Weed edibles are simply the best. A tasty snack loaded with whatever you like, primed to set you up for a very good day indeed.
But before the eating of edibles comes the making of the edibles. And before that, we have to make the cannabutter.
This is what you’ll learn right here. More crucially, you will learn how to make cannabutter FAST and as easily as possible. That way, you can bulk cook dat shizz at bullet speed and hurry along to the good stuff!
It’s not just weed butter either; we’re talking speedy and simple THC-infused products across the board. Whether you prefer cannabis oil, cream, salt, peanut butter—it doesn’t matter! The single goal here is to load you up with the tips and knowledge to streamline and slipstream the cannabutter cooking process WITHOUT burning your buds and whipping up some weak-ass weed products.
First, you’ll learn the undeniably BEST way to make cannabutter if speed and simplicity are the targets. Second, will come all the other tips and science to take the hassle out of making cannabutter at home.
Ready? Time waits for no toker. We’re late for a very important date and not only need to know how to make cannabutter fast but RIGHT NOW.
Down the rabbit hole we go…
What’s the BEST Way to Make Cannabutter Fast?
Alrighty, Bud Lightyear! So you’re deep into the wonderful world of weed? You’ve experimented with several of the best ways to consume cannabis and now you want to om-nom-nom that shizz like a wascally whacked-out wabbit…
Well, that means you need to know how to make cannabutter quick and easy! And for that, I have only two words for you-
Modern technology.
Gone are the days of hovering over a stovetop, feverishly stirring like some mad scientist while hoping you don’t burn your precious herb (even though I’m a big fan of the eccentric professor vibe!). Nay! Nowadays, the BEST way to make weed butter can be summed up in another two simple words-
Cannabutter machines.
These little magical marvels of science turn the whole cannabutter-making process into a lightning-fast process WITHOUT the pain-staking clean-up. There are three variations cannabutter machines can take:
- 1. A decarboxylation device (step one of any good pot butter recipe).
- 2. An infusion device (for the very crucial second step of making pot butter).
- 3. Or a 2-in-1 complete device for decarbing AND infusing.
And of those options, I’m going to go ahead and recommend a 2-in-1 device. There’s literally no way to make cannabutter faster or easier than an all-in-one device.
So go ahead and get yourself a Magical Butter Machine. It’s the 100% top recommendation for any budding psychonaut who wants to start buzzing around the galaxy fuelled by the cosmic power of space brownies.
The Magical Butter Machine’s infusion capabilities are quick to pick up and even quicker to master. The infusion device vastly reduces the aroma of making cannabis butter while turning the whole process into little more than a slow cooker on easy mode!
PLUS, the accessories included in the bundle further simplify everything. Oven gloves, spatulas, butter and gummy molds, and the real killer: the Decarbox. While it’s not strictly a decarbing device, this included gadget is a much easier, safer, and more consistent way to decarboxylate your weed in the oven without the potential fire hazards and crispy burnt nuggets.
Don’t believe me? Then check it out! While the Magical Butter Machine might not be for everyone, it is a helluva time and energy saver for anybody who frequently makes edibles, oils, tinctures, and other THC-infused products.
I’ll be giving you a lot of tips ahead on how to make cannabutter fast and as easy as possible. But if you want the ULTIMATE solution, then just leave it to the robots. 😉
How to Make Cannabutter in 3 Easy Steps!
Was the downright BEST way to make weed butter not quite what you were after? Righto… Then let’s discuss how to make cannabutter fast (but not quite as fast) in 3 easy (but not quite as easy) steps!
For this, I’ve broken the whole process down into the big three overarching processes. Then, if you’re passing on the cannabutter machine, you can dig deeper into our more detailed step-by-step recipe for cannabutter and get to cookin’!
But device or no device, unless you’re strategically using your vaped weed instead of fresh flower (which adds a bit to the overall process), this is how to make potent cannabutter at home. Every. Damn. Time!
It all boils down to these 3 basic steps—pun absolutely included!
Step 1: Preparing Your Bud’s Grind and Dosage
I say this often and never is it truer than when learning how to make the best cannabutter: artisanal coffee and boutique bud really ain’t that different.
Grind size matters! Actually, that sounds vulgar. Grind consistency matters. (And maybe size too.)
You want to grind your weed to the perfect sweet spot, neither too fine nor too coarse. PLUS you want it nice and consistent, like breadcrumbs!
The best way to make cannabutter from trimmings or all your cheeky nugz is to aim for something perfectly strainable (to avoid a gross, gritty texture) but still fine enough to aid the overall THC extraction process. (It’s also worth noting that you can make cannabutter from leaves and stems too, but today we’re sticking to the basics!)
So for the best grind, you will want the best weed grinder to match. That will also be key for getting the THC ratio of the weed butter right.
What’s a good rule of thumb for dosing cannabutter? Start with a quarter-ounce (about 7 grams) of weed per stick of butter. If you’re a newbie, you might want to start with half of that to test the waters instead. (Or, y’know, don’t be lame.)
To calculate the rough potency of your THC-infused butter creations, remember that a typical strain has around 15-20% THC overall. So, if you’re using 7 grams of weed with 15% THC, you’re looking at about 1,050 mg of THC in total. Divide that by the number of servings you plan to make (say a batch of 12 gingersnap space cookies), and voilà—you’ve found your dosage per serving.
Now, while I may jest, it IS better to always start low and slow. You can always eat more, but you can’t un-eat cannabutter. You’re not going to be in any real danger from anything more than a “green out”, but getting the dosage of your cannabutter recipes right is crucial unless you want to spend the next several hours questioning the fabric of reality.
Step 2: How to Decarboxylate Weed (A Crucial Step)
Decarboxylation might sound like a Pokemon move, but it’s not. (Still waiting on that cannabis-based ‘mon, Game Freak!)
Nay. Decarbing is essentially just the heating process that unlocks your weed’s psychoactive punch. It all comes down to the science of THC and CBD.
Boring old non-psychoactive THCA is converted into its much-for-fun cousin: THC! (And CBDA is converted into CBD too.) It’s these converted chemical compounds that put the funky “jazz” in jazz cabbage!
Any heating does this, and that’s how you get high. Vaping weed does it and leaves behind tiny trace bits of AVB (already vaped bud) with trace amounts of leftover THC. Joints and bongs also do this but just leave diddly-squat behind except for ash!
So basically, we NEED to decarb to make strong cannabutter (or any THC/CBD-infused product for that matter). Otherwise, the psychoactive element of the ganja just won’t be activated.
Here’s how you decarb for fast and easy cannabutter! (Unless you’re using that Decarbox.)
- 1. Preheat your oven to 240°F (115°C). Whether you use Celsius, Fahrenheit, or Egyptian, this is the magic decarboxylation temperature! At this level, it’s hot enough to activate the THC, but not so hot that you scorch your stash.
- 2. Break up your buds into small, even pieces. Consistency is key. Don’t grind your bud to dust; you want small nugs, not powder.
- 3. Spread the cannabis evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Keep the weed in a single layer so it decarbs evenly.
- 4. Bake it for about 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Your weed should turn a light brown and smell slightly toasty. Some light tossing helps an even decarboxylation spread but you must maintain that single layer!
- 5. Cool it down. Once it’s out of the oven, let it cool before moving on to the next step. And, no, don’t eat it yet! Well, unless you really want to. 😉
This is the science of making edibles. Pre-decarboxylation, all doors remain closed to you. But once you decarb, the secrets of the mystical jazz cabbage are unlocked and you can start dancing to the tunes of success in the kitchen.
From there, the only thing you need to know is to make THC butter that slaps you silly in the best way possible.
Step 3: Cook Dat Ganja Butter!
The only thing that comes next is to cook that cannabutter. Walter White, eat your heart out!
For this, you’d be better off reading a more comprehensive recipe for cannabutter. Of course, I’m still going to recommend a cannabutter machine for easy infusion. too But if you’re dedicated to the DIY life, a weed butter recipe will seal the deal. From there, it’s just a matter of practice!
Keep in mind that this decarbed weed is very versatile though. Cannabis butter, oil, honey, milk, cream, or even salt are just some examples of how experimental you can get!
So put your Prof cap on, spark up a kitchen spliff, and get cookin’. Doobie or doobie not…
The Science of Making Edibles: Tips for Making the Perfect Weed Butter
Right. So now you know how to make weed-infused butter. You even know how to make cannabutter the fast (and arguably best) way: a no-hassle, no-BS cannabutter machine!
But making edibles is a tantalizing mix of magic and science—think of it as alchemy with a dash of culinary flair. At The Weed Prof, we’re all about turning that green into gold. (I.e. something delicious and potent that you can really sink your teeth into.)
But for that, you need the secrets of the sages.
- Do you have to strain cannabutter?
- How do you fix weak cannabutter?
- How do you store your cannabutter, and does freezing it make it more potent?
These are the questions we must ask… and answer! Bang-on bud butter is only a knowledge-bomb away.
Choose The Best Strain for your Cannabutter
Strain choice matters! When it comes to defining the experience of your edibles, it all comes down to choosing the best strain for cannabutter per the effects you want.
Couch-lock, creativity, or a mad hike into the backcountry? Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect:
- Sativa: Sativa strains, like the wildly popular Green Crack, are the perfect choice for daytime edibles! Sativa strains offer a more uplifting, energetic high. These are great for edibles that you might want to enjoy before exercise, a creative project, or daytime errands.
- Indica: If you’re making edibles for nighttime wind-downs or pain relief, go for an indica strain like Northern Lights. These strains are known for their calming effects, making them ideal for chilling out after a good dose of life.
- Hybrid: Can’t decide? Hybrid strains like Blue Dream offer the best of both worlds! The actual ratio of the hybridization depends on the strain’s dominance, so you can tailor your cannabutter to your own preferences.
Also, consider the THC-to-CBD ratio of the strain you choose. High-THC strains will give you that classic psychoactive experience. Meanwhile, higher-CBD strains are perfect for medicinal use, providing relief without as much of a high.
You can even blend strains to customize your cannabutter’s effects! Truly, the best way to make cannabutter is just to experiment and have fun.
Best Butters for Cannabutter and Other (Healthier) Alternatives
Whether you’re making cannabutter with fresh trim, byproduct, or AVB, the simple truth is that not all kinds of butter are created equal. The type of butter you choose for the base impacts both the flavor and the potency of the final THC infusion. Ideally, we want something fatty to help the THC bind to the infusion and something neutral in flavor to give you more culinary leeway.
For classic and creamy consistencies perfect for cooking, the best butters for cannabutter are undoubtedly…
- Unsalted Butter: This is the go-to choice for most THC butter recipes. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the flavor by NOT being loaded on salt, allowing you more room to experiment with the cannabutter’s flavor. It also has a higher fat content, which is essential for optimizing THC extraction.
- Clarified Butter (Ghee): Bhang lassi, bi-yatch! For a concoction to make Shiva shiver, consider using ghee. It’s essentially butter with the water and milk solids removed for an even richer flavor and higher fat content, resulting in a more potent cannabutter.
HOWEVER… I can’t believe it’s not butter! Not all weed infusions need to be so hard on your arteries.
If you’re looking for healthier alternatives to cannabutter or want to switch things up, you can try these other options…
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is a great option for making cannabis oil (i.e. canna-oil) It’s heart-healthy, which is a fantastic bonus, and makes for a terrific savory ingredient. Olive oil infused with cannabis is perfect for cooking or drizzling over dishes; try it on a salad for the ULTIMATE devil’s lettuce. 😉
- Avocado Oil: High in healthy fats and with a mild flavor, avocado oil is another great infusion alternative to butter. Try it if you’re dairy-free or are looking to add some nutritional benefits to your edibles.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is another popular choice and one of my personal faves. It’s packed with healthy fats, plus, it’s versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes alike (like coconut weed pudding!).
Other Top Tips for THC-Infused Butter
More tips for more sexy science! Making top-notch cannabis butter isn’t just about the ingredients: it’s about technique.
Here are some pro cannabutter tips to ensure your butter is as potent and tasty as possible…
- Try a Crockpot: Stovetop not your style? Try using a crockpot to make cannabutter instead! While this isn’t strictly how to make cannabutter fast, a crockpot (i.e. slow cooker) is still arguably a slower but steadier upgrade to stovetop simmering as it helps to maintain a consistent temperature for a more controlled infusion, reducing the risk of burnt butter. However, consider how long cooking cannabutter in a crockpot takes—it roughly doubles the cooking time, so about 4-6 hours is reasonable.
- STRICT Temperature Control: On the note of consistent temps, ALWAYS keep your simmering temperature for cannabutter low—between 160-200°F is ideal. Any hotter and you’ll burn off the precious THC, leaving you with weak butter.
- Straining is Sexy: I’d also strongly advise using a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the plant material from the butter after simmering. This ensures a buttery smooth texture and prevents any nitty-gritties from making their way into the final product.
- Save Some for Later: Store your cannabutter in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for the maximum shelf life. Roughly, you can expect 2 to 3 weeks of life in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer.
- Practice Makes Potent: Making cannabutter is as much an art as it is a science. Don’t despair if your first batch isn’t perfect; there’s no use crying over burnt bud butter. Instead, take notes, adjust your processes, and keep practicing! (Or skip the hassle with a cannabutter machine.)
But what about the no-nos?
And really, as long as we’re discussing how the make cannabutter the BEST way, there are only three critical mistakes to avoid.
- 1. DON’T skip decarboxylation (or your cannabutter won’t work!)
- 2. DON’T overheat the simmer (or your butter will be burnt and weak.)
- 3. DON’T skip straining (or your edibles will be gritty and gross).
With these tips in your arsenal, you’ll be making the best cannabutter fast AND easy every single time! 😀
How Do You Make Cannabutter Fast? You Just Gotta Try!
Buttery smooth and ready for business! With such bountiful and beautiful bud butter, all that comes next is to whip up some edible recipes.
Need a recommendation? The Weed Prof’s recipe for red velvet space cake certainly seems to pop off! Otherwise, tried-and-true brownies never go astray.
But the #1 thing to do when cooking weed into butter is just to not stress. Have a smoke, loosen up, blast some tunes, and enjoy the process.
Cooking takes practice. It takes even MORE practice when you’re decarbing, dosing, infusing, and putting your precious flower on the line. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself, Anthony Bud-Dain.
Revel in the practice. Enjoy the mistakes. Lick the bowl. Green out on the kitchen tiles!
But whatever you do, just have fun. If you crock(pot) it all up, there will be future batches. It’s good to know how to make cannabutter fast. It’s even better to know how to make it easily!
But most of all, you just want to make it right. And that means, sometimes, letting go and trusting the process. Or a cannabutter machine.
If nothing else, let the trappings of neoliberal post-modernity get you rip-roaringly high! After all, we have to survive this late-stage hellscape somehow.
FAQs About Making Cannabutter
How will I know when my cannabutter is done?
You’ll know your cannabis butter is all done brewing when it turns a rich, greenish-gold color and gives off a slightly nutty, herbal aroma. The mixture should be well-infused and thick, with a glossy texture, and there should be considerably less visible plant matter floating around too. On a stovetop, this usually takes around 2-3 hours.
What is the best ratio for cannabutter?
A good starting ratio is 1 cup of butter to 7 grams of decarboxylated cannabis. This will give you a moderate-strength cannabutter that’s well-equipped for most recipes. From there, you can go harder or softer per your preferences.
Try 10-12 grams of decarbed weed to a cup of butter if you’re a mad lad or perhaps 3.5 grams if you’re lame. Or go with the standard 1:7 but adjust the dosage in your edible recipes (e.g. halving the required amount of cannabutter for a recipe and replacing it with regular ol’ boring butter.) If you want any further assistance with all the maths and science of edibles, here's a handy tool for calculating the dosage of your edibles.
Is margarine or butter better for cannabutter?
Butter is hands down far superior to margarine for making potent cannabutter. Butter has a much higher fat content, which is essential for properly extracting and binding the THC. Margarine, being mostly made of water and processed oils, just doesn’t cut it. While there are a lot of good butters and oils for making cannabutter out there, margarine just ain’t one of them!