Brew Your Own High-Quality CBD Tinctures: Solvent & Extraction
Here’s our final installment to guide you towards making your own high-quality CBD products with a minimum of fuss. Some CBD tinctures can be prohibitively expensive to take in high doses on a regular basis. There are legitimate concerns about potential contaminants in CBD products, and reading COAs can be confusing.
We’re proud to present this third installment in a series of posts on how to claim ownership of this process and make your own CBD tinctures. If nothing else, you’ll gain an appreciation for what your favorite brands are doing to create quality products. Part 1 taught you how to source hemp biomass. Part 2 covered decarboxylating the hemp. Part 3 covers extracting it.
Choosing your Solvent
The CBD in activated hemp biomass is soluble in fats, alcohol, and glycerin but not in water. In order to create an oil extract, you need to soak hemp in your chosen solvent and apply heat. The result will be a homemade CBD supplement that you can take pride in.
Oils
There are hundreds of edible oils, from walnut to flax. Of the bunch, olive oil is widely regarded as the most efficient in pulling the largest quantity of cannabinoids out of hemp. Olive oil has a strong flavor, and a low smoke-point, making it ideal for ingesting solo, but not for cooking.
Another popular oil is liquid MCT oil (from coconuts). Although it’s not as efficient in pulling out the CBD, it bonds molecularly with CBD and is very bioavailable (easy to digest). It also has a higher smoke point than olive oil, so it’s better for cooking.
Fats
Solid at room temperature, fats are less messy to store and often better to cook with than oils. Butter is a popular choice, mostly because, well, it’s butter! But due to its water content, butter is not as efficient in extracting cannabinoids. Its best use is for cooking cannabis edibles.
Alcohol
Alcohol is very efficient at dissolving cannabinoids. On the downside, it’s so efficient that it can extract undesirable plant waxes. It’s also dangerously flammable. Steer clear of alcohol extraction until you’ve developed some skills navigating the chemistry of this process.
Glycerin
Glycerin is an effective mid-point between alcohol and fats for extracting cannabinoids. It has a natural sweetness that combines well with the flavor of hemp.
Emulsify
CBD dissolves more easily in fats and oils with the addition of a small quantity of an emulsifier like lecithin, which is widely available from health food stores as a supplement.
How to Extract
Double Boiler
The simplest infusion method involves a large pot, a smaller pot to fit inside, and a stove. Fill the pot with enough water, so that the bottom of the smaller pan is fully submerged. Add your decarboxylated hemp to the smaller pan, aiming for 1 part hemp to 10 parts solvent (NOT alcohol!).
Maintain the water at a simmer for approximately 1 hour, stirring the mixture regularly. After about an hour, strain the mixture through a coffee filter into a heat-safe container, cover, and cool. This resulting liquid is your “tincture.” Bottle and store.
Standalone Infusers
If stirring hemp around a hot stove for an hour or more isn’t your thing, fear not! InStash has reviewed the top three standalone infusers.
LEVO II
With a commanding presence on the kitchen counter, sleek style, dual infusion / activate modes, and a pile of tasty recipes (everything from gummies to cocktails), the LEVO II is the true infusion connoisseur’s choice. The integrated mixing paddle and variable temperature make this the most efficient, versatile stand-alone infusion product we reviewed.
Key Features:
- Separate “dry” mode for working with fresh hemp
- Power Pod keeps your infusion clean and strong
- Amazing counter appeal
Specification:
- Decarboxylation: Built in activation cycle
- Capacity: 19 oz
- Temperature Control: Precise, adjustable by degree
- Agitation: Built-in stirring
- Cleaning: Dishwasher safe parts for easy clean-up
- Solvent Compatibility: Works with oils, fats, water, milk, glycerin, and many, many more
Magical Butter
With a small foot-print and less granular controls, the Magical Butter is a simple, functional infusion solution. A small downside is that a separate product is required to activate your hemp.
Key Features:
- Comes with a micron filter
- Includes a cookbook
- Includes a “magical” heatproof glove (note: Glove is not actually magic)
Specification:
- Decarboxylation: Separate activation product (the Decarb Box) available.
- Capacity: 2-5 cup
- Temperature Control: Precise, adjustable by mode
- Agitation: Built-in stirring
- Cleaning: Self-cleaning cycle
- Solvent Compatibility: Works with oils and fats
Ardent FX
With the smallest footprint and simplest interface, the Ardent FX is a perfect entry-level standalone infuser. Just because it’s simple, doesn’t mean it’s not full-featured. It also includes both activate and infusion modes.
Key Features:
- Base detaches for easy clean-up
- Preset heating modes make activating and infusing easy.
- Infusion and concentrate accessories available
Specification:
- Decarboxylation: Includes an “activate” cycle
- Capacity: 4 oz plant material
- Temperature Control: Precise temperature control – adjustable by mode
- Solvent Compatibility: Works with oils and fats
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