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QWET extraction with ethanol - make your own therapeutic cannabis oil with alcohol

Qwet-Extraction, Cannabis Extractions, Marijuana Extractions, QWET

Quick Wash Ethanol, also known as QWET is one of the commonly known methods among cannabis oil enthusiasts to extract, i.e. dissolve, the resin from the plant/flower parts.
Here is a method where a quick wash of only 3 minutes is done. This is a very sophisticated, somewhat more involved method that requires some precautions to avoid causing fire or even injury with the very flammable alcohol fumes.

The entire extraction should be carried out in a well-ventilated, preferably open space without any heat or fire sources. Do not smoke, as alcohol vapours are extremely flammable. It is best to do the whole thing outside.
The first question that arises is why use a quick wash method instead of a long extraction of several days or even weeks to get the maximum amount of extract/cannabinoids?
The answer is that alcohol is a polar solvent that is soluble in water. Alcohol extracts not only the oils and cannabinoids but also the other water-soluble components such as chlorophyll and plant alkaloids as well as plant waxes.

Although the fast wash process results in a lower yield of extract, you end up with a much purer and clearer product if you use this method. In addition, a filtering process then follows to further rid the extract of any plant by-products. In that case, considered impurities that later cause a scratchy throat when smoked, taste bad and are not really beneficial to health when burned. After all, especially for therapeutic use, a very pure product is of great importance. But more on filtering later.

Two extractions are made with the same material. The first 3 minute wash with the ethanol usually extracts 75% to 80% of the resin. The second extraction then produces a more sedative and less heady product.
With the method described, QWET is obtained as one of the most flavourful and aromatic extracts. Many patients and users around the world have had excellent experiences with it and are delighted not only with the wonderful aroma but also with the potency of this cannabis oil.

For the QWET method with ethanol, dry, high-quality, mould-free and resinous buds are used. Small resinous leaves can also be used. In any case, the material must be well dry. We want to get rid of as much water as possible in advance.

QWET, extracts marijuana ethanol

The dried material (buds, resinous leaves) is dried even more and placed on a baking tray for this purpose and heated at 90° C until it is really cross and bone hard. This takes about 15 minutes. The grass should now be slightly fragile and crumbly. Larger buds are roughly crushed, do not pulverise them and under no circumstances put them in a coffee grinder or similar and make dust out of them. That would be bad, because this ultra-fine dust that is created in the process can also pass through the filters afterwards and contaminate the oil.

Next, the still warm grass is placed in the freezer to remove the remaining moisture with it. The 98% and food-grade alcohol is also placed in the freezer. When both have stabilised at -18° C, the alcohol is poured into the container with the dry grass. So much alcohol should be poured on that the alcohol is about 2-3cm above the plant material. Stir and shake carefully so that all parts are well soaked with alcohol. Now put the alcohol-bud mixture back into the freezer.

Cannabis extract from ethanol

Carefully swirl and stir several times until 3 minutes have passed. Then pour through a metal sieve and filter out the plant parts. Then filter the ethanol solution a second time, this time with a very fine metal or coffee filter. Do not press on the material and squeeze out the remaining alcohol. Just let it drip off.

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Set the plant material aside to dry and for the second extraction. Normally, both extracts are kept separately because both offer different effects and benefits.

The second extraction is done in the same way as the first extraction. The second extract is placed in the freezer until it reaches -18° C and is then filtered twice in the same way as the first.

Further filtering of the extraction

For further filtering of the extracts, a special laboratory filter is best suited, alternatively also a coffee filter. The liquid, which has now been filtered again, is put into a small pot and then into a larger pot in a water bath at 120° C. The small pot should not touch the bottom of the large one (-> fire spacer). The small pot should not touch the bottom of the large one (-> fireproof spacer). It is extremely important to use a good quality liquid thermometer and not to rely on the indications on the stove. A laboratory thermometer is also best here for exact readings. Accurate and good temperature control is key to the success of the process. You can also use a rice cooker and then save the water bath. Rice cookers can be set at even and low temperatures, making it easier to avoid getting too hot.

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The small pot with the ethanol mixture is left in the water bath until the alcohol has evaporated to such an extent that everything is reduced to an oil that no longer throws large bubbles. Ensure very good ventilation!
Now this oil is filtered again through a coffee filter, or even better through a laboratory filter and put back into the water bath. This time it is heated at 100°C until the production of small CO2 bubbles at the corners of the vessel clearly and massively decreases, even when stirred with a bamboo stick.

5 Extracts Marijuana Ethanol

7 Extracts Marijuana Ethanol

9 Extracts Marijuana Ethanol

QWET, extracts marijuana ethanol QWET, extracts marijuana ethanol

The cannabis oil in a BHO silicone tub or on a large slickpad and let it dry and steam out for a few more hours. After a few hours, the oil becomes even harder and much more viscous. Now put it into a Slickball or another suitable (glass) container and, for example, like BHO in a Oiler/Bubbler with a glass or Titanium nail enjoy. Of course it can also be integrated in the joint or in the bong.

QWET, extracts marijuana ethanol

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