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!

Text that says how to decarb in an instant pot with a picture of flower in a mason jar.

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!
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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.

Iโ€™ve seen some people store it this way for several years.

A picture of a white counter top with an instant pot in the background focusing on a mason jar of cannabis flowers on a trivet

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

  1. THCA โ†’ ฮ”9-THC – bake at 240ยฐF/116ยฐC for 40 minutes
  2. CBDA โ†’ CBD – bake at 240ยฐF/116ยฐC for 90 minutes
  3. CBGA โ†’ CBG – bake at 220ยฐF/105ยฐC for 60 minutes
  4. ฮ”9-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.

A picture of a white counter top with an instant pot in the background focusing on a mason jar of cannabis flowers on a trivet

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.
A picture of a white counter top with an instant pot in the background focusing on a mason jar of cannabis flowers on a trivet

How to Decarb in an Instant Pot

By Emily Kyle, MS, RDN, HCP
4.76 from 102 votes
Decarbing in an Instant Pot keeps odor to a minimum, is super simple to set up, and requires no extra special equipment. Plus, you can move on to the infusion process directly after, if you want.
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Equipment

What You Need  

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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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Do you have a question or need help?Join hundreds of members inside private Well With Cannabis Community for help, support, and to share your edible creations!

Frequently Asked Questions

How well does this method mask the smell while decarbing?

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!

How long will the decarbed cannabis stay good for?

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.

What are some ideas on how to use decarbed cannabis?

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.

 

About Emily

Hi, I’m Emily Kyle and I teach people just like you how to use cannabis to find joy, enhance productivity, improve relationships, and naturally support your overall health and wellness.

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80 Comments

  1. Greetings.
    Most calculators tell us that there is about 10% loss of potency when the thc is decarbed. If AI continue cooking to get CBN is there any further loss or can I rely on the 10% to still be accurate?

  2. Good Morning Steve. The 10% loss is still accurate with CBN conversion.

  3. Can you use this method to decarb wax for edibles? Would I just put the little jar inside the mason jar and follow the rest of the directions?

  4. Hi Jay. We haven’t experimented with the decarboxylation of concentrates in an instant pot. I don’t think you could use the jar the concentrates usually come in because they’re probably not rated for pressure cooking. The jar may be too small for a water bath as well. If you experiment, let us know how it goes! โ˜บ๏ธ

  5. I cannot find anywhere on the Instant Pot site what the temperatures are for the various settings on the IP (low-medium-high) I’m concerned about losing terpenes etc using the IP to decarb. Do you have any more details please?

  6. Hi catmum. Here are approximate temperatures for the various settings on the Instant Pot, but may vary by model.
    Sautรฉ: 212ยฐF to 400ยฐF (100ยฐC to 200ยฐC)
    Low: 190ยฐF to 200ยฐF (88ยฐC to 93ยฐC)
    Medium: 212ยฐF to 220ยฐF (100ยฐC to 105ยฐC)
    High: 239ยฐF to 244ยฐF (115ยฐC to 118ยฐC)
    Pressure Cook: 240ยฐF to 250ยฐF (115ยฐC to 121ยฐC)
    Yogurt: 180ยฐF to 190ยฐF (82ยฐC to 88ยฐC)
    Warm: 145ยฐF to 165ยฐF (63ยฐC to 74ยฐC)
    Keep Warm: 145ยฐF (63ยฐC)

    I hope this helps!

  7. I love your instant pot technique and use it all the time. I’d like to switch from flower to THCa Diamonds due to the cleaner taste/smell and for better dosage control.

    Do you have any experience decarbing THCa diamonds in an instant pot?

  9. Hi Jessie. Absolutely! Make sure to leave a little space on top for air flow. ?

  10. Hi Andrew. We haven’t experimented with the decarboxylation of concentrates in an instant pot. If you experiment, let us know how it goes! โ˜บ๏ธ