Cure Puck Gen 2
Curing Phase. Complete operating procedures for the Generation 2 Cure Puck smart curing device.
Setup
- Drill a 2" hole in the barrel lidUse a 2.5″ hole saw, or use the threaded port if available.
- Install the Cure Puck into the lid
- Clean barrel, lid, liner, and Cure Puck
- Set up barrel station with rollers in the cure room
Pre-Cure Checks
- Verify cure room is at spec60°F (15.6°C), 57% RH. Do not exceed 65°F or 60% RH.
- Confirm flower is dried to target0.56–0.60 aw / 12–13% moisture. Leaves slightly crispy, stems almost snap.
- Confirm flower has been trimmed
Load & Seal
- Place a clean liner inside the barrel
- Add flower loosely to 50–75% volumeProduct must not cover the Cure Puck sensor.
- Seal the lid securely and place barrel on rollers
- Plug in the Cure Puck
Initial Settings & Equilibrium
- Set initial RH: Upper = 65% / Lower = 58%
- Wait 2–24 hours for headspace equilibriumRH should stabilize and stop climbing before proceeding.
- Read the stabilized RH as your water activitye.g., 58% RH = 0.58 aw. If aw > 0.63, remove and dry further.
Cure Cycle
- Set final RH: Upper = 58% / Lower = 57%For larfy and airy flower, use 59.5%.
- Program burp cycle: every 24 hrsDuration: 1 min per 2L of container (~66 min for 35-gal barrel).
- Press ‘Play’ on the Cure Puck home screen
- Daily: gently roll the barrel left and right onceReduce frequency after day 5. Don’t overdo it to protect trichomes.
- Monitor until CO2 stops risingTypically 10–21 days from harvest.
- Set Autocure to 57.5% and enable RH lockFor larfy and airy flower, use 59.5%.
- Optional: Set CO2 limit to 900–1000 ppm
- Press ‘Play’ on the Cure Puck home screen
- Daily: gently roll the barrel left and right onceReduce frequency after day 5. Don’t overdo it to protect trichomes.
- Monitor until CO2 stops risingTypically 10–21 days from harvest.
Finish
- Perform FACT inspectionFragrance, Appearance, Color, Texture.
- Package per standard packaging SOP
- Store for standard shelf time
Water Activity Quick Reference
1.Purpose
This Standard Operating Procedure defines the process for curing dried, trimmed cannabis flower using the Cure Puck Gen 2 device. It is intended for use by Keirton internal teams and Keirton customers.
2.Scope
This SOP covers the curing phase only. It begins after flower has been dried and trimmed per their respective SOPs. It does not cover drying, trimming, or packaging procedures.
3.Materials Required
- Cure Puck Gen 2
- Plastic drum or PE-lined fiber drum (30–35 gal recommended)
- Barrel roller
- Nylon or PE drum liners (turkey bag material)
- 2.5″ hole saw (if lid requires drilling)
- Moisture content meter
4.Required Conditions
Cure room must be maintained at 60°F (15.6°C), 57% relative humidity. Do not exceed 65°F (18.3°C) or 60% RH. Conditions must remain consistent throughout the entire cure cycle.
Drying Methods Reference
The following table is provided for reference only. Drying is outside the scope of this SOP.
| Day 1–2 | Day 3–4 | Day 5+ | Trim Room | Cure Room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp °F | 69 | 65 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Temp °C | 20 | 18.3 | 15.6 | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| RH% | 50 | 55 | 58 | 58 | 57 |
5.Pre-Cure Readiness Checklist
- Flower is dried to target: 0.56–0.60 aw / 12–13% moisture content
- Flower has been trimmed per standard trim SOP
- Barrel, lid, liner, and Cure Puck are clean
- Cure room is at spec (60°F, 57% RH) before bringing materials in
6.Procedure
Drill Lid Opening
Drill a 2-inch hole in the upper portion of the barrel lid using a 2.5″ hole saw, or use the threaded port on the lid if available.
Install Cure Puck
Install the Cure Puck into the hole in the lid.
Clean Equipment
Clean barrel, lid, liner, and Cure Puck before bringing them into the controlled environment.
Verify Room Conditions
Verify cure room conditions: 60°F (15.6°C) at 57% RH. Do not exceed 65°F (18.3°C) or 60% RH.
Set Up Barrel Station
Set up barrel station with rollers in the cure room.
Confirm Flower Dryness
Confirm flower has been dried to target: 0.56–0.60 aw / 12–13% moisture content. Leaves should be slightly crispy; stems should almost snap but not fully break.
Confirm Trim
Confirm flower has been trimmed per standard trim SOP.
Line the Barrel
Place a clean barrel liner inside the barrel.
Fill the Barrel
Add dried, trimmed flower loosely into the liner. Fill 50–75% of container volume. Product must not cover the Cure Puck sensor.
Seal the Barrel
Place the lid with the Cure Puck device onto the barrel. Fasten the lid securely.
Position on Rollers
Place the barrel on the roller rack inside the environmentally controlled cure room.
Power the Cure Puck
Plug in the Cure Puck device.
Set Initial RH Parameters
Program initial RH set point parameters: Upper limit = 65% / Lower limit = 58%.
Wait for Equilibrium
Allow flower to sit in the sealed container for 2–24 hours to reach headspace equilibrium. The RH% should stabilize and no longer be climbing before proceeding.
Assess Water Activity
Assess water activity at 60°F (15.6°C) using the Cure Puck reading. Refer to the Water Activity Reference Table (Section 7) for action thresholds.
The stabilized RH% is your water activity. e.g., 58% = 0.58 awEvaluate aw Reading
If aw is ≤ 0.60, continue curing. If aw is 0.60–0.63, continue with caution. If aw is > 0.63, remove flower and dry further before re-sealing.
Set Autocure
Set Autocure to 57.5% and enable RH lock. For larfy and airy flower, use 59.5%.
Set CO2 Limit (Optional)
Optional: Set CO2 limit to 900–1000 ppm.
Set Final RH Parameters
Program final RH set point parameters: Upper limit = 58% / Lower limit = 57%. For larfy and airy flower, use 59.5%.
Program Burp Cycle
Program daily burp parameters: Timing = every 24 hours. Duration = 1 minute for every 2L of container size (approximately 66 minutes for a 35-gallon barrel).
Initiate Auto Burp
Initiate the automatic burping process by pressing the ‘Play’ button on the Cure Puck home screen.
Daily Fluff & Roll
Every day during the cure process, gently roll the barrel left and right once to fluff and mix the flower for consistency. Frequency can be reduced after day 5.
Do not overdo the fluffing or rolling. Excessive agitation can damage trichomes and degrade flower quality.Monitor CO2 Levels
Maintain the auto burp cycle and daily fluff until CO2 concentration is no longer rising in the barrel. This typically occurs 10–21 days from harvest.
Note: CO2 may not rise if flower was overdried.FACT Inspection
Once curing is complete, perform a FACT inspection (Fragrance, Appearance, Color, Texture).
Package Product
Package product per the standard packaging SOP.
Store Product
Place packaged product in storage for standard shelf time.
7.Water Activity Reference Table
This table represents water activity levels after drying and prior to curing. Assess water activity using the Cure Puck reading at 60°F (15.6°C) after headspace equilibrium is reached.
| RH / Water Activity | Assessment | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 50%–53% (0.50–0.53 aw) | Very Dry | No benefit from curing. |
| 54%–55% (0.54–0.55 aw) | Dry | Minor benefit from curing. |
| 56%–58% (0.56–0.58 aw) | Good | Benefit from curing. |
| 58%–60% (0.58–0.60 aw) | Optimal | Significant benefit from curing. |
| 61%–62% (0.61–0.62 aw) | High | Slight microbial risk if prolonged. |
| 63%–65% (0.63–0.65 aw) | Too High | High microbial risk. Reduce RH immediately. |
| 65%+ (above 0.65 aw) | Critical | Must be dried further before curing. |
8.Data Logging
The Cure Puck Gen 2 connects to the Cure Puck app. Environmental data including relative humidity, temperature, and CO2 levels are logged automatically to the database throughout the cure cycle.
Operators should also record the following at the time of sealing:
9.Troubleshooting
Bad lid seal
Symptom: RH will not stabilize; readings track room ambient conditions
Action: Inspect seal, re-seat lid, check for cracks or warping.
Wrong RH set points
Symptom: Flower over-dries or remains too moist
Action: Verify upper and lower limits match Step 13/17 values. Reprogram.
Flower too wet entering cure (>0.60 aw)
Symptom: RH spikes inside barrel, elevated microbial risk
Action: Remove flower from barrel. Dry further to target aw before re-sealing.
Flower too dry entering cure (<0.54 aw)
Symptom: No meaningful curing benefit; crumbly texture
Action: Limited recovery possible. Note for future harvest/dry cycle adjustment.
Burp cycle not initiated
Symptom: CO2 buildup, potential off-odors developing
Action: Confirm ‘Play’ button was pressed. Verify burp schedule is programmed per Step 18–19.
Room conditions out of spec
Symptom: Cure Puck readings drift; inconsistent cure results
Action: Correct HVAC to 60°F / 57% RH. Do not proceed until room is at spec.
A.Appendix A: Considerations for Great Curing
This appendix serves as an evaluation guide for assessing cure quality. It is not part of the core operating procedure.
A.1 Improved Aroma
While terpene testing provides some insight, aroma quality also includes the blend of terpenes, not just their quantity. Properly cured flower typically shows a richer, more pronounced aroma over time. Smell samples before and after grinding to fully assess the difference. Compare the aroma of traditionally dried flower versus cured flower after the standard harvest-to-consumer supply chain timing.
A.2 Taste, Flavor, and Smoothness
Taste, flavor profile, and smoke smoothness are core elements of consumer satisfaction. Feedback should cover richness of flavor, harshness or smoothness of the inhale, throat feel, and aftertaste.
A.3 Moisture and Bound Water
The difference between bound and unbound water becomes noticeable after a few weeks. Flower that is not properly cured loses unbound water, leading to crumbly texture and reduced quality. Well-cured flower retains more bound moisture, preserving structure, stickiness, and weight. Every 1% loss in moisture content equals approximately 5 grams per pound of flower weight.
A.4 Stickiness and Trichome Integrity
Proper curing helps retain moisture in the trichome heads, resulting in stickier flower. Does the flower stick to and hang off your finger? Does it roll better joints? Sticky flower holds shape better and burns more evenly and slowly. Dry flower tends to fall apart and burn too fast.
A.5 Ash Color
Ash color indicates how cleanly the flower burns. A lighter gray or white ash often suggests a more complete cure and better combustion. Visually compare ash between cured and non-cured samples.
A.6 Burn Quality
Well-cured flower typically produces a steady, consistent burn with minimal canoeing. Look for the presence of an oil ring near the burn line, which indicates preserved resin and proper moisture retention.
A.7 Shelf Life
Shelf life determines whether the flower maintains its moisture content, aroma, and potency through the supply chain to the consumer. Factors include nitrogen flushing, container sizing, container seals, and moisture packs. Note: Some moisture packs (e.g., Glycerin) may absorb terpenes. Salt is preferred. Ensure flower fills at least 50% of packaging volume to minimize airspace degradation.
A.8 Undesirable Odors
Unpleasant smells such as hay, cat urine, soy sauce, or musty funk are red flags. These aromas typically result from poor drying or curing conditions, often due to incorrect temperature, humidity, or timing. Their presence can indicate microbial activity, incomplete chlorophyll breakdown, or terpene degradation.
A.3 Moisture Evaluation Questions
- Does the flower feel firm yet pliable, springing back when compressed like a fresh marshmallow, or does it crumble?
- After 2–4 weeks in storage, does the flower maintain its original texture or has it become brittle?
- What is the current moisture content (%), and how does it compare to post-dry/pre-cure levels?
- Is there a noticeable weight difference between cured and non-cured samples over time?
- Has any weight loss exceeded 1% due to moisture evaporation after curing?
B.Revision History
| Version | Date | Author | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | March 1, 2026 | Keirton Inc. | Initial release |