Honey oil, also known as cannabis honey oil, hash oil, or butane honey oil, is a potent, sticky concentrate derived from cannabis. It offers a highly concentrated form of THC, often reaching up to 80%, making it a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts for dabbing, vaping, or adding to edibles. If you’re curious about how to make honey oil yourself, this guide will walk you through the process in an easy-to-understand way, highlighting two popular methods: using alcohol solvents or butane.
What Is Honey Oil?
Honey oil is a thick, amber-colored cannabis extract that resembles honey in texture but not in taste. It’s made by stripping THC and other cannabinoids from cannabis buds using a solvent, resulting in a sticky, potent oil that can be smoked, vaporized, or consumed in various ways. The oil’s potency and versatility make it a sought-after product for both recreational and medicinal users.
What You’ll Need
Before starting, gather these supplies:
– Cannabis buds (dried and ground, but not powdered)
– Solvent: either high-proof alcohol (like isopropyl alcohol or ethanol) or high-grade butane
– Two mason jars
– Pyrex dish or glass tray
– Coffee filters
– Pot for boiling water (for a water bath)
– Grinder
– Scraping tool (like a razor blade)
– Honey bee extractor (if using butane)
Method 1: Making Honey Oil Using Alcohol (QWET or QWISO)
This method uses alcohol as a solvent to extract cannabinoids. There are two variations:
– QWET (Quick Wash Ethanol): Uses ethanol as the solvent.
– QWISO (Quick Wash Isopropyl): Uses isopropyl alcohol.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Prepare Your Cannabis:
Break your dried cannabis buds into small pieces (not powder). If they aren’t dry enough, place them in an oven at about 195°F for a few minutes until they crumble easily.
- Freeze the Cannabis and Alcohol:
Put the cannabis pieces in one mason jar and seal it. Place the jar in the freezer. Also, chill your alcohol solvent in a separate container in the freezer until it reaches around -62°F.
- Mix Cannabis and Alcohol:
Pour the cold alcohol into the jar with cannabis, covering the plant material by about an inch. For the QWISO method, stir gently for about 20 seconds and then strain. For QWET, stir gently, place the jar back in the freezer for 3 more minutes, then strain through coffee filters. Strain twice for higher purity.
- Evaporate the Alcohol:
Pour the filtered liquid into a Pyrex dish. Place this dish over a pot of boiling water (water bath) with temperatures between 158°F and 176°F to gently evaporate the alcohol. Alternatively, leave it in the sun to evaporate naturally. The alcohol will evaporate, leaving behind your golden honey oil.
- Collect Your Honey Oil:
Once all the alcohol evaporates, scrape the sticky residue from the dish with your scraping tool. This is your homemade honey oil, ready to use as you wish.
Method 2: Making Honey Oil Using Butane
This method uses butane as the solvent and requires more caution due to butane’s high flammability.
Step-by-Step Process:
- Prepare Your Cannabis:
Grind your cannabis to a fine but not powdery consistency. Fill the honey bee extractor tube with the ground cannabis, packing it firmly but not too tight.
- Attach Coffee Filter:
Place a coffee filter inside the screw cap of the extractor and reattach it securely.
- Inject Butane:
Insert the nozzle of the butane canister into the extractor’s single hole and spray butane until the can is empty. The butane will dissolve the cannabinoids and drip out as a thick greenish liquid into your Pyrex dish.
- Evaporate the Butane:
Place the dish over a pot of boiling water (without letting the dish touch the water) to gently evaporate the butane. This step is crucial and must be done outdoors in a well-ventilated area to avoid fire hazards.
- Scrape and Store:
After all butane evaporates, scrape the sticky honey oil off the dish. Store it in parchment paper or a non-stick container.
Tips for Making Honey Oil Safely
– Always work in a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors, especially when using butane.
– Avoid any open flames or sparks during the process.
– Be patient-rushing the evaporation step can be dangerous.
– Use high-quality cannabis for the best results.
– Properly dry and cure your cannabis before extraction.
– Use gloves and protective gear if possible.
Using Your Honey Oil
Honey oil can be consumed in various ways:
– Dabbing with a glass oil rig for a potent hit.
– Adding a few drops to a joint or bowl.
– Vaporizing with a compatible vaporizer.
– Incorporating into edibles or tinctures.
Making honey oil at home can be a rewarding project that results in a highly potent cannabis concentrate. Whether you choose the alcohol method or the butane method, following safety precautions and taking your time will help you produce a quality product you can enjoy.
Enjoy your crafting journey and the potent experience that honey oil brings!