Are you patiently waiting to make your own cannabis edibles – but worried about the smell? Try decarbing in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker! This method keeps odor to a minimum, is super simple to set up, and requires no special equipment. Plus, you can move on to the infusion process directly after if you want. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get decarbing!
Table of Contents
Article Features
- Quick and easy decarb process
- A way to significantly decrease the odor of cannabis
- Want to make it easy? Skip the hard work and have my best-selling premium Bliss Cannabutter delivered directly to your door. Now shipping across the US!
Why You Will Love This Method
If you want to make your own edibles, one of the first steps in the process is decarboxylation to activate CBD or THC.
The traditional method of decarbing involves baking cannabis in a regular kitchen oven, but the strong smell may be too overwhelming for some people.
Decarbing cannabis in an Instant Pot is a quick, easy, and effective method to achieve decarboxylation – without the odor.
The odor becomes trapped when decarbing in the Instant Pot, leaving less smell for you and a more enjoyable decarb process for everyone overall.
My Well With Cannabis Community is always seeking new ways to effectively decarb their cannabis, and this method has been tried and true, with many happy members loving this process.
This guide will discuss how to decarb cannabis using your Instant Pot or pressure cooker, along with some expert notes, tips, tricks, and fully answered FAQs.
What You’ll Need
- Instant Pot: There are many different Instant Pot models available. Just about anyone will work; you just need the high-pressure setting.
- Trivet or Steamer Basket: To hold the mason jars upright inside the pot. You need a trivet or a steamer basket, but not both.
- Mason Jars: To hold the cannabis and keep it dry. Pint-sized jars are perfect.
- Cannabis flowers: Use your desired amount of cannabis flower, shake, trim, or kief – ranging from 1 gram up to 2 ounces or more. Select your preference for THC, CBD, or CBG-dominant flowers.
Note: A complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions isย located in the recipe cardย below.
The Step-by-Step Process
- Step 1 – Place your desired amount of cannabis in a mason jar and add a lid to fingertip tightness (not too tight). You do not need to grind the cannabis; just break it up into small, popcorn-sized pieces.
- Step 2 – Place the jar on the trivet or in the steamer basket.
- Step 3 – Place the trivet or basket in the Instant Pot.
- Step 4 – Add approximately 4 cups of water to the Instant Pot. This will depend on the size of your IP. You want the mason jars ยพ of the way covered with water. Add more water if needed. Do not add too much or go past the rims of the jar.
- Step 5 – Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 40 minutes for the THC flower, 60 minutes for the CBG flower, 90 minutes for the CBD flower, and 180 minutes for the THC flower you want to degrade into CBN.
- Step 6 – After your selected time in minutes has been completed, carefully manually release the pressure.
- Step 7 – Remove the jars and set them aside to cool.
- Step 8 – Your decarbed flower is now ready to use! Find many different ways to use it below.
Note: complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.
Storage Instructions
Store decarbed cannabis in a dark, cool, dry place in an air-tight container for up to 6 months or even longer.
Iโve seen some people store it this way for several years.
Choose The Right Decarb Time
Each cannabinoid decarboxylates at a different temperature, so it’s important to select the appropriate time based on the flower you have.
Use this guide to select the decarb time that is right for you.
Decarb Times
- THCA โ ฮ9-THC – bake at 240ยฐF/116ยฐC for 40 minutes
- CBDA โ CBD – bake at 240ยฐF/116ยฐC for 90 minutes
- CBGA โ CBG – bake at 220ยฐF/105ยฐC for 60 minutes
- ฮ9-THC โ CBN – bake at 240ยฐF/116ยฐC for 180 minutes
How To Use In Edibles
Once you have decarbed your cannabis, it is ready to use in many different ways.
The most simple way is to add ground, decarbed cannabis straight to recipes like a herb or spice, like salt or pepper.
One of the most simple recipes using cannabis this way is the firecracker, but you can also add decarbed cannabis straight to brownies or savory recipes like ranch dressing.
You can also take this process one step further and infuse the cannabis into butter or oil using the Instant Pot.
Notes and Expert Tips
- Use dried cannabis to start for best results.
- Mason jars are the preferred container to use, but silicone works, too.
- You can use your desired amount of cannabis flower, ranging from 1 gram up to 2 ounces.
- Select your preference for THC, CBD, or CBG-dominant flowers.
- You can purchase them from your local dispensary or purchase hemp flower from my online shop here.
How to Decarb in an Instant Pot
Equipment
What You Need
- 3.5 ounces cannabis flower, buds, trim, or kief
Instructions
- Place your desired amount of cannabis in a mason jar and add a lid to fingertip tightness (not too tight). You do not need to grind the cannabis, just break it up into small, popcorn-sized pieces.
- Place the jar on the trivet or in the steamer basket and place the trivet or basket in the Instant Pot.
- Add approximately 4 cups of water to the Instant Pot. This will depend on the size of your IP. You want the mason jars ยพ of the way covered with water. Add more water if needed. Do not add too much or go past the rims of the jar.
- After your selected time, carefully release the pressure.
- Remove the jars from the pot and set them aside to cool.
- Your decarbed flower is now ready to use. Move on to the infusion process or find many different ways to use it in the post above.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Decarbing in an Instant Pot produces significantly less than other traditional methods. You will barely be able to smell it, which is why so many people love it!
At least 6 months in a cool, dry place in an air-tight container. I’ve heard of it being stored for up to several years in the freezer. Just know that aged cannabis can cause THC to degrade into CBN.
You can use it in many different ways! You can turn it into cannabutter or any type of cannabis oil and use it in so many different recipes.
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Hi Farrah. You’re correct that the typical temperature for decarboxylating THC is around 240ยฐF for about 40 minutes. The Instant Pot can reach up to 250ยฐF, which is slightly above the optimal decarboxylation temperature. However, this slight increase in temperature will effectively decarboxylate your cannabis without degrading the THC, as long as you closely monitor the time. Hope this helps!
Absolutely, CJ! Using kief for your infusion can be a fantastic choice. The amount you use may vary based on how much you have, but the temp and and time would be the same. Here’s a guide for decarbing Kief specifically. Enjoy your decarb journey! ๐ฟ
I have been using the Insta pot for Decarboxylation & infusions. My issue has to do with Decarboxylation time to convert THCA to THC with the Time set to 40 minutes at High Press.
I got distracted and didn’t get back to the Insta pot for over an hour. At that time I discovered that the Keep Warm button had not been deselected. I don’t know what temp is when Keep Warm is on
I’m worried that the conversion was to long & I have created CBG rather than THC.
Any ideas?
Hi Robert. The “Keep Warm” function typically maintains a temperature much lower than what’s required for decarboxylation, which means the THC didn’t continue to convert at the full rate. The extended time may have impacted the potency or quality slightly, but not hugely unless it was left for hours. I suggest to carefully monitor the effects of this batch compared to previous ones. If anything, you’ll have more CBN which creates a bit more sleepier effects.
It really works and allows you to grind the results to a fine powder for fudge and baking.
Thank you for your sharing Margo. We love hearing the experiences of our readers and our readers appreciate it too!
Dear Emily
My pint jar will not stay up right in the insta pot. They want to float. What do I do to solve this matter. Thank you
Cher henry
Hi Cher. Here are some tips to help:
– Weight the Jars: Keep them submerged by placing a heat-safe object like a trivet on top.
– Reduce Water Level: Use just enough water to reach halfway up the jars to prevent floating.
– Use Silicone Bands: Secure silicone bands around the jars for extra weight and stability.
– Add More Jars: Filling the space with more jars can distribute pressure and prevent floating.
Hope these tips improve your decarbing! Happy cooking!
Hi,
Iโve also used my insta pot to decarb for edibles, but this time Iโm attempting to make infused body butter. Iโd like to know what the temp & time table is for Shake or trim. Iโd like it to be potent for pain relief. The indica strain I have is Purple Sherbet (28% THC). I intend to infuse coconut oil after decarbing. Aside from time/temp, can I decarb multiple jars at once, how much shake in each jar?
Hi Donna! That sounds like an exciting project! For shake or trim, everything remains the same, aiming for a temperature of around 240ยฐF (115ยฐC) for about 40 minutes should yield desirable results.
Yes, you can decarb multiple jars at once, just make sure they aren’t overcrowded, so the heat can circulate properly.
As for the amount of shake in each jar, a good rule of thumb is to fill the jar no more than ยพ full to allow for expansion and ensure an even decarb.
Happy infusing, and I hope your body butter provides the pain relief you’re looking for!