The Basics of BHO Extraction

What is BHO Extraction?

BHO stands for butane hash oil, a concentrate made by using butane as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material. In short, the process involves blasting butane through a tube packed with cannabis material, then purging the resulting liquid to remove any remaining solvent.

BHO extraction can produce highly potent concentrates with a strong flavor and aroma profile, because of the efficient cannabinoid extraction and high terpene preservation accomplished through this extraction method.

Another benefit of BHO extraction is its versatility. The process can be used to extract a wide range of cannabinoids and terpenes, allowing cannabis businesses to create a variety of different BHO products with unique flavor and potency profiles.

However, it can also be dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken, as butane is highly flammable and can cause explosions if not handled properly.

Choosing the Right Butane Extractor

BHO Extractor

When selecting a butane extractor for BHO extraction, it’s important to consider a variety of factors, such as safety, efficiency, and ease of use. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Safety features: Look for extractors that have built-in safety features, such as pressure gauges, shut-off valves, and explosion-proof electrical components. Always select an extractor that is C1D1 Compliant, ICC Compliant, IFC Compliant, and peer reviewed.

Quality of materials: Ensure that the extractor is made from high-quality stainless steel, and that the machine has ASME Certified pressure vessels. Butane Extractors require pressure and vacuum, making the quality of the stainless very important to the safety of your extraction operation.

Efficiency: Choose an extractor that can handle the volume of material you need to process and has a high recovery rate to minimize extraction times.

Ease of use: Look for an extractor that is easy to set up, operate, and maintain. Also consider a company that provides installation, training and ongoing support, as BHO extraction can be a dangerous process if not performed correctly.

Best Practices for BHO Extraction

In addition to choosing the right equipment, cannabis businesses should follow best practices to ensure safe and effective BHO extraction. Here are a few tips:

Work in a regulated area: BHO extraction should only be performed in a certified C1D1 lab. C1D1 labs provide safety features such as explosion proof components, emergency shutoffs, gas monitoring, and continual ventilation. Proper ventilation is critical to prevent the buildup of butane fumes, which can be explosive.

Use proper protective gear: Wear gloves, eye protection, smocks, and other PPE to protect against exposure to butane and other harmful chemicals.

Monitor the process closely: Keep a close eye on pressure gauges and temperature readings throughout the extraction process to ensure that everything is running smoothly.

Purge thoroughly: Make sure to purge the final product thoroughly to remove any remaining solvent, as residual butane can be harmful if ingested. It’s important to have a high quality vacuum oven to remove all the residual solvents before taking the BHO extract to market.

Conclusion

BHO extraction is a popular method of producing cannabis extracts, and for good reason – it produces a potent, flavorful concentrate that’s perfect for dabbing or vaping. However, it’s important to be extremely cautious when performing BHO extraction, as it can be dangerous if you’re not careful. Having the proper equipment is the first start to ensuring the safety of your business, employees and general public. Reach out to H&H Extraction Solutions today to learn about our certified BHO Extractors today.