How to Infuse Weed into Butter
The first thing those trying to figure out how to infuse weed into butter should know is that this is both a science and an art. The culinary dimensions of cannabis might seem complex, but the beauty lies in the details. And we are here to give you just that, all the intricacies that the cannabis and butter infusion entails.
Through this guide, we will explain the different ways of merging weed and butter into one. We will capture the essence of this practice and cover all the details to ensure you're ready to master it on your own.
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How to Infuse Weed Into Butter
Regardless of the motivation for exploring the culinary dimensions of cannabis, those ready to embark on this journey should know that precision is paramount.
Before we delve into the details, first, we should note that the blend of weed and butter is often referred to as cannabutter. The cannabis and butter combo is, in fact, the first step in making most infused weed products, but it can be used in other culinary adventures as well.
Needed tools and ingredients
A selection of tools and ingredients is needed for the cannabutter efforts to begin. The following lists include (but are not limited to) the essentials in combining weed and butter.
For infusing weed into butter, you’ll need:
A slow cooker or a saucepan
Grinder
Zip-bag
Sous vide machine
Wooden Spoon
Cheesecloth
Container
The ingredients for the making of the butter are:
High-quality cannabis
Unsalted butter
Water
Oil
We must note that the tools and ingredients listed above are not used within a single infusion method. To find how they are used, cannabis consumers can look through the instruction guides below.
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Cannabis preparation guide
Cannabis preparation is a critical step in every cannabutter recipe. It involves the process of decarboxylation, which is a regular practice that helps activate the cannabinoid THC compound within the marijuana plant. Missing out on this step will result in an infusion that lacks the psychoactive and therapeutic properties of cannabis.
In short, decarboxylation is the process of heating up cannabis buds in the oven to transform structured cannabinoids into active cannabinoids and unlock their psychoactive properties.
Cannabis preparation length
The time the buds spend in the oven depends on the quality of the cannabis being used. For instance, lower-quality cannabis should not take more than 20 minutes to be processed. In contrast, higher-quality cannabis might take up to 45 minutes.
The best way to know that the decarboxylation process is ending is by paying attention to its color. Decarboxylated cannabis has a deep brownish color.
Once finished, remove the cannabis buds from the oven. The final step of the preparation is grinding the decarboxylated weed buds. This can be done with a grinder, scissors, or hands once the buds cool off.
Infusion techniques
Having all the different techniques on how to infuse weed into butter, we decided to go with the classics. It is safe to say that controlled simmering and Sous Vide are the most widespread infusion methods.
Controlled simmering method
The controlled simmering method is famous for its simplicity and effectiveness. The name of this infusion method is self-explanatory, but there are details that cannabis consumers should be aware of.
Step-by-step guide for controlled butter infusion
The first thing that we should disclose is that by using this technique, cannabis can be infused with any other fat, such as olive oil, coconut oil, sesame oil, etc. The infusion process remains the same with all the other choices. However, what remains important when infusing weed and butter is that the butter should always be unsalted. Salted butter will result in greater salt levels in the end product, and the flavor might be displeasing.
For those of you who are anxiously waiting to learn how long does weed butter need to infuse, the answer is around four hours. This method might not be the fastest, but it adds to the value of the final product. Keep in mind that the longer the butter and cannabis are melted together, the greater the potency of the cannabutter.
To infuse weed and butter, you need to:
Add water and butter to a medium saucepan over low heat
Wait for the butter to melt, add the cannabis, and mix it using a wooden spoon
Leave to simmer for up to four hours and regularly stir to ensure the butter isn't burning
The temperature should not be higher than 180°F
Once finished, use a mesh strainer or a cheesecloth to strain the mixture into a container.
Leave the cannabutter to cool down to room temperature, then either use it immediately or store it in an airtight container for later
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Sous Vide infusion: The epitome of precision
Put simply, Sous Vide infusion is a method that involves sealing ingredients in bags and bathing them in water at a precise temperature. The Sous Vide technique is widely used for cooking meat, but it can also be used to prepare cannabis edibles.
Similarly to the previous technique we explained, the Sous Vide infusion process is also a lengthy one. Sous Vide machines cook at lower temperatures over a longer period. Unlike the controlled simmering method, this method requires less tending as the machine controls the infusion. The only thing that you will need to check up on is the water level.
Having all these benefits in mind, we offer a step-by-step guide on how to infuse weed into butter with the Sous Vide:
Start by placing the cannabis buds into a zip-lock bag
Set the sous vide machine at 200F and leave it for four hours in the water to decarboxylate properly
Keep in mind that four hours is the maximum limit; you may leave it for two hours if you're looking for a milder cannabis experience
Once finished, carefully remove the cannabis from the bag and place it in another bag together with the batter to begin the infusion process
Place this bag in the Sous Vide machine at the same 200F temperature and leave it between four to six hours
Once done, use a cheesecloth to strain the butter
Oil clarification
Oil or butter clarification is an unskippable process for those who want a high-quality, potent cannabutter. This clarification process ensures a longer shelf-life and makes the butter easier to fry, ensuring it doesn't burn during the infusion. Clarified butter, also known as ghee, is butter that has been melted and extracted from its water and excess milk components.
To clarify the butter:
Melt it over low to medium heat
Do so until a layer of white milk protein appears at the surface.
Increase the heat and bring the butter to a low boil
Dial down to low heat again and simmer gently as the milk proteins separate and go to the bottom of the cooking pan
Readjust the heat, if needed, and continue with gentle simmering to remove any remaining water content. Once the water evaporates and the milk proteins have been removed, use a cheesecloth and gently strain the butter from the pan.
Storage and culinary use
When it comes to cannabutter culinary use, there is an endless range of possibilities. Simply put, cannabutter may replace regular butter in any recipe. This means cannabutter can be used in every baked good and sauce that comes to mind. You can use the cannabutter to make cookies, use it as a spread, or as a salad dressing. There is an array of cannabutter recipes as it is versatile and may fit into almost any dish.
One thing to remember when cooking with cannabutter is potency. It is always best to start with smaller amounts to determine the dosing. Though most recipes come with dosing instructions, each cannabis strain is different, and not everyone has the same cannabis experience. Use the cannabutter in minimal doses and test its effect. As you gain experience in cannabutter cooking, you may begin to experiment more freely.
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Conclusion
As we explained, there are different techniques on how to infuse weed into butter– Sous Vide and controlled simmering techniques.
Additionally, to create a quality cannabutter that excels both in flavor and potency, utilizing the decarboxylation and oil clarification process is pivotal.
Cannabis butter leaves plenty of space for experiments. Its kitchen use is diverse, and anyone can master the art of cannabutter by following the set directions.
