How to Make Canna Oil

Hey newcomer, want to know how to make canna oil scratch? You've come to the right spot! We've got you covered. 

The first thing you'll need to learn is how to prepare your cannabis for infusion. It seems easy but requires a bit of know-how. One of the top choices for infusions is canna oil, made from various popular cooking oils. 

How long does it take to infuse canna oil? It can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 6 hours. The time varies according to method. Most methods take around 1 to 2 hours for the actual infusion, with a couple more hours for preparation work. That said, you don't want to rush the process. Be prepared to set aside plenty of time to make your batch of oil because there's more to infusion than just the heating time. You may spend several hours to do this right, but the result will be worth it. 

Plus, we've provided this thorough guide that should make the process simple enough. And if you're looking for some excellent flower to use in your new canna oil recipes, try California's best marijuana subscription box! With Nugg Club, you'll receive $225 worth of dispensary quality cannabis products for just $99! That's 5 to 7 full-sized, name brand products (yes with THC). Want more products? Add unlimited extras to your box from the Nugg Club wholesale market for 40% to 60% off retail prices.

Read through, then get ready. You're on the way to cooking with cannabis!

First things first: Decarboxylation

You can't complete any cannabis oil recipe with raw, un-decarboxylated cannabis flower. Raw cannabis flower does not contain THC or CBD. Instead, it has potential THC or CBD. Cannabis flower contains cannabinoids in their acid forms. The important ones, in this case, are THCA and CBDA. Neither produces the effects consumers seek from THC or CBD.

It takes heat to convert the cannabinoids to THC and CBD suitable for feeling effects or infusing oil. The method is called decarboxylation or decarbing. The process calls for adequate heat applied—more on that below. 

Keep in mind that you can't decarb your flower by heating it as you would oil in a pan. Though, the same idea applies that you want to heat your ingredients without burning them. When complete, a proper decarbing leaves your pot rich in THC or CBD ready to consume.

Be sure to watch out for the smell if your building or neighborhood isn't canna-friendly. Decarbing and cooking can create quite an aroma. 

The Decarboxylation Process

Let's get ready to decarb. Some may use sophisticated tech, but the DIY method works too. First, get your materials in order:

• A baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Cannabis (include the stems and all)

Now, follow these directions:

• Preheat the oven to 225°F
• Break but don't grind your dried flower into small pieces
• Line a baking tray with parchment paper before placing your broken cannabis on top. Keep the cannabis placed in a single layer, close to each other on the tray
• Once the oven is preheated, insert the tray on the middle rack. Let cook for 45 minutes. 
• Once complete, remove the tray, allowing it to cool. Then, place the flower in a sealed container until you're ready to use

Basic rules for making your own canna oil at home

Before getting into how to make canna oil, let's address some questions:

• What oil should I use for Cannaoil? 

We'll be focusing on a cannabis coconut oil recipe in this article. Though you can use any oil you'd like if you follow the steps.

• How do you make Cannabutter oil?

Follow along with the rules below for a general overview. Then, head over to this guide on cooking with cannabis for more specifics.

Whether using coconut oil, butter, or otherwise, be sure to follow these general rules:

1. THC canna oil starts to degrade at 365°F. Your oil mustn't exceed this temperature at any point. Play it safe. Aim for around 240°F.
2. The standard dried flower to cooking oil ratio is 1:1 (1 cup of cannabis to 1 cup oil). Always know and control your dosage. Use an edible dosage calculator to ensure accurate dosing before cooking. 
3. A successful infusion hinges on the cannabinoids and terpenes binding to the fat in the oil. Exceeding the 1:1 ratio can lead to over-saturating, resulting in wasting excess product. The outcome can vary on your oil as well. Coconut and butter are two top choices. 
4. Purified coconut oil is the most common choice, though only connoisseurs and those with food requirements tend to take notice. Use whatever cooking oil you prefer. You can always try more later. 
5. Some recommend specific oils because of their smoke point. While true, sticking to a maximum temperature of 240°F should allow you to use any cooking oil without burning.
6. The longer you infuse the oil, the more it breaks down. Be careful; overdoing it can result in excess chlorophyll in your oil, leading to the "green" taste found in many edibles. Stick to the shorter infusion times if you want to avoid the flavor. 

Making canna oil in a crockpot

Consider learning how to make canna oil in a crockpot. Every chef has their modifications, but this is the method preferred by many. Crockpots are a top choice because they require the least attention while reducing the amount of cannabis aroma created. 

When cooking canna oil with a crockpot, be sure to have the following on hand:

• 1 cup of your preferred cooking oil
• 1 cup of decarbed cannabis

These steps should work for infusers of any skill level:

1. Combine your ingredients in the crockpot.
2. Set the crockpot on low heat and secure the lid.
3. Set for 4 to 6 hours, stirring on occasion.
4. Once cooked, turn the crockpot off. Allow the oil to cool until safe to touch.
5. Once cooled, strain the oil into a jar and store for later use--more on storage below.

If you plan on using a crockpot for cooking your cannabis oil, you may want to consider dedicating a crockpot specifically for this purpose. This is because it's tough to get the oil residue off once you use that crockpot for cooking cannabis oil. If the residue isn't completely removed, then it might affect any meals you cook in the crockpot later, imparting them with the green, skunky flavor, or even leaching THC into food that you didn't intend to infuse.

Making canna oil on the stovetop

A crockpot is nice but far from the only suitable option. An everyday saucepan on the stovetop can complete the job. Be sure to watch out for the temperature like you would with any method. Speaking of temperature, it's always wise to have a food-safe thermometer on hand.

When cooking on the stovetop, have the following on hand:

• 1 cup of your preferred cooking oil
• 1 cup of decarbed cannabis

Then, follow these simple steps:

1. Combine your ingredients in an adequate saucepan
2. Turn on the stovetop, aiming for a temperature of 240°F
3. Cook for 3 hours, stirring on occasion
4. Once complete, remove the saucepan from the heat. Allow it to cool until safe to the touch.
5. Once cooled, strain into a jar and store.

Using a double boiler to make cannabis-infused oil

A double boiler is the most time-consuming process of the three mentioned. However, it provides immense benefits. Double boilers reduce potential hotspots in your saucepan. Just like making oil on a stovetop in a saucepan, it's a wise idea to have a thermometer on hand. Allowing things to heat up too much will degrade your cannabinoid content. 

Have the following on hand when cooking on a double boiler:

• 1 cup of your preferred cooking oil
• 1 cup of decarboxylated cannabis

Now, follow these steps:

1. Add the water at the base of the double boiler (Pro Tip: Don't have a double boiler? No problem! You can use a saucepan and heat-safe bowl as a replacement. When doing so, add roughly 1 inch of water to the saucepan. Then, set the bowl on top of the pan. Ensure it doesn't touch the water.
2. Add the ingredients to the top of the double boiler or bowl. Set your heat on low, aim for around 240°F
3. Infuse for 4 to 6 hours, stirring on occasion
4. Throughout the process, monitor the amount of water in the saucepan. Top off as needed.

Straining your canna oil for storage

Once safe to the touch and cooled, your infused oil is ready to be strained and stored. 

Set up a strainer lined with folded cheesecloth and pour the oil through. There are other methods, but this tends to avoid awkward pours while removing most plant matter. Filtering will take some time, so don't rush the process by squeezing the oil through the cloth. Doing so likely will increase chlorophyll levels in your end product. 

Next, cap and store your oil. Use an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dark place away from children or pets. You should label your oil to avoid any confusion. Your oil should last for roughly two months if stored correctly. 

Congrats on completing the process! Now you're ready to experiment and refine your infusion methods. Be sure to check out our guide on cooking with cannabis for some additional insights.