Burning Off Alcohol: The Ultimate Guide To Tincture Making

how to burn off alcohol in a tincture

Burning off alcohol in a tincture can be done in several ways, including using an electric frying pan, a Crock-Pot, or an Instant Pot with the Sauté setting. Some people use a hot water bath, an electric hot plate, or an AromaStone to evaporate the alcohol. Others leave the tincture out overnight with a fan passing air over it to speed up the evaporation process. The temperature at which the alcohol is burned off will affect the outcome, with higher temperatures causing more THC to be converted into CBN. It's important to work in a well-ventilated area and keep an eye on the process for safety.

Characteristics Values
Temperature Room temperature up to 200°F (93.3°C) to avoid loss of THC
Ventilation Well-ventilated area
Container Glass jar, Pyrex dish, electric hot plate, crock pot, electric fry pan, saucepan, teflon liner, AromaStone
Heat Source Fan, stove, electric heat
Time 24 hours or more
Safety No open flame, explosion-rated vent hood, supervision
Alternative Use glycerine or vegetable glycerine

cyalcohol

Using an electric hot plate

Firstly, determine the right temperature on your electric hot plate. The temperature will depend on the type of tincture you are using. For example, if you are using Iso alcohol, a hot water bath at 55°F (12°C) will be sufficient to evaporate the alcohol. For other types of alcohol, such as ethanol, you may need a higher temperature.

Next, set up your hot plate in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors and away from any flammable objects. Use an extension cord to ensure the hot plate is a safe distance from anything that could catch fire.

Place your tincture in a shallow, heat-safe container, such as a Pyrex dish, to increase the surface area of the liquid and speed up evaporation. You can also cover the dish with a lid or aluminium foil, leaving a small gap for the alcohol fumes to escape.

Turn on the electric hot plate and adjust it to the desired temperature. Place the container with the tincture on the hot plate and heat it until the alcohol starts to evaporate. This may take some time, so be patient and monitor the process closely.

Once the tincture has reduced by half, turn off the hot plate and remove the container. Be careful not to touch the hot plate or the container directly, as they will be very hot. Allow the tincture to cool down before handling it.

You can now top up the tincture with water or warmed honey to make a syrup, depending on your preference. If you plan to store the tincture, decant it into the original bottle or a sterile container and keep it in the fridge.

It is important to note that burning off alcohol can affect the quality and potency of the herbs in your tincture. High temperatures or prolonged heating may reduce the effectiveness of the herbs, so it is crucial to monitor the process closely and adjust the temperature as needed.

Additionally, always exercise caution when working with flammable liquids and heat sources. Ensure good ventilation and keep children and pets away from the work area.

cyalcohol

Crock pot

Using a crock pot is a great way to remove alcohol from a tincture without overheating or burning it. It works similarly to a double boiler method, without the double boiler. Here is a step-by-step guide to using a crock pot to burn off alcohol in a tincture:

First, place the herbal extract straight into the crock pot. Then, distill the alcohol (or alcohol-water mixture) into a small bowl placed in the centre of the crock pot. Cover the crock pot with an upside-down lid to collect the alcohol-water in the small bowl. The amount of alcohol that evaporates will depend on factors like temperature, cooking time, and whether the lid is on or off.

To burn off the alcohol, use low heat settings and leave the lid off to allow the alcohol to evaporate slowly. Be careful not to overheat the tincture, as this can degrade the potency of the herbs. It is also important to note that it is difficult to determine exactly how much alcohol is left without measuring it.

Additionally, you can use a crock pot with water to burn off some of the alcohol taste. This method might reduce the potency of the tincture, so use it depending on your preference.

Using a crock pot is a safe and effective way to remove alcohol from a tincture, but it may take some time and experimentation to find the right settings and duration for your specific needs.

cyalcohol

Evaporation at room temperature

Alcohol can be removed from tinctures through evaporation at room temperature. This process can be done without the use of heat or a vacuum. Evaporation at room temperature can take a long time, with some sources stating that it takes approximately 3 to 4 days for the alcohol to evaporate, while others state that it can take a few weeks. The timing will depend on factors such as the amount of liquid and the temperature. To speed up the evaporation process, a gentle heat source can be used, such as an electric hot plate or a crock pot set to low temperature. However, it is important to note that heat increases the risk of flammability, so indirect heat without the use of an open flame is recommended. Additionally, a coffee filter or breathable material can be placed on top of the container to prevent contaminants from entering during the evaporation process.

Building an airflow evaporation system is another way to facilitate evaporation at room temperature. This system includes a box fan, wire bookshelves, and trays of tincture for evaporation. The wire bookshelves are assembled into a cube shape, with the bottom shelf mounted at 8 inches from the floor to accommodate the fan, and the middle shelf serving as the primary location for the trays of tincture. The fan helps to circulate air and speed up the evaporation process. However, it is important to ensure proper ventilation by installing ductwork and a window mount to direct the alcohol vapors outside.

It is worth noting that evaporation at room temperature without heat or an open flame reduces the risk of flammability compared to methods that use heat. However, there are still some risks involved, and it is important to take the necessary precautions to ensure a safe evaporation process. Additionally, the ethanol in the tincture has natural evaporative properties at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure, which contributes to the evaporation process.

cyalcohol

Using a hot water bath

To use this method, place your tincture in a glass container and set it in a warm water bath. The water should be heated gently (not boiling) and you should allow the alcohol to evaporate over time. This method can take a few hours. It is important to note that overheating can degrade the potency of the herbs.

If you have an electric or induction hob, you can simmer the water until the tincture has reduced by half. For example, until 500ml has reached the 250ml mark. This method requires constant watching. If you have a gas hob, turn off the heat as soon as the water in the saucepan around the glass bowl containing your tincture starts to boil. Do not let it simmer for longer as evaporating alcohol fumes are flammable and can catch fire. Remove the saucepan containing the glass bowl from the stove and put it on a heat-protective mat. Leave it uncovered for about three hours.

Some people also use a crockpot with water to burn off the alcohol taste. This method works similarly to the double boiler method.

cyalcohol

Using an AromaStone

If you forgot to plan ahead and want to use an electric AromaStone, usually used for essential oils, to burn off alcohol from a tincture, follow these steps:

Firstly, pour a 5ml dose of tincture into a borosilicate lab jug that fits inside the AromaStone. Starting with a preheated AromaStone, after 25 minutes the 5ml dose will reduce to 2ml. At 30 minutes, it will further reduce to 1ml and start to get sticky. The tricky part is pouring it off again without spilling it, as there is no spout on the AromaStone. As alcohol evaporates before water, once 5ml has become 2.5ml, you will know that all the alcohol has evaporated.

If you want to avoid using an AromaStone, you can try the double boiler method. This involves using a kitchen tool that consists of two nested pots, one of which sits on top of the other. The bottom pot is filled with water, which is heated to create steam. The top pot is where the tincture is placed and it is gently heated by the steam from the water below. As the steam from the water below heats the liquid, the alcohol will evaporate and escape into the air.

Alternatively, you can try the crockpot method, which works similarly to the double boiler method, or simply leave the tincture out overnight with a fan passing air over it.

Frequently asked questions

A tincture is an alcohol extraction used in herbal medicines as they are the most efficient and strongest way of extracting many of the herb's compounds.

You can burn off the alcohol in a tincture by using an electric frying pan, a crock pot, or an AromaStone. You can also leave the tincture out in the open air with a fan passing air over it.

The temperature you use will depend on the type of alcohol used in the tincture. For example, the flash point of Iso alcohol is 12°C or 55°F, while ethanol has a flash point of 63°F.

You will know that the alcohol has burned off when the liquid thickens and its strong alcohol smell fades significantly.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment