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How to Make CBD Oil from Flower: DIY & Pro

Published October 27, 2021
How to Make CBD Oil from Flower: DIY & Pro - Secret Nature

You know it’s possible to make CBD oil at home in your kitchen, but you also know that isn’t how the pros do it. What are all the different ways you can make CBD extract, and how does each process work?

#1) The CO2 method

You often hear the CO2 extraction method touted as the best way to extract CBD or any other cannabinoid. In reality, there isn’t much difference between CO2 and ethanol extraction when it comes to purity and quality, and the equipment required for CO2 extraction is prohibitively expensive for smaller operations. CO2-extracted CBD is definitely the best, but that doesn’t mean other methods are significantly inferior.

How to extract CBD using CO2: step-by-step

Extracting CBD using CO2 is a complicated and dangerous process that you do not want to try at home. It might not seem like it, but CO2 is a volatile substance that’s hard to control, and there’s no such thing as a modestly sized CO2 extraction setup. Here are the basic steps professional hemp producers use when making CO2 CBD extract:

  • Ground CBD flower (biomass) is placed in an extraction chamber
  • A first pass is made with CO2, removing cannabinoids and other substances, both desirable and undesirable
  • The resulting extract is then purified, usually with ethanol
  • Further distillation processes are optional but improve purity

#2) The alcohol (ethanol) method

Extracting CBD using ethanol is cheaper than using CO2 even though it provides similar results. There’s a greater chance of solvent contamination in pure-ethanol hemp extracts, but under normal circumstances, any residual ethanol missed during purification should dissipate before consumption.

How to extract CBD using ethanol: step-by-step

Like CO2 extraction, you shouldn’t try large-scale ethanol extraction at home. There are, however, simple ways you can use household forms of ethanol like Everclear to make a passable DIY CBD alcohol extract.

If you leave decarboxylated CBD flower in a jar full of alcohol for a few weeks, you’ll eventually have a pretty good extract. Here’s the process:

  • Decarboxylate your CBD hemp flower by heating it to 250 degrees F for 30 minutes
  • Place the ground-up flower in a mason jar
  • Fill the mason jar to the top with Everclear or a similar high-proof alcohol
  • Close the lid tight, and place the jar in the freezer for 2-3 weeks
  • We do not recommend that you try to evaporate the alcohol on the stove since ethanol is highly flammable
  • After a few weeks, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth
  • You now have a usable alcohol-based CBD tincture

#3) The hydrocarbon method

Also known as BHO, hydrocarbon-extracted hemp concentrate is still relatively common even though ethanol and CO2 have risen to supremacy over recent years. Using butane, propane, or any number of other “hydrocarbon” substances, BHO extraction is reasonably efficient even though it’s dangerous both to producers and consumers.

How to extract CBD using the BHO method: step-by-step

We do not recommend that you attempt any form of hydrocarbon extraction at home. Not only is this the cannabis extraction method most commonly responsible for household disasters, but BHO extract can be dangerous to your health unless properly purified.

#4) The cooking method

One of the best ways to make CBD extract at home is to cook CBD hemp flower into oil or directly into food. This process is easy, it only requires basic kitchen equipment, and the possibility of blowing yourself up is slim-to-none.

How to extract CBD in cooking oil: step-by-step

  • Decarboxylate your CBD hemp flower by heating it to 250 degrees F for 30 minutes
  • Use a double-boiler to bring coconut oil or a similar oil to around 130 degrees F
  • Add your ground-up CBD hemp flower to the oil
  • Stir the mixture regularly for 30-90 minutes
  • Strain it into a mixing bowl using a strainer and a cheesecloth
  • Pour your DIY CBD oil into a mason jar for storage

#5) The tea method

Human beings have brewed herbs into tea for millennia, and the cannabis herb is no exception. This way to make CBD extract is ridiculously easy: just place some CBD flower (ground or whole, decarboxylated or no) in a tea strainer, pop the strainer into some boiling water, and wait a few minutes as cannabinoids and terpenes disperse throughout the hot mixture.

How to extract CBD in tea: step-by-step

  • Boil some water in a kettle
  • Put some CBD hemp flower inside a reusable tea strainer
  • Immerse the tea strainer in the hot water for 3-10 minutes
  • Optionally, add your favorite bag of tea for flavoring
  • Wait for your canna-tea to cool, then drink

Experiment at will, but leave the heavy lifting to the experts

Yes, it’s possible to blow up your kitchen (and possibly your limbs) trying to make CBD BHO at home. It’s also possible to make a huge mess only to receive a questionable yield once all’s said and done.

  • Secret Nature CBD Live Resin Hemp Extract review - Cameron H. ★★★★★ “Incredible quality and taste! Was definitely surprised by the quality, in comparison to other concentrates I’ve tried. Will for sure be my go to, for CBD concentrates from now on.”

If you feel like trying to make CBD oil at home, we have a few methods you can try in a more detailed guide. Here, we simply provided the steps you’d need to take in any CBD extraction process.

  • Secret Nature Organic Hemp Flower Drops review - Paul B. “My favorite!” ★★★★★ “This stuff is great, I like to take it at night after my day is done. This stuff truly helps me relax, I’ve tried several high end cbd tinctures and this is my favorite, in fact I favor this to any other form of cbd be it edibles, vapes, or smoking. Feels good and tastes good.”

Go into the process realizing that your results may never reach the quality level of your favorite brand-name hemp products. Where’s the harm in a little experimenting, though?

  • Secret Nature White Fire OG CBD Hemp Vape Cartridge review - Jazmin P. ★★★★★ “This is what I have been looking for. The feeling is amazing, I’m always relaxed and lately I have been having the best energy ever. The taste is great, not to rough or anything like that. I will have to try out the other ones for sure!!!”
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