Easy Crockpot Cannabis Coconut Oil
Infused coconut oil is the base ingredient used in making many edibles and topicals. It takes a bit of time and effort to prepare but it will last around 6 months if kept in a cool, dark, environment (like a kitchen cupboard), and even longer if you keep it in your refrigerator or freezer. I try to always have some stored in my fridge for making brownies (yum), or adding to mashed potatoes to give them a little lift. Or you can just toss cooked veggies with some to give your broccoli, peas, or whatever some additional zip.
When buying your coconut oil, you can choose between refined and unrefined.
- Unrefined coconut oil will retain more of the natural coconut taste and smell which is fine if you’re a fan of coconut.
- Refined coconut oil has a neutral flavor with virtually no coconut taste or smell. This is what I use when making my infusions. Cold pressed or expeller pressed is best and does not use any solvents. I also make sure to purchase organic coconut oil to ensure there are no residual pesticides.
Both refined and unrefined coconut oil will be solid at average room temperature.s However, if your interior temperature gets a bit warm, it will soften and even liquify if it gets warms enough. There are other oils you can infuse if you want a liquid product (olive oil, MCT coconut oil) but for making topicals you definitely want to stay with coconut oil.
Before you start to make this recipe, you must first decarboxylate your cannabis flower.
Click here to learn How to Decarb Cannabis
Decarboxylating or “decarbing” cannabis refers to the process of heating the plant material at a specific temperature for a specific amount of time to activate it. Subjecting it to heat causes a chemical reaction where a carbon atom is removed from a carbon chain, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide (CO2). Key cannabinoids convert from their naturally occurring acidic forms (THCA & CBDA) into THC & CBD during decarbing.
Easy Crockpot Cannabis Coconut Oil
Equipment
- Crockpot or other slow cooker
- Pint Mason Jars
- Digital Thermometer
Ingredients
- 14 G Decarbed Cannabis Flower This is total weight before the cannabis is decarbed.
- 8 ounces Coconut Oil I buy mine at Whole Foods
Instructions
- Place a clean dish towel on the bottom of your crockpot. This will create a buffer between your mason jars and the crockpot, and prevent any jar from moving or cracking during cooking.
- Fill your crockpot with enough warm to hot water to cover the top of the mason jars you plan to use.
- Place a digital instant-read thermometer into the water. Start the crockpot heat on high. When a temperature of 185º is reached, turn the crockpot to low.
- While the water bath is heating in the crockpot, measure and decarb the cannabis flower in the oven at 240º for 40 minutes (for THC rich flower). topicals. /http://thecannabislady.com/how-to-decarb-cannabis-for-edibles-and-topicals/
- Evenly divide the coconut oil between the mason jars you plan on using. You can use either pint-sized or half-pint sized jars as you prefer. Just be sure they fit into the crockpot. Also, be sure to leave at least a 1/2 inch headspace between the oil and the top of the jar.
- Evenly divide the decarbed flower between the coconut oil filled jars. Wipe the rim of the jars with a clean towel and place the lid on. Don't over tighten the metal ring - finger tight is just fine.
- Once the water bath reaches a temperature of 185º, carefully place the jars into the water bath. Place the lid on the crockpot and leave alone to infuse for 4 hours.
- After 4 hours, carefully remove the lid, followed by the jars from the hot water. Set them aside to cool.
- Once cool enough to handle, you need to strain the cannabis oil to remove the plant material. I do this twice - first with cheese cloth, then a second time with fine muslin.
- Return the prepared cannabis coconut oil to whatever clean jar you would like to store it in. I use a mason jar.
- Store the prepared cannabis coconut oil in a cool, dry place. It will last longer if stored in the refrigerator and even longer if stored in the freezer.
Notes
- Yield: ~8 ounces / ~1 cups
- Coconut Oil: I use this one but you can use any good quality coconut oil.
- Temperature Control: The water bath does not need to stay perfectly at 185° F the entire time. Any temperature between 170°-190°F is OK. Just be sure to keep the water from becoming too hot as it can destroy important cannabinoids and terpenes. I use this digital thermometer .
- Safety First: As a good safety practice, I usually sanitize my jars before filling them by keeping them submerged in the 185° F crockpot for at least 10 minutes. Dry them thoroughly before adding the coconut oil and decarbed cannabis.
- Floating Jars: Sometimes the mason jar will float when placed in the water bath. This is no need for concern, simply put something heat and water safe over the top of the jar to weigh it down, a clean rock works well.
- Alternative Carrier Oil Options Include:
- Avocado oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Grapeseed oil
