As cannabis legality expands in the U.S., so do common methods of consumption. While the trusted, tried-and-true method of smoking cannabis is still common, other methods for using cannabis without smoking are making their way to the forefront of this growing industry. Research shows that edibles, in particular, constitute a rapidly expanding sector of the cannabis industry. But what if you’re looking to branch out beyond the gummies and chocolates sold at your local dispensary?
Cannabutter is a common method for infusing THC into baked goods like cookies and brownies. But if you’re looking to incorporate cannabis into a wider range of dishes, you’ll also want to add cannabis cooking oil, or can soil, to your repertoire.
What Is Cannabis Cooking Oil?
Cannabis-infused cooking oil is made through the same chemical extraction process as other cooking oils like olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil. In the case of cannabis oil, it is then often incorporated into baked goods, infused into drinks, used as a base to cook, or consumed via the simplest and most straightforward method: under your tongue!
While cannabis-infused cooking oil has some very recognizable ties to beloved cooking oils, it also comes with unique health benefits thanks to its cannabinoids. These organic compounds have been shown to react with the receptor centers in our bodies to manage inflammation, pain, and promote feelings of relaxation, as researchers state in a study published by the journal of Free Radical Biology and Medicine.
Making cannabis cooking oil is just one of the many ways you can incorporate more cannabinoids into your everyday life, and this practice may come along with some added health benefits that you just don’t see with classic cooking oils.
How to Make Cannabis Cooking Oil
If you’re a regular cannabis user and are already familiar with the effects of cannabis and cannabinoids, you might want to take a stab at making cannabis cooking oil for yourself. The process consists of extracting the cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, from the cannabis plant and placing the extracts into a base oil (olive, vegetable, coconut, sesame, peanut, etc.).
Follow our recipe for cannabis-infused cooking oil:
Equipment:
- Strainer or cheesecloth
- Hand grinder
- Saucepan
- Liquid thermometer
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of ground cannabis plant (you can include the whole thing, stem included, or just the flower)
- 1 cup of base oil of your choosing (if you want to cook with cannabis oil, choose a base oil that is more common with cooking like olive or vegetable; if you want to bake, choose a base oil flavor that will complement your recipe like coconut.)
*Bonus Tip: If you want to make a larger batch, simply follow a 1:1 ratio between the cannabis flower and base oil.
Directions:
Step 1: Grind your cannabis plant. Do not grind too finely as smaller grounds will seep through the strainer/cheesecloth and into your oil.
Step 2: Combine base oil and ground cannabis into a saucepan. Heat on low for at least three hours, stirring frequently. The low temperature will activate the THC without destroying the active ingredients. The temperature of the cooking oil should never exceed 245°F. Add one teaspoon of water to the oil to help avoid burning or place your saucepan on a heat diffuser to keep the temperature low.
Step 3: Strain the oil slowly into a glass bowl/jar. Do not squeeze the cheesecloth to strain faster. Leftover remnants can be discarded. Cannabis-infused cooking oil shelf life is two months unrefrigerated but you can refrigerate it to make it last longer.
Step 4: Start cooking/baking and enjoy!
4 Ways to Consume Cannabis Cooking Oil
What is marijuana oil usually used to cook or bake? Many things! If you’re having trouble getting started, here are five of our favorite ways to consume cannabis-infused cooking oil:
1. Brownies
Call it a cliche, but we’ll never turn our noses up to a brownie! The only thing you have to pay attention to is the temperature at which you’re baking your brownies. Do not exceed 245°F or the THC will burn.
Avoid these 5 Common Mistakes When Baking Edibles for the First Time.
2. Smoothies
Did you know consuming a mango an hour before enjoying cannabis can increase your high? You can thank the terpene myrcene for that!
Myrcene is one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis and in addition to anti-inflammatory properties, the cannabis experts at Steep Hill Lab state that this powerful aromatic compound has the striking ability to lower the blood to brain barrier and increase the saturation levels of THC.
So, for your next batch of cannabis cooking oil, we highly recommend adding a few drops of cannabis oil to your favorite smoothie with mango. It’ll blend easily and the myrcene may make the effects of your cannabis oil even more enjoyable.
3. Tea
When you drop a teaspoon of cannabis-infused cooking oil into your tea, you’ll get double the dose of relaxation. Just make sure to choose a tea that does not contain caffeine.
4. Salad Dressing
If you’re big on dressings and homemade condiments, substitute the regular oil used in your recipes with cannabis oil. Dressings are so versatile, you’ll be able to incorporate cannabis oil into breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
How to Clean Up After Making Cannabis Cooking Oil
Since the cooking time on cannabis oil is several hours, you can imagine the aroma that will build up over time. Keep your space free of the strong odor, by properly ventilating your kitchen. Use stove top fans, open windows, or place an odor-removing product, like Cannabolish Odor Removing Gel in the kitchen concurrently while cooking!
All of our odor eliminating products use a proprietary formula of plant extracts and oils to absorb the unique stink of cannabis and keep you home smelling fresh. Cannabolish Odor Removing Gel is a great sous to any chef as its set-and-forget method will allow you to fight odors from cooking with cannabis without ever needing to step away.
Make sure to discard cannabis cooking oil remnants properly, just as you would any other cooking oil. Do not pour down your kitchen sink, but rather, discard in a disposable bag or container.
If you need to clean up your cooking equipment, use warm water and a strong degreasing soap. If you’re having trouble removing resin from your saucepan, try a dab of rubbing alcohol to loosen it!
Are you ready to start enjoying the relaxing fruits of your cannabis cooking oil labor? Find us on Instagram @Cannabolish and tell us what you’re cooking up!
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