The widespread legalization of marijuana has created an explosive boom in the industry. There are now all types of marijuana products available for recreational and medicinal use. Among the most common of these products are what's known as extracts.
Though there are many ways of creating these, butane plant extraction is one of the best. This method creates a clean end product containing all of the beneficial molecules of the marijuana plant.
To learn more about butane extraction, check out this comprehensive guide.
The Benefits of Butane Plant Extraction
There are two main cannabis extraction methods, solvent and solventless. Among the two methods, the former is more widely used. That's because it can be performed on a much larger scale and efficiency than the latter.In extraction methods using propane, butane and ethanol are the most commonly used solvents. Butane is a light hydrocarbon that's used to create butane hash oil (BHO), also known as cannabis oil, shatter, wax, honeycomb, budder, butane honey, pie crust and several others. It's favored for its full body of flavors. When properly purged at low heat, it more times than not, retains the identity of the original plants flavors and natural constituents.
These characteristics are what make BHO concentrates more complete. That is the extraction results in a final product with a greater chemical representation of the marijuana plant used to make it, including a high amount of terpenes. It also has more variety in terms of consistencies and tends to be more potent.
Open-Loop Versus Closed-Loop Butane Extraction
Open-loop butane extraction is also called open blasting. It's most commonly used by hobbyists when creating cannabis extractions. It is not recommended and is illegal without proper licencing.In open-loop extractions, the raw marijuana material and butane are placed inside a metal or glass tube. Butane liquid is administered to the cannabis bud or trim, leaving behind green matter such as chlorophyll and other undesirable components, while knocking off the desired and delicate trichomes.
But butane is extremely flammable. Meaning that, when butane builds up in an enclosed space, it can easily cause a deadly explosion. Open-loop extraction methods are not recommended.
Closed-loop extraction is a far safer method. In this method, butane is contained within commercial-grade extraction equipment. This method is also performed at a professional facility, typically one that's been approved by the city government.
Purging the Product
To remove residual butane from the cannabis concentrate, it is usually put into a vacuum oven after it's been extracted. The purging process differs depending on what the final product is.For example, Making THCa isolite takes a specific temperature and pressure over a multi week period of time resulting in separation of raw thc crystals from the extracted concentrate. Whereas the shatter process can be complete and consumable with purging for 24-72 hours after extraction.
Proper Storage for Cannabis Extractions
The quality of the material used for butane extraction will impact the quality of the final product. That is to say that you must store your plant material correctly for the best end product. To do so, limit its exposure to heat, oxygen, moisture, and UV rays, which can degrade the cannabinoids in the plant.At the same time, the type of butane you use will also have an impact on your final product. Puretane butane has been the industry standard for over a decade. It’s the #1 choice of oil smiths around the world.
Get the Purest Butane
When it comes to creating concentrates, butane plant extraction methods are some of the most widely used. That's because they create a clean end product with a high amount of cannabinoids.But making cannabis extractions without the purest butane won't give you the same results. To learn more about the butane we sell and how it will benefit your business, contact us today.
