Making your own hemp THCA tincture at home can be a rewarding experience, allowing you to create a personalized product tailored to your needs that was made by you. If you prefer to remove the burn from the tincture so that it is smoother going down, you will need to evaporate the alcohol out. In this article, we’ll guide you through the low heat evaporation method, a safe and effective way to remove alcohol from your homemade tincture while preserving the valuable cannabinoids and terpenes leaving behind a concentrated and potent extract.
** When doing this make sure to do it in a room with good ventilation and/or fans and do not use near any flames or high heat **
Before starting the low heat evaporation process, gather all of the necessary materials that you will need. The three main materials will be a glass container for your tincture and a boiler, miniature crock pot or similar. If you do not have these, creating a water bath will work fine.
- A heat-resistant glass container: Choose a glass container that can withstand low heat without breaking or releasing harmful chemicals. Mason jars work really well, just do not get the heat above 300 degrees.
- Your homemade hemp THCA tincture: Ensure that you have properly extracted and filtered your tincture before proceeding with the evaporation.
- Double boiler or water bath: You’ll need a double boiler setup or a pot filled with water to create gentle heat for the evaporation process.
Step 1: Set Up the Double Boiler or Water Bath
If using a double boiler, fill the bottom pot with water and place it on the stove over low heat. If using a water bath, fill a pot with water and place a heat-resistant glass container containing the tincture inside the pot. The water level should be high enough to surround the glass container but not overflow into it.
Step 2: Add the Tincture to the Glass Container
Carefully pour your homemade THCA tincture, made with THCA Flower, into the heat-resistant glass container. Leave enough space at the top to prevent spillage during the evaporation process.
Step 3: Begin Low Heat Evaporation
Turn on the stove (non flammable) to low heat and allow the water in the double boiler or water bath to heat up gradually. The gentle heat will start the alcohol evaporation process without damaging the sensitive compounds in the extract. On average, 1 cup on tincture can take up to 4 hours to slowly remove all of the alcohol. Having a fan or exhaust fan nearby will help circulate the air during this process.
Step 4: Monitor the Evaporation – Patience is Key
During the evaporation process, keep a close eye on the tincture. You may notice bubbles forming and alcohol vapors rising from the mixture. Stir the tincture occasionally to ensure even evaporation and prevent sticking. Low heat evaporation is a gradual process, and patience is essential to achieve the best results leaving behind the concentrated plant oils containing cannabinoids like THCA and CBD. Avoid the temptation to increase the heat to speed up the process, as this may degrade the quality of the extract. You can choose to reduce only half of the alcohol, or reduce all of the alcohol. This just depends on your preference.
Step 5: Check for Alcohol Residue
Once you believe the alcohol has evaporated, perform a quick test for alcohol residue. Carefully ignite a small amount of the tincture on a heat-resistant surface. If there are any traces of alcohol, you will see a faint blue flame. If alcohol residue is present, continue the evaporation process until no flame is visible during the test.
Step 6: Allow Cooling and Storage
Once the low heat evaporation is complete, turn off the stove and let the tincture cool to room temperature. Transfer the concentrated extract (FECO – Full Extract Hemp Cannabis Oil) into a clean, dark glass dropper bottle or a glass syringe for storage. Store the bottle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain the potency and quality of your tincture.
Using the low heat evaporation method is a safe and effective way to remove alcohol from your homemade tincture while preserving the beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can create a potent and pure extract to enjoy the full benefits of cannabinoids and terpenes without the harshness of alcohol in the tincture.
Remember, patience is key during the evaporation process, and always perform a test for alcohol residue to ensure a high-quality end product. With your homemade tincture ready, you can experience the natural goodness of cannabinoids like THCA and CBD, along with terpenes on your desired terms.
