan since I spend all my money on other cultivation stuff.
You can't go by 24 hours as a 'rule' in all cases. I have some giant monsters from a third flush that are super dense and I know they are going to be sitting in front of that fan for 2 or 3 days before I put them into a desiccant chamber.
IME the mushrooms should be 95% dry before being moved to the chamber. For me that's when they FEEL completely dry but when you go to break them they won't snap but rather, reluctantly bend.
2 or 3 days?! thats crazy talk, dehydrator on full blast all racks filled to max 6-12 hours. i was under the impression you should minimize the time in between harvest and drying as fast as possible. due to the exposure to fresh air.
correct me if im wrong
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twistedty
Forcefully Retired



Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 5,487
Loc: Middle
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
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Quote:
The Alaskan Dude said: The most important thing to do no matter what method you are using is SPLIT THE STEMS. I'm not kidding just do it and then thank me later.
disagree. i love beautiful fully intact fruits.

17 gram dry.
but i have an extra 20 bux to buy a dehydrator i guess
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The Alaskan Dude
Vagabond


Registered: 01/27/12
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Thats a fucking whale of a mushy right there! lol
-------------------- The five colors blind the eye, The five tones deafen the ear, The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind, Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not what he sees. He lets go of this and chooses that.
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twistedty
Forcefully Retired



Registered: 07/01/12
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Quote:
The Alaskan Dude said:

Thats a fucking whale of a mushy right there! lol
aye, and you can dry them whole w/o butchering them and keep them uniform with a dehydrator.
craigslist, ebay, or thrift stores if youre poor. if youre smart enough to grow mushrooms you should be able to hustle up a dehydrator
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The Alaskan Dude
Vagabond


Registered: 01/27/12
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Still, you can dry them faster and reduce potency loss if you split the stem. Don't get me wrong though, I do love the look of a fully intact mushie. And entire 5 full trays is about 4 hours max, even at the size in my pics.
-------------------- The five colors blind the eye, The five tones deafen the ear, The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind, Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not what he sees. He lets go of this and chooses that.
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twistedty
Forcefully Retired



Registered: 07/01/12
Posts: 5,487
Loc: Middle
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
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Quote:
The Alaskan Dude said: Still, you can dry them faster and reduce potency loss if you split the stem. Don't get me wrong though, I do love the look of a fully intact mushie. And entire 5 full trays is about 4 hours max, even at the size in my pics.
agree to disagree if i split the stems, it makes them all stringy,shaky, and blue after they are dry.
i like the golden brown.
to each his own i suppose
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The Alaskan Dude
Vagabond


Registered: 01/27/12
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I'm talking about drying time not appearance. A perfectly preserved mushroom always looks great I agree but if you split the stem you can identify that there is an inner core protected by the outer skin. Before I split the stem I used to dry them whole. I thought they were cracker dry, they felt cracker dry, but the core was still moist. The outer skin turns incredibly tough in my experience. But like you said it's personal preference I have never experienced noticeable potency loss from an extra 3 or 4 hours of drying.
-------------------- The five colors blind the eye, The five tones deafen the ear, The five flavors dull the taste. Racing and hunting madden the mind, Precious things lead one astray. Therefore the sage is guided by what he feels and not what he sees. He lets go of this and chooses that.
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