Can You Infuse Vegetable Glycerin with THC?
The world of cannabis presents an impressive journey with a bulk of infusion techniques that offer immense versatility. Though you might be familiar with more conventional methods, there is always more to explore. This brings us to the question: Can you infuse vegetable glycerin with THC?
As experienced cannabis enthusiasts know, THC can be introduced into a variety of carriers, and we are here to answer if vegetable glycerin is one of them. This article will explain the nature of vegetable glycerin, explore the THC infusion process, and offer all the answers that a curious newcomer and an experienced enthusiast might ask.
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Can You Infuse Vegetable Glycerin With THC?
Vegetable glycerin is a substance commonly found in everyday products such as food and cosmetics. Glycerin is a solvent like alcohol and vinegar and can extract other substances.
But when it comes to cannabis infusion, can you infuse vegetable glycerin with THC? Of course, you can. Glycerin can extract cannabis compounds such as cannabinoids and terpenes while leaving other unwanted components behind.
Vegetable glycerin characteristics
Glycerin is a chemical structure that shows up in various forms across nature. It can be found in vegetables, animals, and humans. Vegetable glycerin, in particular, is a clear and odorless liquid usually derived from palm oil, soy, and coconut oil. It is one of the most frequent substitutes for alcohol in tinctures.
Why use vegetable glycerin for THC infusion?
The first thing that we want to explain is that compared to other solvents, vegetable glycerin is not as effective in pulling cannabinoids. That is, using vegetable glycerin in infusions might result in less potent tinctures.
Here, another common question may arise: why do we use vegetable glycerin for THC infusion if there are better solvents? While it does come with disadvantages, vegetable glycerin has several advantages. This substance has a mild taste that goes well when combined with foods and drinks. Vegetable glycerin also offers amazing moisturizing abilities, which make it the ultimate choice for topical-use tinctures.
The Science of THC Infusion
Understanding the basics of THC infusion and how it works will ease your way into how vegetable glycerin is merged with THC. Cannabis is a complex plant with a chemical structure that consists of various components such as cannabinoids and terpenes. These are responsible for the psychoactive and therapeutic effects and how they appeal to your taste buds.
So, THC infusion is the process of transferring the psychoactive THC compound from the plant into a carrier liquid. There is an array of cannabis products created with the infusion process, including edibles, tinctures, tonics and sodas, topicals, etc.
Here at Sorting Robotics, we see the infusion process as crucial in delivering products with proper potency and quality. And, if you need any automated solutions for your business, you can check our high-tech machines.
The role of carrier liquids in cannabis extraction
The carrier liquids act as a base in cannabis extractions. They are essential in cannabis extraction. They act as a stable medium that evenly binds and distributes cannabinoids like THC and CBD. These carrier liquids ensure that the final cannabis product has consistent potency and efficiency.
Additionally, what makes carrier oils the preferred infusion medium has much to do with the nature of cannabinoids. Cannabinoids dissolve into fats and oils, and when combined with carrier oils, they are more easily absorbed and utilized within the body.
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Safety considerations when working with glycerin
Understanding carrier oil is crucial when preparing tinctures and other cannabis products at home. We believe the oil should always complement the desired effect of the final product. This is why it is best to evaluate the properties of glycerin before infusing it with THC.
Overall, vegetable glycerin might not be hazardous to human health. When choosing the type of glycerin, always source food-grade glycerin and ensure you are following the recipe instructions to prevent any mishaps.
Methods of THC Infusion Into Vegetable Glycerin
THC can be infused into glycerin using different techniques. Here are some of the most common methods when creating THC glycerin tinctures.
Traditional heat method
Heat-based infusion of cannabis in glycerin is a method that involves combining decarboxylated cannabis and vegetable glycerin. Before the infusion begins, the cannabis must be decarboxylated. This is a technique used to activate the THC in the cannabis plant. To decarbonize the cannabis, you should follow these simple steps:
Break the cannabis into buds, spread them over a parchment paper, and lay them on a sheet tray.
Place the tray in the oven and set the temperature to 220–235 °F.
Please keep them in the oven for 20 to 40 minutes until the buds get a deep brownish color.
Check on them frequently to ensure that you don't overcook them, as this will compromise the THC content.
Slow simmering and extraction technique
Once the decarboxylation process is finished, the THC and vegetable glycerin infusion may begin. The slow simmering technique ensures that the THC is thoroughly infused into the glycerin and creates a homogeneous mixture. However, this is a time-consuming process that requires both patience and a watchful eye.
Combine ½ ounce of decarboxylated cannabis with two cups of vegetable glycerin in a mason jar. Make sure the buds are entirely covered in glycerin and shake to ensure they are properly mixed.
Fill the mason jar halfway with water and secure the leads before placing them into the slow cooker.
Leave the mason jar in the slow cooker for 24 hours. Check the jar and shake it every few hours.
After 24 hours, use gloves carefully remove the mason jar from the cooker, and leave it to cool.
Once done, use a cheesecloth to strain the glycerin. Next, transfer the strained liquid into dropper bottles and use it as you wish.
Cold extraction method
Unlike the process of heat extraction, which can be performed in the comfort of your home, cold extraction calls for a more professional setting and equipment. This process is considerably more time-consuming compared to the previous method and may take between 90 to 120 days.
The benefit of this method is in the sole fact that the cannabinoids and terpenes in the plant are not destroyed by heat. This type of extraction brings other favorable results, such as a distinct cannabis flavor, as the terpenes are not compromised by heat.
Cold extraction, or better said, ultrasonic extraction, works by breaking the cell walls of cannabis material. The cannabinoids and terpenes are released into the glycerin, allowing the infusion to happen.
Applications of THC-Infused Vegetable Glycerin
Cannabis glycerin is versatile and can be added to many mixes, resulting in various products. It can be used in tinctures, edibles, vapes, and lotions. However, one of the most popular uses of THC glycerine is infused in alcoholic beverages such as beer.
This is mainly because the mild taste of THC-infused glycerin won't drastically change the beer's flavor. THC glycerin is also used in making tinctures for e-cigarettes at home.
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Conclusion
Can you infuse vegetable glycerin with THC? Yes, you can. The result is a mildly sweet, versatile medium that allows cannabis enjoyers to use the effects of cannabis in a plethora of ways.
THC-infused vegetable glycerin is a suitable canvas for different creations, from cannabis tinctures to cannabis edibles. Although the infusion of cannabis and glycerin is a time-consuming process, the patience and the effort are worth it in the end.
