Is It Safe To Microwave Cannabis Edibles?

Are you looking for an infused recipe but it calls for softened cannabutter? Or are you stuck with a rock-solid jar of infused coconut oil? As tempting as it may be, you shouldn’t microwave cannabis infusions or you could risk ruining them. Read on to learn what to do instead so you can safely use your product – without sacrificing potency.

Article Features

• Reasons why you might want to avoid the microwave
• Helpful alternatives for melting infused butter and oil safely
• Want to skip the hard work? Shop with me and have premium, high-quality cannabis products delivered directly to your door! Now shipping across the US.

Why You Will Love This Guide

Cannabis butter or cannabis coconut oil is the star ingredient in baked edibles like brownies and cookies.

Typically stored in the freezer or refrigerator, the butter or oil must be at room temperature to spread on a piece of toast or incorporate into your recipes. 

Recently a member of my Well With Cannabis Community asked: “is it okay to microwave my kief cannabutter to make it easier to use?”

My answer? You really should avoid the microwave at all costs when working with cannabis!

This guide will explore why you should avoid the microwave and offer better alternatives for softening or melting your infusion.

Should You Microwave Your Cannabis?

If you’re looking for directions on using cannabutter or coconut oil in a recipe, some sites will advise you to pop your cannabis in the microwave to decarb or soften it.

This may be necessary to make the product functional and spreadable or to make your favorite cookies or baked goods.

This seems like a reasonable suggestion, especially if you’re in a hurry, but the truth is, you probably should not do this.

First, there is no evidence to suggest that a microwave can decarboxylate cannabis. I recommend doing this process in an oven or Instant Pot, where you have more control over the temperature.

Second, a 1000-watt microwave oven cooks food at 575° Fahrenheit. The higher the wattage, the higher the temperature.

Using a microwave to soften your cannabutter, you risk destroying cannabinoids like THC starting at around 340° Fahrenheit.

These high temperatures can damage the potency and flavor of your cannabis, plus give it a bad smell.

This method is too unpredictable and can ruin your whole process.

There are better ways to soften cannabutter that may take a little more time but will give you the results you are looking for.

Let’s explore these below.

Let it Sit at Room Temperature

Before you get your mixing bowl out or turn on the oven, get your cannabutter out of the freezer or fridge. Put it into a leakproof container and just let it sit.

You can do this earlier in the day when you first decide you will be baking.

While the cannabutter softens, you have the time to do other chores and then gather all your tools and ingredients.

Measure, sift, crack eggs, and do whatever needs to be done for your recipe beforehand and then add in the softened cannabutter. 

Use a Stove

Put your cannabutter into a small saucepan and slowly heat it up over low heat.

Be careful that it doesn’t burn. If you have a double boiler, use it instead.

Simply fill the lower pot with water, put your cannabutter in the top pot, cover it, and turn the burner up to medium-high or high. As the water boils, the cannabutter will melt.

Storage Bag and Hot Water

Place the cannabutter in a Ziploc storage or freezer bag and put the whole bag into a bowl of hot water. The cannabutter should melt in a couple of minutes.

Warm Water Method

Oil and water don’t mix, so you can safely add cannabutter to a bowl of warm water without worrying that the water will dilute your precious cannabutter.

Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then drain the water.

Beat it With a Rolling Pin

If you are feeling impatient, put your cannabutter in a Ziploc bag. Using your rolling pin, give it a few good wacks.

This will break up the cannabutter to easily meld with the other ingredients.

When making edibles, handling your ingredients can alter the results.

To soften the cannabutter, use one of these methods rather than the microwave to keep the cannabinoids intact. 

Final Thoughts

The answer is no; you should not microwave your cannabutter or any other form of cannabis.

The risk of destroying the potency is too great.

Instead, you can use one of the ideas above to introduce gentle heat, preserve your infusion, and make your favorite baked good as desired.