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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Hi everyone is saying the same thing with the 40 minutes on high pressure, but I am having issues with the water height. A lot of people on youtube show the water stopping right at the trivet and then others like you say it needs to be touching the glass. I am not sure what’s right and why.
Great question, Raven! For decarbing in the Instant Pot, the water level should touch the glass to ensure even heat distribution. This helps create the right environment for decarboxylation. Hope that clears up the confusion! 😊
I am confused. Is it 4 cups of water or enough water
To 2/3 the way up the jar? 4 cups in a standard instant pot doesn’t nearly cover the jars that much. Here you say the water needs to touch the glass. Asking for clarification.
Thank you so much for your question, Mary! 😊 The goal is to have enough water to cover the jars about halfway-2/3, which might be more or less than 4 cups depending on your setup. The amount of water can vary based on your jars and the size of your Instant Pot size.
Any tips on how to convert this Instant Pot method to a regular stove-top pressure cooker?
Hi there! To convert the Instant Pot method to a regular stovetop pressure cooker, follow these steps:
– Use the same ingredients and measurements as the Instant Pot recipe.
– After adding everything to your pressure cooker, secure the lid and bring it to high pressure over medium-high heat.
– Once it reaches high pressure, lower the heat to maintain pressure for 40 minutes.
– When the cooking time is done, quick release the pressure.
Keep in mind that stovetop pressure cookers may reach higher pressures than electric ones, so cooking times might vary slightly. Start with 40 minutes and adjust future batches if needed after checking the results. I hope this helps! Let us know how it turns out! 😊
Many thanks!
You’re welcome. Happy to Help!
How do you keep the jars in the instant pot from falling over in the water? When I put the jar in and start pouring water around it, I can’t fill it more than halfway up the jar before it starts to float and fall over. And the jar is packed with cannabis. It’s just not heavy enough to stay put.
Hi Teresa. Try placing a trivet or silicone sling in the Instant Pot to help stabilize the jars. You can also wrap the jar in a dish towel or add a weight on top to keep it from floating. Hope this helps!
I placed empty jars filled with water around the outside of the one I was decarbing, that always keeps it from tipping over and floating.
Thank you for sharing your tip!
What do I do if my jars start to float before the 3/4 mark?
Great question, Joann! If your jars start to float before the 3/4 mark, you can gently weigh them down with something heat-safe, like a silicone trivet or a small ramekin. This will help keep them in place during the process. Happy decarbing!
How to decar bubble hash in an instapot? Is it the same as flour? Thanks, brian nolting
Hi Brian! You can absolutely follow the same process for bubble hash. Happy decarbing!
Hi,
I’ve also used my insta pot to decarb for edibles, but this time I’m attempting to make infused body butter. I’d like to know what the temp & time table is for Shake or trim. I’d 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 240°F (115°C) 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 ¾ 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!
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!
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!
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.
I read that the instant pot gets up to 250 degrees. How can that work for decarboxylating for THC? I thought it was 240 for 40. Thanks for clarifying!
Hi Farrah. You’re correct that the typical temperature for decarboxylating THC is around 240°F for about 40 minutes. The Instant Pot can reach up to 250°F, 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!
Can you do this with Kief?
How much would you have and would the temp be different?
Can’t wait to try this!
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! 🌿
I have a 80grams of more THC type flower. Can I decarb half at 40 min then the other half at 180min to get more CBN?
Then mix it together when infusing?
I’m using the pressure cooker and Mason jar method.
Last time made it,I went 45min. The cannaoil I made was very potent. But it did little to releave pain.
Hey there, Rob! Decarbing half for 40 minutes for THC activation and the other half for 180 minutes for CBN conversion and then mixing them together for the infusion sounds like a great approach. Remember, potency doesn’t always correlate with pain relief, so adjusting the cannabinoid profile and ratio could make all the difference. Keep up the exploration and let us know how it turns out! 🌿
Hello, I followed the recipe and overall it went well and I like this method more than using the oven, but I did get some moisture in the jars. Should I have tightened them more? Or other solution? I let them dry several minutes in front of a fireplace and it helped but not sure of the impact. Thank you for your thoughts and guidance 🙂
Hi Tara. The lids should only be finger tight and it is likely the moisture isn’t from the water, but rather the moisture from the flower that tried evaporating out during decarb. I like to leave my flower sitting out to dry prior to decarb to prevent this from happening. Happy decarbing!
Does the amount of water change based on the size of the instant pot? Or does 4 cups work for all sizes?
Hi John. The amount of water can vary depending on the size of the instant pot. Ultimately, you want to make sure you have enough water so the jar is submerged halfway, but not floating. I hope this helps!
Hi! Using the standard oven method, you can create a CBD result by decarbing a THC flower for a longer period of time. Can this be accomplished in an IP? If so, how long should I cook it? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, Tereigh. You cannot create CBD by decarbing THC flower for a longer period of time, just CBN. You need CBDA present to decarb and achieve CBD. Therefore, no, this will not work in an IP. Unless you are trying to go for CBN, in which case 180 minutes is the recommended time 🙂