Freeze Drying

Freeze drying, aka the lyophilization process, preserves more cannabinoids than any other dry and cure method. Buds are perfectly preserved with ZERO shrinkage. In order to achieve this desired result we must understand that there are 3 key components to the freeze-dry process that are necessary to optimize the process:

1.) The time that we hold the freeze dryer at each stage of its multi-step recipe.
2.) The temperature controlled at each stage of the recipe for desired length at each stage.
3.) The vacuum pressure, or militor reading, is controlled throughout the entire process. This will require a bleeder valve retrofit to your freeze dryer. (Harvest Right has the only freeze dryer models we currently endorse.)

The third point is extremely important to understand when it comes to how we are able to preserve terpenes. Under deep vacuum below 500 militor, terpenes become volatile. This is why it is not possible to freeze dry cannabis or hemp buds/flowers with a Pharmaceutical or a Home unit of brands we utilize/distribute like Harvest Right, as well as because points 1) and 2) are not able to be managed. Home and pharmaceutical models are great for Live Kief and Bubble Hash applications, but not for buds or flowers.

That is why it is necessary to use a Scientific model freeze drier with a digital bleeder valve for the vacuum control in systems we distribute like Harvest Right. Please feel free to DM, email, or call us with any additional questions that you might have. We are happy to share our experience and knowledge about this amazing and revolutionary new dry and cure process. Read “Viva the lyophilized revolution” article featured in Terpenes & Testing magazine for a great synopsis.

 

Understanding Lyophilization, aka Freeze Drying

HOW IS CANNABIS & HEMP FREEZE DRIED?

The basic principle of freeze drying cannabis or hemp is the removal of water from cannabis as water vapor through sublimation. With the biomass solidly frozen during the process, and under a deep vacuum, shrinkage is eliminated, and near perfect preservation will result. This process is also known as lyophilization.

 

HANG DRIED VS. FREEZE DRIED:

When you hang-dry a cannabis plant for 18-30 days, the enzymes that cause plant senescence deteriorate as they act on the chlorophyll. That is why it takes so long to get rid of the “green” or grassy taste. In freeze drying, all the cell walls are cracked open so it is easy for the biomass to absorb moisture from the air. When freeze-dried cannabis comes out of the freeze dryer and is in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, the oxygen, moisture, and enzymes (which are still 100% potent) will cause degradation of the chlorophyll in 1-4 hours (depending on humidity) and give you a product that is cured as if it were traditionally dried and cured for 18-30 days.

 

WHY SHOULD I FREEZE DRY MY CANNABIS?

PRESERVATION

• Preserve more cannabinoids and terpenes including THC, CBD, CBN, CBG and CBC than any other drying method.

• Stabilize and preserve live biomass and cannabinoids for further refinement.

• Prevents oxidation in concentrates through controlled moisture removal while increasing trichome harvest efficiencies. Essential for stabilization and processing of “live” or ”uncured” biomass.

 

POTENCY AND ADDED VALUE 

• More potent than traditionally dried and cured products with enhanced quality distinction, allows for higher retail price point and direct to market benefits vs. traditional practices.

• We are maintaining potency with no degradation of terpenes (resulting in better fragrance and taste) while seeing an average of 3 to 4% increase in total cannabinoids, allowing for a premium product markup and increased revenue.

 

USER EXPERIENCE 

• Freeze drying cannabis prevents deterioration of THC-A, which when decarboxylated, converts into Delta-9 THC and CBN, the cannabinoids responsible for making users feel drowsy or lethargic. That translates to more energy and less inactivity

• Minimized tussication while providing smoother inhalation than traditionally dried and cured cannabis.

• Fresh floral essence makes for enhanced flavor profiles.

 

SANITARY 

• With testing standards becoming increasingly specific and regulatory, oversights can come into effect in many places. It is vital to mitigate cross-contamination from physical laborersand unnecessary exposures, making freeze drying indispensable.

 

Cyro-Trim® + Lyophilization = Crop-to-Cure®

 

WHY CROP-TO-CURE®…?

Live cannabis is a masterpiece of nature. It is beautiful to look at, touch, and smell. It’s unfortunate that harvested cannabis and hemp loses so much of its magic as it degrades during the curing process. It is rare to end the process with the same full bodied, colorful bud that it started with. The worst part is that you are spending time and money on a curing process that degrades the product. You need two weeks or more to complete it. You need space, people, climate control, and power. Those costs take a bite out of the bottom line, and pests or mold can take an even bigger bite. Thankfully, there’s a better way.

 

A CROP-TO-CURE® SOLUTION

A new way to trim, dry and cure cannabis or hemp flowers; doing it faster, for less, and with a better result.

That way is to use The Original Resinator® in sequence with Harvest Right or other commercial/scientific freezers.

A Crop-to-Cure® solution for trimming, curing, and processing that results in a product as beautiful and potent as when it was first picked – in just sixteen to twenty four hours.

Are you interested in learning more about how we can help you revolutionize your operation’s drying and curing process? Even if you’re just curious, make sure to talk to one of our experts today to get the full download on live dried.

 

DETAILING THE BENEFITS

 

1. Rapid Processing, Drying, and Curing for a Superior Product

A revolutionary method to trim, dry, and cure your cannabis or hemp in only 16-24 hours.

2. A Nearly-Perfect Manicure

A nearly-perfect manicure of the outer leaves, resulting from the patented liquid carbon dioxide based Cryo-Trim® process.

3. Preservation and Stabilization

A process that preserves more THC, CBD, CBN, CBG, CBC and terpenes than any other drying method. The process also prevents oxidation through controlled moisture removal, which is essential for stabilization and further refinement of uncured biomass.

4. User Experience

Freeze drying cannabis prevents deterioration of THC-A into Delta9 THC, and the CBN cannabinoids responsible for making users feel drowsy or lethargic. That translates to more energy with less inactivity.

5. Potency and Added Value

Lyophilized cannabis results in a more potent final product than traditionally dried and cured methods. The fact that our process maintains potency with no degradation of terpenes not only means better fragrance and taste, it also means you can expect an average increase of as much as 3-4% in total cannabinoids. That critical quality distinction allows for a higher retail price point, direct to market benefits, and increased revenue.

6. Retention

With our process, the cannabis or hemp flower retains its shape, size, color, and fragrance. That means zero shrinkage. Experience increased yields with lower loss rates due to molds and pests, and raise your bottom line. When properly stored, it can have a shelf life of over a year.

Fresh floral essence makes for enhanced flavor profile, minimizing tussication while providing smoother inhalation than traditionally dried and cured cannabis.

7. Savings

With a smaller footprint, you won’t need large curing and drying rooms. You will save time and money on maintenance, utilities, and labor.

8. Consistency and Production Speed

That leads to consistent, reliable results from your newly-automated trimming, drying, and curing process for a true “crop-to-cure in 24 hours” experience.

9. Eliminates Mold and Pests

Using deep vacuum through lyophilization eliminates the possibility of mold, mildew, bud rot, and pest contamination.

10. Sanitary

Our process helps to diminish cross-contamination by reducing contact with laborers and unnecessary external exposures. This produces better test results, which are crucial in this time of demanding and increasing regulatory oversight.

11. Capacity

Capacities range from 1 to to over 500 lbs. per 24 – 36 hour cycle, depending on the unit selected.

 

EXPLAINING THE PROCESS

What is Cryo-Trimming®?

Micro injections of liquid carbon dioxide brittle exterior leaves, allowing them to quickly fracture and fall from the flower. By momentarily flash freezing the biomass, we are able to produce the cleanest manicure in remarkably short times – multiplying your production throughput and turnover, all while preserving botanical essence and keeping trichomes intact.

 

What is Freeze Drying?

Freeze drying cannabis or hemp is the process of removing water from cannabis as water vapor through sublimation. With the biomass vacuum sealed and frozen during the process, bud shrinkage is eliminated, resulting in near-perfect preservation.

 

Why Freeze Dry?

It’s simple: it can take two weeks to a month to get cannabis ready for market. With freeze drying, you can do that in less than a day. This means the freeze drying process delivers a product that is cured like it has been traditionally dried and cured for thirty days, but with a higher added value.

 

PROOFING THE PRODUCT

The Original Resinator® with Harvest Right (scientific) represents a sea change in the way cannabis or hemp is processed and cured, to the delight of consumers and experts alike. Listen to what customers and experts have to say:

 

Entrepreneur and industry enthusiast Scott van der Horst says:

“There’s no burn on my throat and no cough. The taste and smoking experience of the freeze dried is remarkable!”

 

And as the founder of The Original Resinator Travis “TJ” Arnovick says:

“This is a historical moment in cannabis evolution. Taking a live plant from Crop-to-Cure in 24 hours is nothing short of unbelievable.”

 

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

The Original Resinator® with Harvest Right (scientific) in sequence is a revolutionary method for trimming, drying, and curing your cannabis or hemp in 18 to 24 hours. Our patented Cryo-Trim® process in tandem with scientific freeze dryer equipment produces a resulting GENUINE PREMIUM and ENHANCED QUALITY Live Dried product for a true Crop-to-Cure® in 24 hours.

• Have questions? Contact us to chat with a Crop-to-Cure® processing expert about your operation.
• Make sure to check out the Crop-to-Cure® FAQ section!
• Freeze Dryer equipment specifications, loading capacity, and pricing available via the Processing Equipment section of our online store. You can also save time and money by shopping our Processing Bundles.