Baking Pan And Weed: A Sticky Situation?

Cooking with cannabis is no easy feat. Before you start, it's important to understand the process of decarboxylation, which converts the THCA in raw cannabis buds into the psychoactive THC responsible for marijuana's mind-altering effects. This process can be done in the oven or on the stovetop, and it's important not to overdo it, as heating cannabis at very high temperatures will break down and degrade the active THC.

When it comes to choosing your cannabis, opt for mid-range flower instead of top-shelf buds. A little goes a long way, and you don't need to use the best buds for baking edibles. In fact, you can even use shake and loose leaf buds, which will still produce seriously strong results.

Once you've decarbed your cannabis, it's time to infuse it into butter or oil. This process is simple and can be done on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. For stovetop infusion, add water and butter or oil to a saucepan on very low heat. If using butter, wait for it to melt before adding your decarbed cannabis. Simmer gently for around 4 hours, stirring regularly, and making sure the temperature doesn't exceed 180°F.

When your infusion is complete, strain it using cheesecloth or a mesh strainer, and allow it to cool. Your cannabutter is now ready to use! You can substitute it for regular butter or oil in any recipe, just be sure to stir well to ensure even distribution.

Decarboxylation

• Heat application: Applying heat to detach the carboxyl group from the molecules and convert them into their active forms.
• Temperature and time: Exposing cannabis to temperatures between 200 - 290°F (104 - 118°C) for 7 - 60 minutes, with lower temperatures requiring more time.
• CO2 release: As the carboxyl group detaches, it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) as a byproduct, and the cannabinoids in the plant matter are converted into their active forms.

The recommended temperature for decarboxylation is 250°F (120°C) for 20 minutes. This temperature ensures proper decarboxylation without destroying cannabinoids and terpenes. It is important to note that decarboxylation can also occur during the drying and curing process of cannabis after harvesting.

To decarb weed in an oven, follow these steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250°F (121°C).
• Break up the buds into small, pea-sized pieces using your hands or a grinder. Avoid grinding it too fine.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
• Spread the ground cannabis evenly across the parchment paper in a thin layer without clumps for even heating.
• Place the baking sheet in the oven for about 20 minutes, checking halfway through. The flower should turn from bright green to golden brown.
• Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the flower cool completely. It will be fragile and crumbly, so handle it gently.
• Once cooled, you can pulse the decarbed cannabis in a food processor to add it directly to food or grind it into a fine powder for beverages. You can also use it to make cannabutter or store it in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat for future use.

It is important to note that decarboxylation is not necessary if you are smoking or vaping cannabis, as the heat involved in these processes will convert the cannabinoid acids to cannabinoids. Additionally, decarbing weed at temperatures higher than 300°F (148.9°C) may cause degradation of terpenes and an undesirable taste and smell.

Strains

There are many strains of weed that can be used for baking. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• Strawberry Cough: A potent sativa that gives you the energy to get out of bed while melting away stress from the night before.
• Harlequin: A CBD-dominant strain that relieves pain without the intoxicating effects of high-THC strains.
• Pineapple Express: A widely available strain with energetic effects that pairs perfectly with your morning OJ and eggs.
• White Widow: An energetic hybrid that promotes creativity, community, and conversation.
• Zkittlez: A relaxing indica that keeps you mellow but alert, perfect for a chilled-out morning.
• Wet Dream: A sativa-dominant hybrid with spicy notes, great for managing stress and starting the day relaxed and cheery.
• Tropicanna Cookies: A strain with citrus and tropical flavors, known for its highly energizing effects.
• Lemon Pepper: Great for waking up your digestive system and motivating you to use those expensive pasture-raised eggs sitting in your fridge.
• Sour Diesel: A fast-acting sativa that addresses chronic pain, depression, and stress.
• Peaches n' Cream: A lower THC strain that's energizing and euphoric, stimulating focus, creativity, and mood boosts.

When choosing a strain for baking, it is recommended to use strains with lower THC levels, around 10-15%. This is because you want to avoid using strains that are too potent, such as Durban Poison or Dutch Treat. Additionally, look for strains with rich terpene profiles to get the most health benefits from your oil.

Grinding

If flower is your preferred method of partaking, it’s worth investing in a good grinder. It can help you make the most of your flower. Grinders are available in a variety of materials and sizes for every budget.

Two- and three-piece grinders simply grind and store your weed. Four- and five-piece grinders include kief catchers. The four-piece grinder is the most common.

Use a grinder for weed:

Load the grinder: remove the lid, break the nugs into smaller pieces and layer them evenly in the teeth. If your grinder has a magnetic closure, keep the very center clear of bud. Leave out seeds and stems.

Grind the weed: put the lid on and gently twist the grinder. Seven to ten twists should grind all the bud to a fine consistency that falls into the collection chamber. You’ll eventually determine how fine you prefer your weed and how many twists it takes.

Remove the weed: Carefully unscrew the top layers to open the chamber where the ground weed is collected. Use it or store it for later.

Collect the kief: If you have a four- or five-part grinder, the kief catcher is the bottom chamber. Kief is a name for dried trichomes that break off when you grind the flower. Trichomes contain THC, CBD, terpenes, and other good plant components. When you’ve collected enough, you can add it to bowls or joints or decarboxylate it for edibles.

If you don’t have a grinder, you can break up your weed with almost anything handy, like keys, scissors, a cheese grater, and even your hands. A coffee grinder is especially good for consistent, finely ground weed. The catch is that whatever you use will get a sticky buildup from the trichomes. If you use it often enough, it’ll also start to smell like weed. A weed grinder will also get sticky, but it’s small, easy to clean, and nobody minds if it smells like marijuana!

While grinding isn’t necessary to enjoy smoking it, grinding it gives you an overall better experience for several reasons:

It’s faster, easier, and cleaner than using your fingers or kitchen utensils.

It’s easier to roll and makes smoother joints or blunts that burn evenly.

Smaller pieces of uniform size allow the weed to burn more completely.

More exposed surface area results in more trichomes vaporized.

Ground flower packs better.

Efficient capture of kief for later.

You don’t have to grind before smoking it, but if you don’t, your joints and blunts may not burn evenly, your bowl may get clogged, and you won’t get the full benefit of all the trichomes.

Dosage

Decarboxylation:

Before cooking with cannabis, it is crucial to undergo the process of decarboxylation. This step involves heating the cannabis to convert the non-psychoactive THCA and CBDA into THC and CBD, respectively. The recommended temperature range for decarboxylation is between 240°F and 250°F for about 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the quality of your cannabis. This process ensures that your edibles will have the desired psychoactive effects.

Choosing the Right Strain:

When baking with cannabis, the choice of strain can significantly impact the experience. Sativa-dominant strains tend to provide an energizing and cerebral buzz, while indica-dominant strains induce a more relaxing and sedating body high. Select the strain that aligns with the desired effects you want to achieve.

Grinding the Bud:

It is generally recommended to grind your cannabis before cooking, but be cautious not to overdo it. A coarse or regular grinder is preferable to a food processor or coffee grinder, as excessive grinding can impart a bitter, grassy flavor and affect the color of your butter or oil.

Quantity of Cannabis:

A little cannabis goes a long way, and you don't need to use top-shelf flower for baking. Mid-range flower is sufficient, and even shake or loose leaf buds can be effective. Be mindful of the THC content in your cannabis and calculate the dosage accordingly. One gram of 15% THC cannabis will contribute 150 mg of THC to your edibles if properly decarboxylated.

Stirring and Distribution:

Ensure that your infused butter or oil is thoroughly stirred and evenly distributed throughout your batter. Inconsistent mixing can lead to uneven doses in your final product, with some portions being too strong and others lacking potency.

Dosing Recommendations:

When consuming edibles, it's essential to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed. A standard dose is often considered to be around 10 mg of THC, but this can vary depending on individual tolerance. Always be cautious and allow sufficient time for the effects to kick in before consuming more.

Infusion

There are several methods for infusing cannabis into butter or oil, but the most common involves using a slow cooker or double boiler to heat the mixture over a low temperature for several hours. This allows the cannabinoids to fully infuse into the fat, resulting in a potent and flavourful product. It is important to note that overheating the mixture can degrade the active THC, so it is recommended to cook at temperatures below 392 degrees Fahrenheit.

When infusing cannabis, it is also important to grind the plant material beforehand. However, it is recommended to only grind it coarsely, as finely grinding the material can result in a more bitter and grassy flavour. Additionally, using a higher quality strain of cannabis is not necessary for infusion, as even mid-range flower can produce strong edibles.

Once the infusion process is complete, the butter or oil can be strained and stored in an airtight container for up to six months. This infused product can then be used in a variety of sweet or savoury recipes, such as brownies, cookies, or even salad dressings and soups. It is important to note that the potency of the final product will depend on the amount of cannabis used, so it is crucial to calculate the dosage accurately before consuming.

Frequently asked questions