A Beginners Guide to Cooking with Cannabis
There is no one way to consume weed. Some people like to smoke, while others prefer edibles. No matter what your preference, learning to cook with cannabis not only provides fun entertainment, but it also exponentially expands your options of consuming weed.
The OG edibles like brownies or cookies are great, but once you learn a few weed-cooking basics, you’ll see that you can infuse cannabis into just about anything. The possibilities with edibles may be near limitless, but there are a few steps you simply can’t miss. So let’s jump right in.
1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT STRAIN
There is no one way to cook with cannabis. Finding the right strain will all depend on the results you are looking for.
Those who are looking for a solid head high will want to pick a strain rich in THC.
On the other hand, those who want a more relaxed and less intense high might want to choose a strain with a more equal THC to CBD balance.
2. CALCULATE YOUR DOSAGE/POTENCY
This step is crucial in every edible recipe. The base potency will vary from flower to flower, so be sure you have an idea of how potent your flower is before cooking with it.
Regardless of the potency of the flower you choose, there is a simple math process you can follow to gain an estimated understanding of how potent your edibles will end up being.
The following calculations serve only as an example. Your calculations will vary based on the potency in the strain you choose.
-
You have 10 grams of flower with 20% THC
-
Before breaking it down, you have 2,000 milligrams of THC
-
Decarbing weed is around 90% effective, which leaves you with 1,800 milligrams
-
Your base cooking ingredients will absorb around 60% of the available THC (1,800 X 0.6)
-
This leaves you with 1,080 milligrams
-
Once baked into your food, you’ll be left with around 216 servings of 5-milligram doses
3. FIND YOUR RECIPE
As mentioned previously, the possibilities are limitless when it comes to what you can make with cannabis.
If you’re looking to make a simple pot-brownie platter, awesome! If you’re trying to infuse cannabis into your favorite savory dish, that’s great too.
No matter what dish and ingredients you choose, the steps to cooking with cannabis are all relatively the same.
4. DECARBOXYLATE YOUR FLOWER
Unfortunately, cooking with cannabis is not as easy as simply adding in your bud with the rest of the dish’s ingredients. First, you have to decarboxylate your cannabis. This can be achieved in a few simple steps:
-
Preheat your oven to 245 degrees Fahrenheit
-
Evenly spread out your flower on a baking sheet
-
Bake for 35 minutes, flipping your buds every ten minutes
5. INFUSE YOUR WEED
This is where you transfer all the desired effects and flavors of the cannabis into your recipe. Cannabis is traditionally infused with butter, oil, or any fat-based product. This can also be achieved in a few easy steps.
-
Place the amount of butter or oil that your recipe calls for in a saucepan
-
Set saucepan over low heat
-
Add dried cannabis flower
-
Cook for two to three hours
-
Remove from heat and let cool
-
Separate the flower pieces from cannabutter with strainer or cheesecloth
6. TIME TO GET COOKING
Once your cannabutter or cannaoil is ready, you can proceed with your recipe as normal. One thing to keep in mind, however, when cooking with cannabis, is cooking temperature.
Cooking at too high of a temperature can strip your oil or butter of the THC you’ve infused into it. To avoid this, it’s recommended to cook at temperatures lower than 340 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even better, if possible, wait until the last minute to add your butter or oil, as this will maximize the effects of your infusion.
LOOKING TO ENHANCE YOUR SMOKING EXPERIENCE?
If you’ve been searching for new ways to enhance your high with a different way of smoking or a new device to smoke with, Weedgets has you covered! From advanced smoke-filtration pipes to innovative coughless filters, there are a number of ways you can achieve a smoother and more enjoyable high.