DRY SIEVING

What is dry sieving?

Dry sieving refers to the mechanical separation of particles in an air medium. Particle movement is facilitated by forces such as gravity, vibration, static electricity, and air pressure. This process is distinct from the term "dry sift," which describes a final product: hash produced by sieving dry, cured plant material.

Do you have an SOP for free that I can use for dry sieving?

I don't typically offer free SOPs, but I do provide free guidelines. If you need a specific SOP, they are available for purchase, or come standard with hardware such as the HEADHUNTER SRS.

What are some guidelines?

1.  Wear a respirator or work in a flow hood to prevent particle inhalation.

2. Use HEPA filtration in the room.

3. Use a microscope with a measuring slide to inspect your material, take head size measurements and observations about the material to determine the proper tools and expected outcome.  Take samples and observe at different steps of the process.

4. Keep a hand written notebook (1st choice) or digital notes on your electronic devices (probably easier to go back and find those notes).

5. Touch the hash with your hands and tools as little as possible.   Try to avoid touching the hash with gloved hands.

6. "Don't get greedy" (Mila Jansen).  The longer you sieve, the more contamination that can make it through the sieve.  Sometimes it is better to stop the sieving before all of the material goes through.

7. Mix up techniques, ie: automated sieving, followed by "soft" hand sieving, followed by density based air or vibration techniques.  

8. Trichomes tend to be slightly denser than stalks.  Dry plant material can be 10X less dense than trichomes.  Use this density difference and air to help separate head sized plant contamination. 

9. Observe your material, and sieve accordingly.  Different material works differently. 

10. Clean all equipment and screens prior to use, clean all equipment and screens after use...

11. Keep all work surfaces clean.