Cold and Hot CBD Extraction process
Extracting CBD from cannabis is as easy as making CBD-infused cannabutter in your own kitchen. However, for more potent effects and greater commercial production, there are only two main methods for successful CBD extraction. These are cold compression and hot extraction. Here is a summary of the cold and hot extraction methods.
Cold compression – this is the most common form of CBD extractions and is achieved by placing chilled water into a container. The CBD is placed in one side of the container while the cold water sits at the opposite side. This allows the CBD vapors to condense into a liquid form. The cooled water is then used to pour into another bottle which serves as a vessel to hold the infused CBD products. Cold compressions produce some of the best CBD products available on the market.
Hot CBD Extraction – this CBD extraction method is often very simply, although it can produce very potent CBD products as well. The process is also commonly used in production of infused water and energy drinks because it is less costly than many other methods. To do this, simply put the chilled water into a container with a lid. Next, place your cannabis buds or plants in the container so that they are within about an inch of the lid. Place the lid on top of the cannabis and then place a small amount of cold water inside the container. Repeat this process up until you have reached the desired CBD product level.
Both cold and hot CBD extraction methods have their advantages and disadvantages. Obviously, the cold method produces the lowest quality product, although you can expect to make small batches at a time. As far as production goes, it is significantly more expensive than oil extraction methods, but the quality is not compromised nearly as much.
Cold extraction allows you to store CBD products in your refrigerator for up to two weeks at a time without worry of them becoming contaminated or deteriorating. This is obviously important when considering the shelf-life of many of your favorite CBD products. On the other hand, cold CBD oil extraction requires relatively little maintenance, is highly sanitary, and is significantly easier to work with when creating edibles or topicals.
Both cold and hot CBD extraction can be performed by yourself, but if you are going to experiment with high CBD concentrations, you should consider working with a trained, licensed extraction machine. These machines are equipped with very powerful heaters that allow them to quickly and easily remove CBD and other volatile organic compounds from water or oil.