How to Fix Weed That’s Too Dry

We all want our weed to be in prime condition. Let’s face it— dry weed is bunk, and nobody wants to smoke that. But don’t worry if you’ve got a bag lying around somewhere that you completely forgot about. The good news is that it can be saved. In this guide, we’ll teach you how to fix dry weed, along with a few tips to help you prevent it from becoming overly dry in the first place.

How to rehydrate dry cannabis 

There are actually quite a few things you can do if your weed is past its prime and slowly turning to dust. Hey, and if all else fails— you can always just add your dry weed to your fresh weed. They’ll sort each other out in the jar. Use these tips to learn how to rehydrate dry weed.

1. Best Bet: The Citrus Peel Method 

I know what you’re thinking— how could citrus peels be better at rehydrating weed than a good old slice of bread? The truth is, they’re naturally moist and do an even better job of hitting the optimal humidity levels for rapid rehydration. Pretty cool, huh?

Before we get started, there are a few things you should know. For one, you can use any citrus peel. They all work the same, so use whatever you have on hand. Secondly, citrus peels are going to impart flavors into your bud. That’s actually a good thing, since as weed dries out, its natural terps evaporate with the moisture. Cannabis and citrus share a lot of the same terpenes, so you can kill two birds with one stone here. Rehydrate your bud, and get some of those terps back to improve the flavor and your overall experience. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• A resealable mason jar, 
• a citrus fruit (like an orange, lemon or lime)
• a knife
• cutting board
• and your dry nugs 

Here’s how to do it: 

2. Open the jar and put your weed in. 
3. Carefully cut a strip of citrus skin from the fruit.
4. Place the strip of citrus peel inside the resealable jar with your cannabis.
5. Over the next day, open the jar once or twice to release excess moisture, then reseal it.
6. Your cannabis should be ready to enjoy within the next 24 hours.

2. The Quick Way: Hot Vapor 

If you need your weed to not be funky like, right this second, you can speed up the process with a little science. But be warned— this method might cook your weed or make it too soggy to enjoy. Patience, my friends. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Big pot full of water 
• A stove 
• A sturdy kitchen towel 
• Kitchen twine 

Here’s how to do it:

• Fill the pot with water and bring it to a boil. 
• Remove the pot from heat, and using a pair of oven mitts, cover the pot with the kitchen towel, taking care to ensure that the towel doesn’t touch the water. 
• Attach it to the pot using some kitchen twine, making sure the cloth is pulled taut. 
• Gently lay your weed on the cloth and let the hot steam pass through your weed. 
• Take care to turn your buds regularly to make sure they don’t get soggy. 
• After about 30 minutes, you should be good to go. 

The Cheap Way: Kitchen Scraps and Paper Towels

There’s a lot of moist stuff you can use to rehydrate your weed, and it’s all stuff you already have on hand. Lettuce, for example, is 95% water, and bread has one of the highest moisture contents you can find in your pantry. You can also add water to a paper towel or a fresh sponge, and all of them will create the humidity you need to rehydrate those buds. The key thing here is to use what’s on hand, but remember that cotton balls, paper towels, and sponges won’t impart any flavors to your weed like bread or lettuce will. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• A glass mason jar with a lid or a plastic ziplock bag 
• Lettuce, bread, paper towels, a sponge, or cotton balls 
• Your dusty weed 

Here’s how to do it: 

• Put your weed in the jar or the baggie. 
• Toss in a slice of bread or a leaf of lettuce. You can also use a damp but not wet paper towel, sponge, or cotton ball. Just make sure that whatever you put in there doesn’t touch your weed directly. 
• Let your weed sit in the jar for 2-3 hours, and enjoy. 

4. The Smart Way: 2-Way Humidity Packs 

2-way hydration packs like the ones Boveda makes are a game-changer for both storage and rehydration. These packs maintain weed at the optimal 62% humidity level for extended periods but can also slowly rehydrate your weed cannabis without making it too wet, like other methods might. The cool part is that if there’s excess moisture, the packs absorb it to prevent your weed getting too wet. If your weed is dry, it does the opposite by releasing moisture until everything is the same. 

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A glass mason jar with a lid 
• A 2-way rehydration pack, like these 
• Your dry weed 

Here’s how to do it: 

• Add your weed to the jar 
• Toss in the pack and wait. You weed is usually ready within a day. 
• For best results, leave it in the jar or any other jar you store your weed in. They stay good for up to 3 months, ensuring you always get fresh greens. 

5. The Old-Fashioned Way: Terracotta Hydration 

Back when perishable things used to be transported long distances by ship, terracotta clay was used to keep things fresh. These days, it’s back in action on a smaller scale— for your weed jar. They’re kiln baked like any other terracotta pot, and can be used to keep your weed hydrated or rehydrate it should push come to shove. 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

• A glass mason jar with a lid 
• A terracotta hydrostone, like this one 
• Weed 

How to do it: 

• Add your bud to the jar 
• Soak your hydrostone for 5 minutes in water 
• Add it to your mason jar and seal the lid 
• Wait a few hours and enjoy. You can keep the hydrostone in the jar until it dries out to help maintain optimal hydration levels. 

How to prevent weed from getting too dry in the first place 

The quickest way to dry weed is to store it improperly. Proper storage is crucial to prevent your cannabis from becoming too dry in the first place. If you don’t want to worry about rehydrating your weed, don’t let it get too dry in the first place. Follow these tips for best results. 

• Airtight Container: Use an airtight container, such as an opaque glass jar or a specialized weed jar, to help keep oxygen out. Oxygen is a key contributor to breaking down your weed

• Avoid Light Exposure: Sunlight breaks down THC and accelerates moisture evaporation. Keep your buds away from direct sunlight, which can degrade their potency and flavor.

• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Store your buds in a cool, dry place away from high heat or extreme cold. 

• Maintain Humidity: Cannabis thrives at 62% RH. If you want to store your buds for the longhaul, consider throwing in a 2-way hydration pack, and burping the jar regularly. This is the method everyone in our office uses.

However, if you’re a home grower and you’re just learning how to dry weed, you might be overthinking it. Before you part it out and put it into drying jars, you can test your buds for adequate dryness by using the stem-snapping method. Simply bend the stem, and if it bends easily without snapping, your cannabis is adequately dry. If it snaps completely, it’s too dry. 

If you’re looking to learn how to dry weed quickly, maintain a humidity level between 45-55% and a temperature of around 70°F (21°C) for a controlled drying environment. It helps to make sure your drying room has good airflow to prevent mold growth and evenly dry your cannabis. You can also trim excess leaves before drying to facilitate quicker drying and prevent moisture retention. Whatever you do, be sure to regularly check the drying progress to prevent overdrying. 

Effects of Overly Dry or Overly Moist Cannabis

Overly dry weed is plain gross. One of the most noticeable effects is the loss of flavor. Cannabis strains are known for their unique and diverse flavors, thanks to the terps— which are even more sensitive to moisture than cannabinoids.  When weed becomes overly dry, these delicate terpenes degrade, resulting in a bland experience that tastes more like hay. 

It also burns like crap. Dry weed is more prone to burning unevenly as some places may combust better than others, creating hot spots. The result is harsh hits that can be tough on the throat and lungs, detracting from the smooth and pleasurable experience you want when you’re relaxing with a bowl at the end of the day. 

On the other hand, overly moist cannabis introduces its own set of problems. First and foremost, excessively wet weed gets moldy which not only ruins the taste and smell but also poses serious health risks when smoked. Moldy cannabis is entirely unusable, so if it gets moldy, you have to throw it away. 

You also can’t even smoke wet weed. Instead of burning smoothly, wet buds tend to smolder, making it frustrating to get that steady burn. Wet weed is acrid and harsh with thick, heavy smoke that can be uncomfortable to inhale.

To get the most out of your weed, you gotta strike the right balance in terms of moisture content. Properly dried and stored cannabis offers the best combination of flavor, aroma, and a smooth smoking experience. Whether you’re storing your stash or rehydrating dried-out buds, maintaining the ideal humidity level is essential for getting the most out of your sesh. 

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, rehydrating your bud doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Whether you opt for the citrus peel method or an alternative technique, the goal is to achieve the right balance of moisture. Over-hydrating can lead to mold growth, so monitor your bud carefully during the process.

Remember, moisture is essential for the best experience. By rehydrating your dry cannabis and storing it properly, you can enjoy fresh, flavorful, and potent buds every time. Don’t let your precious weed go to waste—keep it in its prime condition for a top-notch experience. To do that— just follow these tips and you’re smooth sailing.