Calling all DIY chefs out there! Today we are going to go over both the old school, and new school, way of infusing oil or butter in order to cook and bake our own edibles. It's pretty simple to make, but pretty simple to screw up too if you don't know what you're doing.

Decarb First

Prior to either method, you’ll need to decarb your bud. What is decarboxylation? This chemical process involves the removal of a carboxyl group from a molecule. But really, it’s just you taking your satchel of flower and throwing it in the oven. This is to convert the non-intoxicating cannabinoid THCA into the psychoactive cannabinoid THC. It’s pretty freakin’ important, and sometimes in new cannabis states, the edibles manufacturers don’t understand this concept whatsoever.

How do you do this? Heat the oven to between 200-240 degrees, grind your bud, and place it on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or so, until it turns a nice golden hue (but don’t let it turn brown). You can also do this in the microwave for 90 seconds but sit close by because if you smell burning, you’ll need to yank it out immediately. Let’s just say the oven is the safer bet.

Go Oldschool with Flower & Butter

In a large crock pot or stock pot, combine the plant material and butter/oil together in a 1-1 ratio with water. This will allow everything to slosh around thoroughly. Heat at medium for 30-60 minutes. Then it’s ready to drain. Use the largest catch bucket or pot that you can fit in the fridge, moving shelves if necessary. With a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer, pour the plant material and water through and squish. Keep flushing with more hot water in stages until it squishes out clear. 

Place the pot in the fridge overnight or at least several hours until all the oil has floated to the top and formed a butter disc. Remove carefully; it’s not a problem if it snaps. Gently remove any of the thin, soft, icky-looking sludge and place that side down on a paper towel-lined cookie sheet. Allow to sit out for several hours, overnight again if possible. This allows as much moisture as possible to evaporate out. What’s left over, is your butter.

With hot rinsing, I estimate that you get an 80% return or more on the amount of butter solid that went in, versus just a quick squish of a cheese cloth. Dosage is harder to dial in, but it’s usually good and does the trick.

Go Newschool with Hash Oil

I activate hash oil in a similar method as far as decarbing goes -- but I mix it right away into preheated oil (or corn syrup if you have a non oil-fat edible). To clarify: If using a cooking oil, preheat it in a Pyrex on a cookie sheet, then add hash when ready, heating together for at least thirty minutes. If using corn syrup for, say, candy, then preheat ONLY the Pyrex and when the oven reaches the correct temperature, put in the hash. Decarb by itself for at least 30 minutes, then take out and mix together with hot corn syrup.

This method allows you to highly concentrate a small amount of supply oil or syrup, which can be really useful. For example, you could use a quarter cup of the heavy medicated oil or butter or syrup and then 3/4 cup regular if the recipe calls for a full cup, and you’d know your basic dosage within reason, depending on the strength of the product that you put in. Strength is easily quantifiable, i.e., each tablespoon out of a cup equals X mg THC based quite simply on what you put into it.  

I prefer baking and cooking this way because, within reason, I can give an excellent estimate not only for a singular item, but on a per-serving basis as long as servings are generally equal size. Not only that, but you get a nearly 100% return on what you start with.
 

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In Colorado, cannabis is pretty easy to find these days. However, when you’re trying to be adventurous with your cannabis and make some homemade edibles and goodies, you don’t always have all the equipment you need for cooking. Have no fear, here’s how to strain cannabutter without cheesecloth.

What is Weed Butter?

Also known as marijuana butter or cannabutter, weed butter is a combination of cannabis and butter. Weed butter is most commonly used to make cannabis edibles. These include cannabis cookies and brownies.

Why is Straining Required?

Once it is infused, cannabutter needs to be strained. This is often done by slowly and carefully allowing the product to seep through cheesecloth. This method allows only the oil to get through the filter.

You don’t have to strain your cannabutter. You can take the plant bits out of the cannabutter using a slotted spoon. However, you will have to be content with plant pieces floating around in your weed butter.

Straining is required to ensure that the product with which you are going to bake doesn’t contain excess plant materials.

Problems with Using Cheesecloth for Straining

Cheesecloth is gauze-like, woven cotton cloth. It was originally used to create and wrap cheese. Hence, its name. Cheesecloth is costly and can be used only once.

Cheesecloth is tricky to cut. It is also messy and time-consuming to use as a strainer. If you squeeze the cheesecloth to hurry the process, you can end up with plant materials in the cannabutter.

A final disadvantage is that most households don’t have cheesecloth on hand. It is not always easy to find. You can buy cheesecloth at a kitchen supply store or a fabric store by the yard but you need to cut it to the size you need for your strainer.

Alternatives to Straining with Cheesecloth

1. Try Muslin

Select 100% cotton, unbleached, lightweight muslin. The cheaper the quality of the muslin the better it is for straining. You want a loose weave. This will provide a strainer that is tighter than cheesecloth and much cheaper. Muslin is also easier to find and to cut than cheesecloth.

Place the muslin over the mouth of a bowl, a cup, or a measuring cup. Secure with a device like an elastic band or clips. Place the cannabis leaves or buds in the muslin. Pour hot butter over the cannabis and allow it to strain into the receptacle below.

1. Consider Found Materials

You don’t have to go out and purchase cheesecloth or muslin. Look around you. Straining materials are there. How about using a pillowcase, a tea towel, a bandana, or a scrap of fabric from your craft basket?

Stretch the material over the mouth of a bowl. Hold in place with an elastic band or clips around the rim. Put the cannabis in the material and pour hot butter over the material. Allow to strain. 

When done, discard the cannabis. The fabric can be washed and reused.

1. Create an Herb Bag

Use found material to create a pouch. Place the cannabis materials inside and sew closed. Place this bag in a bowl of warmed butter. Allow the cannabis to infuse the butter, stirring from time to time. 

When the butter is infused to your liking, take the bag out and discard it. You can make several of these bags while you have your sewing machine out. Store in a closed, dry container until they are needed.

1. Coffee Filters Work

You have them on hand. Coffee filters make good strainers for cannabutter because they are already set up to be used to filter materials and infuse the liquid. 

First, run hot water through the filter to remove the paper taste. Place the filter in a mug, a bowl, or a dish. Put the cannabis buds or leaves in the filter. Then, pour heated butter in a circular motion over the cannabis and allow the mixture to brew.

Once the butter is infused, remove the filter with the cannabis inside and discard it. You’re left with delicious cannabutter for cooking.

1. Cloth Table Napkins are Versatile

Those cotton table napkins or cloth diapers can also serve as filters. Stretch the material over the mouth of a bowl. Hold in place with an elastic band or clips around the rim. Put the cannabis in the material and pour hot butter over the material. Allow to strain. 

When done, discard the cannabis. The fabric can be washed and reused.

1. Look for a Fine Mesh Bag

Fine mesh bags can be purchased in a hardware store. Mesh bags are worth the price because they are easy to clean and can be reused.

Put the cannabis in the mesh bag. Pour hot butter over the bag. Allow to strain. 

When done, discard the cannabis. The mesh bag can be washed and reused.

1. Select a Fine Wire Sieve

A wire sieve is easy to clean. It can be used several times. Be sure to choose a sieve that catches the plant materials. Because it is reusable, a wire sieve is an inexpensive strainer. Moreover, it is easy to use and not messy.

1. Repurpose Pantyhose

Stockings or pantyhose are a good substitute for cheesecloth. Simply stretch a clean pair of pantyhose or tights or a nylon stocking over the mouth of a large mixing bowl. When you have finished straining the cannabutter, toss the pantyhose in the washing machine and reuse it.

1. Use the Two-Cup Method

Originally used to brew tea, this also works for cannabutter. Place cannabis in a cup. Pour hot butter over top. Stir until the butter is fully infused. Then pour the mixture into a strainer over a second cup. Discard the plant pieces remaining in the sieve.

If you don’t have a strainer, you can pour the mixture in the first cup into the second cup using a slotted spoon to catch the plant pieces.

If you don’t have a slotted spoon, use a fork to hold back the plant material as you pour the infused butter from the first cup into the second one.

1.  Create a Tin Foil Infuser

Cut out a square of tin foil large enough to cover the surface of a cup. 

Fold the square twice so you have a small square. Use a sharp paring knife to make holes in the closed corner.

Fold out a pocket and place it in the cup. Put in the cannabis material. Pour in hot butter. Allow mixture to brew, stirring occasionally. When the butter is infused, remove the tin foil infuser with the plant material and discard it.

** Don’t Use a Paper Towel

People often make the mistake of assuming a paper towel will work as effectively as a filter when they are considering how to strain cannabutter without cheesecloth.

Avoid using paper towels as strainers. Paper towel production uses bleaches and other chemicals. When you strain the butter through a paper towel, it leaches these chemicals into the cannabutter. 

And that's how to strain cannabutter without cheesecloth.

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Well, folks, it’s official – fall is in full swing, the trees are changing colors, hot cups of apple cider flow like rivers into the mugs of eagerly anticipating people, this year’s outdoor cannabis crops have been harvested, trimmed, and cured.  

If you were one of the lucky farmers to harvest a crop this year then you have probably begun to wonder what to do with all that tasty sugar trim and leafy buds that weren’t quite pretty or full enough to make the top-shelf bud jar.  

We have a great selection of weed flower deals here at Cannasaver for you to check out if you’d like to stock up and fill your pantry for the long winter months coming.  

One of the best things about fall is the feeling when you get together with your best friends and family for a tasty meal.  

Sitting around the living room and making jokes, playing games, eating delicious food with one another, these are the types of activities fall is best for.  

We at Cannasaver decided it would be a great idea to throw a cannabis-themed dinner party for just such an occasion.  

In this article, we’re going to tell you how to make cannabutter and oil to use in some of our favorite dishes that will leave you with a full belly and your head in the sky.  

The first step to creating a weed infused food dish is to extract your cannabis into something you can cook with.  

Here’s a method we love to use for making our weed butter for cookies, Rice Krispie treats, brownies, and other tasty weed treats and recipes.

First Step to an Infused Dinner Party: Making Cannabutter and Oil

The process to make butter we use includes two major steps.  

1. The first is to decarboxylate your cannabis by baking it in an oven at 225 degrees Fahrenheit.  

This activates the THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids to be able to bind to your oil or butter.  

1. The second step is to take the baked cannabis and infuse it into a source of fat.  

This could either be butter or your favorite type of cooking oil.   

Follow these simple steps to complete making your infused oil or butter.

• In a medium saucepan on very low heat, add water and butter.

• When the butter is melted, add the decarboxylated cannabis. 

• Mix well with a wooden spoon and cover with a lid.

• Let mixture gently simmer for 4 hours. Stir every half hour to make sure your butter isn’t burning. If you have a thermometer, check to make sure the temperature doesn’t reach above 180°.

• After 4 hours, strain with cheesecloth or metal strainer into a container. Let the butter cool to room temperature. Use immediately or keep in the refrigerator or freezer in a well-sealed mason jar for up to six months.

This butter method is tried and true to make some of the dankest, potent butter to be used in any number of recipes.

So now that you’ve made your butter or oil, it’s time to get to work planning a menu.  

We’ve made a sample one for you to take a peek at for some recipe inspiration or just to use for your own infused dinner party.  

So here we go, Chef, let’s dive into our version of a nice weed infused dinner party.  

Infused Dinner Party Recipes

THC Infused Margaritas

To make this drink you’ll need to pick up some THC-infused tincture to concoct this tasty beverage.

(Check out these deals on tincture).  

• Place 1-2 cups of ice cubes in a blender.

• Scrape 4-8 tablespoons of honey (warming the honey slightly in the microwave can make it easier to pour and distribute) into the blender along with the ice.

• Squeeze 2-3 large limes for their juice, and add the resulting juice to the mixture in the blender.

• Free-pour in the alcohol to reach the level of strength you desire in your margarita. Blend sufficiently until smooth. Chill margarita glasses while mixing. 

• Dampen and dip the rims in salt if a salted rim is desired. Slice the fourth lime into thin half-slices, and put a small notch in the flesh of each slice so that it can be easily slipped over the rim of the glass.

• Distribute margarita mixture into glasses and grate a small amount of lime zest over the top of each portion. 

• Add your dosage of THC or CBD tincture and enjoy while they are still frosty!

Get Baked Mac and Cheese

This isn’t your granny’s classic baked Mac and Cheese, but it will taste just as good.  

For this recipe, you’ll need to use some of the weed butter you made earlier. 

Here’s the list of ingredients you’ll want for your dish:

1/2 pound elbow macaroni

6 tablespoons cannabutter

 1/4 cup flour

 3 cups milk

 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced

 1 teaspoon cayenne (optional)

 1 large egg

 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded, divided

 1 teaspoon salt

 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 cup panko bread crumbs

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

• In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta to al dente.

• While the pasta is cooking and in a separate med/large pot, Add the melted cannabutter. Whisk in the flour and keep it moving for about five minutes over very low heat. (Do not let it boil or simmer) Make sure it’s free of lumps. Stir in the milk and onion.

• Temper in the egg. Stir in 9 oz of grated sharp cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with another 3 oz of grated cheese of your choice.

• Melt 3 tablespoons of cannabutter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for about 30 minutes or until topping is browned.

• Remove from the oven and rest a few minutes before serving.

• Serve up your Dankaroni and Cheese and enjoy! 

Weed Brownies for Dessert

If you and your guests have made it through the margs and mac and cheese and want to finish your meal with some tasty treats, we’ve snagged a recipe for some really dank brownies to make and share with your guests.  

These are great too because if people are already too high, brownies make great take-home treats.

Here's what you’ll need to make your brownies:

8 tablespoons (1 stick) cannabutter, plus a little softened butter for the pan

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Chocolate chips (optional)

To cook the brownies just follow these simple steps :

• Heat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with butter or line it with aluminum foil and grease the foil.

• Combine the butter and chocolate in a small saucepan over very low heat, stirring occasionally. When the chocolate is just about melted, remove from the heat and continue to stir until the mixture is smooth.

• Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the sugar. Then beat in the eggs, one at a time. Gently stir in the flour, salt, and vanilla. Add chocolate chips. Pour and scrape into the prepared pan and bake until just barely set in the middle, 20 to 25 minutes. 

It's better to underbake brownies than to overbake them. Cool on a rack before cutting. 

• Top the brownies with your favorite ice cream or a glass of milk and enjoy!

These are just a few suggestions of things you could prepare for a weed infused dinner party.  Our recommendation is that you and your friends do a “Pot-Luck” where everyone cooks and brings their favorite weed dish to the party.  

Stay safe and enjoy!

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