Weed Decarboxylation: Four Different Methods How To Decarb Weed

Weed edibles are a delicious and popular way to enjoy cannabis. You can find marijuana edibles in any online weed dispensary or choose to make your own custom treats. First, however, you should learn how to decarb weed for the best results. The process of how to decarboxylate cannabis is an integral part of activating the THC in your weed, so you can’t skip it. Learn all about how to decarboxylate weed in four easy methods.

 

What Is Weed Decarbing?

You need to know how to decarb marijuana flowers if you want to use any method other than smoking. Decarboxylation is when THCa and CBDa are converted into potent THC and CBD from their acidic form. Your body’s receptors can only use these cannabinoids after they’ve been activated. Learning how to decarb weed is a must if you want to make your own edibles, salves, oils, or tinctures.

 

For the best results, you should decarb your weed at a low temperature for a relatively long time. Experts say the 110-121°C temperature range will preserve cannabinoid quality and give you the most potent result possible. Various methods can take anywhere between 3 and 120 minutes. 

 

Let’s explore the different ways to decarboxylate weed so you can get started making the best cannabis concentrates.

 

The Oven Method

You can bake your cannabis in the oven to decarb it. This is one of the most common choices for decarboxylating cannabis because it’s easy, requires little hands-on work, and uses standard kitchen equipment. Ovens also generate an even heat distribution to expect great results.

Bake your cannabis for 40 minutes for the best THC production. If you’re using a CBD-heavy strain, bake for 80-90 minutes. Don’t go longer than these times, or you’ll destroy active ingredients.

 

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 116°C.

2. Choice your favourite cannabis strain and weigh it.

3. Break up your buds and flower into smaller pieces using your hands or a grinder. Remove any stems or seeds if possible. Aim for a loose grind and make sure to monitor small pieces for burning.

4. Spread the cannabis evenly on a lined baking sheet, avoiding clumps.
5. Cover the tray with foil or a lid.
6. Bake for 40 minutes for THC or 80-90 minutes for CBD. Try to keep the oven door closed and the tray covered as much as possible. There should be a robust fragrance and golden brown colour when your cannabis is ready.
7. Remove the tray from the oven and let it cool with the lid on.
8. Store your decarbed pot in an excellent, dark location using an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.

 

The Microwave Method

Turn to your microwave if you need to know how to decarb weed faster than in the oven. This method is fast, easy, and almost foolproof, with no chance of burning your buds. Some people don’t like the microwave method as they feel it can damage the terpenes and cannabinoids. However, a microwave still yields workable results and might be just what you need.

 

Steps

1. Choose and weigh your cannabis strain.
2. Break up the buds into smaller pieces using your hands or a grinder. If you choose to grind, keep an eye on the microwave to ensure the smaller pieces don’t singe.
3. Spread the grinds thinly on a flat plate.

 

4. Cover the plate with a microwave-safe lid. Don’t use foil in the microwave.

 

5. Heat for three minutes on medium.

 

6. Remove the plate and let it cool with the lid in place.
7. Once your cannabis is cool, it’s ready to use. You can also store it in a cool, dark, and safe location for later.

 

The Bain-Marie Method

You can also learn how to decarb weed using a water bath, double boiler, or bain-marie. This method is best if you have lots of experience in the kitchen. It’s a fiddly process, requiring lots of time and energy, and you risk uneven heat distribution.

 

Materials

• Vacuum sealer
• Thermometer
• Plastic Bag
• Saucepan

Steps

1. Select and measure your flower.

 

2. Break up the buds with your hands, not a grinder. You need larger pieces of plant material to learn how to decarb marijuana using a bain-marie.
3. Back the cannabis into the plastic bag and seal it using the vacuum packer.

 

4. Fill your saucepan with water and set it to a boil. Once it boils, use your thermometer to keep the temperature at 95°C.

 

5. Place the sealed bag into the water and let it cook for one hour.

 

6. Remove the bag and let it cool. Once the bag is cool and dry, you can open it and remove the cannabis.
7. Now that you know how to decarboxylate cannabis with a bain-marie, you can use the pot immediately or carefully store it for later.

The Sous Vide Method

Sous vide allows you to decarb using a low temperature over a long time. This process is lengthy and expensive but creates even heat distribution. You can also develop the terpene profile, flavours, and general pot quality while keeping your house scent-free.

 

Materials

• Plastic bag or Mason jar
• Vacuum packer (optional)
• Pot grinder
• Heat-proof container like a pot
• Immersion circulator

 

Steps

1. Choose and weigh your cannabis.

 

2. Grind your weed into a fine dust.

 

3. Place the cannabis grinds into your Mason jar or plastic bag.
4. Fill your heat-proof container or pan with water and place the immersion circulator in it.
5. If using a plastic bag, seal it with the vacuum packer. If you don’t have a vacuum packer, try using water displacement. Seal the bag around 3/4 of the way and gently lower it into the water. The water pressure will force the excess air out of the bag. When the water level is almost to the top of the bag, close it entirely and add it to the water. You can weigh the bag down with tongs.

If you’re using a Mason jar, close the lid and place it in the water.

 

6. Set the immersion circulator to 90°C and cook for two hours.
7. Remove the bag or jar, allow it to cool for 15 minutes, then dry off the outside.

 

8. You can remove your decarbed weed and use it immediately, or save it in a safe, dark, and cool place for another time.

 

In Conclusion

It’s important to note that you need to be very careful when decarbing your weed. Many decarbing processes deal with highly flammable materials, so if you aren’t sure what you are doing, it’s best to leave this to the experts.

At WeedSmart, you can skip this entire process and buy cannabis products that are already decarbed by experts. You can find us on sites such as BCWeedDelivery. 

 

 

References:

Extractions of Medical Cannabis Cultivars and the Role of Decarboxylation in Optimal Receptor Responses. Accessed April 11, 2021, at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6757234/

BC Weed Delivery. (2022, May 1). Find the best cannabis dispensaries in British Columbia, Canada. Available at: https://bcweeddelivery.org/

Get Kush. (2022, May 1). Best Online Dispensary Canada | Buy Weed Online. Available at: https://getkush.cc/

Decarboxylation of Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid to THC. Accessed April 11, 2021, at https://eiha.org/media/2014/08/16-10-25-Decarboxylation-of-THCA-to-active-THC.pdf

Weed List. (2022, May 1). Buy Weed Online in Canada. Available at: https://weedlist.org/

Cannabis Terpenes. Accessed April 11, 2021, at https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/24/5792/htm