Worried about the smell of decarbing, but ready to start making your own edibles? An Instant Pot or pressure cooker is the perfect solution! This method keeps odor to a minimum, is super simple to set up, and requires no additional 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
- A quick and easy way to decarb without an oven
- A way to significantly decrease the odor of cannabis during the decarb process
- 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
When I first started making my own edibles, I was so excited, until I realized my whole house smelled like, well, cannabis. Not ideal when you’re trying to keep things low-key!
That’s when I discovered the magic of decarbing in an Instant Pot. It’s a total game-changer: no overwhelming smell, super easy to set up, and you don’t even need any additional equipment. The best part? You can go straight into infusing if you’re ready to take the next step. If you’ve been wanting to decarb but don’t have an oven, this method is perfect for you.
If you’re new to making edibles, you should know that one of the very first steps is a process called decarboxylation. This is what activates the CBD or THC in your flower, making it ready for infusion. The traditional method for this involves baking the cannabis in a regular kitchen oven, but that’s what creates that strong, lingering smell that so many of us want to avoid.
Decarbing your cannabis in an Instant Pot is a quick, easy, and incredibly effective way to get the job done nearly odor free. Because the Instant Pot seals everything inside, the smell gets trapped, leaving your kitchen fresh and making the whole process much more enjoyable for everyone.
Even better? The maximum temperature of an Instant Pot’s pressure cooker function is approximately (244°F/118°C) on the high-pressure setting, which makes it perfectly suited for achieving the ideal decarb temp of 240°F while minimizing odor and preserving the quality of your cannabis.
My Well With Cannabis Community is always looking for new and better ways to decarb cannabis, and this method has become a tried-and-true favorite. So many of my members love this process, and I’m excited to share it with you too. This guide will walk you through exactly how to decarb cannabis using your Instant Pot, complete with expert notes, helpful tricks, and answers to all your questions. Let’s dive in and get decarbing! 🍃
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.
- Carrier oil: If you will be infusing after the decarb process, choose a carrier oil, like coconut oil or avocado oil.
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 approximately 4 cups of water to the Instant Pot. This will depend on the size of your IP. You want the mason jars ¾ 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.
I’ve seen some people store it this way for several years.
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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 → Δ9-THC – bake at 240°F/116°C for 40 minutes
- CBDA → CBD – bake at 240°F/116°C for 90 minutes
- CBGA → CBG – bake at 220°F/105°C for 60 minutes
- Δ9-THC → CBN – bake at 240°F/116°C for 180+ minutes (approximate; CBN forms slowly, mostly through aging and oxygen exposure, so a single bake yields only a little)
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. You do not need to use a grinder, just break up the cannabis buds gently by hand.
- 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
What You Need
- 3.5 ounces cannabis flower, buds, trim, or kief *You can use any amount you want.
Instructions
- If you want to calculate the dose of your edibles, you will want to weigh your material first. Weigh your material using a digital scale and write it down for later.
- Note: You do not need to grind the cannabis, just break it up into small, popcorn-sized pieces.
- Place your desired amount of cannabis in a mason jar. If you plan to move on to the infusion process after, be sure to use a jar that is big enough to hold your desired amount of butter or oil, ex: Pint vs. Quart jar.
- Place a lid onto the mason jar and close it to fingertip tightness. You do not want it too loose or too tight.
- Plug in the Instant Pot and remove the lid.
- Place trivet or the steamer basket into the Instant Pot and then place the mason jar in the trivet or basket.
- Add approximately several cups of water to the Instant Pot. The amount of water will depend on the size of your Instant Pot. You want the mason jars ½ of the way covered with water. Do not add too much water or go past the rims of the jar.
- Return the Instant Pot lid and turn it on.
- Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for: 40 minutes for THC flower, 60 minutes for CBG flower, 90 minutes for CBD flower, and 180 minutes for THC flower you want to degrade into CBN.
- After your selected cook time has passed, carefully release the pressure or let it release naturally.
- Remove the mason from the Instant Pot and set it aside to cool.
- Your decarbed flower is now ready to use! You can move on to the infusion process or find many different ways to use it in the post above.
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!
A general recommendation is to cook anywhere between 30-40 minutes.
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.
Take your edibles to the next level…
My Edibles Made Easy Online Cooking Course will teach you how to easily make cannabis edibles and topical recipes at home. This step-by-step video course will teach you how to infuse, extract, and create edibles with many different product types – all from the comfort of your own home.
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When decarbing THC can I do a natural pressure release or will that turn it in to CBN?
Hi Mike. During the extended time it takes for natural pressure release, the THC will continue converting, but not fully to CBN. You’ll experience some conversion, but not all. Honestly, it may be minimal and worth experimenting with to see how you like the final results.
hi! I have some leftover shake from a grow a few years back. Not sure what the dominant flower is, how long should I decarb?
Hi Mimi. Do you typically grow CBD or THC? I would decarb based on that. 😊
I need help 🙂 I have tried this method x2 and my bud is coming out incredibly dark, burnt looking. The first time was 1.5 grams and the 2nd was 3.5 grams. (I would assume using such a small amount the first time could explain the dark color)
My product usually has smallish buds, so I only broke down the larger ones so they were pretty uniform, compared to your photos, I would say my buds are smaller than popcorn size. I did not use the grinder, I used my hands.
I have an instant pot duo, and used high pressure for 40 min. Once the 40 min elapsed, I vented and then opened the cover. Both instances the bud turned out very very dark brown, much darker than I usually get in the oven. Is this okay? I would hope it will be okay since I know the instant pot temperature should not have surpassed 240 degrees fahrenheit
Hey there Tootie,
I’m really sorry to hear that your first couple of attempts at decarbing didn’t turn out as expected. It can be a bit tricky to get right, especially when you’re just starting out. But don’t worry, we’ll figure this out together!
Firstly, it sounds like you’re doing everything right in terms of the amount of bud and the size of the pieces. However, using an Instant Pot can be a little different than traditional stovetop methods. The pressure cooking might be causing the bud to darken more than usual.
While a darker color doesn’t necessarily mean your flower won’t work, it could indicate that your bud is getting a bit overheated, which might affect the taste or potency. Remember, we’re aiming for a light to medium brown color, similar to toasted spices.
Here are a few suggestions:
1. Reduce the cooking time: Try reducing the cooking time to 30 minutes instead of 40. This might help prevent the bud from getting too dark.
2. Try a Natural Release: Instead of venting immediately after the cooking time is up, let the pressure come down naturally. This slower cooling process might help protect your bud from sudden temperature changes that could cause it to darken.
3. Monitor the Temperature: While the Instant Pot shouldn’t surpass 240 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s still a good idea to monitor the temperature if you can. This will help ensure it’s not getting too hot.
Remember, making edibles is part science and part art. It might take a bit of trial and error to find the method that works best for you. But don’t get discouraged! With a bit of patience and persistence, I’m confident you’ll get it.
Please let me know how it goes if you decide to give it another try. I’m here to help if you have any more questions or concerns!
Thank you for this awesome recipe. I have been using a pressure cooker to decarb my thc flower for a few years and I don’t know how I ended up picking a 30 minute cook time. I make canna butter and have had good results. Question: will increasing my time to 40 minutes result in a better thc canna butter, stronger result? Thank you
Hi Scott. With 30 minutes decarb time, it is not likely that all the cannabinoids have converted. Adding another 10 minutes to that, for a total of 40 minutes, will increase the conversion of cannabinoids resulting in a better, stronger cannabutter. Happy infusing!
A heads up and a question. I screwed up and it’s my bad. I wanted to decarb both Thc and cbd dominant flower. Using the instant pot, I put in the four cups of water and ran the forty minute decar process for t h c. Can I let the machine cool for a while, added about another cup and a 1/2 of water and put the CBD flower in, and stupidly set it for a 180 minutes (thc-cbn) rather than the 90 it should have been. 4+ cups is apparently not enough for 180 min and I may have killed my IP ( I won’t say what happened so as to not scare off any IP lovers). SO…can I use the overdone cbd to make anything or have I wasted some of my grow?
Hi Marilyn. I’m sorry to hear about your mishap with the decarbing process. It’s hard to say how potent your flower is without lab results, so experimenting is essential, if you want to know the effects. It is likely that you have mostly CBN, but with the extended time, some may have burned off completely. I’m not sure of the remaining benefits for using in edibles at this point, but it’s definitely worth trying as a topical! Let us know what you try. I’d love to hear the results. Good luck!
First, your website is an invaluable tool for beginners in the up-and-coming home cannabis prep, cooking, and information I never thought I would need! Thanks for this. My question is how to effectively clean the insta pot after decarb. Do you only use your pot for decarbing (probably) or do you perhaps have a best method for cleaning to eliminate the lingering smell?
Hi LT. Cleaning your Instant Pot after decarbing can indeed be a little tricky due to the lingering smell. One effective method is to wash the removable inner pot, lid, and sealing ring with warm, soapy water. It’s also safe to put these parts in the dishwasher for most machines. For the sealing ring, which tends to hold onto odors, you might want to consider having a separate one specifically for cannabis cooking. Lastly, running a steam-clean cycle with vinegar or lemon water can also help neutralize any remaining odors. I hope this helps. Enjoy your culinary experiments!
Thank you, this is a great method for a larger amount of weed.
Hi Ken. Thank you for your feedback. Your kind words and support mean so much to us!
Hi. I’m considering decarbing my flower to CBN but am concerned about leaving my pressure cooker on High for 3 hrs. Tried googling how long is safe but just gives me info for Crock-Pot temps. Just want to make sure I have the info correct before I attempt this. Afraid of explosions.😉 Thanks.
Hi Anya. I understand your concern about leaving your pressure cooker on high for an extended period of time while decarbing your flower. Safety is always a top priority, and it’s essential to have accurate information before attempting any cooking method. I couldn’t find specific information regarding how long is too long for a pressure cooker, so I recommend reaching out to the manufacturer directly. I wish I had more information to provide, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek guidance from the manufacturer. Stay safe and enjoy your cooking adventures!
This sounds awesome. I have a ninja foodi, will this process be the same?
Hi Nathan. Yes, the process is the same. Happy Decarbing!
I was curious if I could decarb and infuse at the same time? Because once I decarb at 240 for 40 minutes it changes thca to thc and then later infuse at 240 for 45 minutes wouldn’t the THC convert to something else?
Decarbing and infusing at the same time isn’t ideal. Decarbing at 240°F for 40 minutes activates THCA into THC, but if you infuse at the same temp for too long, THC can degrade into CBN. It’s best to decarb first, then infuse at a lower temp to preserve potency. Here’s the guide for infusing in the Instant Pot: Instant Pot Cannabutter or Oil » Easy Guide – Happy infusing!
I have an 8qt instant pot and 4 cups of water doesn’t even cover the bottom. The first time I used this recipe, I filled to halfway up the pint sized mason jar and the jar started floating. I took enough out so it didn’t float and it was only about 1/4 of the way up the jar. Both ways my cannabis still decarbed and allowed me to make delicious, potent edibles.
Hi Jessica. Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! It’s great to hear that despite a bit of a hiccup with the water level, you were still able to successfully decarb your cannabis and make some potent edibles. Sometimes you have to improvise and adjust on the fly!
It’s important for our readers to know that the water level can vary depending on the size of the Instant Pot and the size of the mason jar you’re using. The key is to ensure the jar doesn’t float and that it’s not touching the bottom of the pot directly to prevent cracking due to heat.
Thank you again for your feedback. It’s really helpful for our readers who may encounter similar issues. If you try any other recipes or techniques, don’t hesitate to share your experiences. Happy cooking!
Great article! Do my flowers need to be dry before I put them through the process? They’ve been hanging a few days so far.
Hi Melissa. We recommend fully drying and curing your cannabis prior to decarbing and using it for edibles. Without drying, the product will contain extra moisture, which can throw off your recipes. Without curing, the cannabis will have a strong plant/hay taste. Curing helps finish off buds, improving their taste and smell as the chlorophyll breaks down and removes the freshly cut lawn/hay-like odor and taste: the less chlorophyll, the better tasting the final product. I hope this helps!
Hi I love this site and what you do! I also love the dairy free recipes and option and I can’t wait to try this with flower, but I did want to ask if there’s a way to adapt this method to use concentrate like live resin?
Hi Mona! It makes us so happy that you find our site resourceful! ? We haven’t experimented with the decarboxylation of concentrates in an Instant Pot. The jar that concentrates usually come in are too small for a water bath and most likely not rated for pressure cooking. If you figure out a technique, let us know!
Great post! I added 4 cups of water however with the use of a trivet the jar now sits outside of the water. This could be due the size of my one pot. Should there be enough water to come in contact with the jar? If so, by how much, 1 inch?
Hi Chrystal. There should be enough water to reach about halfway up the jar, but not too much water that causes the jar to float.
Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. I only have 2 questions. #1 When using a trivet/basket, which is best, silicone or metal? #2 Could the product be used immediately or should I let it rest, after cooling? Thank you so much.
Hi Vicky. You can use either silicone or metal trivet/basket and you can use your decarbed product immediately, but you will need to wait a few minutes for the jar to cool down enough to be handled. Happy Decarbing! ?
I use coconut oil instead of butter and I want a very sleepy product. I put it in a brownie and take it at bedtime. How long should I Decarb it for
Hi John. You’ll want to decarb your THC-dominant flower at 240º for 180 minutes. This process converts THC to CBN, which is known as the “sleepy” cannabinoid. You can read more about CBN here: Sleepy CBN Oil Recipe + What is Cannabinol (CBN)