What are the different CBD oil extraction methods?
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Time to read 4 min
There are different extraction methods to produceCBD oil, which affect the quality of the final product. It is therefore worth learning a little more about each one. This will help you choose a high-quality CBD oil based on how it was produced.
Contents
Let's start with the cold-press method used to extract CBD oils.
No solvents or other products are needed here. The method is relatively simple : you need to freeze the CBD flowers. They are then crushed under pressure using a mechanical press. This extracts all the cannabinoids naturally present in the hemp plant, along with other compounds such as terpenes!
Cold-press extraction only produces a fairly low CBD yield. A large amount of CBD flower is needed to produce just a small amount of oil. However, this method is the most plant- and environmentally friendly.
Liquid solvent extraction is quite popular among small producers. It offers high yields with relatively low setup costs. It is easy to set up, delivers high yields and is inexpensive.
The hemp plants are simply immersed in a solvent, which dissolves the cannabinoids. Chemical solvents are used, such as:
ethanol
butane
propane
hexane
isopropyl alcohol.
The cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids are then extracted through solvent evaporation. This preserves the entourage effect (for Full Spectrum or Broad Spectrum CBD oil) for later consumption.
However, while this method may initially seem to offer only benefits, it also has drawbacks. As you might expect, using chemical solvents poses a risk to our health. Traces of solvents will inevitably remain in the final cannabinoid extract, even in tiny amounts.
Additionally, the solvents used pose an explosion risk because they are flammable. This makes the extraction process dangerous.
Finally, although many manufacturers favour this extraction technique for its balance of cost and yield, it should be noted that solvent extraction reduces the oil's potential benefits of CBD.
To avoid using flammable solvents or ones that may be harmful to the body, CBD can be extracted using natural solvents such as plant oils: coconut oil (MCT), olive oil, or sesame oil.
Before the extraction itself, it is best to decarboxylate the hemp flowers by placing them in the oven for a few hours to activate the cannabinoids. Then, you need to gently heat the CBD flowers in your chosen carrier oil. The cannabinoids will dissolve, producing a type of infusion. Once cooled, it must be filtered to remove any residue.
This extraction method has both advantages and disadvantages. Relatively easy to carry out, it is accessible to everyone. The process produces an authentic CBD oil with a pleasant, “unrefined” taste.
However, this method is not suitable if you want a highly concentrated oil, as the CBD content remains lower than with other extraction techniques. High temperatures can damage the cannabidiol and terpenes. It is also impossible to precisely control what is extracted from the hemp, particularly the other cannabinoids.
Finally, the resulting CBD oil has a limited shelf life.
Supercritical CO2 extraction makes it possible to extract cannabidiol on a large scale.
This method uses carbon dioxide, or CO₂, heated to a precise temperature.
The aim is to change its state—in other words, to make it “supercritical.” Once the CO₂ becomes supercritical, it can separate the different compounds in hemp and extract the cannabidiol.
No additives are needed, and the CBD molecules are preserved. The main drawback of this method is its cost, as the technology involved is complex and expensive. In short, supercritical CO2 extraction is suitable for large-scale use.
While every CBD oil extraction method has its advantages and disadvantages, understanding them will help you choose the best option for your needs.
If you're looking for a concentrated, stable oil, products made using supercritical CO₂ are a good choice. This method preserves cannabinoids and terpenes while delivering rich flavours. Keep in mind, however, that CBD oils extracted using this costly process generally fall into a higher price range.
Cold pressing is rarely used by professionals because of its low yield. Extraction using a carrier oil is also generally limited to small-scale personal use. However, it produces more authentic oils with a distinctive flavour.
Choose based on your needs and preferences. We recommend opting for CBD oils that have been tested by independent laboratories to ensure they meet legal requirements.
If you're looking for high-quality oils, Cannabise offers some of the best affordable CBD options on the market.
Benjamin Poirel-Nadal
Passionate about alternative lifestyles and plants with natural properties, Benjamin Poirel-Nadal is a writer and creative specialising in CBD and well-being. Drawing on extensive experience in communications, he takes a close look at the uses of hemp, innovations in the industry and user feedback. His approach? Combining expertise, clarity and curiosity to make the world of cannabidiol easier to understand, more practical and more inspiring. His goal: to help you make informed, straightforward choices about using CBD 🌱
