How to Make Strong Cannabutter in an Instant Pot

Making cannabutter with an Instant Pot is a game-changer for both food lovers and cannabis fans. This easy method guarantees consistent results with minimal effort.

With the Instant Pot, you can easily decarboxylate and infuse your butter, getting all the cannabinoids and flavors right where you want them.

Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the cannabis kitchen, this guide will guide you through each step and help you to create high-quality cannabutter perfect for your favorite recipes.

What is Cannabutter?

Cannabutter is simply butter that has been infused with cannabis, allowing for the incorporation of cannabinoids into a wide variety of recipes.

It offers a simple and hidden way to use cannabis, giving the benefits of THC and CBD when used in cooking or baking. The process of making cannabutter involves decarboxylation, which activates the cannabinoids, and infusion, which transfers these active compounds into the butter.

What is it used for?

Here are some of the most popular uses for cannabutter:

• Baking and Cooking: Cannabutter is ideal for infusing a wide range of baked goods, like cookies, brownies, and cakes, as well as savory dishes like pasta sauces and soups.
• Edibles: It is used to make different cannabis-infused foods, offering a private and tasty way to consume cannabinoids.
• Therapeutic Use: Offers potential relief from pain, inflammation, and anxiety when incorporated into food, thanks to the benefits of THC and CBD.
• DIY Projects: Great for those interested in creating homemade cannabis products, enabling personal control over potency and flavor.

How to Make Potent Cannabutter in an Instant Pot

To make quality cannabutter in an Instant Pot, you’ll need a few essential ingredients and some patience. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients You’ll Need:

• 1 cup (8 oz) of unsalted butter
• 1/4 ounce (7 grams) of ground cannabis flower
• 1 cup of water
• Cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer
• Mason jar or airtight container for storage

Instructions to Make Cannabutter:

Step 1: Decarboxylation

Decarboxylation is the process of activating the cannabinoids in the cannabis. This step is essential for getting high-quality and potent cannabutter.

1. Preheat the oven to 240°F (115°C)
2. Grind your cannabis into a fine consistency to ensure even decarboxylation.
3. Add the ground cannabis to the preheated pot, stirring frequently, for about 30-40 minutes.
4. The cannabis will become darker and fragrant when it’s fully decarboxylated.
5. Remove from heat and let it cool for a few minutes.

Step 2: Infusion

After decarboxylation, it’s time to infuse the activated cannabis into your butter. This step is where the Instant Pot comes in handy and saves you time compared to traditional stove-top methods.

1. Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of butter to the pot.
2. Stir until the butter melts completely.
3. Add your fully decarboxylated cannabis to the melted butter mixture.
4. Close the lid and set the pressure cooker mode on high for 40 minutes.
5. After cooking, release any remaining pressure and wait for the pot to cool before opening.
6. Use a thin cloth or fine strainer to pour the mixture into a jar or container, squeezing out as much liquid as you can.

Step 3: Cooling and Storage

1. Let your infused cannabutter cool at room temperature until it solidifies.
2. Once cooled, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to six months.

Dosage Considerations

One of the most important aspects of using cannabutter is knowing the right amount to use. The strength of your cannabutter depends on the type of cannabis, how you make it, and how much you eat. Here are some simple tips for dosing:

Checking Strength

• Cannabis Strength: The THC and CBD levels in the cannabis flower will directly affect the strength of your cannabutter. Strains with higher levels will make stronger butter.
• Infusion Efficiency: The decarboxylation and infusion process can affect the transfer of cannabinoids into the butter. Ensure you adhere to the instructions for optimal results.

Calculating Dosage

• THC Content Calculation: To estimate the THC dosage per serving, you’ll need to consider the total THC content of your cannabis flower. For example, if you use 7 grams of cannabis with 15% THC, the total THC content is 0.15 * 7000 mg = 1050 mg.
• Butter Yield: After straining, measure your final cannabutter yield. If you have 1 cup of cannabutter, you can divide the total THC content by the number of servings you plan to create.

Starting Low and Going Slow

• Beginner’s Rule: If you’re new to using cannabis edibles, start with a low dose and gradually increase it. A common starting dose is 5-10 mg of THC per serving.
• Testing: Before using your cannabutter, taste a small amount to check its strength and see if it suits you.

Conclusion

Making cannabutter in an Instant Pot is an efficient way to create a versatile and potent ingredient for your culinary adventures. By following the simple steps of decarboxylation and infusion, even beginners can produce high-quality cannabutter with minimal effort.

Remember to consider dosage carefully to ensure a pleasant and safe experience. Whether you use it for cooking, baking, or therapeutic purposes, this method unlocks the full potential of cannabis in your kitchen.

FAQ

How do I know the quality of my cannabutter?

The quality of your cannabutter depends on the cannabis strain used, how carefully you decarboxylate, and the infusion method. Good cannabutter should have a uniform color and texture, and a nice cannabis smell. If it has a strong, bad smell or uneven texture, there may have been problems during preparation.

Can I use different types of butter for making cannabutter?

Yes, you can use different types of butter, like salted or unsalted butter, to make cannabutter. Unsalted butter is usually recommended to allow for better control over the seasoning of your recipes and to avoid any additional preservatives that may alter the infusion process.

Is it possible to overcook cannabutter?

Yes, overcooking cannabutter can degrade the cannabinoids, leading to a loss of potency. It’s crucial to monitor temperatures closely during decarboxylation and infusion to avoid overheating.

Resources

• Food & Wine: How to Make Cannabutter
• 420 Magazine: How to make butter in an InstantPot