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Instant Pot - Decarb & Extract

Soup

New Member
The keep warm setting ,could you explain ?I have a typical pressure cooler not instant pot and have amassed some avb I'd like to ,most importantly ,efficiently use this material to make edibles.
I have a traditional pressure cooker and the temp in a pressure cooker is 250F so I am not sure about using this to decarb but wonder if it would be OK to make butter in?
 
Soup,

newflyguyga

New Member
Have you tried this with smaller batches? I've tried to cook twice lately and both were fails. I am just sick about wasting ingredients. I swore never again but the truth is, for me, a combo edible/light smoke high is not only the most effective pain relief/mood lifter but also the most enjoyable way I've found. So maybe I'll try one more time, but wouldn't mind playing it a little safe and making least amount possible.

Strength wise, what would you guestimate a reasonable starting dose would be? I'm pretty tolerant but if course better safe than sorry starting out.

Quick Question, I live in, lets just call it, a place that is "overseen, aka 'big brother' " If you do this instapot method, in the canning jar, I've heard, at any rate 200 deg F for 2-4 hours, when you open the instapot (not the jar) does the smell of weed fill the room? or only when you open the jar?

I've also heard of using the Instapot ONLY to carboxylate weed, by putting it in a silicone sealed cooking bag at 200 degrees for 2-4 hours at 200 degrees (weed only, with just a bit of water in the instapot), then the weed is ready to make a tincture with. Anyone try this (I JUST NOW got an instapot)

Inquiring minds would like to know? I have heard from some that the good silicone bags do not leak (the expensive ones and set in correctly heat the weed in the bag sufficient to do the job. I'm more interested in tinctures than butters (to be fair, I just joined the message board after having come across ya'll in a search, if there is another area more appropriate, please point the way! Thank you :D )
 

tokinginger

Member
Quick Question, I live in, lets just call it, a place that is "overseen, aka 'big brother' " If you do this instapot method, in the canning jar, I've heard, at any rate 200 deg F for 2-4 hours, when you open the instapot (not the jar) does the smell of weed fill the room? or only when you open the jar?

I've also heard of using the Instapot ONLY to carboxylate weed, by putting it in a silicone sealed cooking bag at 200 degrees for 2-4 hours at 200 degrees (weed only, with just a bit of water in the instapot), then the weed is ready to make a tincture with. Anyone try this (I JUST NOW got an instapot)

Inquiring minds would like to know? I have heard from some that the good silicone bags do not leak (the expensive ones and set in correctly heat the weed in the bag sufficient to do the job. I'm more interested in tinctures than butters (to be fair, I just joined the message board after having come across ya'll in a search, if there is another area more appropriate, please point the way! Thank you :D )
The odor that is released is minimal and I only noticed it when the cycle making the butter was completed. It should be fine for where you live. A lot better than decarbing in the oven.
FWIW I did successfully decarb in the IP and made very potent butter and coconut oil. You should be able to decarb no problem too. HTH!
 

HighMtnSkier

Waiting for winter
Nice write up. 40 minutes seems like a long time though. I can cook a bunch of chicken legs in 40 minutes.

When I cook artichokes, I usually put two in my IP for 25 minutes.
 
HighMtnSkier,

Soup

New Member
Here are the temps of the Instant Pot I have:
High Pressure 10.2- 11.6psi (239-244°F or 115-118°C); Low Pressure 5.8 -7.2 psi (229-233°F or 110-112°C)

This is the brand I have:
https://instantpot.com/

I regularly use a manual pressure cooker in my kitchen for food and have not used it for decarb because I have been told to decarb at 220F. The OG pressure cooker is a few degrees higher than an IP. I have even thought about buying a small IP just for decarb - but I see that you show it at 240F on high. Are these temps OK to decarb? Should I spring for a small IP just for this purpose? And if I use it just for this can I work directly in the IP?
 

Madri-Gal

Child Of The Revolution
Quick Question, I live in, lets just call it, a place that is "overseen, aka 'big brother' " If you do this instapot method, in the canning jar, I've heard, at any rate 200 deg F for 2-4 hours, when you open the instapot (not the jar) does the smell of weed fill the room? or only when you open the jar?

I've also heard of using the Instapot ONLY to carboxylate weed, by putting it in a silicone sealed cooking bag at 200 degrees for 2-4 hours at 200 degrees (weed only, with just a bit of water in the instapot), then the weed is ready to make a tincture with. Anyone try this (I JUST NOW got an instapot)

Inquiring minds would like to know? I have heard from some that the good silicone bags do not leak (the expensive ones and set in correctly heat the weed in the bag sufficient to do the job. I'm more interested in tinctures than butters (to be fair, I just joined the message board after having come across ya'll in a search, if there is another area more appropriate, please point the way! Thank you :D )
Great questions, and welcome! I don't yet know the answer to your excellent question, as I just got my first Instant Pot. Instant Pot for Pot. Great idea. Excellent.
 

newflyguyga

New Member
I regularly use a manual pressure cooker in my kitchen for food and have not used it for decarb because I have been told to decarb at 220F. The OG pressure cooker is a few degrees higher than an IP. I have even thought about buying a small IP just for decarb - but I see that you show it at 240F on high. Are these temps OK to decarb? Should I spring for a small IP just for this purpose? And if I use it just for this can I work directly in the IP?

My instapot brand I can pretty much control the temperature directly, so it shouldn't be a problem, and yeah, I was told the same 118°-220°F is supposed to be ideal to break the chemical bonds without destroying them. I saw this really cool idea, a "beer can chicken rack." a circular doohickey that sits in the bottom and can hold the jar up, then pour water up to half way up the jar; fill it with product, seal the jar and presto chango! (ok, so there is more to it, here: Ah yes, the smell, or lack thereof, of success)
I totally wanna try it, but use the temperatures recommended that we're talking about, and not for butter, but for carboxylation. The good thing, if the jar ever explodes (it's not under pressure the entire time, and not under high pressure), it never goes anywhere, any the smell will be absorbed into the water (a friend tells me.) I was also told, if you are worried about the smell at all; when you vent the pot, vent it into a bathtowel (like when I blow my vape in Big Brother's house LOLOL.)
 
newflyguyga,
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CurryLeafTreehugger

Well-Known Member
I have a traditional pressure cooker and the temp in a pressure cooker is 250F so I am not sure about using this to decarb but wonder if it would be OK to make butter in?

If it's weighted, get a 5 lb weight for it. It will top out at a lower temp than typical 15 lb cookers (US standard, I think UK standard is 13 PSI or thereabouts). Also keep in mind the ultimate temperature is dependent on your elevation.

I, too, wonder about using pressure cooking to make cannabutter. I live at about 5700' so my Instant pot, that tops out at 11.6 PSI, won't get to 250F like your conventional one would at sea level. It tops out lower than that. 243F at sea level on high, 233F at sea level on low. (High on an IP is 11.6 PSI and low is 7.2 PSI) At 5700' above sea level its even lower than that. Not sure exactly what, can't remember the formula, LOL! But its lower at higher elevations for any pressure cooker.

I will have to try this. BTW, they are now making at least some accessories for the small Instant Pot and you can get both the small and large IPs in the 10-in-1 Ultra versions now, which is the version I suggest. You can do fermentation in it (yogurt, dosa batter), slow cook, pressure cook, and you have much finer temperature control than any other IP model available to date. The Ultra models will hold temps within a 3C/5F range for the "custom temperature" settings. Instead of using the IP in pressure mode, decarbing could be done with a much finer control of temp on the custom temp settings, or possibly one of the preset cycles.

Of course if you go non-pressurized you may not be getting the same odor control, but when I water-wash my ABV there is hardly any smell at all. Fresh weed is a lot smellier though, so if odor is a problem you may want to stick with the pressurized settings.

IP ultra models currently come in the following sizes:

Small = 3 qt
Regular = 6 qt
Large = 8 qt

Last I checked IP Temps in the Ultra were as follows:

Low Yogurt: 86F to 93F

Reg Yogurt: 97F to 109F

Sterilize: 160F to 180F

Keep Warm function: 63 - 78°C (145 ~ 172°F);

Slow Cook function:

Low: 82-87.8°C / 180-190°F;

Med: 87.8-93°C / 190-200°F;

High: 93-99°C /200-210°F

Sauté function:

Low: 135 -150°C (275 -302°F);

Med: 160 -176°C (320 -349°F);

High: 175 - 210°C (347-410°F)


And custom temps in the range of 104F to 208F, the IP will actually operate in a 3C/5F range around the selected temp. The custom temp is NON pressurized cooking.

The above table assumes you are at sea level. Looks like the MEDIUM or HIGH slow cooker settings might be ideal for decarb. Problem is I can't seem to find a consensus on the "best" decarbing temps nor descriptions of how much is lost if you decarb at less-than-ideal temps. Some sites claim 250F IS the proper decarbing temp.

This site recommends an hour at 240F:

http://marijuanagrowershq.com/decarboxylating-cannabis-turning-thca-into-thc/

It seems to have worked for some people to go ahead and do it under pressure and thus at higher temps. I can't say since vaping my fresh material and then using the ABV means my material is effectively pre-de-carbed and I only need to make the butter.

Apparently oven decarb results in the loss of desirable THC up to 1/3rd, due to the high temperature variation. Doing this step in an Instant Pot involves way less temperature variation, depending on the cycle selected. The least variable temp seems to be to select a custom temp under the non-pressurized settings. But that does top out at 208F so if the desirable temp is higher than that, probably need to stick with one of the other cycles.
 
Last edited:

CurryLeafTreehugger

Well-Known Member
I purchased a levo last week, and it malfunctioned first time around and ruined some product, so I'm considering returning it and going the IP route instead. Thanks for the info!
Do you have to melt the butter or oil first, or can you throw it in the jar as is and let the heat in the IP melt it? Also, is there a way to stir it while in the IP without throwing off the process?
TIA

Did you decarb before using the Levo? The Levo doesn't decarb, only infuses.

Nice write up. 40 minutes seems like a long time though. I can cook a bunch of chicken legs in 40 minutes.

When I cook artichokes, I usually put two in my IP for 25 minutes.

The cook time is 20 minutes. It's a 40 min natural cool down.
 

CurryLeafTreehugger

Well-Known Member
So I went and checked out the IP manufacturer's site and there is a new model that has even finer control than the Ultra models. It's a 6 qt model that seems to do everything the Ultra does, plus it can be used in canning mode (MAX pressure in this model is a full 15 PSI), and it will do sous vide with 1C/1.8F temp accuracy. It's the Instant Pot Max.

The other 2 pressure levels don't seem to conform to other IP models. Low is listed @ 6.5 PSI in the manual, MAX is 15, and I haven't found HIGH yet. Other IPs are low = 7.2 PSI and high = 11.6 PSI.

The Sous Vide cycle allows you to set temp from 77F to 194F, +/- 1.8F

There is now a customizable fermentation setting under the Yogurt function - allows you to select both time and temperature.

I'm not sure if any of this is actually helpful for decarbing or making cannabutter. And I couldn't find complete info on all the settings/cycles, so you can't count on any of the info above for the Ultra working for the Max. But FYI, for those interested in an Instant Pot.
 

BaHayZeus

Well-Known Member
Just got the IP duo mini and taking a stab at making a glycerin tincture in it. Just did the decarb per the instructions. Definitely smelled a bit skunky releasing the pressure though! Hopefully it’s ok. Currently cooking with the glycerin and a little sunflower lecithin. I was happy with my crockpot version but it took 24 hours. This should be a lot faster. Also added the lecithin this time because it didn’t seem to absorb sublingually as well as I would have liked. Keep you posted on how it comes out!
 

Skinnyarbuckle

Well-Known Member
Insta pot mini was on the way to the goodwill, so I tried it out in the garage. 14 g of abv, 1 stick of melted butter in a mason jar, lid on,halfway up on the jar with water. Pressure cooked for 20 minutes and hit the keep warm button.Came back about an hour later, took it out of the pan it was still warm. Strained it and put it in the fridge overnight. Had my test subject try it out on some toast. 20 seconds in the microwave and a good mixing . A light coating and we waited. He said he felt wavy. Tester is a daily heavy smoker, trying to get him on vapes. After about an hour and a half he was toasted. Huge success first run.
 

Wiired

Semper Esurientem
I made a batch of canna-coconut oil with my IP when I first got it just to see. I just dumped 15g of flower with 1 cup of coconut oil into a mason jar, poured a little water in the bottom and set the lid. I just said it to cook at high pressure for 2 hours then I walked away. I pulled it about 4 hours later, it was lukewarm. Stranded out and it came out perfect.
 

Nematode128

New Member
I successfully decarbed and extracted in my Instant Pot pressure cooker and I just wanted to share the process as it was pretty quick and easy, with no mess.

Decarboxylation
1/2 ounces herb
1 pint mason jar with new lid
  • Grind up herb and place in the mason jar. Place lid and ring on the jar and close to finger tight.
  • Place the jar in the Instant Pot. Fill the instant pot with water up to the halfway point on the jar
  • Close the lid and set to pressure cook on high for 40 minutes.
  • Release steam/pressure.
  • Carefully remove the jar and let cool.
Extraction
1/2 ounce decarbed herb
1 cup butter (or other fat/oil)
1 pint mason jar with new lid
1 teaspoon sunflower lecithin
  • Use the same jar with a new lid.
  • Melt butter in the microwave and pour over herb
  • Add lecithin and stir
  • Put lid and ring on the jar and close to finger tight
  • Place the jar back in the Instant Pot with water up to halfway point on the jar
  • Close the Instant Pot and set to pressure cook on high for 20 minutes
  • Make sure the “keep warm” setting is on
  • Allow the pressure cooker to naturally cool down and release pressure for 40 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the jar and remove the ring and lid once cooled down.
  • Strain butter from herb.

Notes:
Don’t fill the jar more than halfway.
Have you had any luck changing the ratio of weed to butter/oil in this method? ex 1 oz to 1 cup? or 1/2 oz to 1/2 cup?
 
Nematode128,
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My method of infusion.
1oz Flower
1 pint sized mason jar
Instant Pot Ultra
2 cups water in the pot.
High on 30-45 minutes.
Jar will not tip over if on level surface. Main question being, does it fully decarb without damaging THC.
I bought a Levo 2, to try and test if it will do better, but I cant even fit an ounce in there, let alone another cup oil on top of it.

After Decarb I add 1 cup of Coconut Oil.
45 minutes on High. Strain. And its ready to go. I will be testing flower decarbed at both 30 and 45 minutes to see what kind of activation I am getting. As well as different times on the infusion.

The Nova sounds great, but IDK if its actually better than instant pot. The tech really cant be much better right?
 

tom32

Active Member
My method of infusion.
1oz Flower
1 pint sized mason jar
Instant Pot Ultra
2 cups water in the pot.
High on 30-45 minutes.
Jar will not tip over if on level surface. Main question being, does it fully decarb without damaging THC.
I bought a Levo 2, to try and test if it will do better, but I cant even fit an ounce in there, let alone another cup oil on top of it.

After Decarb I add 1 cup of Coconut Oil.
45 minutes on High. Strain. And its ready to go. I will be testing flower decarbed at both 30 and 45 minutes to see what kind of activation I am getting. As well as different times on the infusion.

The Nova sounds great, but IDK if its actually better than instant pot. The tech really cant be much better right?

@couchlockcannabis Did you get a chance to run your experiments?

Nova is calibrated to extract 99-100% of cannabinoids. I read a 3rd party review that confirmed this.
 
tom32,

Ramahs

Fucking Combustion (mostly) Since February 2017
Nova is calibrated to extract 99-100% of cannabinoids. I read a 3rd party review that confirmed this.

The Nova is a decarb machine. It doesn't extract at all.
The extraction is something you do after decarbing, after you remove the herb from the Nova.

**Edit** - Nevermind. I was wrong. I see now that it is also advertised to be used for infusion as well. My bad :bang:
 
Ramahs,

tom32

Active Member
The Nova is a decarb machine. It doesn't extract at all.
The extraction is something you do after decarbing, after you remove the herb from the Nova.

**Edit** - Nevermind. I was wrong. I see now that it is also advertised to be used for infusion as well. My bad :bang:

Sorry, bad word choice. I meant decarb. Either way I read first party and third party reports that show it achieves 99%+ decarb. Which is nice. Less to worry about and fidget with. But that's also a drawback: you can't experiment with as many other methods and variations...
 
tom32,

Ramahs

Fucking Combustion (mostly) Since February 2017
Sorry, bad word choice. I meant decarb. Either way I read first party and third party reports that show it achieves 99%+ decarb. Which is nice. Less to worry about and fidget with. But that's also a drawback: you can't experiment with as many other methods and variations...

I don't believe that there is a reason to experiment with any other methods, once you have a method that decarbs 99+%. Ya can't really get any better than that. lol
 
Ramahs,
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