The Right Way To Store Your Cannabis Concentrates, Edibles, Oil, and Other Products
Best Cannabis Storage Ideas For At Home? from CannabisNet on Vimeo.
Taking the proper care of your cannabis-infused products is crucial to ensuring that they have a longer shelf life, better potency, and stay top-quality for as many months or years as you can. Nobody wants to throw out cannabis products because you neglected its proper care and storage – you might as well set your money on fire.
Each infused product can have different shelf lives depending on how they were manufactured, what ingredients were used, and how they are intended to be used. Different cannabinoids can withstand degradation usually within the same conditions although infusions tend to be more volatile and sometimes more perishable because they use more sensitive ingredients. Well-stored cannabis products can last a very long time without sacrificing degradation and quality.
Here are tips for you to help you better store your cannabis concentrates, infusions, edibles, and other products:
Edibles
The perishability of edibles will differ vastly depending on what ingredients went into making it. Baked goods, such as brownies, pastries, and breads will likely expire sooner than gummy bears, lollipops, hard candy, or chocolates. If you’re buying infused edibles from a dispensary, check the “best by” date, which gives you an accurate idea how to best store them and by when you should consume them. A knowledgeable budtender can give you accurate information on the edible’s perishability based on the ingredients used. Keep your edibles protected by leaving it in the original packaging (it will also give you an idea of what you’re eating – it won’t help to toss all your snacks into one container!) so that each time you reach out for it, you can remind yourself of the consumption guidelines on the labeling. Homemade edibles like chocolates and brownies should be wrapped in wax paper or aluminum foil; plastic wrap may break down the product. Wrapped edibles should then be stored in an air-tight container like a Tupperware or pyrex dish. Toss them into the refrigerator to keep the edibles fresh. If you consume large quantities of edibles, you may want to consider buying a small refrigerator just to store your edibles (and keep them out of reach of children).
Cannabutter
If you are storing cannabutter in its purest form, it will last the longest if you keep it in an airtight, freezable container such as a mason or other glass jar. Keep it in your freezer or refrigerator to keep it fresh as long as possible.
Cannabis Oils
Cannabis oils, like other extracts, are usually made with cooking oils such as coconut or olive oil. Cannabis oils should be stored in glass bottles or other airtight containers and kept in your refrigerator. Never microwave cannabis-infused oils and always use low heat whenever you cook with them.
Cannabis Tinctures
The best way to store cannabis tinctures is by placing them in an amber or blue dripper bottle, which should be kept in a freezer or refrigerator. If you store your cannabis tinctures properly, they can last years or even decades. However, take note that alcohol extracts degrade at a slower pace than tinctures that use glycerin. By nature, tinctures last pretty much longer than other kinds of concentrates especially when stored properly.
Hash
Keep your hash in an airtight container and store it in a cool, dark place. Since hash can lose its potency quickly, remember that you’re facing around a 50% decrease in THC content with every 6 month that passes. The shelf-life of hash will also depend on its variety; lightly pressed hash typically has a longer shelf life than black hash. If you have black hash, it’s recommended to add some silica gel into the container to prevent mold since black hash degrades much faster. The hash should be stored in a stable place where it won’t get knocked around and crumble easily
Conclusion:
The refrigerator is always the most ideal place to store your concentrates because cannabinoids can easily degrade when exposed to extreme conditions such as light, heat, or oxygen. You can improve the shelf-life of cannabis concentrates by ensuring that they are always stored in a cool, dry place; and always away from direct sunlight. Refrigerators work best for all kinds of cannabis products, including edibles, salves, tinctures, balms, cooking oils – all except for cannabis flowers.
Proper handling of your products will also matter – whenever possible use gloves, this is why budtenders and professional concentrates producers always use gloves. Many concentrates are naturally sticky, and holding them with your bare hands can easily transfer any bacteria and oil into the product, compromising its quality. This is also why dispensaries prohibit patients from touching any product with their bare hands, aside from easily breaking up the precious trichomes. Obviously, sticky concentrates like shatter should be kept in a non-stick surface.
Ideally, the storage containers you use should be dark or opaque in color. Homemade cannabis concentrates are best stored in dark jars that are typically used by apothecaries. Dark glass containers work best to prolong the life span of your product. Don’t forget to make sure that your containers are sealed well – the less oxygen permeates, the better.
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