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'll risk ruining them! Read on to learn what to do instead so you can safely use your product - without sacrificing potency!
Features
- All the reason why you should avoid the microwave
- Helpful alternatives for melting infused butter and oil safely
- Tips and tricks for preserving the potency of your infusions
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 needs to be at room temperature to spread it on a piece of toast or incorporate it into your recipes.
Recently a member of my Well With Cannabis Community asked: “is it okay to microwave my cannabutter to make it easier to use?”
My answer? You really should avoid the microwave at all costs when working with cannabis!
In this guide, we will explore why you should avoid the microwave and offer better alternatives for softening or melting your infusion.
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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 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the wattage, the higher the temperature.
If you use a microwave to soften your cannabutter, you run the risk of destroying the cannabinoids like THC starting at 315 degrees Fahrenheit.
These high temperatures can damage the potency and flavor of your cannabis, plus give it a bad smell.
This method is simply 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.
Alternative Ways to Soften Cannabutter
Classic techniques for softening solids used in baking are some of the best ways to soften cannabutter.
It just takes a little bit of planning to get your edibles mixed up, baked, and out of the oven to enjoy.
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.
The Hot Cup Trick
Fill a large cup glass with hot water and let it sit for one minute.
Pour out the water and invert the cup over your cannabutter. It should soften in two to three minutes.
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 simply 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 so that it will easily meld with the other ingredients.
When making edibles, the way you handle your ingredients can alter the results.
To soften cannabutter, use one of these methods rather than the microwave to keep the cannabinoids intact.
Final Thoughts
Overall, 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.
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