How To Make Cannabutter
- Published: December 5, 2022
- Updated: October 15, 2023
- Author: Christopher Visser
Christopher Visser
Multi-Cannabis Business Owner
Christopher Visser, the Founder and CEO of Cannabidiol Life and THCGummies.com, is a distinguished figure in the CBD industry, recognized for his pioneering contributions since 2016. With over 120 published articles, Christopher has become a reputable cannabis researcher, writer, and author. He's built two prosperous cannabis ventures that collectively generated millions in annual sales. His in-depth analysis of numerous cannabis studies, collaboration with medical professionals, and personal engagement with thousands of customers underline his expertise and commitment to advancing cannabis understanding daily.
Cannabutter is a cannabis-infused butter which is widely used in the culinary world. It’s made by combining cannabis flower buds and butter to aid in the extraction of the coveted chemical compounds (cannabinoids and terpenes) out of the flower and into the butter; hence the name, Canna-butter.
Table of Contents
To all my THC butter lovers and friends, today, I’ll share with you the different ways how you can make super high quality cannabutter from home to be used later for baking, cooking, and even making drinks.
You’ll soon have the skills to make almost every type of pot brownie and weedible on the planet. Next section compares the costs of making cannabutter at home vs buying it online. If you want to skip this information, jump to the next section to view the ingredients and equipment needed to get you up and baking your first batch of cannabutter.Â
Comparing Costs: Make Cannabutter At Home or Buy Cannabutter Online?
Here I will compare cannabis butter retail prices (cannabutter pricing) to the costs of doing it yourself so you know all of your options. As an FYI, the cost of cannabutter will vary depending on a few different factors, including where you live and the type of cannabis cultivar you choose.
In general, however, expect to pay anywhere from $20-$30 per ounce of cannabutter at retail price.
This price range reflects the cost of high-quality cannabis oil along with the labor involved in making the butter itself. It’s important to note that cheaper products may be available but they may not contain as much THC or other cannabinoids as higher quality products.
According to several different cannabutter recipes found online, on average, you need about 3.5 grams of cannabis flower per two sticks of butter (1 cup).Â
So, if you want to make one pound (16 oz) of Cannabutter, you will need an ounce of high-grade flower. One ounce of premium-grade cannabis kush costs anywhere from $180-$280 per ounce. If we average out those prices, $230 cost for the ounce divided by 16 ounces, leaving us with a Cannabutter price and cost per ounce of $14.38 if you DIY.
Cannabutter Prices Takeaway
You will save anywhere for $5-$15 per ounce by learning how to make cannabutter from how, however, this math is this dependent on your cost per ounce for top-shelf cannabis.
What You Need To Get Started
The 1:1 ratio of cannabis flower to butter is the standard, an exceptionally potent standard, if you ask me. If you’re a beginner and wish to decrease the THC potency for precaution, simply use less cannabis bud (flower) in your baking process.
Ingredients & The 1:1 Ratio (Plus Lecithin)
- 1 cup (10 grams) of Cannabis Flower
- 1 cup of butter
- 1 oz. Lecithin per stick of butter
Lecithin comes in powder, liquid, and gel capsules and can usually be found in the vitamin aisle at most grocery stores. Lecithin is a fat and is used to ensure that the molecules will bind appropriately.
Equipment, Tools, & Cookware
- Slowcooker/crockpot
- Fine mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth
- A pressing tool such as a large wooden spoon or spatula
- A small mason jar or another glass container to store your cannabutter.
The liquid butter will be extremely hot, so don’t use anything that has the potential to melt such as weaker plastics. Glass is ideal for this, but other materials such as ceramics would be used.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE
DIY Cannabutter: STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Step 1. Grind the cannabis flower
Grind the cannabis flower in a grinder and decarboxylate it by putting it in the oven at 240° for 30 minutes.
It’s important to decarb cannabis so that the THC fully activated.
Step 2: Infusing Decarb Flower Into Butter
Begin the infusion process by adding the butter, the decarboxylated flower, and the lecithin into your slow-cooker.
Cook on high for one hour and then switch to low for approximately six hours or more. The longer you let it infuse, the more potent your cannabutter will be.
Step 3: Strain & Purify
Once the infusion is done simmering, strain it through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into your container. Use the pressing tool to press down the material and draw out as much of the liquid as possible.
Beware that it WILL be very hot and potentially scalding, so if you wish to wait for it to cool some that are okay, but it is easier to extract the most liquid while it is hot.
Step 4: Cool Down & Refrigerate
Let the butter cool down for about one hour and then store it in the refrigerator.
When your cannabutter has cooled you can then use it at your disposal. First-time experiences can have some hiccups in potency, but once you master making cannabutter from the comforts of your own kitchen, you can transform just about any dish into a heavenly, THC-infused delightly treat.
HOW TO USE CANNABUTTER
Using Cannabutter as a replacement for regular butter in any baking recipe can instantly turn any food into an edible. In fact, it’s one of, if not the best ways to use it.
It can also be used as a means of sautéing, or even as a topping certain foods like baked potatoes, popcorn, biscuits, or toast. Its versatility makes it one of the most popular base ingredient for THC consumption.
Important Tips & Information
Here are a few important topics to discuss that are vital to your cannabutter baking experience.
THC Potency Calculations:
When making your own edibles, it is incredibly difficult to calculate the exact THC dosage. So if you are a beginner, take precaution and a lot of care to try not to overdo it.
You can do this by starting off small and go slow to reach the ideal state of relaxation and bliss (roughly 5 – 10 mg servings every 45 minutes or so).
Open Discussions With Primary Care Doctors
It is extremely important to be open and honest with your doctor or health care practitioner regarding the use/consumption of cannabis edibles such as Cannabutter.
Adverse Side Effects
While it is not possible to overdose on cannabinoids like THC, it is possible for them to interact with certain medications. Side effects are possible, and while generally mild, it is important one knows the risks including, but not limited to drug interactions or cannabis allergies.
Resources To Ensure You Get The Best Cannabutter Experience
1. All-In-One Equipment To Make Cannabutter (DIY)
The magical butter machine is our favorite and it WILL you automate the entire process. From THC-extraction to THC-infusion; resulting in highly-potent Cannabutter!
Magical Butter
2. Supplemental Education
If you need more specifics on how to use cannabutter or general how-to guides on baking with cannabis, check out our collection of edibles and THC gummy recipes that contain a wealth of information, including how-to guides.
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3. BUY CANNABUTTER ONLINE
If you don't care to go through this process, the easiest solution is to buy a federally legal hemp-derived Cannabutter or a THC-infused oil online.
Reputable Sellers:
Cannabutter By FlyBuds
Bliss Cannabutter By Emily
Summary
Edibles are fantastic for those who can’t smoke or those who would like to enjoy a longer lasting, more intense edible experience. Whatever your preference is homemade Cannabutter allows you to have more control over the potency of your edibles.
It’s important to follow a specific recipe that is tested and proven for potency. There is a large amount of disinformation regarding cooking with cannabis on YouTube and other online platforms.
Christopher Visser
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