How to make CBD Oil at home

How to make CBD oil at home

Making CBD oil at home is actually very straightforward and much more economical than purchasing ready-made products. All the necessary materials and equipment for making your own CBD oil can be easily sourced from a standard kitchen, eliminating the need to acquire any specialised tools or materials. The approach used for creating CBD oil from home is referred to as “double boiling” and is often employed in baking recipes, particularly desserts.

What you’ll need to make CBD oil at home

Before you embark on making your own CBD oil, there are a few vital items you need to make sure you have on hand. You’ll need to gather the following:

  • CBD Isolate or CBD Distillate – When it comes to making your own CBD oil, you have two main ingredient options: CBD isolate or CBD distillate. Isolate is the cheaper choice as it only includes pure CBD with no other hemp plant compounds; but if you’re hoping for the “entourage effect”, then go for distillate which contains additional cannabinoids and terpenes that will produce a broad spectrum or full spectrum end product. .
  • Hemp seed oil or MCT oil – These are both carrier oils which are used to dilute the CBD isolate or distillate. Hemp seed oil is produced from hemp seeds and contains essential fatty acids and Omega 3-6-9 beneficial for general health[1], while MCT Oil is created from coconut and palm kernel oils and is known for its positive effects on cognitive function.
  • Pyrex glass measuring jug – a temperature resistant vessel which can hold liquids without leaking. This will be necessary when making your own CBD oil as it will be exposed to heat during the process. We recommend 500ml or 1L volume.
  • Kitchen scales – for accurately measuring out ingredients when creating your CBD mixture. The accuracy should be at least 1g.
  • Spoon – for stirring your mixture together in the Pyrex jug before heating it up for use in tinctures or edibles.
  • Cooking pot – this should be large enough that you can fit your Pyrex jug inside with plenty of room so that it won’t overheat during the process of producing your final product.
  • Aromatherapy bottle – if you want to create your own CBD tinctures, you’ll need some aromatherapy bottles with droppers. Generally, 10ml or 30ml bottles are preferred.
  • Measuring Syringe – choose a measuring syringe that has the same volume as your aromatherapy bottles. This will make it easier to fill them with your homemade CBD oil.

Equipment needed to make cbd oil at home

Decide whether you want to make Pure CBD, Broad Spectrum CBD or Full Spectrum CBD tinctures

Before making CBD oil at home, it is important to decide what type of CBD oil you would like to make. There are three main types of CBD oil: pure CBD, broad spectrum, and full spectrum. While all three options are viable, the ingredients you will need varies depending on the type of CBD oil you would like to make.

When it comes to deciding between pure CBD and broad spectrum CBD, there are a few factors to consider. Pure CBD, or isolate, is much cheaper than broad spectrum CBD and comes in a powder form that is 99% pure cannabidiol (CBD). This means that if cost is your main consideration, then isolate may be the best choice for you as you get more CBD per drop for the best possible price.

On the other hand, broad spectrum CBD distillate is more expensive and comes as a viscous yellow oil. It contains both CBD as well as additional cannabinoids and terpenes with the percentages varying depending on the manufacturer’s preference. For those looking to benefit from an entourage effect of all the hemp plant compounds present in their products, then CBD distillate would be the ideal option. However, be sure to purchase a crystal-resistant CBD distillate, otherwise it will not be able to infuse with carrier oil.

The main differences between CBD Isolate and CBD Distillate

The main difference between CBD Isolate and CBD Distillate

Choose an isolate for high-strength CBD. Choose a distillate for a complete cannabinoid profile.

Calculate the bulk ingredients required to make your homemade CBD oil

Before you get started on making your own CBD tinctures, it’s important to decide what potency you would like your home-made CBD oil to be. CBD Oil Potency refers to the percentage of CBD in the oil – for example, a 10% strength solution would consist of 100g of CBD per litre of hemp seed oil. Calculating potency can be trickier when using CBD distillates, as these are a mix of CBD and other cannabinoids, and each manufacturer will have their own specifications. Generally speaking, a distillate will contain between 40-80% CBD[2]. If this all feels a bit overwhelming, an easy option is to use 1g of CBD isolate or distillate per 10ml of carrier oil – this will give you an end result that many CBD brands stock. To put into perspective 100g of CBD isolate and 1L of hemp seed oil will produce one hundred 10ml bottles of CBD at 10% strength

CBD Isolate Bulk Ingredient Calculator for 10ml bottle at 10% strength

These CBD tinctures would contain 100mg of CBD per 1ml of carrier oil

TLDR: Use 1g of CBD isolate or distillate per 10ml of hemp seed oil

Use the double boiling method to make CBD oil at home

  • Gather all the necessary equipment and ingredients, including CBD isolate or distillate, hemp seed oil, a cooking pot, a Pyrex glass jug, and aromatherapy bottles.
  • Fill the cooking pot with cold water and place the empty Pyrex jug inside, making sure the water doesn’t overflow. Adjust the water level as needed.
  • Weigh out previously calculated CBD isolate. We recommend 1g of CBD isolate or distillate per 10ml of hemp seed oil. Set aside for now.
  • Remove the Pyrex jug and measure the required amount of hemp seed oil. Do not exceed the jug’s recommended limit.
  • Add the weighted CBD isolate to the jug and place it back in the pot.
  • Turn on the stove and bring the water to a simmer.
  • Stir the pot and let the CBD infuse into the oil until no small particulates are visible in the hemp oil.
  • Using oven mitts or a heat proof cloth, remove the Pyrex jug from the pot and let it cool to room temperature.
  • Use a measuring syringe to bottle the CBD oil into your aromatherapy bottles.

Double boiling method to make CBD Oil at home
How do I make cbd oil from leaves and stems?

Making your own CBD oil from hemp flowers is significantly more challenging than making CBD oil using CBD isolate or distillate. But with a few extra steps, it is possible to make your own CBD oil at home without needing to purchase additional equipment. However, you will need to perform some additional steps before starting the double boiling technique.

Decarboxylating raw hemp flower to activate CBD

Heating hemp activates the cannabinoids it contains, which is why decarboxylation[3] is a necessary step when making your own CBD tinctures from hemp flowers. Without decarboxylation, all you are doing is adding raw plant material to your recipe. To perform this process, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment

  • an oven with a functional thermometer
  • baking sheet or baking paper
  • raw hemp flower
  • parchment paper.

Decarboxylating CBD a step by step guide

  • To begin decarboxylating with an oven, preheat it to 245°F (118°C).
  • Once you have reached the desired temperature, spread out your hemp flower on the baking sheet or baking paper.
  • Make sure that there are no clumps and that each piece of flower has enough space for air circulation.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and let it sit for 25-30 minutes.
  • Stir every 10 minutes to ensure even heating. When the time is up, turn off the oven and allow the hemp flower to cool before removing from the paper

Activating CBD with Decarboxilation method

At this point the CBD has now been activated in the hemp flower and you may continue with the previously explained double boiling technique. Instead of using CBD isolate or CBD distillate, you will add the dried hemp flowers to the hemp seed oil. After double boiling you can remove the leaves and stems with a strainer or cheesecloth.

Separating hemp flower from decarboxilated CBD infused Oil
Why should I make CBD oil at home?

Advantages

Making CBD oil at home can be incredibly advantageous when comparing it to purchasing premade CBD tinctures. For example, 10g of cbd isolate costs around $100 and 250ml of hemp seed oil costs about $12. This means with these two ingredients, you can make 10 bottles for a little over $10 each. In comparison, a single bottle of CBD would usually retail for approximately $70, meaning that by making your own CBD oil at home you just saved yourself an impressive $60 per bottle!

By making CBD oil at home you can exert complete control over the CBD strength by adding more or less cbd isolate, allowing you to customise the dosage to suit your individual needs. Not only this, but you are also able to add additional cannabinoids or flavours in order to achieve desired effects and taste profiles. This allows you to make your own unique combinations that wouldn’t otherwise be available. For example, you might experiment with different ratios of cannabinoids such as CBN and HHC to develop your own therapeutic formulas.

Disadvantages

Making CBD oil at home can seem like an attractive prospect, given that you may have all the necessary ingredients in your kitchen. However, there are some significant drawbacks that should be taken into consideration, starting with the time commitment required to create a quality end product. Depending on the method used, it could take several hours or even days for the finished product to be ready for use. The process can also be quite messy, which means that it will require extra time and effort to clean up afterwards.

When making CBD oil at home, another factor to consider is controlling potency and strength. If using hemp flowers as the source of cannabinoid content, this can be quite challenging due to the potential inconsistencies of each individual batch of hemp flower. Additionally, it may not always be possible to accurately gauge how much CBD is contained in each portion when using hemp flowers. On the other hand, using CBD isolate or distillate offers more precise control over potency and strength levels as these products are already processed and standardised in terms of cannabinoid content. This makes it easier to accurately calculate how much CBD is contained in each portion and therefore provides a more consistent end product than if you were to use hemp flower alone.

Frequently asked questions about making homemade CBD oil

Can I vape homemade CBD oil?

No, you cannot vape homemade CBD tincture oil because it is not the same as the pre-made CBD vape juice that is available on the market. Making your own CBD vape juice requires a much different process than making a CBD tincture oil, as it entails different raw ingredients and processes. For instance, CBD tincture oil should not be exposed to high temperatures which is why the double boiling method is used when creating them. The compounds in CBD vape juice require heat for activation and therefore need to be vaporised at higher temperatures than what is needed for a standard CBD tincture oil[4].

Can I use a carrier oil other than hemp seed oil?

Yes, you can use a carrier oil other than hemp seed oil to make your own CBD tinctures. Many people use coconut oil, sunflower seed oil, or even avocado oil when making their own tinctures. However, the taste of these oils may be heavier than that of hemp seed oil or MCT oil, so many brands tend to opt for these two options in order to ensure that their products have a pleasant flavour. Additionally, hemp seed and MCT oils are highly absorbable and as such they can help increase the bioavailability of the CBD in your tinctures[5]. This means that more of the cannabinoids will be absorbed into your bloodstream when taken orally, allowing you to benefit from the effects more quickly and efficiently. Whatever type of carrier oil you decide to use for your tincture-making needs, it’s important that you keep in mind its flavour profile as well as its bioavailability.

Is it easy to make CBD oil at home?

If you start with CBD isolate or distillate as the raw ingredient, making CBD oil becomes relatively easy and should not take longer than 1-2 hours. All that is required is the double boiling method. However, if you are starting with hemp flower or hemp stems leaves, the process will be considerably harder as an additional step must be taken before double boiling – known as Decarboxylating which requires an oven and is considered more advanced. Overall, making CBD oil at home is not too difficult and anyone who has ever baked a cake should be able to manage it.

What is the best CBD oil to make?

There is no single best CBD oil to make, as the optimal choice depends largely on what you are hoping to achieve with your CBD product. Pure CBD and Broad Spectrum CBD both have their pros and cons that need to be weighed up when making a decision on which type of oil is better for your needs.

If you’re looking for maximum strength from your CBD oil, then CBD Isolate is likely your best option. It contains 99% pure cannabidiol with no additional plant compounds for an extra-concentrated dose of CBD. Additionally, it is a cheaper raw ingredient than CBD distillate and offers a better bang for buck per mg of CBD.

On the other hand, if you want to experience more than just pure CBD and enjoy a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes then you should opt for Broad Spectrum CBD (or Full Spectrum). CBD Distillate can range in CBD concentration from 40-90%, with the remaining percentage made up of other beneficial cannabinoids such as CBN, CBC and CBG. This raw ingredient is more expensive than CBD isolate due to its full cannabinoid profile.

Is CBD oil made from marijuana?

No, CBD oil is not made from marijuana. It is made from hemp, which is a different plant than marijuana or cannabis. Hemp does not contain any THC, which is the psychoactive substance that gives marijuana its high.

Using marijuana or cannabis as a raw ingredient instead of hemp will yield cannabis oil, which does contain CBD but in much lower concentrations than if you were to use high-quality hemp flowers. The amount of CBD in cannabis oil is dependent on the quality of the starting material and the purification process used when extracting the oil from it. Cannabis oils containing CBD can vary from 5%-15% depending on how efficiently the cannabinoids were extracted from the plant matter[6].

Is CBD oil just hemp oil?

No, CBD oil is not just hemp oil. Hemp oil and CBD oil are two distinct products derived from different parts of the hemp plant. Previously it was explained that hemp oil is used as a carrier oil to infuse the raw CBD isolate through a double boiling technique. This technique requires heating both the carrier oil (hemp) and the CBD isolate until they have reached the desired temperature for infusion[7]. This process is needed in order to bind the CBD to fat, allowing for better absorption by the body.

How much does 1g of CBD isolate cost?

The cost of 1 gram of CBD isolate can range greatly depending on the supplier and country. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $8 to $25 USD for a single gram. When sourcing from North America, the average price is usually around $15 USD per gram whereas European suppliers will charge a slightly higher premium – typically around $18 USD per gram.

The price of 1g of CBD Isolate in the US and Europe.

USA

Crescent Canna
$7.99 USD
Allitom
$14.99 USD
Casco Bay Hemp
$10.00 USD
Sunny Skies CBD
$24.99 USD
Average – $14.49 USD

EU

Health CBD
£14.99
CBD Alchemy
£19.90
Alpha Green
£24.99
Hemp Elf
£10.00
Average – £17.47

How do I calculate how much CBD is in my home made oil?

Calculating the strength of your CBD oil is a simple process that can be done using basic maths. To do so, simply divide the total weight of CBD isolate (measured in milligrams, or mg) by the total volume of carrier oil (measured in millilitres, or ml) multiplied by 10.

CBD Strength = CBD Isolate in mg÷(Carrier oil in ml ×10)

We multiply by 10 because we have to convert the volume of oil in ml to weight in mg. For simplicity we have assumed that the CBD isolate has 100% purity and that the carrier oil has the same density as water, this calculation gives you the strength of CBD in your oil. For example, if you have 500mg of CBD and 10ml of oil, then your CBD strength is 500mg divided by 10ml multiplied by 10, giving you an answer of 5%. This means that every 1ml contains 50mg of CBD.

Try our CBD Isolate Oil Strength Calculator

Try our CBD Distillate Oil Strength Calculator

The CBD strength calculation is a little bit more complicated if you used CBD distillate to make your CBD oil, this is because CBD distillate is a mixture of cannabinoids, not just pure CBD. To estimate the strength of the oil, you would need to first do the calculation assuming that you used CBD isolate and then multiply the answer by the percentage of CBD found in your CBD distillate.

References