How to make Full Extract Cannabis
Elevated Learning Series –How to make Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO)
What are Cannabis concentrates?
There are microscopic, hair-like compounds on the surface of cannabis plants called trichomes. The outgrowths on a flowering marijuana plant create the plant's cannabinoids. Trichomes are available in several varieties. Cannabis concentrates can contain very high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. Cannabis concentrates can be produced with or without solvents. In this article, we will discuss using a solvent for extraction. Let's make our own cannabis oil with full extract.
What is FECO or Full extract cannabis oil?
FECO or Full Extract Cannabis Oil is defined as concentrated oils of the cannabis plant. FECO is a whole plant medicine that great to use and easy to make using food grade alcohol. Many confuse RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) and FECO, but the small difference is the type of alcohol used during extraction. RSO use Isopropyl Alcohol that can be harmful during consumption. I have experienced making both but for this at home batch, we will focus on making it with Food grain Alcohol. The most accessible would-be grain alcohol.
Before we get into make the good stuff, let’s explore some needed tools that you should have on hand to make the process smooth.
For the simple list:
½ lb Decarded flower/ Trim
1-gallon Grain alcohol
3 Mason Jars in varies sizes
Coffee Filters
Funnels
Water Distiller (Can purchase on Amazon)
Coffee maker (I promise you won’t be making coffee)
Syringes
Step by Step process
1) Decarboxylate your cannabis flower
2) Winterize your material and alcohol – Place in deep freezer for 24 hours
3) After 24 hrs. perform a QWET (Quick Wash Extraction Technique) with plant material and alcohol
4) Strain through cheese cloth and then strain alcohol through two coffee filters to make sure all plant material is removed from alcohol
5) Pour alcohol tincture into water distiller
6) Once all the alcohol has been recollected open the lid to collect FECO from the bottom of machine
7) Place remaining tar on coffee maker (turn on coffee maker) allow to sit for 24 hours to ensure all alcohol is removed
Now that you got the steps lets get more into the details
a. Step 1: Decarboxylation – This is the process of converting the cannabinoid from an acidic version to its active state. Example THCA converts to THC. By heated the plant material at certain temperatures for at least 30 to 45 mins this will lead to properly activating the cannabinoids.
i. For THC heat temperature to 220 degrees
ii. For CBD heat temperature to 240 degrees
iii. For CBN heat temperature to 300 degrees
b. Step 2: Winterization- This step is not always mentioned but I have found it very helpful with minimizing chlorophyll removal. This is not a hard step; you simply place the decarboxylated material and alcohol into a deep freezer and allow to sit for 24 hrs.
c. Step 3: Perform a QWET wash (Quick Wash Extraction Technique) Place 8 oz of winterized material into mason jar. Pour 1 gallon of gain alcohol over the plant material. Place top on jar and shake for 1 to 3 mins (one full song)
d. Step 4: Strain your material- Place cheese cloth and coffee filter into funnel inside mason jar and pour material into another mason jar for collection. Once this is done run alcohol through several more filters to make sure all plant material is removed before placing into distiller.
e. Step 5: Pour alcohol tincture into distiller and allow it to run until all the alcohol is collected from the mixture. By using a water distiller this will allow you to reuse the alcohol. If you do not have a water distiller you can use a rice cooker or crock pot to remove the remaining alcohol.
f. Open distiller in a well-ventilated area or outside – This will have fumes that can be flammable. Please do not smoke or have an open flame around. Once all the smoke clears (literally) collect the tar mixture from the bottom for the distiller. You will want to collect the concentrate ASAP, or it will get sticky and hard to remove from machine.
g. Once collected place the collection on coffee maker with heat on for 24 hours to ensure all the alcohol is properly removed. When all the alcohol is removed you will be left a very thick and solid concentrate. Heat up if to solid to place into syringe for storing.
How do you use FECO Oil?
Start off slow. Please understand that this is a concentrate and is much stronger than a single joint. When you store your concentrate, the best option will be the use a graduated syringe. Start off with one-gram syringes. The wax does get hard so placing it in a warm container of water will help with dispensing. Its best for your first dosage to be no more than a rice size line of wax. Increase as needed. Enjoy!
Originally featured in The Evolution Magazine