So you have been trying to make cannabis cooking oil for cooking at home for a while now. You’ve seen others do it, and everyone seems to make it look so easy, right? Not to mention, (for whatever reason) you keep missing the finish line by a mile.
Every time you get close to that ideal green coloring, something happens, and you end up with butter that is too dark or oil that isn’t potent.
Not anymore.
Why? Well, it is because this time I am going to equip you with tips from people who know how to make top-notch cannabis cooking oil. By implementing these tips, you will make the art of creating delectable canna-infused oil look easy.
1. Never use raw cannabis for an oil or butter infusion.
Before you begin cooking with cannabis, you must activate the beneficial cannabinoids. Through low-temperature heating, cannabis activates THC and CBD cannabinoids and turns them into THC-a and CBD-a. This method is called decarboxylation. If you do not decarb Your herb, your edibles will fall flat and have no effect.
To decarboxylate your cannabis, just preheat your oven to around 115℃, grind it up (not too fine), put it on a baking sheet, and toast it for approximately one hour.
Note: low & slow is the key to a killer batch of cannabutter.
2. Do choose a cannabis strain that suits your needs.
Using a cannabis strain that possesses the effects you want is essential to a quality cannabis cooking oil. Understanding your strain choice gives you insight into cannabinoid percentages.
There are roughly 1000 milligrams of THC in every gram of dried flower. If the percentage of THC in your strain is 16%, there would be approximately 180 milligrams of THC in each gram. Simple math can give you insight into how potent your cooking oil or butter is.
3. Don’t forget to set your timer and temperature settings accurately.
The most essential skill to master is your temperature. Different phytocompounds like terpenes and cannabinoids have various combustion points.
Watch your temps carefully to ensure you are just below the evaporation point of the terpenes and cannabinoids you wish to activate.
Physical pain symptoms can be treated with THC, which has a combustion point right above 300℉. Infusing your cannabis into the fat takes patients and oversight.
4. Create tasty cannabis inspired recipes.
Whether you craft a cannabis-infused butter or
oil, you can make delicious food and drinks. Sweet treats like brownies,
cookies, and chocolate are the top choices when it comes to cannabutter.
Replace your cooking oil with your cannabis oil to make savory dishes like
soups, sauces, and even cannabis pot pie.
5. Never Use Cannabis Flower that Breaks the Bank.
Making cannabis oil should not be an expensive process. An experienced oil maker knows that you don’t need a lot of cannabis to make a hard-hitting edible.
Don’t waste bud at the cost of experimenting in the kitchen. A little bit of flower can enhance a lot of yummy treats.
There is no need to drop $280 on killer chronic. Just use the stems, trim, shake (bottom bag)m or leaves of your cannabis. Always save the dank chron for tokin’.
6. Be Sure to Sample Your Cannabis Cooking Oil Before You Get Cookin’.
You don’t need to cook in the kitchen blindly. When you cook with cannabis (especially if this is your first time), try your oil or butter before you go all Emeril Lagasse in the kitchen. You can choose any type of fat you like: coconut oil, butter, and olive oil are all popular options.
Depending on your taste (and what you are cooking) you can opt for sweet coconut oil that liquifies in room temperature. Another idea is to try olive oil to make a cannabis sauce or salad dressing.
7. Try Adding Water to Your Cannabis Cooking Oil.
Try adding water the next time you’re making
cannabis oil. When infusing your decarbed flower to the fat of your choice, you
must stay below the boiling point of cannabis cannabinoids like THC-a, CBD-a,
and CBN.
Including water also ensures the plant matter (chlorophyll) and terpenes do not
bind to the fats and cannabinoids because they are water soluble (they prefer
to attach to water).
Bonus Tip: Using water will decrease
the earthy flavor and color of your finished cannabis oil.
8. Always Stir Your Cooking Extract Consistently.
This tip is aimed towards after you have made your cannabis oil or butter. When you are using your canna-infused cooking extract in a recipe, you must stir it very well. Stir the oil in until your wrist goes numb (or about 2 minutes in a mixer).
If you don’t, you will end up with an unbalanced treat that could have zero effect on one user and have couch-locking effects on another.
9. Take Time to Strain Your Canna Creation Well.
If you want a high-quality cannabis oil for cooking, you will need to take extra care when it comes to straining and draining the final product.
To strain your oil you will need a large bowl (or pot) and a strainer lined with cheesecloth.
Strain the liquid through the cheesecloth and give your cannabis an extra rinse with boiling water.
Using hot water will wash away any plant
matter that may be clinging to your final product. Repeat this process a second
time using two layers of cheesecloth.
When you are done straining, you will have a finished cannabis oil that you can
store in the freezer for up to three months.
Note: A gravy separator is a kitchen
tool that can separate the canna-infused fats from water, so you don’t have to
do it by hand.
10. Don’t Forget About Portion Control.
Edibles are a great way to benefit from the therapeutic cannabinoids derived from cannabis without smoking or vaping. That being said, they take much longer to take effect than smoking.
Remember the math you did when you chose your
strain? It will come in handy when it is time to consume the final product.
Begin with a small dose (5-10mg) if you have little or no experience using
cannabis edibles.
Don’t forget that cannabis edibles can take up to two hours before you feel
effects. Why? Well, it’s because your digestive system has to process the
edible before cannabinoids like THC and CBD can enter your bloodstream.
Example: To calculate your optimal edible dosage, use a kitchen scale to weigh out your portion instead of eyeballing a cookie.
The effects of a high-quality edible are calming, relaxing and they can also last for up to eight hours.
The Final Verdict
Basically: making a cannabis cooking oil that is both potent and delicious is not so hard after all, especially when you utilize the 10 tips mentioned. Because I am nice (and I want you to make some quality oil) let me give you one final tip:
You can make anything your little heart desires. (yes, even a box-cake mix for those lacking baking abilities.) Any recipe that has butter or oil as an ingredient can be substituted in place of your cannabis cooking oil, so get going!
Find something you want to make, get some shake, and impress all your friends with your newly enhanced edible making skills.
You’ll be happy that you did!
