Best Practices for Curing Infused Pre-Rolls After Production
Infused pre-rolls have become a go-to choice for cannabis consumers looking for enhanced potency and flavor. But once they're rolled, they're not quite ready to hit the shelves. To get the best possible product, curing is a crucial post-production step that improves consistency, preserves quality, and ensures a smoother smoking experience.
This guide breaks down the best practices for curing infused pre-rolls after production. Learn precisely what curing means, how to do it in five simple steps, common mistakes to avoid, and how to store your finished product correctly.
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What "Curing" Means for Finished Pre‑Rolls
Curing is the process of conditioning infused pre-rolls after production by controlling moisture levels in a stable environment. It is not the same as drying flowers. By the time pre-rolls are infused and rolled, the flower is already dry.
However, after adding concentrates such as oils or distillates and sealing the roll, excess internal moisture can build up, negatively impacting quality.
During curing, the goal is to slowly release that residual moisture while maintaining terpene content and preventing mold. A well-cured pre-roll will burn evenly, taste smooth, and retain its intended potency.
Here are the key benefits of a correctly infused pre-roll curing process:
Preserves potency by stabilizing cannabinoids
Protects flavor by maintaining terpene profiles
Prevents harsh smoke caused by moisture pockets
Improves shelf life through consistent internal conditions
Reduces product returns due to quality issues
Now that you understand why curing pre-rolls after production is necessary, let's proceed to the correct method for doing so.
How to Cure Pre-Rolls After Production in 5 Steps
Curing infused pre-rolls isn't complicated, but it does require attention to detail. Follow these five key steps to produce a smoother, longer-lasting pre-roll that customers will appreciate.
Step 1. Prepare Your Curing Environment
Begin by establishing the ideal environment for curing. Your curing room or space should be clean, dark, and climate-controlled.
Temperature: Keep it between 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit
Relative humidity (RH): Maintain between 55 to 65 percent
Excessive heat or moisture can promote mold growth. Too little can dry out the product and destroy terpenes.
Use breathable containers, such as wide-mouth mason jars, metal tins with a food-safe lining, or curing boxes, to ensure optimal airflow. If you're working with bulk quantities, use bins with humidity controls or specialized curing cabinets. Avoid using plastic bags unless they are specifically designed for use in curing.
Place a digital hygrometer in each container or bin to keep track of humidity levels from the start.
Step 2. Dry Pre‑Rolls to the Right Moisture Level
Even if the flower was dry before rolling, infused pre-rolls often retain added moisture from the concentrates or infusion methods used. Before the curing process can stabilize the product, excess moisture must be gently removed.
The ideal internal moisture content for cured pre-rolls is around 10 to 12 percent.
To dry properly:
Let pre-rolls sit in their containers with the lids slightly open for the first 12 to 24 hours
Make sure there is some airflow in the room, but not enough to overdry
If your pre-rolls feel sticky or spongy after a day, continue drying them for another 12 hours with the container cracked open
This initial step prevents the build-up of condensation and gives your curing process a clean start.
Step 3: Track Humidity Levels Inside Containers
Once the pre-rolls are dried to a stable moisture range, seal the containers and start tracking humidity levels daily. Insert a small digital hygrometer inside each curing jar or container.
Your goal is to maintain a relative humidity of 55 to 65 percent consistently. You can use two-way humidity packs (like Boveda or Integra Boost) to help control the internal environment. These packs adjust RH by releasing or absorbing moisture as needed.
If the humidity rises above 65 percent, briefly open the lid to release excess moisture. If it drops below 55 percent, add a fresh humidity pack or introduce a slightly moist product in a separate container to balance the humidity levels.
Consistency is everything in this step. A steady RH allows terpenes and cannabinoids to stabilize naturally.
Step 4: Open and Rotate Containers Daily
For the first 3 to 5 days of curing, make it a habit to open each container once per day for a few minutes. This "burping" process helps prevent mold and allows trapped gases to escape. At the same time, rotate or gently shuffle the pre-rolls to ensure every unit gets even exposure to air and humidity.
This step is vital for batches infused with high-viscosity oils or thicker concentrates. These substances can trap moisture more easily and lead to uneven curing.
After the fifth day, you can reduce the frequency of opening to once every two days, depending on the RH readings. If the containers stay within your target humidity, your pre-rolls are well on their way to being shelf-ready.
Step 5: Perform Final Checks Before Sealing
Before packaging your cured pre-rolls, perform a final quality check. Pre-rolls should feel firm but not dry or brittle. There should be no condensation, no musty smell, and no discoloration.
Use your hygrometer to confirm that the humidity remains stable at around 58-62 percent. Once satisfied, seal the pre-rolls in airtight, light-resistant packaging.
Adding a 62 percent humidity pack to each sealed container or retail pack can extend shelf life and protect against environmental fluctuations during transport or storage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Curing Process
Even with the right equipment, mistakes in curing are easily made. Here are the most common issues that compromise pre-roll quality:
Over-curing or drying too fast: This can strip terpenes and make the product harsh
Using non-breathable or poor-quality containers Can lead to uneven curing and mold risk
Neglecting RH monitoring: Humidity shifts can happen quickly and ruin entire batches
Skipping daily burping and rotation: Leads to hotspots, uneven texture, and inconsistent burn
Packaging too early: Pre-rolls that haven't stabilized can sweat inside sealed containers
Avoiding these missteps is key to producing a consistent product your customers can rely on.
Some Tips To Achieve Precise Curing Results
Here are a few tips to take your curing game to the next level:
Invest in quality digital hygrometers for accurate readings
Use two-way humidity packs tailored for cannabis products
Try a dedicated curing cabinet if you're managing large batches
Work in small batches first to fine-tune your process
Label and date each batch so you can track performance over time
A little added control now prevents big problems later.
How to Store Pre‑Rolls After They're Cured
Once your pre-rolls are cured and ready, storing them properly is the final step. Here's how you should store them:
Use airtight, opaque packaging like mylar bags or sealed glass tubes to block light and air
Include a 62 percent humidity pack to maintain RH over time
Label each package clearly with batch number, strain name, and cure date
Store in a cool, dark space away from heat sources and sunlight
If stored correctly, cured pre-rolls can retain quality for several months without significant loss of potency or flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do infused pre-rolls last?
They typically stay fresh for 6 to 12 months if stored in a cool, dark place with stable humidity. After six months, you may notice some loss of potency or flavor. Proper packaging with a humidity pack helps preserve them for a longer period.
How do dispensaries make infused pre-rolls?
Dispensaries either coat the outside with oil and kief or mix concentrates, such as live resin, directly into the flower. Some use machines to inject precise amounts of focus during the production process. This ensures consistency across batches.
Do pre-rolls lose potency over time?
Yes, potency tends to fade slowly over time, especially after the six-month mark. Terpenes usually degrade first, followed by cannabinoids. Proper storage can help delay this process and preserve quality for a longer period.
How to keep pre-rolls fresh?
Store them in airtight, light-blocking containers with a humidity pack inside. Store them in a cool, dark place and keep them away from heat or sunlight. This helps maintain flavor, moisture, and potency.
Take Control of Your Pre‑Roll Quality Today
Curing is the final step that brings your infused pre‑rolls to life. When you control temperature, humidity, and handling, you lock in flavor, maintain potency, and deliver a smooth, even burn. Sticking to these best practices reduces waste and earns your customers' trust every time.
Wasting products and chasing inconsistent results can hurt your bottom line. Sorting Robotics' Jiko Machine eliminates the guesswork of curing by providing precise humidity control, gentle rotation, and built-in packaging. Let Jiko streamline your workflow and deliver perfect pre‑rolls at scale.
Contact Sorting Robotics today to learn how Jiko can benefit your pre-roll production!
