Butane hash oil (BHO) extraction: Difference between revisions

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==Equipment==

* '''Ground [[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, but one can typically expect the end product to come out to around 15% by weight.

* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference so be mindful of diminishing returns! There's also n-butane and other blended gas solvents of various kinds. These are typically much more expensive but are thought to increase the quality of the end product.

* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference so be mindful of diminishing returns! There's also n-butane and other blended gas solvents of various kinds. These are typically much more expensive but are thought to increase the quality of the end product. '''All gaseous butane solvents are highly flammable.'''

* '''Extraction tube''' - Thick glass is highly recommended although plastic and other types will work reasonably well.

* '''Extraction tube''' - Thick glass is highly recommended although plastic and other types will work reasonably well. Glass is prefered due to the reduced probability of chemical leeching and byproducts associated with plastic equipment.

* '''Vacuum chamber and pump''' - A single stage pump is fine. Be wary of shorter chambers as the oil might bubble high enough to touch the lid.

* '''Coffee filter and rubber band or hose clamp'''

* '''Pyrex or glass baking dish''' - This should have a large surface area

* '''Pyrex or glass baking dish''' - This should have a large surface area to increase the evaporation rate of the solvent.

* '''Protective gloves and mask''' - To protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors

* '''Protective gloves and mask''' - This is needed to protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors - '''proper safety wear is imperative for a B.H.O. extraction'''.

* '''Lower temp electric heat source''' - ~~Induction cooktops are ideal, a hair dryer or craft heat gun are also recommended. A hot water bath can also be used but avoid~~ any open flame heat sources as butane is highly flammable and explosive!

* '''Lower temp electric heat source''' - Avoid any open flame heat sources and heat sources that can cause flammable sparks as '''butane is highly flammable and explosive!''' An induction hot plate is a viable heat source option.

* '''Fire extinguisher'''

* '''Fire extinguisher''' - This can make the difference between life and death if a fire or explosion occurs.

* '''Parchment paper or slick mat'''

* '''Laser thermometer''' - ~~Optional but~~ greatly aids in temperature control

* '''Laser thermometer''' - This greatly aids in temperature control.

==Procedure==

# Break up (not grind) ~~your~~ [[cannabis]] into small and loose pieces. This increases the surface area for the solvent and maximizes the amount of medication extracted.

# Break up (not grind) the [[cannabis]] into small and loose pieces. This increases the surface area for the solvent and maximizes the amount of medication extracted.

# Pack your extraction tube in a firm manner. Be careful not to pack the tube over as the butane must be allowed to flow through the material freely by the force of gravity.

# Cover the open end with two coffee filters and secure with rubber band or clamp.

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 ==Equipment==
 * '''Ground [[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, but one can typically expect the end product to come out to around 15% by weight.
-* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference so be mindful of diminishing returns! There's also n-butane and other blended gas solvents of various kinds. These are typically much more expensive but are thought to increase the quality of the end product.
+* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference so be mindful of diminishing returns! There's also n-butane and other blended gas solvents of various kinds. These are typically much more expensive but are thought to increase the quality of the end product. '''All gaseous butane solvents are highly flammable.'''
-* '''Extraction tube''' - Thick glass is highly recommended although plastic and other types will work reasonably well.
+* '''Extraction tube''' - Thick glass is highly recommended although plastic and other types will work reasonably well. Glass is prefered due to the reduced probability of chemical leeching and byproducts associated with plastic equipment.
 * '''Vacuum chamber and pump''' - A single stage pump is fine. Be wary of shorter chambers as the oil might bubble high enough to touch the lid.
 * '''Coffee filter and rubber band or hose clamp'''
-* '''Pyrex or glass baking dish''' - This should have a large surface area
+* '''Pyrex or glass baking dish''' - This should have a large surface area to increase the evaporation rate of the solvent.
-* '''Protective gloves and mask''' - To protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors
+* '''Protective gloves and mask''' - This is needed to protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors - '''proper safety wear is imperative for a B.H.O. extraction'''.
-* '''Lower temp electric heat source''' - Induction cooktops are ideal, a hair dryer or craft heat gun are also recommended. A hot water bath can also be used but avoid any open flame heat sources as butane is highly flammable and explosive!
+* '''Lower temp electric heat source''' - Avoid any open flame heat sources and heat sources that can cause flammable sparks as '''butane is highly flammable and explosive!''' An induction hot plate is a viable heat source option.
-* '''Fire extinguisher'''
+* '''Fire extinguisher''' - This can make the difference between life and death if a fire or explosion occurs.
 * '''Parchment paper or slick mat'''
-* '''Laser thermometer''' - Optional but greatly aids in temperature control
+* '''Laser thermometer''' - This greatly aids in temperature control.
 ==Procedure==
-# Break up (not grind) your [[cannabis]] into small and loose pieces. This increases the surface area for the solvent and maximizes the amount of medication extracted.
+# Break up (not grind) the [[cannabis]] into small and loose pieces. This increases the surface area for the solvent and maximizes the amount of medication extracted.
 # Pack your extraction tube in a firm manner. Be careful not to pack the tube over as the butane must be allowed to flow through the material freely by the force of gravity.
 # Cover the open end with two coffee filters and secure with rubber band or clamp.