In this article, we provide you with an easy steps guide to making cannabutter safely and effectively. Cannabutter, a versatile cannabis-infused ingredient, is widely used in the preparation of various edibles and recipes. It is essentially butter infused with the active compounds found in marijuana, such as THC and CBD. Making cannabutter at home allows you to have control over the potency and quality of the final product.
Ingredients and Equipment
To make cannabutter, you will need the following ingredients and equipment:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter
- 1 cup of ground cannabis (decarboxylated)
- Water (enough to cover the cannabis)
Equipment:
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
- Heatproof container
- Refrigerator
Step 1: Decarboxylation
Decarboxylation is a crucial process that activates the cannabinoids in the cannabis, making them psychoactive. To decarboxylate the cannabis, follow these steps:
- Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C).
- Break the cannabis buds into smaller pieces and spread them evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes. This process converts the THCA (non-psychoactive) in the cannabis into THC (psychoactive). Ensure you monitor the temperature and avoid overheating, as it can degrade the cannabinoids.
Step 2: Infusing the Butter
Once the cannabis is decarboxylated, you are ready to infuse it into the butter. Follow these steps:
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Adding water helps prevent the butter from scorching during the cooking process. Use approximately 1 cup of water for every 1 cup of butter.
- Once the butter has melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis to the saucepan. Stir well to ensure all the cannabis is coated with butter.
- Simmer the mixture on low heat, stirring occasionally, for approximately 2 to 3 hours. Do not let the mixture come to a boil, as high temperatures can affect the potency of the cannabinoids.
- Throughout the process, maintain a gentle simmer, adjusting the heat as necessary. This slow heating allows the cannabinoids to infuse into the butter effectively.
Step 3: Straining and Cooling
After simmering the cannabis and butter mixture, it’s time to strain and cool the cannabutter. Follow these steps:
- Place a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer over a heatproof container.
- Carefully pour the mixture through the strainer, allowing the liquid to strain into the container. The cheesecloth or strainer will capture the cannabis plant material.
- Once you have strained all the liquid, gather the edges of the cheesecloth and squeeze out any remaining cannabutter from the plant material.
- Let the cannabutter cool at room temperature for a while before refrigerating it. The butter will solidify as it cools, allowing you to separate it from any remaining water.
Step 4: Storing and Using Cannabutter
Once the cannabutter has solidified, it is ready to be used in your favorite recipes. Keep in mind the potency of your cannabutter will depend on the strain of cannabis used and the cooking time.
- Store the cannabutter in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it should last for several months.
