Decarb Cannabis – A Guide to Unlocking Its Full Potential

• Use cured cannabis material

• Do not ignore grind size: Make sure you grind up your cannabis to have even heating all around.

• Avoid using aluminum: Using aluminum can cause your cannabis to to heat up and stick to it, ruining the bud.

• Spread the cannabis evenly & avoid overcrowding: on the baking sheet to ensure even heating

• Do not overheat: Use an oven thermometer to ensure the oven is at the proper temperature, can result in loss of potency

• Avoid over cooking or over-decarbing, do not bake to long, which can result in loss of potency

• Do not skip stirring: Stir the cannabis occasionally during the decarbing process to have even heating

• Let the cannabis cool completely: before using or storing to prevent any further heating

• Preparation: Gather your cannabis buds or trim. It’s recommended to use a strain that suits your desired effects.
• Grinding: Grind the cannabis to a consistency that allows for even heating, but not too fine as it might make handling difficult.
• Oven Setup: Preheat your oven to around 220-240°F (104-116°C). Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Spread Evenly: Spread the ground cannabis evenly on the lined baking tray. Avoid overcrowding to ensure uniform decarboxylation.
• Decarboxylation: Place the tray in the preheated oven. Allow the cannabis to bake for about 30-45 minutes. Monitor closely to prevent overcooking, as this can degrade cannabinoids.
• Stirring (Optional): Stirring provides even heating throughout. 1
• Cooling: After the allotted time, remove the tray from the oven and let the decarbed cannabis cool down.
• Storage: Once cooled, the decarboxylated cannabis is ready to be used for making edibles, oils, tinctures, or other products.

• Oven

• Baking sheet

• Parchment paper

• Oven thermometer (optional)

• Preheat oven [Decarb temperature] to 220°F – 245°F, stress the importance of this

• Line baking sheet with parchment paper

• Spread cannabis evenly on the sheet, avoiding overcrowding, stress the importance of this

• Insert oven thermometer to check temperature if necessary

• Bake in oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown

• Let cool before using or storing

• Stovetop: Place your finely ground cannabis in a heatproof container or a double boiler setup. Heat the cannabis over low to medium heat, stirring frequently, for about 30-60 minutes. Monitor the temperature and ensure that the cannabis doesn’t burn. This method can work well but requires careful attention to prevent overheating.

• Sous Vide: If you have a sous vide immersion circulator, you can seal the cannabis in an airtight bag and immerse it in a water bath set to around 200°F (93°C) for about 1-2 hours. This method provides precise temperature control and prevents the loss of volatile compounds.

• Slow Cooker: Just like the stovetop option, you can place your grinded cannabis in a heatproof container and put it in a slow cooker on the low or warm setting for several hours. This method can be convenient but might take longer compared to other methods.

• Microwave: While not the best method you can still microwave it. Microwave in short intervals of 10-15 seconds, checking and stirring between intervals. Be cautious to avoid overheating, which can degrade cannabinoids.

• Prepare the Cannabis: Grind or break down the cannabis to expose more surface area for decarboxylation.

• Combine with Oil: Mix the ground cannabis with a suitable oil, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or butter. The oil acts as a carrier and enhances cannabinoid extraction.

• Decarboxylation: Heat the cannabis-oil mixture in a controlled environment, such as a double boiler or slow cooker, at a temperature of around 220-240°F (104-116°C) for an extended period (several hours). This allows the cannabinoids to undergo decarboxylation and become active.

• Strain and Store: After decarbing, strain the oil to remove the plant material. The resulting oil can be used immediately for cooking, baking, or making various infused products.

• Prepare Cannabis: Grind or break down your cannabis buds into small, evenly-sized pieces. This helps ensure even decarboxylation.

• Place in Rice Cooker: Place the ground cannabis in the bowl of the rice cooker. No need to add water or oil at this stage.

• Set Up Rice Cooker: Turn on the rice cooker to its “Cook” or “Warm” setting. Most rice cookers have a temperature range that is suitable for decarboxylation (around 220-240°F or 104-116°C).

• Monitor and Stir: Keep an eye on the cannabis as it heats. It’s a good idea to occasionally stir the cannabis with a wooden or heat-resistant utensil to ensure even exposure to heat.

• Decarboxylation Time: The process can take around 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the rice cooker and the amount of cannabis. The cannabis will darken slightly and may emit a noticeable aroma as the decarboxylation progresses.

• Cool and Store: Once you’re satisfied with the decarboxylation, turn off the rice cooker and allow the cannabis to cool down before using it for infusions, tinctures, oils, or other applications.

• Prepare Cannabis: Break down your cannabis buds into small pieces or coarsely grind them.

• Use a Mason Jar: Place the ground cannabis in a mason jar. You can use any size, but a quart-sized jar is often sufficient.

• Seal the Jar: Seal the mason jar tightly to create an airtight environment. This helps prevent the loss of aromatic compounds during decarboxylation.

• Decarboxylation Time: Preheat your oven to around 220-240°F (104-116°C). Place the sealed mason jar with cannabis in the oven for approximately 30-45 minutes. This time can vary based on your desired level of decarboxylation and the amount of cannabis.

• Cool and Use: After decarbing, carefully remove the mason jar from the oven and allow it to cool before opening. The decarboxylated cannabis is now ready to be used in infusions, edibles, oils, or other applications.

• Choose a Recipe: Decide on the edible you want to make, such as brownies, cookies, gummies, or oils. Make sure the recipe you choose includes a fat or oil component, as cannabinoids are fat-soluble.

• Calculate Dosage: Determine the desired potency of your edibles and calculate the appropriate amount of decarbed cannabis to use. Start with a small amount if you’re new to edibles.

• Infusion: Most recipes require the cannabis to be infused into a fat or oil. Melt butter, coconut oil, or other preferred fats, and mix in the decarbed cannabis. You can use a double boiler or a slow cooker to control the temperature and prevent burning.

• Strain (Optional): If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the infused fat or oil to remove any plant material. A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth works well for this.

• Follow Recipe Instructions: Proceed with the rest of the recipe as instructed, using the infused fat or oil in place of the regular fat or oil. Be mindful of any temperature-sensitive steps to avoid degrading the cannabinoids.

• Baking and Cooking: Pay attention to cooking times and temperatures. Avoid exposing the edibles to excessively high heat that could damage the cannabinoids.

• Portion Control: After cooking, divide your edibles into appropriate serving sizes to ensure consistent dosing.

• Patience: Edibles take longer to produce effects compared to smoking or vaping. Start with a small portion, wait at least an hour, and assess the effects before consuming more.

• Cooling: Allow the decarbed cannabis to cool completely before storing. This prevents moisture buildup in the container.

• Airtight Container: Transfer the decarbed cannabis to an airtight container, such as a glass jar with a tightly sealed lid. Mason jars or vacuum-sealed bags work well.

• Opaque Container: Choose a container that’s opaque or light-proof. This helps protect the cannabinoids from degrading due to exposure to light.

• Temperature Control: Store the container in a cool, dry, and dark place. A pantry, cupboard, or similar location is suitable. Avoid areas with temperature fluctuations, like near stoves or appliances.

• Moisture Prevention: Moisture can degrade the quality of stored cannabis. If your climate is humid, consider adding a desiccant packet to the container to absorb excess moisture.

• Labeling: Label the container with the strain and date of decarboxylation. This helps you keep track of the freshness and strain characteristics.

• Avoid Air Exposure: Air can cause your cannabis to go bad so make sure to keep it in an airtight container.

• Refrigeration or Freezing (Optional): For longer storage freeze you cannabis. However, avoid frequent temperature changes as condensation can damage the product.

• Check Regularly: Periodically check the stored cannabis for any signs of mold, mildew, or degradation. If you notice any issues, discard the affected portion.