Moisture analysis items are what you will find here. The most common method for determining the level of moisture in solid and semi-solid materials is through the loss on drying (LOD) technique. A sample is weighed on a scale, heated in an oven, then cooled in a dry atmosphere and weighed once more. The dry weight versus the wet weight gives an indication of what percentage of the sample is water. However, this method is slow. To speed up the slow laboratory method of LOD measurement, a digital moisture analyzer with an electronic weighing balance is used. The balance is independent of and thermally isolated from the heating element, allowing for precise results. In many industrial applications, the moisture balance can provide an effective substitute for the labor intensive and protracted oven method. We offer a range of devices which satisfy the requirements of moisture analysis in capable and affordable digital laboratory balances.
Freshly harvested cannabis plants have a moisture content of about 70 to 80 percent by weight. Most commercial growers dry their plants (but don’t cure them) to 15 percent. From that point, cannabis is dried to a moisture content dictated by intended use: 6 to 9 percent for medical cannabis, 8 percent for smoking, 10 to 12 percent for smoking with tobacco and 12 to 15 percent for vaporizing.
Curing cannabis increases its potency, as well as affecting its flavor and the quality of smoke. Properly curing it also allows the cannabis to be stored for longer periods of time (up to two years without a significant loss of potency if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place). Like any plant, cannabis begins to degrade upon harvesting because it’s no longer receiving nutrients from its roots.
As with any agricultural product, the moisture content of cannabis is an important concern. Cannabis, though, can be stored for weeks or months following harvest until it reaches a dispensary. During this time, it may be susceptible to microorganisms and contaminants such as fungi (too much moisture) or mold (too little moisture).
