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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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!
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!
I need help ๐ 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!
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. ๐
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.