Decarboxylation is a fundamental process to convert THCA to THC (non-acidic and psychoactive THC). Decarboxylation is easily done as you just need to heat or combust the plant material. However, for edibles, decarboxylation is an important process in order to activate THC. In this article we will explain you three easy decarboxylation methods that you can do at home.
1. Decarboxylation in an Oven
This decarboxylation method is perhaps the most common one. Decarb in an oven is fast and easy. When using an oven, it’s important you don’t burn your cannabis. If it turns brown fast, then better turn the oven down. In addition, to keep a better control of the oven temperature, you can employ an oven thermometer.
You will need a baking tray and aluminum foil or baking paper. The process is very simple, you need to set the oven at 100 to 110º C. Place the baking tray (lay across the baking tray the aluminum foil or the baking paper) with cannabis on it in the middle of the oven to ensure you will not get too much heat on the top of the baking tray. Make sure your cannabis is ground, but do not grind it too much as you risk burning your cannabis. After this process is done, lay another aluminum foil or baking paper on top of the cannabis.
Toast the cannabis inside the oven for approximately 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, remove the baking tray from the oven and let it cool down for half hour. Your cannabis should look a bit toasted now. You can now put your cannabis inside a container to use whenever you want.
2. Decarboxylation in a Mason Jar
This method is also very popular to decarboxylate cannabis. Firstly, set the oven at 100 to 115ºC. Then, follow the same process as the first method, grind your cannabis to the size of a grain of rice and put it in the mason jar and then screw on the lid.
Next step, you need to place a wet kitchen towel on the baking tray and then, put the mason jar on it. You need to place the mason jar in the oven for approximately one hour. In addition, take the mason jar out of the oven every 15 minutes to shake it a bit and disperse the ground cannabis.
After one hour, remove the mason jar from the oven and let it cool down for half hour.
3. Decarboxylation by Sous Vide
This method is the most uncommon one and more complicated of all. Nonetheless, this method is very effective although more expensive than the two other decarboxylation methods.
You will need and immersion circulator. These devices cost approximately 100 USD. With the immersion circulator you can set a constant and exact temperature.
Furthermore, you will need a vacuum sealer, and plastic bags to put your cannabis inside it. Firstly, fill the container with hot tap water and then place the immersion circulator inside the container and set the immersion circulator at 95–100ºC.
With the Sous Vide method, you will also need to grind your cannabis and place it inside a plastic bag. The advantage of this method is that you don’t need to worry about overheating your cannabis. The temperature will be constant.
Next step, you need to seal the plastic bag and seal it as flat and tight as possible. After you have sealed the plastic bag with ground cannabis in it place the bag into the water container and let it bad for an hour and a half. After 90 minutes, remove the bag from the water container and let it cool down for 20 minutes.
Originally published at https://www.getispire.com on December 14, 2020.
