Improving Oil infusions and general end product

[Martynt74]

Hi All, i'm pretty new to this but have been making infused oil for my wife for around 6 months after getting fed up risking the inconsistency of buying edibles off the dark web (we're in Europe so no official medical cannabis options)

I started just buying some bud in the local village but have since started growing my own and currently on my second batch. My process was fairly basic

1 - Decarb in the oven in a glass jar
2 - Set a pan of water on the stove and place a bowl of oil over it
3 - Tip the decarbed cannabis into the oil and infuse for ~2-3 hours
4 - Strain with a cheese cloth

It seems to be working reasonably well for her and the strain i've been growing seems better for pain management than what we were buying.

I'm now around a month away from a second harvest and was conscious of a few things. Mainly improving the end product but also through better experience my yield will be larger. I know oil loses potency over time and so am looking for alternative options.

1 - Is it simple enough to use a vacuum sealer for the dried bud to store it for a decent amount of time so i can make enough oil to last around 1 month at a time?
2 - I've seen the Anova vacuum sealer chambers talking about speeding up infusing oils for other methods. Does something similar work for infusing cannabis or does it need a longer time? I've seen posts on here using vacuum chambers and reasonably sized pumps but trying to avoid a DIY approach as the Anova can be used for other things
3 - Is there also a better medium to aim for other than infused oil? She doesn't enjoy smoking and just wants something to take before bed time to aid with sleep and reduce pain during the night

Thanks

 

[cpurola]

Welcome! Your wife is a lucky lady for you to do this for her.
I also do not smoke and choose to make cookies with my weed. Hubby makes cupcakes with the oil and both of us use it to help us sleep.

Do you have a sous vide?
My process is:
1. Decarb the weed in the oven on a cookie sheet
2. Stuff as much as possible into a canning jar and add oil (we use cannola)
3. Place in pot with water all the way up to the ring and sous vide at around 180 degrees
4. Remove jar and shake every half hour for 2 hours
5. Strain out the plant bits with sieve or cheesecloth

Hubby's tolerance has become very high so I make the oil stronger by pouring the oil from the first jar into another jar full of weed (you'll have to top it off with more oil) and repeat the process. Makes him happy.

I have also made budder from dry sift hash.
1. Decarb hash in oven in canning jar large enough to add butter when done.
2. Add butter and warm until easily mixed
3. Make small cookies (in this case size DOES matter. LOL) I make a few test sizes before committing the whole batch.

I grow lots, we are allowed 12 plants here in Michigan, and I've experimented with various techniques to make edibles. And this works for us, course I'm always open to try something new.
Good Luck!

 

[amneziaHaze]

I read that chocolate bars should last for 2 years.mine still taste good after half a year now and edibles are the only thing that can make me soo high that i want it to stop.no matter how much rosin or bud i smoke i dont hit that point.
I dont know how long should rosin last but thats one easy way to "compress" your harvest.
With more work you can make hash.
As for vacuming your buds i dont know how good that would be.

O yea forgot to add i made my choco bars from leftover pressedbars 20g is like 2creditcards dtuck together

 

[cpurola]

I read that chocolate bars should last for 2 years.mine still taste good after half a year now and edibles are the only thing that can make me soo high that i want it to stop.no matter how much rosin or bud i smoke i dont hit that point.
I dont know how long should rosin last but thats one easy way to "compress" your harvest.
With more work you can make hash.
As for vacuming your buds i dont know how good that would be.

I keep my cookies in the freezer, and the oil in the fridge, but the bud stays in the basement.
I really need to get going and make cookies from the batter I mixed up and put in the fridge 2 weeks ago. Life got in the way and I had cookies left so...

I have found the hash cookie high to be 'here and gone' sooner than the oil infusion of the bud. Could be it is processed internally differently.
Timeline:
Eat cookie
1 1/2 - 2 hours later get high
30 mins. later high gone

So, I've taken to eating another cookie an hour after the first and the high keeps going.
(sometimes it gets a little more intense than I planned, but oh, well. LOL)

 

[ATLien415]

1 - Is it simple enough to use a vacuum sealer for the dried bud to store it for a decent amount of time so i can make enough oil to last around 1 month at a time?
2 - I've seen the Anova vacuum sealer chambers talking about speeding up infusing oils for other methods. Does something similar work for infusing cannabis or does it need a longer time? I've seen posts on here using vacuum chambers and reasonably sized pumps but trying to avoid a DIY approach as the Anova can be used for other things
3 - Is there also a better medium to aim for other than infused oil? She doesn't enjoy smoking and just wants something to take before bed time to aid with sleep and reduce pain during the night

1. Sure, you can vacuum seal the flower as long as it is appropriately dried and such prior. If not, then you store it in the freezer. If the destination is for edibles then your only real goal for storage is preserving the cannabinoids and not molding. Making the oil, then storing the oil can be a good path too.
2. IMO, the oil infusers and edible makers for cannabis products are all garbage-tier. What you are looking to grab from the flower is all highly oil soluble, so very little heat or pressure changes are needed. For example, in an S-tier top shelf fermenting program you'd simply have osmotic pressure pull cannabinoids out of your refuse, and even that is like a week timeframe. If you want an excuse to buy it, buy it for the other things you want to use it for. I have a little hand vacuum pump and a bigger electric one, so yeah I agree they are versatile.
3. Oil is going to be the simplest and most bang for your buck. She sounds very much on the medical side of the spectrum, with very little inclination for the more recreational aspects. In a situation like this, I'd be maximizing potency and making the administration as simple as possible. Things you can do to make a real difference right now - include MCT oil and lecithin and possibly even get wild with your CB interactions like adding rhodiola or using chocolate or other sources of cannabinoids. MCT oil is non-negotiable. If you aren't using MCT oil you are not making the oil to maximize effect. MCT oil is the only oil which does not require vast amounts of extra steps for your body to grab - if you want quick acting edibles, there is no substitute for MCT oil. Lecithin improves the binding to the oils in general, as well as subsequently improving the overall mixture's homogeny. Maybe even make just some super-high potency MCT oil for her to carry around, to go under the tongue for rapid relief, in emergencies.

I'd take flower, measure an according amount of oil - maybe 2 cups for every 1/8k or 1/4lb. My oil would be a blend of different oils which would have different rates of being broken down by the body - coconut oils for MCTs, soy for genistein traces (not a conspiracy theorist but research is starting to point to a heart issue with long-term THC use, the only current logical explination for that is the fat solubility of THC and the only real studies being done that aren't hit pieces on cannabis all show simple things people already do for their cholesterol like genistein entirely negate the effect of plaque deposits increases relative to a control group for THC consuming mice....), possibly even something really long to break down like milk solids. I'd gently warm the oil above room temp then put all my flower into a triple layered cheesecloth and gently work the oil into and out of the clothe. After about a half hour, drain the clothe well and save the excess for something like brownies if desired. This solution of cannabinoids and such in oil is now ready for decarbing. You can cap it to keep more terpenes in the mixture but know it will also change your decarb chart. Decarb charts are illuminating, you can see the curves and their behavior. Simply put, pick a temp you are comfortable with and then with an IR temp gun/timer/even just qualitatively by precipitation of the oil decarb it gently. This is an optimization exercise, there is no correct answer on when to stop decarbing. I do the bubble precipitation kind of like microwave popcorn, pulling before it stops but near the end.... I'd mix to a homogenous mixture with some lecithin in it. If I had access, I'd be adding trace amounts of something really broad spectrum....if you can get RSO then add here. Even a nice full spectrum/reformed distillate cart can be broken down and contents added. Add your rhodiola. While warm, dose accordingly into chosen method of consuming. My mother, who is also on the medical end of the spectrum, does gel caps. They are easy to buy in bulk, can 3D print fill tools, and are easy to do batches. you could also just start compounding any of her non-RX stuff into a single capsule for her at that point.

Sky is the limit! No wonder your crop is working better. There are cannabinoids and terpenes too volatile to make it to customers on store shelves, homegrow is truly the way for circumstances like yours.

 

[Martynt74]

Welcome! Your wife is a lucky lady for you to do this for her.
I also do not smoke and choose to make cookies with my weed. Hubby makes cupcakes with the oil and both of us use it to help us sleep.

Do you have a sous vide?
My process is:
1. Decarb the weed in the oven on a cookie sheet
2. Stuff as much as possible into a canning jar and add oil (we use cannola)
3. Place in pot with water all the way up to the ring and sous vide at around 180 degrees
4. Remove jar and shake every half hour for 2 hours
5. Strain out the plant bits with sieve or cheesecloth

Hubby's tolerance has become very high so I make the oil stronger by pouring the oil from the first jar into another jar full of weed (you'll have to top it off with more oil) and repeat the process. Makes him happy.

I have also made budder from dry sift hash.
1. Decarb hash in oven in canning jar large enough to add butter when done.
2. Add butter and warm until easily mixed
3. Make small cookies (in this case size DOES matter. LOL) I make a few test sizes before committing the whole batch.

I grow lots, we are allowed 12 plants here in Michigan, and I've experimented with various techniques to make edibles. And this works for us, course I'm always open to try something new.
Good Luck!

Something for me to get carried away with and spend time researching which is always fun!

Your process sounds very similar to mine. I have been looking at a sous vide for exactly this purpose as we find that our gas stove gets too hot even on the lowest setting and i have to remove the pan and then keep messing around. A thermometer helped to provide warnings after a certain temp but it was still annoying.

 

[Martynt74]

1. Sure, you can vacuum seal the flower as long as it is appropriately dried and such prior. If not, then you store it in the freezer. If the destination is for edibles then your only real goal for storage is preserving the cannabinoids and not molding. Making the oil, then storing the oil can be a good path too.
2. IMO, the oil infusers and edible makers for cannabis products are all garbage-tier. What you are looking to grab from the flower is all highly oil soluble, so very little heat or pressure changes are needed. For example, in an S-tier top shelf fermenting program you'd simply have osmotic pressure pull cannabinoids out of your refuse, and even that is like a week timeframe. If you want an excuse to buy it, buy it for the other things you want to use it for. I have a little hand vacuum pump and a bigger electric one, so yeah I agree they are versatile.
3. Oil is going to be the simplest and most bang for your buck. She sounds very much on the medical side of the spectrum, with very little inclination for the more recreational aspects. In a situation like this, I'd be maximizing potency and making the administration as simple as possible. Things you can do to make a real difference right now - include MCT oil and lecithin and possibly even get wild with your CB interactions like adding rhodiola or using chocolate or other sources of cannabinoids. MCT oil is non-negotiable. If you aren't using MCT oil you are not making the oil to maximize effect. MCT oil is the only oil which does not require vast amounts of extra steps for your body to grab - if you want quick acting edibles, there is no substitute for MCT oil. Lecithin improves the binding to the oils in general, as well as subsequently improving the overall mixture's homogeny. Maybe even make just some super-high potency MCT oil for her to carry around, to go under the tongue for rapid relief, in emergencies.

I'd take flower, measure an according amount of oil - maybe 2 cups for every 1/8k or 1/4lb. My oil would be a blend of different oils which would have different rates of being broken down by the body - coconut oils for MCTs, soy for genistein traces (not a conspiracy theorist but research is starting to point to a heart issue with long-term THC use, the only current logical explination for that is the fat solubility of THC and the only real studies being done that aren't hit pieces on cannabis all show simple things people already do for their cholesterol like genistein entirely negate the effect of plaque deposits increases relative to a control group for THC consuming mice....), possibly even something really long to break down like milk solids. I'd gently warm the oil above room temp then put all my flower into a triple layered cheesecloth and gently work the oil into and out of the clothe. After about a half hour, drain the clothe well and save the excess for something like brownies if desired. This solution of cannabinoids and such in oil is now ready for decarbing. You can cap it to keep more terpenes in the mixture but know it will also change your decarb chart. Decarb charts are illuminating, you can see the curves and their behavior. Simply put, pick a temp you are comfortable with and then with an IR temp gun/timer/even just qualitatively by precipitation of the oil decarb it gently. This is an optimization exercise, there is no correct answer on when to stop decarbing. I do the bubble precipitation kind of like microwave popcorn, pulling before it stops but near the end.... I'd mix to a homogenous mixture with some lecithin in it. If I had access, I'd be adding trace amounts of something really broad spectrum....if you can get RSO then add here. Even a nice full spectrum/reformed distillate cart can be broken down and contents added. Add your rhodiola. While warm, dose accordingly into chosen method of consuming. My mother, who is also on the medical end of the spectrum, does gel caps. They are easy to buy in bulk, can 3D print fill tools, and are easy to do batches. you could also just start compounding any of her non-RX stuff into a single capsule for her at that point.

Sky is the limit! No wonder your crop is working better. There are cannabinoids and terpenes too volatile to make it to customers on store shelves, homegrow is truly the way for circumstances like yours.

This is brilliant. I feel i need to read it about 3 more times to take it all in though!

For oil we currently use Olive Oil. Assume if i bought something like this it wouldn't solidify like normal coconut oil?

Grasas naturales buenas|Aceite con MCT de coco en polvo|Bulk™ España

Compra nuestro Stevia LiquiFlav que se deriva del extracto natural de stevia y es un edulcorante que añade sabor a tus comidas.

www.bulk.com

On the vacuum sealer, i have always wanted one for cooking, and was going to get one of the long narrow ones to just extract air/seal bags, but the Anova Vacuum Chamber sounded like it could've been awesome for making oil

 

[JIMKSI64]

Outstanding thread with much information. Thank you.
Special brownie maker but wanting to expand.

 

[amneziaHaze]

Rice cooker has a nice temperature

 

[Halloweed]

I decarb mine for 30 minutes or so at 240 degrees. I've only used vegetable and canola oil so far.

I then mix it in a crock pot on low for 6 hours. I then use it to make brownies. I'd like to learn how to do gummies but that seems like a mess.

Coconut and olive oil is what's recommended.

 

[amneziaHaze]

I decarb mine for 30 minutes or so at 240 degrees. I've only used vegetable and canola oil so far.

I then mix it in a crock pot on low for 6 hours. I then use it to make brownies. I'd like to learn how to do gummies but that seems like a mess.

Coconut and olive oil is what's recommended.

you just need soy lecitin and you make gummies as allways juice and gelatin and your cannabutter