Concentrating Alcohol Tinctures: Crock Pot Method

Cannabis tinctures are a popular choice for many, and for good reason. They are easy to make, requiring few ingredients, and can be made at home. The process is simple but requires patience. The first step is decarboxylating the cannabis flower, followed by a choice between an alcohol-based or oil-based infusion. The latter is a more popular choice due to the taste and availability of the base liquid. The process of making a cannabis tincture involves placing the mixture in a crock pot with water and oil, a pan simmer, or a mason jar in a crock pot with water. The crock pot is then turned on high and left for 4-5 hours. The time it takes to evaporate the alcohol depends on the volume of the tincture.

Crockpot safety

Crockpots are a useful tool for cooking meals slowly and safely, but there are some safety precautions to be aware of, especially when using them to concentrate alcohol tinctures.

Firstly, it is important to note that crockpots should not be left completely unattended for long periods, such as when everyone is out of the house or asleep. While crockpots are designed for slow cooking and can be left on for extended periods, it is always safer to be present to monitor the cooking process and address any potential issues.

One safety concern with crockpots is the risk of fire. In one reported incident, a crockpot with a defective wire caused a house fire. Therefore, it is essential to regularly inspect your crockpot for any signs of damage or wear and tear. This includes checking the cabling and wiring for any defects before use, especially if you are using a second-hand crockpot.

Additionally, when using a crockpot to concentrate alcohol tinctures, there are specific safety considerations due to the flammable vapors produced during the process. Always ensure you work in a well-ventilated area and avoid any open flames or sources of ignition nearby. Keep the lid off the jar to allow alcohol vapors to escape and promote faster evaporation.

Another safety tip is to invest in a crockpot with a timer function. This feature will automatically switch the crockpot to a warming setting once the cooking time is complete, reducing the risk of overcooking or burning your food.

By following these safety guidelines and using your crockpot with care, you can safely concentrate alcohol tinctures and enjoy the benefits of this useful appliance.

Alcohol evaporation

Alcohol tinctures are a staple in the patient community and are one of America's oldest medicines. They are easy to make at home and typically come in small glass bottles with droppers for easy and consistent dosing.

To concentrate alcohol tinctures in a crock pot, it is important to first prepare an alcohol-based tincture. Options include the Green Dragon, Golden Dragon, THCA tincture, CBDA tincture, or cannabis root tincture. The tincture must then be strained and placed in a mason jar that fits in the crock pot. Water is then carefully poured into the crock pot, creating a water bath around the jar. It is important to leave the lid off the jar as this will prevent the evaporation process. The crock pot is then turned on to warm and the water is allowed to heat up.

The time it takes to evaporate the alcohol will depend on the starting volume and how much tincture is being used. The more alcohol that evaporates, the more concentrated the tincture becomes. For example, it takes approximately 4-5 hours to evaporate 1 cup of tincture into FECO.

There are a number of ways to evaporate ethanol from a tincture. Ethanol will naturally evaporate out of the solution if left unattended for a long enough period. By changing the variables of temperature, air flow, or air pressure, the speed of evaporation of the ethanol can be increased. It is important to note that the evaporation of alcohol in moist air is more complicated than it seems due to condensation.

Cannabis concentration

To make a cannabis concentrate, you must first start with decarboxylating your cannabis flower. This involves heating the flower to a certain temperature for a specific duration. After decarboxylation, you can choose to make either an alcohol-based tincture or an oil-based infusion.

If you opt for an alcohol-based tincture, you'll need to add enough high-proof alcohol to cover the cannabis. Vodka can be used, but many prefer the neutral potency of grain alcohol like Everclear. Store the mixture in a dark place for at least three weeks, shaking the jar occasionally. Finally, strain out the flower, and you'll have your tincture.

To concentrate the alcohol tincture further, you can use a crock pot to evaporate the alcohol. Place the tincture in a mason jar and put it in the crock pot. Carefully pour water into the crock pot, creating a water bath around the jar. Turn the crock pot on warm, and leave the lid off to allow the alcohol vapours to escape. The time required for evaporation will depend on the volume of tincture, but it could take several hours. As the alcohol evaporates, the volume will reduce, leaving behind a concentrated form of cannabinoids.

Alternatively, you can use a crock pot to make cannabutter or cannabis oil, which are also forms of cannabis concentrates. To make cannabutter, simply melt butter in the crock pot on low heat, add your cannabis, and stir thoroughly. For cannabis oil, heat the mixture on the lowest setting for a few hours, then let it cool for several hours. Repeat this process to increase potency.

Crockpot temperature

The ideal crockpot temperature for concentrating alcohol tincture depends on the volume of tincture being concentrated. For example, 1 cup of tincture will take approximately 4-5 hours to evaporate into FECO. More volume will mean more time, and less volume will mean less time.

One source recommends turning the crockpot on high (200 degrees Fahrenheit) and leaving the cannabis to soak in alcohol for 4 to 5 hours. However, another source mentions that leaving the temperature at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 4 hours will leave no THCA, THC, or terpenes, and will produce little to no entourage effect.

Another source mentions that the temperature should be kept low, and a fan should be used to aid the evaporation process. They mention that it takes them roughly 6 hours to evaporate 16 ounces of tincture with the help of a fan.

It is important to note that the crockpot should not be covered with a lid, as this will slow or prevent the evaporation process. Additionally, the evaporation process should be done in a well-ventilated area to avoid the buildup of flammable fumes.

Crockpot alternatives

Crock-pots are used to evaporate the alcohol from tinctures, which increases the concentration of the tincture. This is done by creating a water bath in the crock-pot, with the tincture placed in a mason jar inside the water bath. The evaporation process can be sped up by increasing the temperature, surface area, ventilation, and concentration of alcohol.

Rice Cooker

A rice cooker can be used in a similar way to a crock-pot to indirectly heat the tincture and increase the rate of evaporation. This method has the same pros as using a crock-pot: it is readily available, uses indirect heat, and can handle large volumes. However, it also shares the same cons: it can produce a strong, lingering odor of cannabis, and the lack of intelligence in the heating circuits can lead to burnt tincture if the volume is reduced without adjusting the heat.

Hot Plate

Hot plates are available in various sizes and strengths, from mug warmers to stove-top burner equivalents. They can be used to quickly increase the temperature of a liquid, but they require careful monitoring to avoid burning or scorching the concentrate. This method also produces fumes that must be properly vented away from people or sources of ignition.

Room Temperature with a Fan

Evaporating alcohol from a tincture at room temperature with a fan can take around six hours for 16oz of tincture. This method depends on various factors, including temperature, surface area, ventilation, and the concentration of alcohol. It is important to work in a well-ventilated space and avoid open flames.

Double Boiler

A double boiler can be used to boil off the alcohol from a tincture. This method may take longer but can help prevent the breakdown of the tincture and the formation of impurities.

Freezer

Small batches of tincture can be placed in a freezer to concentrate them. This method is less scientific but can still produce an effective medication.

Frequently asked questions