Butane hash oil (BHO) extraction: Difference between revisions

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The flammability of a gas depends on its concentration in the atmosphere. The butane concentration must fall between an upper and lower limit to be able to ignite. The lower limit of butane concentration in the atmosphere is 1.89% and the higher limit is 8.5%<ref> Flammability of Gasses http://people.clarkson.edu/~wwilcox/Design/flamlim2.pdf</ref>. If the concentration of butane falls in this range and there is a spark present, there '''will''' be an ignition and an explosive event.

There have been many documented explosive events that have resulted in great bodily harm and loss of life<ref> "Butane hash oil: A single spark can lead to an explosion during production" http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2014/05/butane_hash_oil_the_danger.html</ref>. Due to the inherent risks of this extraction it is imperative that one is mindful of any possible ignition hazards.

===The "Well-Ventilated Area"===

A "well-ventilated area" is commonly used to describe the area that is ideal for butane extraction. 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, it is not a garage with the door open to let some air in - these areas do have ventilation, but the movement of air is unpredictable and may lead to explosions if butane does build up in the room. To be well-ventilated, an area must have a constant and steady supply of fresh air flowing through the area.

A "well-ventilated area" is commonly used to describe the area that is ideal for butane extraction. 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, it is not a garage with the door open to let some air in - these areas do have ventilation, but the movement of air is unpredictable and may lead to explosions if butane does build up in the room. To be well-ventilated, an area must have a constant and steady supply of fresh air flowing through the area<ref>"Adequate Ventilation: How is it defined and does itadequately warn consumers?", Christopher Blankenship 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 do 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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===Frostbite/Extreme Cold Hazards===

When a gas expands it takes in heat from the atmosphere. When the liquid butane travels through the extraction tube, it expands as a gas and greatly reduces the temperature of the glass extraction tube. '''It is imperative to wear cold resistant safety gloves or handle the extraction tube with a tong apparatus to avoid contact with freezing temperatures that may cause harm.'''

When a gas expands it takes in heat from the atmosphere. When the liquid butane travels through the extraction tube, it expands as it evaporates into a gas and greatly reduces the temperature of the glass extraction tube and the surrounding environment. '''It is imperative to wear cold resistant safety gloves or handle the extraction tube with a tong apparatus to avoid contact with freezing temperatures that may cause bodily harm.'''

==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, batch and overall quality of the material.

* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered for impurities. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point additional filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference, so be mindful of diminishing returns! There also exists 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.'''

* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered for impurities. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point additional filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference, so be mindful of diminishing returns! There also exists 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 or liquid butane solvents are highly flammable.'''

* '''Extraction tube''' - Thick glass is preferred due to the reduced probability of chemical leeching and byproducts associated with plastic 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 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.]]

* '''Coffee filter and rubber band or hose clamp''' - Be careful not to rip the coffee filter, especially when it is wet! It is recommended that there are multiple coffee filters used to attach to the bottom of the extraction tube, so have plenty on hand.

* '''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.

* '''Protective gloves and mask''' - This is needed to protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors, both of which can cause bodily harm - '''Wearing the proper safety equipment is imperative for properly performing a B.H.O. extraction'''.

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

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

# Cover the open end with four coffee filters and secure with rubber band or clamp. This is imperative to prevent the plant material from exiting the extraction tube along with the butane.

# Cover the open end with four coffee filters and secure with rubber band or clamp. This is imperative to prevent the plant material from exiting the extraction tube along with the butane. Be careful not to rip the coffee filter, especially when it is wet! It is recommended that there are multiple coffee filters used to attach to the bottom of the extraction tube, so have plenty on hand.

# Freeze your filled tube in your freezer in an air-tight container (this minimizes condensation) for a ''minimum of 2 hours''.

# Once frozen, put on the protective gloves, mask, and any other protective equipment and remove the tube from the freezer. Proper protective wear is imperative during this step.

# In an outdoor area, prepare the pyrex tray that will be used to catch the liquid butane exiting the extraction tube. Place the pyrex or glass dish in a '''WELL ventilated space''', which is only truly achievable outdoors or under a fume hood. This step is vital to ensuring a safe and explosion proof extraction process.

# Begin pouring the butane into the extraction tube filled with [[cannabis]] from the small vent opening on one end. The butane should flow through the [[cannabis]] material to the bottom of the tube and fall into the pyrex dish. Due to the expansion of the liquid butane into gaseous butane, there will be a temperature drop within the tube. The tube will become very cold or frozen and impossible to hold without heat-resistant gloves or test tube tongs meant for extreme temperatures.

# Begin pouring the butane into the extraction tube filled with [[cannabis]] from the small vent opening on one end. The butane should flow through the [[cannabis]] material to the bottom of the tube, filter through the coffee filters, and fall into the pyrex dish. Due to the expansion of the liquid butane into gaseous butane, there will be a temperature drop within the tube. The tube will become very cold or frozen and impossible to hold without heat-resistant gloves or test tube tongs meant for extreme temperatures.

# Continue to pour the butane into the extraction tube until the exiting butane lacks color and runs clear.

# Continue to pour the butane into the extraction tube until the exiting butane lacks color and runs clear. This indicates that all active ingrediants in the [[cannabis]] have been extracted.

# At this point allow most of your solvent to evaporate from the dish in the well-ventilated space free from mechanical or electrical sparks. Agitate occasionally at a safe distance. If using a hot water bath to aid in evaporation, monitor the temperature of the bath to keep it below boiling yet warm enough to aid in evaporation. '''Make sure to have a fire extinguisher near by in case of emergencies.'''

# At this point allow most of your solvent to evaporate from the dish in the '''well-ventilated space free from mechanical or electrical sparks'''. Agitate occasionally at a safe distance. If using a hot water bath to aid in evaporation, monitor the temperature of the bath to keep it below boiling yet warm enough to aid in evaporation. '''Make sure to have a fire extinguisher near by in case of emergencies.'''

===Final Steps===

# Once most of the butane has evaporated from the extraction trays, pour the liquid extract onto parchment paper or an oil slick and place it into the vacuum.

# Once most of the butane has evaporated from the pyrex extraction trays, pour the remaining liquid extract onto parchment paper or an oil slick and place it into the vacuum.

# Turn on the vacuum and allow to reach full vacuum capacity which is typically around 29 in/Hg at sea level. The oil will begin to bubble and muffin up as the trapped butane escapes the extract into the chamber.

# Turn on the vacuum and allow it to reach full vacuum capacity which is typically around 29 in/Hg at sea level. The oil will begin to bubble and muffin up as the trapped butane escapes the extract into the chamber.

# Wait several hours for the muffin tops to fall and the bubbles to stop forming. This activity signals that butane is exiting the B.H.O. as intended.

# Once the activity has stopped place the chamber on the heat source and gently raise the temperature to 100-120 degrees Farenheit. Be very careful not to add too much heat as this will burn off terpenes and darken the end product. Wait for any remaining bubbles to stop ~~and~~ remove it from the vacuum.

# Once the activity has stopped place the chamber on the heat source and gently raise the temperature to 100-120 degrees Farenheit (38-49 degrees celcius). Be very careful not to add too much heat as this will burn off psychoactive terpenes and darken the end product.

# Wait for any remaining bubbles to stop forming - this signifies that the butane has been removed from the extract. Once this occurs, remove the extract from the vacuum.

# Carefully try to flip the oil and melt it into the thinnest layer possible. Again take care not to add too much heat or fold air into the product as this will add moisture and trap in gasses which will affect the translucence and smoothness of the end product.

# Place the thin layer of oil back into the chamber at full vacuum. Leave on overnight.

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 The flammability of a gas depends on its concentration in the atmosphere. The butane concentration must fall between an upper and lower limit to be able to ignite. The lower limit of butane concentration in the atmosphere is 1.89% and the higher limit is 8.5%<ref> Flammability of Gasses http://people.clarkson.edu/~wwilcox/Design/flamlim2.pdf</ref>. If the concentration of butane falls in this range and there is a spark present, there '''will''' be an ignition and an explosive event.
+There have been many documented explosive events that have resulted in great bodily harm and loss of life<ref> "Butane hash oil: A single spark can lead to an explosion during production" http://www.oregonlive.com/marijuana/index.ssf/2014/05/butane_hash_oil_the_danger.html</ref>. Due to the inherent risks of this extraction it is imperative that one is mindful of any possible ignition hazards.
 ===The "Well-Ventilated Area"===
-A "well-ventilated area" is commonly used to describe the area that is ideal for butane extraction. 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, it is not a garage with the door open to let some air in - these areas do have ventilation, but the movement of air is unpredictable and may lead to explosions if butane does build up in the room. To be well-ventilated, an area must have a constant and steady supply of fresh air flowing through the area.
+A "well-ventilated area" is commonly used to describe the area that is ideal for butane extraction. 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, it is not a garage with the door open to let some air in - these areas do have ventilation, but the movement of air is unpredictable and may lead to explosions if butane does build up in the room. To be well-ventilated, an area must have a constant and steady supply of fresh air flowing through the area<ref>"Adequate Ventilation: How is it defined and does itadequately warn consumers?", Christopher Blankenship 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 do outdoors (provided one take the proper precautions, however, such as acquiring a fire extinguisher and related safety materials in advance).'''</span>
@@ Line 23: / Line 25: @@
 ===Frostbite/Extreme Cold Hazards===
-When a gas expands it takes in heat from the atmosphere. When the liquid butane travels through the extraction tube, it expands as a gas and greatly reduces the temperature of the glass extraction tube. '''It is imperative to wear cold resistant safety gloves or handle the extraction tube with a tong apparatus to avoid contact with freezing temperatures that may cause harm.'''
+When a gas expands it takes in heat from the atmosphere. When the liquid butane travels through the extraction tube, it expands as it evaporates into a gas and greatly reduces the temperature of the glass extraction tube and the surrounding environment. '''It is imperative to wear cold resistant safety gloves or handle the extraction tube with a tong apparatus to avoid contact with freezing temperatures that may cause bodily harm.'''
 ==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, batch and overall quality of the material.
-* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered for impurities. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point additional filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference, so be mindful of diminishing returns! There also exists 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.'''
+* '''Filtered butane''' - Butane is available in a variety of grades dependent on how many times it has been filtered for impurities. Generally speaking, the more times it has been filtered, the better, but at a certain point additional filtering something more times isn't going to make a qualitative difference, so be mindful of diminishing returns! There also exists 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 or liquid butane solvents are highly flammable.'''
 * '''Extraction tube''' - Thick glass is preferred due to the reduced probability of chemical leeching and byproducts associated with plastic 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 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.]]
-* '''Coffee filter and rubber band or hose clamp''' - Be careful not to rip the coffee filter, especially when it is wet! It is recommended that there are multiple coffee filters used to attach to the bottom of the extraction tube, so have plenty on hand.
+* '''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.
 * '''Protective gloves and mask''' - This is needed to protect against the frozen tube and butane vapors, both of which can cause bodily harm - '''Wearing the proper safety equipment is imperative for properly performing a B.H.O. extraction'''.
@@ Line 44: / Line 46: @@
 # Break up (not grind) the [[cannabis]] into small and loose pieces. This increases the surface area for the solvent and maximizes the amount of material to be extracted.
 # Pack your extraction tube in a firm manner. Be careful not to over pack the tube full of [[cannabis]] as the butane must be allowed to flow through the material freely by the force of gravity.
-# Cover the open end with four coffee filters and secure with rubber band or clamp. This is imperative to prevent the plant material from exiting the extraction tube along with the butane.
+# Cover the open end with four coffee filters and secure with rubber band or clamp. This is imperative to prevent the plant material from exiting the extraction tube along with the butane. Be careful not to rip the coffee filter, especially when it is wet! It is recommended that there are multiple coffee filters used to attach to the bottom of the extraction tube, so have plenty on hand.
 # Freeze your filled tube in your freezer in an air-tight container (this minimizes condensation) for a ''minimum of 2 hours''.
 # Once frozen, put on the protective gloves, mask, and any other protective equipment and remove the tube from the freezer. Proper protective wear is imperative during this step.
 # In an outdoor area, prepare the pyrex tray that will be used to catch the liquid butane exiting the extraction tube. Place the pyrex or glass dish in a '''WELL ventilated space''', which is only truly achievable outdoors or under a fume hood. This step is vital to ensuring a safe and explosion proof extraction process.
-# Begin pouring the butane into the extraction tube filled with [[cannabis]] from the small vent opening on one end. The butane should flow through the [[cannabis]] material to the bottom of the tube and fall into the pyrex dish. Due to the expansion of the liquid butane into gaseous butane, there will be a temperature drop within the tube. The tube will become very cold or frozen and impossible to hold without heat-resistant gloves or test tube tongs meant for extreme temperatures.
+# Begin pouring the butane into the extraction tube filled with [[cannabis]] from the small vent opening on one end. The butane should flow through the [[cannabis]] material to the bottom of the tube, filter through the coffee filters, and fall into the pyrex dish. Due to the expansion of the liquid butane into gaseous butane, there will be a temperature drop within the tube. The tube will become very cold or frozen and impossible to hold without heat-resistant gloves or test tube tongs meant for extreme temperatures.
-# Continue to pour the butane into the extraction tube until the exiting butane lacks color and runs clear.
+# Continue to pour the butane into the extraction tube until the exiting butane lacks color and runs clear. This indicates that all active ingrediants in the [[cannabis]] have been extracted.
-# At this point allow most of your solvent to evaporate from the dish in the well-ventilated space free from mechanical or electrical sparks. Agitate occasionally at a safe distance. If using a hot water bath to aid in evaporation, monitor the temperature of the bath to keep it below boiling yet warm enough to aid in evaporation. '''Make sure to have a fire extinguisher near by in case of emergencies.'''
+# At this point allow most of your solvent to evaporate from the dish in the '''well-ventilated space free from mechanical or electrical sparks'''. Agitate occasionally at a safe distance. If using a hot water bath to aid in evaporation, monitor the temperature of the bath to keep it below boiling yet warm enough to aid in evaporation. '''Make sure to have a fire extinguisher near by in case of emergencies.'''
 ===Final Steps===
-# Once most of the butane has evaporated from the extraction trays, pour the liquid extract onto parchment paper or an oil slick and place it into the vacuum.
+# Once most of the butane has evaporated from the pyrex extraction trays, pour the remaining liquid extract onto parchment paper or an oil slick and place it into the vacuum.
-# Turn on the vacuum and allow to reach full vacuum capacity which is typically around 29 in/Hg at sea level. The oil will begin to bubble and muffin up as the trapped butane escapes the extract into the chamber.
+# Turn on the vacuum and allow it to reach full vacuum capacity which is typically around 29 in/Hg at sea level. The oil will begin to bubble and muffin up as the trapped butane escapes the extract into the chamber.
 # Wait several hours for the muffin tops to fall and the bubbles to stop forming. This activity signals that butane is exiting the B.H.O. as intended.
-# Once the activity has stopped place the chamber on the heat source and gently raise the temperature to 100-120 degrees Farenheit. Be very careful not to add too much heat as this will burn off terpenes and darken the end product. Wait for any remaining bubbles to stop and remove it from the vacuum.
+# Once the activity has stopped place the chamber on the heat source and gently raise the temperature to 100-120 degrees Farenheit (38-49 degrees celcius). Be very careful not to add too much heat as this will burn off psychoactive terpenes and darken the end product.
+# Wait for any remaining bubbles to stop forming - this signifies that the butane has been removed from the extract. Once this occurs, remove the extract from the vacuum.
 # Carefully try to flip the oil and melt it into the thinnest layer possible. Again take care not to add too much heat or fold air into the product as this will add moisture and trap in gasses which will affect the translucence and smoothness of the end product.
 # Place the thin layer of oil back into the chamber at full vacuum. Leave on overnight.