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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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 240ยบ 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)
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.
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.
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!
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! ?
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!