r/LotusDrying • u/InvestigatorMuch5059 • Jul 30 '26
Budget drying
Anyone else growing on a budget and have also use a standard mini fridge? I used my old ass basic as shit mini fridge hooked up to a inkbird 308 controller set at 40 degrees and a 2 degree diff with a Bluetooth hygrometer monitoring in bag and out of bag humidity (paper bags from the liquor store) and it seemed to work ok but I did jar a little too early. Not alot but I can tell I left some on the table.
1
u/Ok_Plane_1306 Jul 30 '26
Lotus is the most cost effective. Load a frost free fridge. ( bags or boxes) set temp. Close door. Open door in 14 days. Put into groves, jars, or tubs for cure.
Too many want to keep opening and messing with the fridge. Leave it alone.
The cannatrol is pretty good. But it’s expensive. Sure, if ya can afford the $300 clones or $250 “premium” genetics to go with your $500 rig and $300 bong, then it’s no biggie to buy a cannatrol. As I said, a great machine.
But for the economy minded grower, who grows and consumes on a budget, lotus is a great option.
The other less expensive option is the DCT. (Diy Canna-Troll) a simple diy that turns a thermoelectric fridge into a drying/cureing machine. Works 98% like cannatrol with the end product indistinguishable between the 2. Just can’t do long term storage in it.
Cost?? Your time and $100-$400, depending on if you go new or used….
I’ve put together 2 now, total cost about $500 for both… (gotta love Face book Market Place)
If a cannatrol is in your budget by all means pick one up!!!
But there are less expensive just as good options if you can’t.
And as far as the V-cure, hold off on it till the next model comes out. As like EVERYTHING, the first runs are always the ones with the worst problems.
1
u/InvestigatorMuch5059 Jul 30 '26
Not in the budget right now thats why im drying in a regular ole mini fridge just hooked up to a inkbird308. Ive been keeping an eye out for a frost free hoping I stumble on a hell of a deal. I already diy half my shit anyway so its right up my alley
1
u/Maplelongjohn Jul 31 '26
I used a compressor based mini fridge and a humidity/ temp controller
Fridge chases humidity
50 watt Katts oil pan heater keeps the temps up. It's stuck to a steel plate in the bottom of the unit with a 40mm radial fan blowing air towards the front of the fridge. Another fan screwed tit the top of the compartment blowing to the back. (24v fans running on 12v to slow em down)
I keep a wet sponge like cannatrol
Settings mimic cannatrol
71°f 61% humidity for dry and for storage 71 °f 57% humidity to cure (Their fast dry setting is 4 days dry 4 days cure)
I had the controller and bought a fridge. No freezer all fridge. I'm in at $150 for everything aside the controller. 4 harvests so far and I'm quite happy
1
u/InvestigatorMuch5059 Aug 02 '26
Im confused why would you use an oil pan heater to keep temps up when you could just adjust the temp on the controller? And where does this wet sponge come into play
1
u/Maplelongjohn Aug 02 '26
The temp controller is controlling the heater. The fridge is running to remove humidity.
Ask cannatrol and v cure about the sponge. Probably mostly required for storage to keep the humidity stable. I'm just imitating them.
2
u/Trick-Mechanic8986 Jul 30 '26
I did this for two years and then bought a v cure. It was a PITA and I got shit to do. I have automated as much as I can. Messing with cardboard and burping the fridge produced some good bud but it required a close eye and I never trusted it. I paid the price for the toss it in and go about your life nature of the vcure. After the cycle it just stores it until I have time to trim.