Drying rack question (for large outdoor runs)

[tech1234]

Hey guys I have this "friend" who went all in this year and is looking at a very large harvest (400+). He is going to do a mix of wet twister trim, dry trim pal, and dry hand trim based on his lack a available labor and to keep things as small a group as possible because this is not a west coast or med grow (no pro crews)... please lets not turn this into a dry/wet/machine/hand debate. I'm sure most people have already heard everything from all sides.

My question is drying racks, whats the best option for wet trimmed buds on the large scale?

1-Hanging multi tier round racks? ( I hear its best to get ones with a center support for droop)

2-DIY large screen racks

3-shelves and cardboard "fruit boxes" (churned twice daily)

4-something else I haven't heard of

drying space is multiple climate controlled out buildings

 

[tech1234]

this looks interesting but would be a lot of labor to build times the amount needed

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/memb...cle_0afd517a-b6e0-11e3-9e45-001a4bcf887a.html

 

[plantingplants]

On the commercial operation I worked on, we built shed size wood frames and filled them with hanging mesh drying racks for wet trimmed buds. I can't say if that's the best way to do it but this guy seemed to know how to do things efficiently and cheaply. Probaly relevant to mention that this is what he used to dry around 2000 lbs, so I imagine he went over his options pretty thoroughly.

Two cents.

 

[_tessarecting]

Its all about remesh. Make cages as tall as your ceiling. Stack/cut them. I've seen it done all kinds of ways and this is the best.

Edit...if you could somehow layer dry rack mesh material inside the center of the remesh you could dry both ways with the same system.

 

[theJointedOne]

For wet buds the mesh column dry racks work fine. You can pack them in a room. They get small quick when broken down too. Easy to fluf the buds. Not too stiff and rigid to where they are harsh on dry nugs either. And pretty affordable.

 

[DuskrayTroubador]

I would probably hang whole branches and shit on remesh cages as much as I could and then dry trim.

If wet trimming, option 1 is good but those racks are like 30 or 40 bucks a pop and only hold a couple pounds or so. Plus buds can become flat. Screen doors will have the same flat issue, but are probably cheaper (or window screens)

 

[caterpillar710]

Just make shelves with 2x4 and use bulk window screen

 

[BAKED_BEANZ]

option - 2

goodluck

 

[jackel]

i hang strings on long runs about 4-6" apart and pack them with branches (cut down to 1-2ft long). lots of air. If you use the twister you will have to use racks. i have have these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-...478298_slid_&gclid=CM2ojebMs84CFchffgodICgH-Q

I normally only put left over buds and smalls on them but have put big ones for sure. I have seen the ones where each compartment is sealable so that u can flip the whole rack but doesnt seem practical, and difficult to stuff all the buds through a 12"x4" hole.

I have a trim pal dry trimmer, and i hate it. Not because it knocks crystal off, but because i still have to go back over all the shit and do it by hand cuz it doesnt do nearly a good enough job.

i also have 2 table top trimmers (like the trim pro) that i roll branches across and it takes off a lot of the big leaves. helps to hang more branches when theres less leaf in the way.
this is a bud thats been ran across the table top

 

[Shcrews]

option - 2

goodluck

For wet trimmed buds, I gotta go with option 2 as well. Build big racks, Use hardware cloth that won't sag

For hanging whole branches I like Remesh cages because you can pack them in a drying room pretty tight but some guys like backyard farmer prefer coat hangers on parachute cord w/ ratchets to tighten and prevent sagging

 

[BAKED_BEANZ]

i think the room itself , is just as important than the actual system used , need to get that moister out regardless of drying system .
keeping the air dry and removing moisture is key to keeping the product turning over in larger drying situations .

i prefer window screens , made to certain size , also allows you to move product through the racks , as top will dry faster than bottom racks.

2 rooms if possible to allow you to not had wet product to a room full of half dry product , as that will slow the progress of the drier weed . as it will reabsorb moister very quickly .

goodluck

 

[tech1234]

i hang strings on long runs about 4-6" apart and pack them with branches (cut down to 1-2ft long). lots of air. If you use the twister you will have to use racks. i have have these http://www.homedepot.com/p/Viagrow-...478298_slid_&gclid=CM2ojebMs84CFchffgodICgH-Q

I normally only put left over buds and smalls on them but have put big ones for sure. I have seen the ones where each compartment is sealable so that u can flip the whole rack but doesnt seem practical, and difficult to stuff all the buds through a 12"x4" hole.

I have a trim pal dry trimmer, and i hate it. Not because it knocks crystal off, but because i still have to go back over all the shit and do it by hand cuz it doesnt do nearly a good enough job.

i also have 2 table top trimmers (like the trim pro) that i roll branches across and it takes off a lot of the big leaves. helps to hang more branches when theres less leaf in the way.
this is a bud thats been ran across the table top

[URL=https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=39000&pictureid=921897&thumb=1]View Image[/url]

jackel - That is also how my "friend" does his dry trim hanging. although, prob leave more fans on than you when the space is available

Great pic BTW

 

[tech1234]

For wet trimmed buds, I gotta go with option 2 as well. Build big racks, Use hardware cloth that won't sag

For hanging whole branches I like Remesh cages because you can pack them in a drying room pretty tight but some guys like backyard farmer prefer coat hangers on parachute cord w/ ratchets to tighten and prevent sagging

Shcrews- Thanks for posting here, love your grow show every year

Quick question: do you make your "shelves" removable or stationary?

Stationary would obviously be a much quicker build... is there value to making them able to remove?

 

[jackel]

the last 2 years ive actually left all the leaf on. i feel that when u cut the leaves and then hang them, the cut leaves start to oxidize. If u rip a leaf and let it sit, the edge will start to yellow and brown due to oxygen exposure inside the leaf. this can lead to premature yellowing of buds.
this is theory.

 

[BAKED_BEANZ]

the value in removable racks , would only be you can use that floor space during the year for other things , mowers , dirt bikes ect.

your mentioned its not pot friendly also , drying racks look like drying racks . if that makes sense . pulled down it looks like wire mesh and timber stacked in the corner .

regardless if the racks are fixed or not . wide access doors come in handy also room to move around inside , without creating too much space to ventilate properly and control the environment

cheers

 

[tech1234]

the value in removable racks , would only be you can use that floor space during the year for other things , mowers , dirt bikes ect.

your mentioned its not pot friendly also , drying racks look like drying racks . if that makes sense . pulled down it looks like wire mesh and timber stacked in the corner .

regardless if the racks are fixed or not . wide access doors come in handy also room to move around inside , without creating too much space to ventilate properly and control the environment

cheers

I was asking shcrews about movable shelves more in the sense of being able to pull them out like drawers to rotate load ect. No so much being able to move the unit as a whole