Cannabis Oil Extraction Methods Compared
Quick answer: Cannabis oil is made by separating cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material, using either a solvent (CO2, butane or ethanol) or a solventless method (rosin, or infusing into an edible oil). CO2 and rosin give clean results, BHO is potent but dangerous to attempt at home, and oil infusion is the safest DIY route for edibles.
Cannabis oil extraction is all about pulling the valuable compounds, cannabinoids and terpenes, out of the plant while leaving behind waxes and plant matter. The method you choose shapes the purity, potency, flavour and safety of the result, as well as how practical it is to do yourself.
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Banizzle
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THC | 25% - 30% (High) |
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Yield | High |
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Phenotype | 55% Indica / 45% Sativa |
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THC | 15% - 20% (Medium) |
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Yield | Low |
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Everything falls into two camps. Solvent-based methods use a chemical, CO2, butane or ethanol, to dissolve and carry the compounds out, while solventless methods rely on heat, pressure or an edible fat. The table below compares the main options before we look at each in detail.
| Method | Solvent? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 (supercritical) | CO2 (clean) | Precise, pure; expensive lab equipment |
| BHO (butane/propane) | Yes (flammable) | Potent, terpene-rich; dangerous to DIY |
| Ethanol / alcohol | Yes | Efficient, broad extraction; must be purged |
| Rosin (heat + pressure) | No (solventless) | Clean, safe, home-friendly |
| Olive/coconut oil | No (edible fat) | Safest at home; for edibles, not dabbing |
What Makes a Good Extraction
Two principles decide how good an extraction is. The first is selectivity: how well the method pulls out the cannabinoids and terpenes you want while leaving behind waxes, chlorophyll and other unwanted material. Better selectivity means a cleaner, better-tasting, more potent oil, and it is shaped by solvent choice, temperature and pressure.
The second is efficiency, or yield: how much oil you get from a given amount of flower. Higher yield makes a method more economical, but pushing for yield can drag unwanted compounds along too, so the best methods balance the two. This trade-off is really what separates the different techniques.
Promos & Deals
Solvent-Based Methods (CO2, BHO, Ethanol)
Solvent methods dominate commercial extraction. Supercritical CO2 is prized for clean, precise, residue-free oil but needs costly specialised equipment. Butane (BHO) produces potent, terpene-rich concentrates like shatter and wax, and ethanol efficiently pulls a broad range of compounds, making it popular for full-spectrum oils and tinctures.
The serious caveat is safety. Butane and ethanol are highly flammable, and amateur BHO extraction has caused fires and explosions, so it should never be attempted at home; it is strictly for professionals with proper closed-loop equipment and ventilation. Any solvent-extracted product also has to be carefully purged and, ideally, lab-tested for residual solvents.
Solventless and Home-Friendly Methods
If you want to make cannabis oil yourself, skip the solvents. Rosin, made by pressing flower or hash with heat and pressure, is clean, solventless and achievable at home with a simple press. For edibles, infusing decarboxylated flower into an edible fat like olive or coconut oil is the safest and easiest route of all, with no flammable chemicals involved.
These home methods trade some of the precision of commercial extraction for safety and simplicity. For a full step-by-step on the DIY approach, see our guide to making CBD and cannabis oil at home. To understand the finished products, our guides to ethanol extraction and extracts vs concentrates go deeper.
How to Choose the Right Method
Choosing comes down to three questions: what you want to make, how much you can spend, and how much risk you will accept. For dabbable concentrates with top flavour, solvent methods like CO2 or professional BHO lead, but they need serious equipment or expertise. For a clean, solventless concentrate you can make yourself, rosin is the standout.
If your goal is edibles rather than dabs, skip extraction altogether and infuse decarbed flower into an edible fat, which is the cheapest and safest route. Be honest about your setup: the ‘best’ method for a home grower is usually the safest one that fits your goal, not the one that produces the highest-grade commercial oil.
FAQs about best cannabis oil extraction method
What is the best cannabis oil extraction method?
It depends on your goal. For clean, precise commercial oil, supercritical CO2 is excellent; for potent, flavourful concentrates, BHO (done professionally); for a safe, solventless result, rosin. At home, infusing decarbed flower into olive or coconut oil is safest. Match the method to your equipment, skill and whether it is for edibles or dabbing.
Can you make cannabis oil at home safely?
Yes, with solventless methods. Pressing rosin, or infusing decarboxylated flower into olive or coconut oil, is safe and needs no flammable chemicals. Do not attempt butane (BHO) extraction at home, as it is highly flammable and has caused fires and explosions. Leave solvent extraction to professionals with proper equipment.
What is the difference between solvent and solventless extraction?
Solvent extraction uses a chemical, CO2, butane or ethanol, to dissolve and carry out the cannabinoids, then purges the solvent. Solventless extraction uses only heat, pressure or an edible fat, with no chemicals to remove. Solventless (like rosin) is cleaner and safer to do yourself; solvent methods can be more precise but need expertise.
Which cannabis oil method keeps the most terpenes?
Methods that start from fresh, flash-frozen flower and use gentle conditions preserve the most terpenes, which is why ‘live’ concentrates like live rosin and live resin are so aromatic. High heat degrades terpenes, so low-temperature processing matters. For edibles, terpene retention matters less, since flavour is shaped mostly by the recipe.
What is the easiest cannabis oil to make at home?
Infused oil is easiest: decarboxylate ground flower, then gently warm it in olive or coconut oil, strain, and use it for edibles. It needs no special equipment and no flammable solvents. Rosin is the next step up, using heat and pressure to press a solventless concentrate you can dab.
Is CO2 or BHO extraction better?
Both are professional methods with trade-offs. CO2 is clean, precise and leaves no flammable residue, but needs expensive equipment. BHO produces very flavourful, potent concentrates but uses highly flammable butane and is dangerous to attempt without proper closed-loop gear. For purity and safety, CO2 leads; for terpene-rich dabs, well-made BHO is prized.
