Air-Frying Cannabutter: A Quick, Easy Method?

can you make cannabutter in air fryer

Air fryers have become a kitchen staple, and they can be used for more than just frying food. You can also use an air fryer to make cannabutter, or cannabis-infused butter. This process is not only efficient but also fun and simple, even for beginners. The air fryer's precise heat allows for the swift and efficient extraction of cannabinoids, resulting in a potent cannabutter. Here's a basic recipe for making cannabutter in an air fryer, followed by some tips for achieving the best results.

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Decarboxylation: the process of activating cannabinoids by heating ground cannabis in the air fryer

Decarboxylation is the process of activating the compounds in your cannabis (known as cannabinoids) so your body can absorb them and feel their psychoactive and medicinal effects.

Decarboxylation must take place under specific conditions with two variables in mind: heat and time. Studies have concluded that cannabis can be properly decarbed within a temperature range of 220-250 degrees Fahrenheit, but the decarboxylation temperature for each cannabinoid and terpene varies. For example, THCa requires a temperature of 220–240 degrees Fahrenheit for 30–45 minutes to complete this process. CBDa requires a slightly longer cook time, with recommendations of 220–240 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 90 minutes.

Full decarb time can vary depending on the type of plant material and how much is used. No matter how much cannabis you start with, low and slow is key for maximum terpene and cannabinoid preservation. Lower temperatures and longer cook times will aid in preserving these wonderful compounds and their many incredible potential health benefits.

Decarbing in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

  • Preheat your air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and set a cook time of 60 minutes.
  • Use your fingers to break up the plant material of your choice to a medium-small consistency. Spread your cannabis in a thin layer in an oven-safe baking dish.
  • Cover the baking dish with foil, poking tiny holes throughout the foil to release air during the decarb process. Place the entire dish inside your air fryer basket.
  • Cook for a total of 60 minutes, stopping halfway at 30 minutes to give the baking dish a few small shakes to mix your cannabis around and keep it cooking as evenly as possible.
  • Once your cannabis has reached a toasty golden brown, carefully remove it from the air fryer and allow it to cool at room temperature for roughly thirty minutes. When your weed is cool to the touch, your decarboxylation process is complete!

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Infusion: adding butter or oil to the decarboxylated cannabis and heating again

Once your cannabis has been decarboxylated, you can now add the butter or oil to the dish containing the decarboxylated cannabis. Cover the dish with foil and heat it in the air fryer for 40 minutes at 250°F.

Remove the foil cover and replace the dish in the air fryer for two more cycles of 40 minutes each at 250°F, monitoring the temperature to ensure it doesn't get too hot. If the temperature rises above 220°F, lower the temperature.

After the final cycle, remove the dish from the air fryer and let it cool down. When it is cool enough to handle, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh filter or cheesecloth to remove any plant material.

Your cannabutter is now ready to be used in your desired recipes. However, if you prefer, you can mould it into desired shapes and chill it until you are ready to use it.

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Cooling and straining: allowing the mixture to cool before straining to remove plant material

Once the mixture is ready, it is important to let it cool down before straining to remove the plant material. This step is crucial as it ensures that the cannabutter is safe to handle and that the extraction process is complete. The cooling process can take a couple of hours, and it is recommended to let the mixture cool down to room temperature.

After cooling, the mixture should be strained through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any plant material or green particles. This step ensures that the final product is smooth and free of any unwanted plant material. It is recommended to strain the mixture more than once if needed, to ensure that all plant material is removed and the butter is free of any green colour.

Once strained, the cannabutter is ready to be stored in an airtight container and placed in the refrigerator or freezer. Proper storage will ensure that the cannabutter stays fresh and potent for several months. It is important to label the container clearly to avoid any accidental consumption, especially if there are children or others who may not know what it is.

The cooling and straining process is an important step in making cannabutter with an air fryer. It ensures that the final product is smooth, free of plant material, and safe for consumption. By taking the time to properly cool and strain the mixture, you will end up with a high-quality cannabutter that can be used in a variety of recipes.

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Molding and chilling: pouring the strained mixture into moulds and chilling until use

Once your cannabutter has been strained, it's time to pour the mixture into moulds and chill it until you're ready to use it.

There are many different types of moulds you can use to shape your cannabutter. Silicone moulds are popular, as are moulds in the shape of marijuana leaves. You can also use a simple container, such as a butter dish. If you're planning on making several different types of cannabutter, be sure to label each one accordingly.

When it comes to chilling your cannabutter, the refrigerator is your best bet. Cannabutter can last for months when stored properly in the fridge. If you're making a large batch, you may want to consider freezing it. When stored in an airtight container, cannabutter can last for up to six months in the freezer.

It's important to note that cannabutter has a tendency to mould if not stored properly. To prevent this, be sure to store your cannabutter in an airtight container and consume it within a reasonable amount of time. If your cannabutter does start to mould, it's best to throw it out. Mouldy cannabutter can be dangerous to consume and can cause foodborne illnesses.

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Storing: keeping the cannabutter fresh by refrigerating or freezing

Storing cannabutter in the right way is essential to prevent it from spoiling or losing potency. When stored correctly, cannabutter can last for months in the freezer.

Refrigerating Cannabutter

Firstly, it's important to strain the plant material and leave the liquid butter behind. If you've used regular butter, you must discard the separated water and milk solids first.

Then, place your moulds on a baking tray so they're easy to handle. Pour the melted butter into your mould of choice, such as a teaspoon or stick mould. Place the tray in the refrigerator. After one or two hours, when the butter is solid, you can separate it from the moulds.

Finally, store the cannabutter in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or a mason jar, in the refrigerator for future use. When stored in the fridge, cannabutter will usually last for around two to three weeks.

Freezing Cannabutter

Freezing is the best way to store cannabutter long-term. It will last for more than six months in the freezer if stored correctly. To freeze cannabutter, wrap it in individually sized portions to ensure easy and convenient dosing. You can use freezer bags, a vacuum sealer, or a child-safe container.

Thawing Cannabutter

When you're ready to use your frozen cannabutter, it's best to let it thaw naturally and reach room temperature. Don't use a microwave to thaw cannabutter, as the high temperature can destroy the cannabinoids.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can make cannabutter in an air fryer. It's an efficient way to extract cannabinoids from the cannabis plant and infuse them into butter, olive oil, or coconut oil.

Using an air fryer for making cannabutter has several advantages:

- Efficient Extraction: The air fryer's precise heat allows for a swift and efficient extraction of cannabinoids, resulting in potent cannabutter.

- Energy Efficiency: Air fryers consume less energy compared to traditional methods, making them an eco-friendly option.

- Simplicity: The air fryer simplifies the process, making it accessible to beginners.

Here's a list of what you'll need:

- Butter, olive oil, or coconut oil (around 20 ounces)

- Cannabis flowers (0.5 - 1 ounce) or rosin chips (2 - 3 ounces)

- Sunflower or soy lecithin (optional, 1 teaspoon)

- Oven-safe dish that fits inside the air fryer

- Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth

- Container for storage

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