Extraction Help me pick a decarb and insuse machine for 420!

[GeorgeCloney]

I'm an MJ gizmo junkie with a severely bad habit.
I have 3 Ardent Lifts, an Ardent FX, 2 MagicalButterMachines, a ButterBrewer, and an STX Infusium420.

Having an Ardent decarb device, or equivalent, is very useful.
After decarb, almost any device works well for infusion, including Toaster Oven.

MBM - I rarely use these anymore because of the 2 cup minimum, but for 2+ oz herb this works very well. Also excellent for alcohol tincture.
Infusium420 - very similar to MBM, but far superior because of its 1 cup minimum (closer to 1.5 cups), and its DIY time/temp capabilities.
ButterBrewer - effectively a large metal bowl with a slow motion stirrer built in. I have mixed emotions about it.
Ardent Lift - excellent decarb, but it's hard to cram more than about 18 grams into it.
Ardent FX - decarbs 2-3 oz, and also infuses. I'm still testing the infusion. This is my favorite device.

Ardent is facing some stiff competition from STX, maker of Infusium420.
STX now makes a decarb device similar to Ardent FX, but for about $120. It seems to be out of stock most places tho.

If I were starting over I'd get STX Herb activator and Infusium420

Amazon product
Amazon product

I took the plunge on the STX based upon your experience and recommendation.
Toy junkies are never full of shit.
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice

 

[Simplicio]

Hope you like it.

I took the plunge on the STX based upon your experience and recommendation.
Toy junkies are never full of shit.
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice

 

[Simplicio]

Cool! I think I have my choice.
Now one key question with two girls coming down today, The material to be decarbed needs to be dried, correct? It has a dry setting, but wouldn't that affect the final taste?
What I'm getting at is should I dry or wet trim if I want to use the larf and sugar trim with this device?


I'm high AF after smoking Sour Stomper, so I'm just trying to line everything up in my knoggin. I thought vaping it was good.................Smoke hits waaaaaay harder for some reason! Jeeeee!

edit.............I was going to town to get something,,,,,I forgot what................but it hit so hard I didn't wanna drive! LOL! Now if I can remember what I wanted to go out for!

Herb must be dried before decarb, otherwise the 75-80% water it contains will mess decarb up.

Same day as harvest edibles are possible using this drying strategy:
1. Coarsely grind 5 times as much herb as you want to use for edibles. Weight it very carefully.
2. Carefully weigh a cookie sheet, then spread herb thinly onto it. Record herb weight, sheet weight, and total weight.
3. Blow a fan over it for 2-3 hours until the herb has lost 75-80% of its wet weight.

The process can be sped up even more by putting the cookie sheet plus herb into a warm oven, with a fan blowing from outside.

 

[Kyote]

Herb must be dried before decarb, otherwise the 75-80% water it contains will mess decarb up.

Same day as harvest edibles are possible using this drying strategy:
1. Coarsely grind 5 times as much herb as you want to use for edibles. Weight it very carefully.
2. Carefully weigh a cookie sheet, then spread herb thinly onto it. Record herb weight, sheet weight, and total weight.
3. Blow a fan over it for 2-3 hours until the herb has lost 75-80% of its wet weight.

The process can be sped up even more by putting the cookie sheet plus herb into a warm oven, with a fan blowing from outside.

Have you ever blanched your cannabis?

 

[pop22]

I bought the Ardent FX because I've used every method there is and was never satisfied that I was getting a true, full decarb. I wanted a method backed by science and this is the ONLY one. I want consistency from batch to batch. Crockpots are terrible, there temperatures are inconsistent. Then, go look, there are 25 different "reccomended" processes with times from 2 hours to 12 hours. Same with oven decarb, which is actually a better method than a crockpot, but factual information is lacking. I adopted the temperature guide that was from a science study of decarboxylation in a solvent. And it at least gave me some consistency, 250 F for 27 minutes. But I knew this wasn't the best method, just that it was better than any other home brewed bro-science. The the Nova came out. Yep, i'm a gadget junkie too. My oils were without a doubt more potent and had to be consistent. My only complaint with the nova was it's limited capacity, about an ounce. I grabbed the FX when it was on sale and couldn't be happier. The devices are pricey though, but well worth it when making medicine! Believe me, i don't miss my double boiler and candy thermometer!

I tried that with less than optimal results. It wouldn't hit the proper temp. I still got a decarb, based on the bubbles and effect, but I don't think it was a full decarb.

 

[terp182]

I bought the Ardent FX because I've used every method there is and was never satisfied that I was getting a true, full decarb. I wanted a method backed by science and this is the ONLY one. I want consistency from batch to batch. Crockpots are terrible, there temperatures are inconsistent. Then, go look, there are 25 different "reccomended" processes with times from 2 hours to 12 hours. Same with oven decarb, which is actually a better method than a crockpot, but factual information is lacking. I adopted the temperature guide that was from a science study of decarboxylation in a solvent. And it at least gave me some consistency, 250 F for 27 minutes. But I knew this wasn't the best method, just that it was better than any other home brewed bro-science. The the Nova came out. Yep, i'm a gadget junkie too. My oils were without a doubt more potent and had to be consistent. My only complaint with the nova was it's limited capacity, about an ounce. I grabbed the FX when it was on sale and couldn't be happier. The devices are pricey though, but well worth it when making medicine! Believe me, i don't miss my double boiler and candy thermometer!

There's a 20% sale on them going on right now. Damn.

 

[WildBill]

I bought the Ardent FX because I've used every method there is and was never satisfied that I was getting a true, full decarb. I wanted a method backed by science and this is the ONLY one. I want consistency from batch to batch. Crockpots are terrible, there temperatures are inconsistent. Then, go look, there are 25 different "reccomended" processes with times from 2 hours to 12 hours. Same with oven decarb, which is actually a better method than a crockpot, but factual information is lacking. I adopted the temperature guide that was from a science study of decarboxylation in a solvent. And it at least gave me some consistency, 250 F for 27 minutes. But I knew this wasn't the best method, just that it was better than any other home brewed bro-science. The the Nova came out. Yep, i'm a gadget junkie too. My oils were without a doubt more potent and had to be consistent. My only complaint with the nova was it's limited capacity, about an ounce. I grabbed the FX when it was on sale and couldn't be happier. The devices are pricey though, but well worth it when making medicine! Believe me, i don't miss my double boiler and candy thermometer!

Just like index bracket racing, consistency is what I'm after!
This will give me another option to use my canna. I think it's a bit more flexible than a rosin press in actual canna utilization. I'd love to have a rosin press! I could make my own vape juice and manage my pain. The downside is the negative effect on the lungs, which doesn't exist with edibles. I love vape oil and how I can fine tune the meds. Vape oil from my canna would be fantastic. It comes back to what is the most effective, efficient and just plain pleasureful to use? Edibles is the answer for me in all its forms.
I'll eventually get a press. Sure was tempting with the 420 discounts at NuggSmasher! If some of you are thinking about a press, go check them out.

 

[WildBill]

There's a 20% sale on them going on right now. Damn.

Mine was $100 off!

 

[BigCheezeDog]

I have been using my Instapot for decarb and extraction. Put your flower into canning jars, give them a 90 min cycle for decarb. Once done add enough oil to cover and another 90 min cycle. Filter and enjoy.

 

[Doug58]

I use a MBM silicone decarb box and an Infuzium STX currently for making infused oil with olive oil or coconut oil for making edibles. Never had any issues in making simple edibles that are many times stronger than the weak edibles available at the recreational dispensaries. My current choice is Rice Krispy treats for a simple edible. I need to learn how to make some other edibles though.