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Butane hash oil (BHO) extraction: Difference between revisions
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{{headerpanel|{{Template:Warning/BHO}}{{disclaimer}}}} | {{headerpanel|{{Template:Warning/BHO}}{{disclaimer}}}} | ||
This is a [[ | This is a [[tutorial index|tutorial]] for the extraction of a resin from [[cannabis]] plant material using liquid butane as a solvent (commonly referred to as '''Butane Hash Oil''', '''Butane Honey Oil''', or '''B.H.O.'''). It is a highly concentrated form of cannabis extracts containing many of its cannabinoids and terpenes. | ||
Before | Before starting, readers should be aware that performing this type of extraction indoors is considered to be inherently dangerous due to the unpredictable flammable and explosive natures of the materials involved, many of which can lead to property damage, serious bodily injury,<ref>{{Citation | year=2016 | title=Man Severely Burned in Explosion Making Butane Hash Oil: Police | url=https://patch.com/michigan/rochester/man-severely-burned-explosion-making-butane-hash-oil-police}}</ref> or death. | ||
Despite the attempt at creating a highly optimized and simplified version of this extraction, it should be noted that it still requires some more advanced technical equipment (e.g. a '''vacuum pump'''). This procedure should not be performed if one cannot afford to acquire these essential pieces of equipment as there is no way to safely substitute them with something else. | Despite the attempt at creating a highly optimized and simplified version of this extraction, it should be noted that it still requires some more advanced technical equipment (e.g. a '''vacuum pump'''). This procedure should not be performed if one cannot afford to acquire these essential pieces of equipment as there is no way to safely substitute them with something else. | ||
Likewise, the ideal setting for this procedure is a highly-controlled, safety-inspected professional or lab environment; conducting it in an outdoor home setting is generally not advised for legal, health, and environmental reasons. This tutorial is provided strictly for | Likewise, the ideal setting for this procedure is a highly-controlled, safety-inspected professional or lab environment; conducting it in an outdoor home setting is generally not advised for legal, health, and environmental reasons. This tutorial is provided strictly for harm-reduction purposes only. | ||
== | ==Design== | ||
The objective of this tutorial is to provide a simple, straight-forward and risk-minimized procedure for one seeking to produce a personal amount of hash oil in '''an outdoor environment'''. It has been deliberately designed to use the simplest, most available materials and equipment that are typically accessible to the average person while keeping the safety of both the producer as well as the local environment in mind. | The objective of this tutorial is to provide a simple, straight-forward and risk-minimized procedure for one seeking to produce a personal amount of hash oil in '''an outdoor environment'''. It has been deliberately designed to use the simplest, most available materials and equipment that are typically accessible to the average person while keeping the safety of both the producer as well as the local environment in mind. | ||
==Risks and Hazards== | ==Risks and Hazards== | ||
[[File:FireTriangle.png|350px|thumb|right|In order for an explosion to occur oxygen, an ignition source or heat, and a fuel (in this case butane vapors) need to be present.]] | |||
There have been many documented explosive events that have resulted in great bodily harm and loss of life<ref>{{Citation | publisher=OregonLive | year=2014 | title=Butane hash oil: A single spark can lead to an explosion during production | url=https://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/2014/05/butane_hash_oil_the_danger.html}}</ref>. Due to the inherent risks this procedure entails, it is imperative that one remain vigilant at identifying any possible ignition hazards throughout the entirety of the process. | |||
===Flammability of Butane=== | |||
Butane is a flammable gas with no odor and the ability to accumulate indoors and in unventilated areas. The sudden accumulation of enough butane gas in an enclosed area presents a significant risk for sudden, unpredictable explosions, which often lead to fires, high-degree burns and sometimes fatal injury to the person performing the procedure. Therefore, utmost care and caution must be used when working in an environment that involves the use of butane gas. | Butane is a flammable gas with no odor and the ability to accumulate indoors and in unventilated areas. The sudden accumulation of enough butane gas in an enclosed area presents a significant risk for sudden, unpredictable explosions, which often lead to fires, high-degree burns and sometimes fatal injury to the person performing the procedure. Therefore, utmost care and caution must be used when working in an environment that involves the use of butane gas. | ||
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A "well-ventilated area" is commonly used to describe the area that is ideal for a '''B.H.O'''. Contrary to popular belief, however, a "well-ventilated area" is not simply a room with all the windows open; it is not a kitchen stove top fan turned on; nor is it a garage with the door propped open to let some air in - these areas do have ventilation, but the movement of air currents is highly unpredictable and often unable to be detected until a dangerous concentration of butane has already been accumulated. | A "well-ventilated area" is commonly used to describe the area that is ideal for a '''B.H.O'''. Contrary to popular belief, however, a "well-ventilated area" is not simply a room with all the windows open; it is not a kitchen stove top fan turned on; nor is it a garage with the door propped open to let some air in - these areas do have ventilation, but the movement of air currents is highly unpredictable and often unable to be detected until a dangerous concentration of butane has already been accumulated. | ||
'''To be considered properly well-ventilated, an area must have a constant and steady supply of fresh air flowing through the area.'''<ref> | '''To be considered properly well-ventilated, an area must have a constant and steady supply of fresh air flowing through the area.'''<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Blankenship, C.)) | title=Adequate Ventilation: How is it defined and does it adequately warn consumers? | date= 2013 | url=http://mds.marshall.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1601&context=etd}}</ref> | ||
<span style="color:red>'''It should be noted that performing a B.H.O. extraction in a "well-ventilated area" does not eliminate the flammability and explosion hazard associated with the process, it only lowers this risk. It is ''always'' safer to perform this procedure outdoors (provided one take the proper precautions, however, such as acquiring a fire extinguisher and related safety materials in advance).'''</span> | <span style="color:red>'''It should be noted that performing a B.H.O. extraction in a "well-ventilated area" does not eliminate the flammability and explosion hazard associated with the process, it only lowers this risk. It is ''always'' safer to perform this procedure outdoors (provided one take the proper precautions, however, such as acquiring a fire extinguisher and related safety materials in advance).'''</span> | ||
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==Equipment== | ==Equipment== | ||
[[File:Flammable Gas.gif|225px|thumb|right|Butane gas is highly flammable.]] | [[File:Flammable Gas.gif|225px|thumb|right|Butane gas is highly flammable.]] | ||
* ''' | * '''[[Cannabis]]''' - You can make batches with as little material as you like although it is recommended that at least a half ounce be used for technical and economic reasons. The yield is highly dependent on the strain, batch and overall quality of the material. Good, dried, fresh and uncrushed bud makes the best butane hash oil. Grind them up and do a second extraction to get a lower grade of oil. | ||
* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades depending on how many times it has been filtered for impurities. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better the quality, but after a certain threshold filtering something additionally is not going to have a detectable difference during the procedure, so be mindful of diminishing returns! | * '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades depending on how many times it has been filtered for impurities. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better the quality, but after a certain threshold filtering something additionally is not going to have a detectable difference during the procedure, so be mindful of diminishing returns! 4X has so far proven to be a purity from which no significant quality increase can be expected. N-butane is preferable to Isobutane but typically more expensive and difficult to find available in stores. It is thought to increase the quality of the end product. You will need at least 8 oz of butane for every 1 oz of plant material. There also exist various other solvents that can be used. '''All gaseous or liquid butane solvents are highly flammable.''' | ||
* '''Extraction tube''' - | **'''Mirror Test''' - To test butane of unknown quality, take a mirror or piece of glass and spray a good amount of liquid butane onto it. (You may need some pliers to press the nozzle in) Wait about 5-10 mins for the butane to evaporate and check the mirror for a white residue. Don't confuse water condensation for residue. Many will leave a slight residue, check for Smell. Should your residue smell bad, don't use it. | ||
* '''Extraction tube''' - thick glass or stainless steel is recommended due to the lower likelihood of chemical leeching and the formation of byproducts associated with the use plastic, brass and galvanized steel equipment. Thick glass can also handle the freezing/heating cycles present in this extraction better than other materials. | |||
* '''Vacuum chamber and pump''' - A single stage vacuum pump is sufficient. Be wary of shorter chambers as the oil might bubble high enough to touch the lid. | * '''Vacuum chamber and pump''' - A single stage vacuum pump is sufficient. Be wary of shorter chambers as the oil might bubble high enough to touch the lid. | ||
[[File:Vacpump.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A two gallon vacuum chamber and pump apparatus.]] | [[File:Vacpump.jpg|200px|thumb|right|A two gallon vacuum chamber and pump apparatus.]] | ||
* '''Coffee filter and rubber band or hose clamp''' | * '''Coffee filter and rubber band or hose clamp''' | ||
* '''Pyrex baking dish''' - This should have a large surface area to increase the evaporation rate of the solvent once it has been poured into it. | * '''Pyrex baking dish''' - This should have a large surface area to increase the evaporation rate of the solvent once it has been poured into it. | ||
* '''Protective gloves and mask''' - This is needed to protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors, both of which can cause lasting bodily harm - '''Wearing the proper safety equipment is imperative for properly performing a B.H.O. extraction'''. | * '''Protective gloves, eyewear and mask''' - This is needed to protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors, both of which can cause lasting bodily harm - '''Wearing the proper safety equipment is imperative for properly performing a B.H.O. extraction'''. | ||
* '''Heat source''' - Avoid any open flame heat sources and heat sources that can cause flammable sparks as '''butane is unpredictable, highly flammable and explosive!''' An induction hot plate is a viable heat source option, as is any non-sparking, flame proof electrical heater or a simple water bath. If using a hot water bath, make sure to monitor the temperature and set it up over an induction heat source that does not have a pilot light. | * '''Heat source''' - Avoid any open flame heat sources and heat sources that can cause flammable sparks as '''butane is unpredictable, highly flammable and explosive!''' An induction hot plate is a viable heat source option, as is any non-sparking, flame proof electrical heater or a simple water bath. If using a hot water bath, make sure to monitor the temperature and set it up over an induction heat source that does not have a pilot light. | ||
* '''Fire extinguisher''' - This can make the difference between life and death if a fire or explosion occurs. Always have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket on hand in case of fire. It is important to check the operability of the fire extinguisher by examining it or refilling it at least once an hour to ensure that it will work during an explosive event. | * '''Fire extinguisher''' - This can make the difference between life and death if a fire or explosion occurs. Always have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket on hand in case of fire. It is important to check the operability of the fire extinguisher by examining it or refilling it at least once an hour to ensure that it will work during an explosive event. | ||
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===Notes=== | ===Notes=== | ||
* Hash oil making is highly dependent on the strain. A wide variety of different looking products can result from this tek and may range from 'shatter' (the highest grade) to 'crumble' to 'wax' or anywhere in between. High THC strains often tend to "sugar up" and is prized by many for the smoothness of its vaporized taste. | * Hash oil making is highly dependent on the strain. A wide variety of different looking products can result from this tek and may range from 'shatter' (the highest grade) to 'crumble' to 'wax' or anywhere in between. High THC strains often tend to "sugar up" and is prized by many for the smoothness of its vaporized taste. | ||
==See also== | |||
*[[Isopropyl extraction of crude cannabis oil]] | |||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
[[Category:Proofread]] | |||
[[Category:Proofread]][[Category:Extraction]][[Category: | [[Category:Extraction]] | ||
[[Category:Cannabis extraction]] | |||