Turkey Bags: The Secret Weapon for Curing Cannabis

For decades, turkey bags have been a hack used by underground cannabis growers to cure and store their harvests. Though primitive compared to modern tech, these oven roasting bags have proven surprisingly effective for preserving and improving dried cannabis flower.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the history behind using turkey bags for weed, why they work so well, tips for getting the most out of turkey bag curing, and how to source these bags for your harvest needs.

A Brief History of Turkey Bags for Cannabis

While turkey oven bags were designed for roasting poultry underground cannabis growers in the 60s and 70s began repurposing them for curing and storing pounds of weed. These opaque polymer bags were affordable discreet, and surprisingly well-suited to creating an ideal post-harvest environment for cannabis.

As growing practices advanced, turkey bags remained popular with outdoor growers and legacy operators well past the end of prohibition Even today, many connoisseurs swear by turkey bag curing to bring out the full flavor and aroma of their artisanal harvests

Though turkey bags have largely been replaced by more advanced tech like Grove Bags, they hold an important place in cannabis history and are still used by many old school cultivators.

Why Are Turkey Bags Good For Curing Weed?

Turkey oven bags provide a beneficial environment for curing and storing cannabis in a few key ways

• Moisture Retention – Turkey bags are designed to keep moisture in and prevent meats from drying out during roasting. This same ability allows them to lock in humidity during the curing process, preventing buds from drying out too quickly.

• Odor Containment – These polymer bags have an airtight seal that helps contain terpenes and prevent odors from escaping. This allows curing cannabis to continue developing aromas safely.

• Air Exchange – Though airtight, turkey bags are permeable to gases. This allows humidity and gases like ethylene to vent out while retaining beneficial terpenes. The bags “breathe” while preventing mold growth.

• Light Protection – Opaque turkey bags block UV rays that can degrade cannabinoids and terpenes during prolonged storage. This preserves potency and aroma.

• Consistent Environment – Sealed turkey bags protect cured buds from fluctuating humidity, light, and temperature compared to open air or porous containers.

Overall, turkey oven bags create ideal microclimates for both curing and storage that preserve cannabis quality and support further maturation.

Step-By-Step Guide to Curing with Turkey Bags

Here is a simple process for curing harvested cannabis using turkey oven bags:

1. Dry Cannabis To 60-65% Humidity

   After harvest, hang dry or rack dry buds in a dark, moderate temperature area with fans circulating air. Use a hygrometer to monitor until buds reach 60-65% internal humidity, which normally takes 5 to 14 days.

2. Place Buds In Turkey Bag & Seal

   Gently place dried buds into a turkey bag no more than 2/3 full. Flatten bag to minimize air pockets and evenly distribute buds. Seal the bag carefully following package directions.

3. Burp Bags Daily

   At least once per day, carefully open the turkey bags to allow humid air to escape and refresh with drier air. Reseal bag and gently knead to redistribute buds.

4. Monitor Humidity & Cure For 2-4 Weeks

   Keep buds curing for 14-28 days depending on density, tasting samples periodically. Humidity can be monitored with hygrometers or by feel. Curing is complete when buds feel dry but stems snap instead of fold.

5. Optional Long Term Storage

   For prolonged storage, double bagging cured cannabis or placing smaller turkey bags inside large 55 gallon drums with desiccants can help control humidity.

Tips for Maximizing Results From Turkey Bag Curing

Here are some pro tips for getting peak quality buds using turkey oven bags:

• Use fresh undamaged bags and properly seal for an airtight environment.
• Cure smaller batches between 1-10 lbs for ideal humidity control.
• Burp daily during the first week, then every 2-3 days in later weeks.
• Gently knead or rotate bags when burping to redistribute moisture.
• Use hygrometers with sensor probes to monitor internal humidity.
• Keep temps 60-75°F and humidity 55-65% for ideal curing conditions.
• Taste test buds periodically for progress but minimum 2 week cure.
• Double bag or use drums for long term storage after curing.

With practice using these techniques, you’ll find turkey oven bags can produce fantastic cured buds with pronounced terpene aroma and flavor.

Where To Buy Turkey Bags for Cannabis Use

With demand from cannabis growers, turkey bags have become harder to source from local grocery and hardware stores in legal states. However, there are a number of online retailers that specialize in providing turkey oven bags for curing and storing weed:

• Marijuana Packaging – An online cannabis supplies shop that offers turkey bags in 100-packs and bulk cases. They stock 18′′x24′′ oven bag sizes.

• 420 Science – A hydroponics and grow retailer that sells Reynolds brand turkey oven bags for curing. Also available in bulk 100-packs.

• Growers House – A horticulture equipment supplier offering turkey bags under their Planters brand in various sizes and quantities.

• Hydrobuilder – This hydroponics store carries turkey-sized oven cooking bags in 100-count and 500-count boxes for curing harvests.

When sourcing turkey bags for cannabis use, be sure to choose food grade, BPA-free polymer bags that can withstand oven temperatures. High quality turkey oven bags will provide the best environment for curing.

Are Turkey Bags Still Worth Using To Cure Cannabis?

While turkey oven bags have been a long-standing hack for curing and storing cannabis, many modern cultivators are shifting to more advanced tech like Grove Bags for several compelling reasons:

• More Controlled Environment – Grove Bags dial in ideal 59-63% RH during curing via integrated humidity regulators, removing guesswork.

• No Burping Required – The bags automatically maintain ideal humidity levels without needing to manually burp.

• Prevents Overdrying – Grove Bags allow moisture out but don’t overdry, while turkey bags can dry out buds with aggressive burping.

• Better Terpene Preservation – Grove Bags limit terpene loss and oxidation better than permeable turkey bags.

• Opaque Models – Grove Bags come in opaque blackout models that fully protect from UV degradation.

• Space Efficiency – Grove’s compact pouches conserve storage space compared to bulky turkey bags.

• Targeted Sizes – Groves come in sizes tailored to common quantities like pounds rather than one-size turkey bags.

• Cost Savings – When accounting for labor, turkey bag curing can be more expensive than set-and-forget Grove Bags.

With Grove Bags offering a more sophisticated controlled curing environment without the hassle of traditional burping, most growers are finding they deliver better terpene preservation and overall cannabis quality.

However, for outdoor harvesters and legacy operators used to turkey bag curing, the classic oven bags remain a cheap, tried-and-true method for bringing out great flavors. As long as proper curing protocols are followed, turkey bags can still be very effective for both small and large scale harvests.

While they were improvised out of oven roasting bags, turkey bags have proved surprisingly adept at creating ideal conditions for curing and storing cannabis over the decades. When used properly, they can help ensure buds fully express their aromatic, flavorful potential after harvest.

However, more advanced storage solutions like Grove Bags now offer growers an easier, more controlled curing environment that promises better preservation of terpenes and potency. Yet, for those comfortable with the ritual of turkey bag curing, the classic method remains a viable option for producing high quality, terpene-rich buds.

Hopefully this guide has provided a helpful overview of turkey bag curing – from its origins to proper techniques to sourcing oven bags for your harvest. With the right protocols, turkey bags can be an affordable, straightforward way to support the post-harvest maturation process for both small home grows and large volume cannabis curing operations.