What is BHO Extraction?
BHO (Butane Hash Oil or Butane Honey Oil) is a concentrated cannabis extraction known for its high cannabinoids concentration, reaching up to 90%. The concentration depends on the strain of the cannabis flower.
This makes BHO extracts some of the most potent marijuana concentrates globally. BHO extracts are used to create various products, including topical treatments, vape juices, edibles, and more.
The BHO Extraction Process
BHO extraction involves using a high-purity butane gas to separate cannabinoids and terpenes from the raw cannabis plant material. During the BHO extraction process, butane gas passes through cannabis in a sealed cylinder, effectively extracting these valuable compounds. The raw extract’s golden color and viscous texture can be further processed to create different products like shatter, budder, and wax.
BHO extraction uses hydrocarbons as a solvent to extract resin from the cannabis plant. This resin, known as butane hash oil, or shatter, consists of purified cannabinoids and terpenes. Compared to other extraction methods, BHO extraction captures a comprehensive profile of cannabinoids, THC, terpenes, flavonoids, phenolic amides, and sterols, representing the original plant in a concentrated form.
Why Choose BHO Extraction?
Professional extraction companies prefer instrument-grade butane for its purity and low boiling point, enabling more complete cannabis extraction than solvents like carbon dioxide or ethanol. Properly conducted BHO extraction results in higher cannabinoid content, a broader terpene profile, lighter color, and better flavor compared to other methods.
Another important factor affecting the decision of the extraction process is the price. The price of BHO extraction is lower compared to other extraction methods, especially supercritical CO2 extraction.
When butane gas contacts the cannabis plant during BHO extraction, it extracts THC and terpenes from the plant matter. This process can produce different textures, ranging from oils and waxes to hard, brittle forms like shatter.
The Advantages of BHO Extraction
BHO extraction, when executed with professional equipment in a certified lab, offers numerous advantages:
- Efficiency in cannabis extraction
- Cost-effectiveness
- Safety in commercial extraction
- Great-tasting final products
- Safety and enjoyment for consumers
Safety is an aspect that has to be considered. BHO extraction is very safe when all the safety regulations are applied. Besides having the equipment that is safe and tested,also the operator has to be educated on proper and safe use of the extractor.
You can find extractors on the market without any certificates and without safety measurements prepared for safe use.
These benefits explain why many consumers prefer BHO extracts and why businesses choose Exeat extractors for their BHO extraction needs. Exeat extractors can be custom-made to meet specific demands, with options from our regular offerings.
The Role of Closed-Loop System in BHO Extraction
Modern BHO extraction methods are incredibly safe, utilizing closed-loop systems that capture and recycle residual butane, preventing gas leaks and ensuring no butane is left behind. Commercial-grade closed-loop systems contain all flammable solvents, minimizing the risk of explosions and allowing for solvent recycling. This process is safer, more controlled, and more effective than open-loop extraction.
In closed-loop BHO extraction, butane is loaded into a pressurized tank, and the cannabis is placed in an extraction tube. Clean, odorless, and tasteless butane passes through the plant, extracting terpenes and cannabinoids.
Exeat produces closed loop extractors Extractors can be customised to fit individual needs or can be bought prebuild. They are produced according to relevant standards and approved by independent third party inspectors and institutions.
BHO Extracts: Use and Processing
BHO extracts are primarily used to create concentrated oil for vaporization cartridges or as dabbable concentrates sold by the gram. The oil can also be activated and incorporated into edibles, topicals, or distilled. Proper storage is crucial to maintain the potency and flavor of BHO concentrates, which can last for a year or more if kept in a cool, dry, and dark place.
Decarboxylation, Dewaxing, and Winterization
BHO concentrates require decarboxylation, the process of heating the substance to activate chemical acids into their parent cannabinoid compounds. Heating cannabinoid acids like THCA and CBDA converts them into the therapeutic THC and CBD compounds. Consuming raw BHO is not only dangerous, but also won’t contain any activated compounds. Without decarboxylation consumers will not feel the effect of the cannabis or hemp plant.
Dewaxing is the process of removing waxes and lipids from the final extract. Waxes and lipids can speed up the nucleation process and significantly affect the flavor and smoothness of the concentrate.
Winterization is one method of de-waxing. During winterization, BHO is dissolved into a polar solvent, usually ethanol, at sub-zero temperatures. The cold temperatures force lipids to the top for streamlined filtration.
Conclusion
BHO extracts and concentrates are popular due to their accessibility, portability, and versatility. They provide a user-friendly experience with various consumption options, making them suitable for different needs and preferences. BHO extraction, with its full spectrum extraction, addresses consumer demands better than other methods, offering a fast and efficient way to produce highly potent cannabis products.
While there are risks associated with BHO extraction, proper execution in a controlled environment ensures safety and quality. Partnering with a trusted provider like Exeat ensures you leverage the best in BHO extraction technology. Our machines have certificates to comply with the most stringent norms.
Instruction manual should be followed besides your state laws and the ATEX directive 2014/34/EU.