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bagsofun
Mother Puncher

Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 245
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics)
#7397399 - 09/11/07 05:23 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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First of all, I want to make it clear that this is a method that works very well for me, so I thought I'd share it. This probably has been done before, I'm not saying I'm the only one who uses this method. Also this isn't to start an argument about air-drying or dehydrators or anything else being "better", once again, this simply works for me...so don't bother....
This is what I came up with to dry my shrooms, taking into consideration this set-up is not for any kind of bulk drying. For drying more than about a dozen medium sized shrooms at a time you may want to consider air drying for a while first, unless you wanna use a LOT of Damp-Rid. A short trip to Leow's hardware and my garage gave me the materials I needed. Costs me about $8, but I had the wood, screen and tools already.
I used: * A Tupperware container (Just big enough for what I needed to avoid excess air being circulated) *A 12V brushless motor computer fan (can be bought from electronics stores cheap also) This is the only type of fan I would trust for this *A 12V AC transformer to allow the motor to be plugged into the wall *Some wood trim to make the frame for holding the shrooms *Some screen door mesh to hold the shrooms *A few cartoons of Damp-rid (Available at most hardware stores) *Some misc. hardware such as wood screws, solder, and heat shrink tubing
****I would strongly suggest having someone with soldering experience to do the motor/transformer connection, unless you want to burn you house down. My set-up sits in a closed drawer running all day, so there's no room for half-assed electrical work that can short*****
This gets my stuff 100% dehydrated in less than a day

Profile view-fan sits just above fruits, sucks air up off shrooms then circulates around container + damp-rid. I use about 3/4" of Damp rid.

Shrooms sit about 1/4" up away from the Damp-Rid, I used this fine mesh screen door material so I wouldn't have to worry about any small fruits falling through. The damp rid you see here is kind of clustered up because it has been used. I usually scoop out the chunks just as you would with a kitty litter box, then add a little more fresh damp-rid.

I made the frame/mesh for the fruits to sit on simply by measuring the interior of the container, building a wood frame about 3/4" tall using wooden molding trim, cut it then stapled it together using carpenter staples. I then stretched the screen door mesh over it and stapled that on the bottom of the frame (just to make it look better)

I used drywall sandpaper as a cover for the fan, because of its thickness. I did this so that in case something got sucked up towards the fan, it wouldn't jam it up. Also note the long wood screws....I used these so I could adjust the fan up and down by turning the screws. The top of the container was like a soft plastic so I didn't even have to drill holes for the screws, I just tapped it with a nail head then screwed into it. You want the container to be AIRTIGHT!

Just an example of shrooms in there....

So there it is....hope this helps for anybody looking for a way to dry a modest amount at a time. The most I ever dried in here was about 40-50 grams wet, and required almost a full damp-rid change in the process, so like I said for drying bulk with damp-rid you may want to air dry half way or so first. Otherwise, this gets the job done within a day for me. Have fun, Bof
-------------------- Ass, gas, or grass, nobody rides for free
Edited by bagsofun (09/11/07 05:33 PM)
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Premedman1
Assistant to the insistent



Registered: 12/21/05
Posts: 2,376
Loc: South of Sanity
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: bagsofun]
#7397432 - 09/11/07 05:30 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Nice, simple tek. +5 for you.
-------------------- Build a man a fire, he is warm for the night. Set a man on fire, he is warm for the rest of his life.
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bagsofun
Mother Puncher

Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 245
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: Premedman1]
#7423728 - 09/18/07 01:13 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Now that I'm harvesting bigger + more fruits the Damp-rid expenses are getting irritating, and I can't fan dry before the damp-rid due to privacy reasons. This stuff is quick and effective but I use a lot of it for drying maybe an oz (dry), maybe even an entire carton.
Today I just bought a case of Crystalized Kitty litter, consisting of clear Silica Crystals ONLY. I've heard this stuff is a little less effective, but you can bake the moisture out of it and re-use it...a definate no-can-do for damp-rid as i've tried doing it with BAD results. Im gonna keep the tek the same but switch to this stuff on my next flush and I'll post how it works compared to damp-rid.
-------------------- Ass, gas, or grass, nobody rides for free
Edited by bagsofun (09/18/07 01:48 PM)
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soul_psychonaut
McFuckpants



Registered: 09/04/07
Posts: 46
Loc: up north, Manitoba
Last seen: 15 years, 9 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: bagsofun]
#7424145 - 09/18/07 02:59 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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In my experience, leaving a little extra room under the damp-rid to collect the moisture can really stretch out the lifespan of the product.
I personally use the hanging cloth bags of the stuff set on 1/4" wire mesh set 1/2" above the bottom of the container, with a similar screen over top for the mushrooms to rest on.
I also installed a drainage plug on the bottom to get rid of the water collecting.
-------------------- Anyone down for cuttin' open a TonTon tonight?
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Weed_Indicated
Hemp will Savethe Planet



Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 157
Loc: FEMA Camp #420
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I'm using a simple homebrew 'herb' dryer for drying my flush now. I don't use any damprid in it..just the fan sucking air through the filtered holes on the cover, through a air filter taped under the cover ( not seen ) over the mushies on a screen and out the bottom.
My 1st prototype had an ac fan.

The 2nd version uses a PC fan and Wall-wart for power. Great airflow.
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bagsofun
Mother Puncher

Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 245
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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soul_psychonaut, leaving the extra space under the damp-rid may not help me because it only clumps up on the top layer, then eventually solidifies mostly on top. Maybe you just dry more at a time, or your set-up is different? Either way the drainplug is a good idea.
Also another thing I have to consider is mine has to be completely sealed and small enough to fit in a drawer in my bedroom. I like the idea behind Weed-indicated's dryer though,in that way yea I guess you really wouldn't need a material to absorb and hold the moisture inside the container.
-------------------- Ass, gas, or grass, nobody rides for free
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Oatman2000
-=Outa Space=-




Registered: 05/10/05
Posts: 2,877
Loc: Planetary Nebula
Last seen: 1 year, 4 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: bagsofun]
#7424816 - 09/18/07 05:40 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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You sould try a nesco food dehydrator. About $40 and that's it. (no more need to buy desiccant)
will dry like 4+ oz's in 24 hrs.
--------------------
Spawning to COIR
My Chocolate Recipe
WBS QUART SPAWN JAR PREPERATION ----------------------------
4-PO-DMT; 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethltryptamine
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bagsofun
Mother Puncher

Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 245
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: Oatman2000]
#7427355 - 09/19/07 09:29 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Buying a dehydrator would be the easy way out of messing with any of this bullshit, but I can't have one sitting around running all day. This is why I was saying because of my security/privacy situation I need a setup that I can leave in a closed drawer and forget about it. Seeing as I can't safely leave a dehydrator in a closed space, it unfortunatly is not an option for me.
I'd buy one in a second otherwise.
-------------------- Ass, gas, or grass, nobody rides for free
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nw_shroomy
NoN-stranger


Registered: 01/02/06
Posts: 1,332
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: bagsofun]
#7427402 - 09/19/07 09:48 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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,
-------------------- Spawn Ratio Calculator http://www.shroomery.org/forums/showflat.php/Number/7803673#7803673 I only grow edibles.Any info I give ONLY applies to gourmet mushrooms.
Edited by nw_shroomy (04/01/09 01:24 AM)
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legallyhomeless
mooch


Registered: 07/01/05
Posts: 4,051
Loc: EZRA for the Refuge
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: nw_shroomy]
#7427910 - 09/19/07 12:36 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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They design PC fans to be silent. Why would you have a couple grand in a computer and loud fans.
-------------------- MY TRADE LIST!!! FULLY AUTOMATIC!! 12-Pot Multi Grow Hydroponic System for Trade.
Download PSX ISOs
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Weed_Indicated
Hemp will Savethe Planet



Registered: 06/04/07
Posts: 157
Loc: FEMA Camp #420
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The PC Fan is VERY quiet. I can barely hear it running while standing right next to it. The AC fan was noisy.
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CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus


Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
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building any contraption with a fan and damp-rid is counterintuitive. Damp-Rid functions by taking moisture out of the atmosphere. It doesn't do a particularly good job, but given 24h, and a sealed environment, it will slowly suck up the oxygen.
A fan, by contrast, shuttles large amounts of air, rapidly, over the mushrooms, so that near-ambient-humidity air is shuttling itself over the shrooms, quickly.
Combining the two simply doesn't make sense. You can put your shrooms in a dehydrator, or in a sealed container with Damprid. Either costs a few bucks, and either works well.
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bagsofun
Mother Puncher

Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 245
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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My set-up is close to dead silent. It sits in a dresser behind my mini-fridge, so the already dim hum of the fan is droned out by my Heineken mini-keg chilling out. The fans are called "brush-less" computer fans because unlike a traditional electric motor there are no motor brushes physically rubbing against and armature of the motor to create the power. This not only makes them more quite, but reduces the friction and in many cases makes them preferable motors in cases where they need to run for a long period of time with no break (ie in a computer).
Back to my original problem, for now I'm desiccant drying with the kitty litter and so far I've baked the whole batch to get rid of any moisture from the factory (Ingred. say it already contains water) and have swapped the drying chamber once with fresh shit rock, after the first day. I'm trying first with only 4 big ass shrooms so in case it does take too long and they rot there's no huge loss. Its been over 1 day so far and they're about 60% dry and the shroom smell is stronger but not yet bad.
-------------------- Ass, gas, or grass, nobody rides for free
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bagsofun
Mother Puncher

Registered: 08/02/07
Posts: 245
Last seen: 14 years, 4 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: bagsofun]
#7430048 - 09/19/07 09:04 PM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Captain Linger it's seems you didn't read any of the previous posts. A dehydrator is not a option for me.
In addition, using a fan with damp-rid is in no way counter-intuitive, as you even said the air inside of a sealed container has no place to go, so no humidity is added by using a fan. The fan merely helps air get circulated by the shrooms/desiccant, especially since I opted to separate the fruits from the desiccant rather than placing them straight on it. If anything it speeds up the process.
-------------------- Ass, gas, or grass, nobody rides for free
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aspore
myconaut



Registered: 07/10/07
Posts: 663
Last seen: 11 years, 4 months
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Quote:
Weed_Indicated said: I'm using a simple homebrew 'herb' dryer for drying my flush now. I don't use any damprid in it..just the fan sucking air through the filtered holes on the cover, through a air filter taped under the cover ( not seen ) over the mushies on a screen and out the bottom.
My 1st prototype had an ac fan.

The 2nd version uses a PC fan and Wall-wart for power. Great airflow.
Can I buy that from you, as is? Please? The land is so dry, so dry... (I hate the mexi-brick-black seeded death-shrub I have right now). I will be willing to trade......a lot.
anyways (wipes off drool) I find the simplest thing to do, is to put them on some tin foil (I fold mine like a paper fan) and into the ovens top rack (extended out a little), leave the door open and place a small fan on it blowing into the oven.
Dries them in about 2 hours . And, helps heat your house in winter.
--------------------
c l i c k m e
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Optx
PronouncedAwp-Tiks


Registered: 03/28/05
Posts: 977
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: bagsofun]
#7430966 - 09/20/07 03:19 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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unless the humidity in your area is like 80%+ all the time they will dry by themselves in a few days with no fans or desiccant...
and drying in the oven is about the WORST FRIGGIN WAY TO DRY MUSHROOMS EVER. knock that shit off.
-------------------- please do not take everything i say here so personally. welcome to teh internets!
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CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus


Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: Optx]
#7431410 - 09/20/07 08:37 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Sorry bags, I was a tad tipsy. Confused yours with the weed box. There's never any reason to put a bunch of shrooms in a box with a fan exchanging air, just lay them on a box fan. Unless there is, like you have a filter box for drying weed.
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figgusfiddus
Arrogant Worm


Registered: 02/02/07
Posts: 2,126
Loc: Figgus, Fiddia
Last seen: 15 years, 4 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: CaptainLinger]
#7431422 - 09/20/07 08:44 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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Ouch. So it takes a full exchange of damp rid to dry enough for two or three doses.
Sorry man, I hate dessicants. PF tek suggests them, I think that's the only reason people still use them.
Fans are good, dehydrators are better. I've got a 95F dehydrator that's great--I've used a 150F one that didn't really seem to hurt potency, despite what people will say.
And yes, I did see what you said in the original post... but I think it is good to point out to anyone reading this that this is a complicated, expensive way to do something that is cheap and simple. I would hate to see a newbie think he had to build this to dry his shrooms.
-------------------- FGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDS FGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDS FGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDS
Edited by figgusfiddus (09/20/07 08:48 AM)
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figgusfiddus
Arrogant Worm


Registered: 02/02/07
Posts: 2,126
Loc: Figgus, Fiddia
Last seen: 15 years, 4 months
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Quote:
Weed_Indicated said: I'm using a simple homebrew 'herb' dryer for drying my flush now. I don't use any damprid in it..just the fan sucking air through the filtered holes on the cover, through a air filter taped under the cover ( not seen ) over the mushies on a screen and out the bottom.
My 1st prototype had an ac fan.

The 2nd version uses a PC fan and Wall-wart for power. Great airflow.
A nice feat of engineering, but why would you filter the air you're using for drying?
They don't grow contams once they're dry. That's the point of preserving them. This is basically a very fancy fan.
-------------------- FGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDS FGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDS FGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDSFGSFDS
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CaptainLinger
A Fungus Amongus


Registered: 05/25/07
Posts: 1,756
Last seen: 3 years, 7 months
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Re: Easy Dry-Tek (How-to +Pics) [Re: figgusfiddus]
#7431431 - 09/20/07 08:48 AM (16 years, 4 months ago) |
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figgus, I'd expect it's for the pictured purpose Drying weed smells like a motherfucker, something you may do well to avoid.
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