Before you learn how to empty receivers of cannabinoids using a microwave, please be advised there are several ways this can go wrong. This blog post does not purport to address all the possible safety concerns. Please consult your safety officer for full professional guidance.
High-purity THC/CBD distillate will be very viscous. If it is cold enough, it will become a glassy solid that does not flow. In order to empty the receivers often, you will need a way to heat the distillate just enough so that it can be poured without overheating.
The receivers are full of ~90% cannabinoids and in the presence of oxygen and heat, they can potentially degrade. Here are some tricks from Dabtown Dylan of Lucid Oils.
Microwave
A microwave is an inexpensive way to carefully and homogeneously add heat. Microwaves are able to penetrate the whole sample evenly and the glass is not being directly heated.*
There is still the possibility of overheating the THC/CBD distillate, so Dabtown doesn’t heat for more than 30 seconds at a time and no more than 45 seconds total.
*Microwave ovens should be for lab use only and never used to heat food or drink. We are also pretty sure that operating a microwave on its side is not part of any lab’s best practices policy. Read and follow your microwave oven’s instructions.
Emptying the Receiver
Whether you are preparing for a second pass or just need to fill some vape cartridges, getting your distillate out is the priority. Be careful not to pour the distillate out all at once. It can form a large glob that can quickly overwhelm the mouth of whatever containing you are using.
Contact Us
We hope you enjoyed this hack about how to empty receivers of cannabinoids using a microwave. Please feel free to contact B/R with any questions.
May 5, 2020 at 8:42 am
When I put my distillate in vegetable oil and mix it up, do I need to put the oil/distillate mix in the microwave and heat it or is it ready to go?
May 8, 2020 at 2:25 pm
To get a good mix, you will need to heat it up. Microwaving in short bursts is an easy way to get it warmed.
May 20, 2020 at 4:39 pm
I have a liter of distillate and I’m trying to make carts. What is the best way to heat up a whole liter of distillate?
May 26, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Vacuum ovens work great as they will help pull air bubbles out of your oil from pouring. A double boiler if you are really worrried about heat or just a heat gun and some patience work too.
As always, be careful about heating glass directly! Cracking a mason jar into a couple gallons of water makes for a much longer day!
-Luke
June 11, 2020 at 1:06 pm
How long should I keep the distillate in the double boiler? and what setting on my stove should I use? because I don’t have a hot plate stirrer or a vacuum oven. I plan on investing in one of those products in the future.
January 15, 2022 at 5:59 am
if i use a heat gun on a mason jar will it directly heat the glass and break it?
March 12, 2021 at 8:49 pm
Double boiler technique
June 11, 2020 at 12:41 pm
After filling your carts with the distillate and terps mixed. how long should I wait before testing out the quality of the cart?
June 11, 2020 at 4:37 pm
I like to wait until I see the level drop slightly. As it absorbs into the wick/coil, the level should go down slightly.
August 11, 2020 at 9:50 pm
What would happen if I cooked dabs in the oven
August 11, 2020 at 11:18 pm
It would probably melt, decarb, and lose some terpenes/flavor. THC will be fine for the most part though. Don’t use too much heat.
October 27, 2020 at 5:55 am
I have an oz in a pyrex. Is it better to microwave or put it on the hotplate?
October 27, 2020 at 11:04 am
Hotplate or oven. If you do use microwave, use 15-30 second bursts.
November 30, 2020 at 4:55 pm
can u heat it in a silicone container
December 2, 2020 at 11:08 am
I don’t know if they are microwave safe or if they are safe as the material warms.
If you need to get it out of a silicone container, I would just try to use a hair dryer or something.
February 7, 2021 at 1:18 pm
I work with cbd at work making tinctures creams ect. and we sometimes have to wait a long time before we can start you think the microwave can speed up the process?
February 9, 2021 at 10:09 pm
Do not microwave any solvent such as ethanol. Ethanol vapors or something similar are going to start a fire.
Gently microwaving some MCT oil is pretty safe as long as you don’t burn yourself.
-Luke
December 8, 2021 at 7:16 pm
how long you mix the oil to make tinctures? what temp?
March 6, 2021 at 10:42 am
How can someone test THCA diamonds to see if it is real? They have videos showing supposedly what fake ones do, but nothing to show how the legit ones burn.
March 11, 2021 at 1:11 am
Accidentally mixed vegetable oil in with my shatter,how can I separate them
May 14, 2021 at 5:05 pm
Hi I have about half pound of honey oil in Mason jar and its very very sticky. I need to extract and put into vials. What is the best way possible?
May 15, 2021 at 3:30 pm
Look up double boiler. Loosen the lid as to not let pressure build. But leave the lid on to keep moisture out.
Heat guns work well too. Hair dryers might work but will take a while.
Get the oil and the container hot and it will pour out. Best to rig up something to hold it upside down at an angle.
-Luke
July 20, 2021 at 1:59 pm
I let the container sit in steaming hot water until it melts.
October 24, 2021 at 6:24 am
Can I use coconut oil or evoo to thin out my concentrate to more of a liquid to use in vape pens?
November 1, 2021 at 4:15 pm
No this is not recommended.
December 6, 2021 at 6:40 pm
I have a 100 grams of distillate. I usually use one gram at a time. How many times can I heat up the container to remove a gram before I start degrading it?
December 7, 2021 at 4:51 pm
Good question. 100 times would be a lot, so probably before then. It depends a lot on how hot and for how long it stays hot. Also, the amount of air exposure.
If I had to guess, 20-30? No data though. My advice is as few as possible.
-Luke
January 26, 2022 at 3:02 am
Blow drier guys works every time
February 3, 2022 at 4:04 pm
I have 500 mg of distillate that came in a big jar. I guess I have the option of getting a tool to scoop out small amounts of the oil while solid and just heating up that oil that was scooped out my jar to avoid repeated heating of the main source. I’m just curious, has anyone used an instant pot or crockpot to warm up large quantities of distillate?
March 27, 2022 at 2:38 pm
I have a distillate dart, MCT oil and a magnetic stirrer (that does not tell me it’s heat level.) Just that it’s on. My question is: how long do I heat the combination of oil & distillate, and how much longer should I let it stir/mix for?