One of the major difficulties in keeping weed wax is storage. The main issue with this is that weed wax has a very short shelf life and can start deteriorating after only a few days. This means that doesn’t matter if you are vaping or making edibles with your wax, you need to have high turnover or you will end up throwing some out if you don’t use it quickly enough.
This is problematic because unused weed wax becomes useless product (product out on shelves) – and the longer it stays on store shelves, the more bacteria it will collect from being handled by customers. While there are methods to try to reduce bacteria, they are generally only effective at stopping the growth of mold and still won’t get rid of existing bacteria so this can still lead to purchases that aren’t as fresh as you’d hope.
Weed wax also tends to develop a stale, skunky smell when it’s been sitting for too long because of how it’s made, so customers will likely return it for bad taste before bacteria gets a chance to develop. The smell can also develop an ammonia-like note, which will attract flies.
This is a lot more noticeable in smelly weed products like hash but can also occur in marijuana wax. There are some brands of wax which have solved this by using artificial scents and flavourings to mask it, but those always taste worse, especially if the original taste has developed an ammonia flavor.
Use it quickly
The only real solution to this is to buy a large amount from a trusted supplier and use it quickly. As long as the product is packaged properly and stored in an environment that’s not too humid or hot, you’ll be able to maintain freshness for quite a while.
This means you should never cut corners when it comes to packaging your wax and keep it wrapped well when being transported or handled by consumers. This isn’t a huge problem for those operating in dispensaries, but it does make home-grow a bit more difficult.
Tips for storing weed wax
To store marijuana wax from your own supply, you’ll need to keep it at room temperature and in a place that’s not too humid. For those using air-tight containers, the normal humidity of their kitchen or living area will be fine. If you use vacuum-sealed bags or other non-airtight containers, you’ll want to allow some air circulation by opening the bag every couple weeks and letting the contents breathe for a few hours before sealing it back up again (just make sure an animal – especially mice – doesn’t find its way into the bag).
You might also consider buying a dehumidifier to keep your kitchen or living area under control. You’ll also need to purchase a little bit of food-grade silica gel (the moisture absorbing packets which come in most shoes) and place them all over the container to add more protection – this will help prevent any potential bacteria growth, but it won’t get rid of existing bacteria. If there is some minor mold growth you should just scrape it off with a knife before re-sealing the container.
Storing edibles
For storage of marijuana edibles like pot brownies and gummies, make sure you’re keeping them in an air-tight container in the fridge. Don’t forget to include those moisture absorbing packets. You might want to include a few in the container and replace them periodically as they do lose effectiveness over time. A vacuum-sealing system would be the most effective way to handle this, but you can also purchase individual containers or airtight bags designed specifically for food storage.
Best Types of Weed Wax Storage
There are two main types of containers that people use for weed wax storage – plastic and glass.
Plastic
Plastic containers come in a range of forms, but the most popular include locking food-grade plastic bags with a gusseted bottom (which can stand up on their own), heavy duty locking zipper bags which have been built with extra layers of protection in mind, or thick double-layer plastic bags like those used to ship dry goods.
Each of these options has different pros and cons when it comes to storing wax. Locking zipper bags can be reused again and again but may not be as durable as some other options. While the thickness of plastic bags won’t make the weed wax any less susceptible to bacteria growth, they will add a layer of protection against it. This is great for storing marijuana edibles and weed wax that you plan on giving as gifts.
Plastic containers can be used for a range of products
Their main use is for storing marijuana edibles which have a relatively short shelf life. If your product has been made using quality ingredients (i.e., high-quality pot or hash) and you’ve stored it in a way that allows it to maintain its original taste – then you should be able to keep the edibles fresh for several weeks or more before they start developing an ammonia smell and lose their potency.
If you’re willing to store the edibles for longer, you might also want to consider using very heavy-duty plastic. These plastic containers are sold as food grade and achieve this by being BPA-free and not allowing any chemicals in the container to migrate into the product. Plastic containers will need some maintenance if they’re not sealed properly, but this can be done rather easily with a vacuum sealer or by following some other common household tips – just make sure you keep it sealed as best as possible.
Glass
Glass jars are typically used for storing marijuana wax because of their ability to hold air without risk of breaking due to temperature changes, and how easy they are to clean. The downside is that they break easier than plastic, but they do have some perks to their use. If you’re looking for an airtight container for storing your wax in the kitchen or other areas where it might be a bit bumpier, a glass jar can absorb more shocks and bumps without breaking than plastic. They also look better on a shelf and are more easily identifiable if you want to use them for gifting.
For storage over an extended period, glass jars are generally not recommended because they’re not completely airtight and will require extra work to ensure their contents stay fresh (and don’t attract pests).
I hope these tips were useful, enjoy your wax!