Making concentrates? Isn’t that dangerous and scary? Well, that’s sometimes true, but it doesn’t have to be!
FECO stands for full extract cannabis oil. During the extraction process, the activated trichomes are pulled from the plant and attach to the solvent, in this case, Everclear. Once the alcohol is evaporated off, you’re left with a waxy, homemade concentrate.
Perhaps you’ve heard of RSO, or Rick Simpson Oil. RSO is similar to FECO, especially in the way it looks and how it’s used, as an edible or topical. The main difference between the two is that RSO uses isopropyl alcohol as a solvent, and FECO uses strong, grain alcohol such as Everclear. Oftentimes, FECO is confused for RSO, and vice versa.
If you’re looking for a safe, easy, and effective way to make FECO, read our guide below:
How To Get Started
FECO, like RSO and distillate, is decarboxylated prior to processing. When you get your hands on any of those concentrates, there’s no need to decarb again. The FECO, RSO, and distillate are ready to use as-is.
The process of making FECO is shortened when you have decarbed material on hand. You can also get ahead of last-minute prep by letting decarbed material sit in Everclear inside a cool, dark place, agitating here and there, for weeks at a time.
Equipment Needed
- Mason jar
- Ardent Frainer
- Ardent Nova or FX
Ingredients
- 3 - 5 ounces of Everclear (or another strong, grain alcohol if Everclear is unavailable in your state)
- 2 - 4 grams of decarboxylated cannabis or hemp material
How to Make Ardent Infused FECO
- Decarboxylate your material inside the Ardent Nova using the single-button interface, or in the FX using the A1 setting for material rich in THC or CBG, and A2 for material rich in CBD.
- Place the fully activated material into a mason jar outside of the unit. We will not be using the Ardent device for any further steps, as using alcohol in/near heat or flame is very dangerous, and will actually nullify your Ardent warranty.
- Pour Everclear over your activated material in the mason jar, fully submerging it.
- Close your mason jar with a lid, and store your infusion in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet for at least 24 hours. Agitate every few hours by giving it a vigorous shake.
- Strain out the plant material once you’re satisfied with your infusion using the Ardent Frainer.
- Pour the clarified infusion back into a mason jar, where it will sit out without a lid for at least 24 hours, preferably near a breezy window, until the alcohol has evaporated off.
- Store the remaining sludge-looking material in a syringe for easy, convenient, and potent dosing in food, capsules, oil tinctures, topicals, and more.
How to Store Your FECO
- Using a glass syringe
- Glass mason jar with lid
- Inside capsules
- Inside infused foods, stored in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer
- Inside topical products