Are you patiently waiting to make your own cannabis edibles - but are 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!
Features
- Decreases odor significantly
- A quick and easy process
- No special equipment needed aside from the IP
- Want to decarb AND infuse right in the same jars? Check out this simple guide for making cannabutter or oil in an Instant Pot.
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, and tricks, and fully answered FAQs.
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Equipment Notes
- Instant Pot: There are many different Instant Pot models available. Just about any one 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 of THC, CBD, or CBG dominant flowers. If needed, you can purchase them from your local dispensary or from my online shop here.
Note: a complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions is located in the recipe card 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 4 cups of water to the Instant Pot.
- Step 5 - Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 40 minutes for THC-dominant flower, 60 minutes for CBG-dominant flower, 90 minutes for CBD-dominant flower, and 180 minutes for THC flower you want to degrade into CBN.
- Step 6 - After your selected time in minutes, 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 cool, dry place in an air-tight container for up to 6 months, or even longer. I’ve seen some people store it for several years this way.
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.
- THCA to THC → bake at 240° F for 40 minutes
- CBDA to CBD → bake at 240°F for 90 minutes
- CBGA to CBG → bake at 220°F for 60 minutes
- THC to CBN→ bake at 240°F 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.
How to Determine The Dosing
Want to get a more accurate guesstimate of the potency of your cannabis infusions and extractions? Try our popular edibles calculator!
Not sure what your perfect dose is? Learn more here.
Notes and Expert Tips
- Use dried, non-decarbed, cannabis to start.
- Mason jars are the preferred container to decarb cannabis in.
- You can use your desired amount of cannabis flower, ranging from 1 gram up to 2 ounces.
- Select your preference of THC, CBD, or CBG dominant flowers.
- You can purchase them from your local dispensary or purchase hemp flower from my online shop here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Decarbing cannabis in an Instant Pot can be brand new to even the most seasoned cannabis consumer, so here are some of the most common FAQs I get asked about decarbing cannabis in an Instant Pot from my Well With Cannabis Community.
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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More Decarb Articles You Will Love
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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 4 cups of water to the Instant Pot.
- 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.
Kristen
How long would you decarb trim ?
Emily Kyle
Kristen, 40 minutes for THC dominant flower, 90 minutes for CBD dominant flower 🙂
Patricia Sarisky
Very good post. Keep out the good work.
Emily Kyle
Thank you so much, Patricia!
Kasey
Will using my instant pot to decarb cannabis make my ring stink, or affect future meals taste? As lots of instant pot users have experienced, for some meals you need different rings so that your banana bread doesn't end up tasting like Indian food! Wondering if the canna will be string enough to make me want to have a new ring handy 🙂
Emily Kyle
Hey Kasey 🙂 I personally have not noticed a strong taste or smell left on the ring - especially when using a mason jar. I hope this is the same experience for you!
Jen
How do you know if you've overcooked your buds? My pressure cooker allows me to choose 12 psi as the highest setting, and I wasn't sure whether to choose 12, or 10.5...the buds were a little dark when decarbed (used 12), so I'm hoping I didn't ruin them.
Emily Kyle
Hey Jen! A little color change is normal, going from green to light or dark brown is OK. I don't think you would have ruined them 🙂
T_T
If you recall, when breaking it up after decarboxylating was it super brittle and not sticky or would you say moderately brittle while still getting your fingers a little sticky? I did 3.5g in a 4oz mason and am not sure it's done enough because I expected it to be more browned and less sticky.
Emily Kyle
Hello T_T. I have never broken the flower up after the decarb process, only before. However, I don't base my decarb success on the color change; I just trust the time and temperature to take care of the process 🙂
Sarah
I already grounded my bud. Will it be ok? I mean I feel like it should be in theory but you definitely have more experience in the decarboxilating area than I. TIA
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Sarah! Yes, it is okay to decarb flower that has been ground up. 😊
Chanel
Hello!
If using this method to decarb kief should the pressure cooking time be shortened?
Same when using less cannabis, should a lower quantity have a shorter cook time, or does that not apply since its an instant pot ( like when cooking rice, the time doesn't change based on the amount of rice)
Thank you!
Best,
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Chanel. For kief, 30-35 minutes of decarb time is good. Regardless of the amount of cannabis used, cook time remains the same.
Here is Emily's guide on decarbing kief: https://emilykylenutrition.com/how-to-make-edibles-with-kief/ I hope this helps!
Shane Lucas
What size mason jar did you use I have 6quart trying to figure out what oz size I need
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Shane. 16oz pint-size jars are perfect.
Heidi
We’ve been working to decarb our buds in the instapot and traditionally do it on high pressure for 40 mins. Is there a “rule” against re-doing or adding additional time if you think it’s necessary?
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Heidi. There is no rule to follow. If you feel your bud isn't decarbed enough, feel free to run for extra time. If anything, you will have more of a sleepy effect from your final product.
Nicole
Hello,
My instant pot took all but 10 minutes of the cooking time before the timer started. So it was actually only under pressure for 10 minutes. Is the 30 minutes prior still working the process? Or do I need to decarb for 40 minutes under pressure?
Renée from Team EKN
Hi Nicole. How long did it take to build up pressure before the cooking time started? Is there a change in the color of your buds? You'll want a little color change, going from green to light or dark brown. You can always run another decarb cycle if you don't think it did enough. Worse thing to happen is it becomes a little more sleepier of a product.