When you’re ready to start boiling, here’s the steps to achieving decarboxylation in oil:
1. Pour some water into the bottom of the boiler/pot, just enough to cover the bottom. Next, add your chosen oil and heat it up on low-medium heat to get the oil melted. If your carrier is already liquid, you can skip this step.
2. Once your oil has warmed for a few minutes, add your buds (remember to break them up into smaller chunks) and stir the mix together thoroughly. While you are stirring, increase the temperature to medium-high to get a boil going.
3. Once your oil is bubbling or has reached the temperature limits (don’t go above 180-200℉!) reduce the temp to low-medium again and let the oil cook for 45-60 minutes. You should be constantly checking and stirring your mixture, and don’t be surprised if the process is done earlier (30 minutes isn’t rare for an oil infusion to be completed).
4. On the other hand, if you want to slow-cook or low-boil your oil on lower temperatures for several hours that can work as well, just make sure you frequently agitate and check the temperature.
5. The temperature checks are essential throughout these steps! Don’t let your oil mixture get above 200℉ – this will mean you’ll likely have to lower-and-raise the temperature a few times to keep it in the safe range.
6. Once you’ve heated your cannabis buds in oil for the desired time, strain the mixture through a fine sieve, strainer or cheesecloth – the goal is to remove the chunks of cannabis flowers, leaving behind the decarboxylated trichomes and active compounds in the oil.
7. Finally, let the oil cool in its final container (make sure it has a sealed top to better preserve it) and store in a dark, cool place.
There you have it! A couple ways to decarb your weed next time you harvest. You can use store/online bought buds to infuse into your own edibles and topicals, but nothing feels more satisfying than growing your own cannabis, harvesting, drying & curing and then turning those gorgeous nugs into potent, homemade products. We hope this guide to decarboxylation was helpful, and we look forward to seeing what you create with some activated buds!