Decarboxylation: What You Need to Know

This tutorial is in collaboration with CelticTech.

Decarboxylation means applying heat for a specific period to convert the raw compounds in herb into their active form. It's the most critical step before making infused treats at home. Eating dried herb straight from raw does not have any of the intended effect on the human body.

Decarboxylation can be very simple. The traditional method includes spreading dried herb on a baking sheet, inside the mason jar, or using the sous vide water bath method. All methods can achieve a similar result. But suppose you want to get the best out of your dried herb. In that case, you need something scientifically proven to be effective.

The chart above gives critical information for accurate decarboxylation, time, and temperature. Once heated, the raw compounds convert into their active form. But in the meantime, some active compounds also convert into others that no longer deliver the intended effect to the human body.

That's why ECRU Decarb Kit and Activator are so important for making infused treats. It gives scientific control to bring out the max of herb strength. Below is the preset mode embedded in all ECRU Decarboxylators.

Method using ECRU Decarb Kit

Step 1: Calibrate Your Oven

1. Set your desired mode using 4 preset modes, depending on the herb variety and the strength you want.

2. Preheat your oven with the sensor probe before decarb. Make sure you DO NOT place the LCD display in the oven.

3. Check your oven temperature. If the temperature reading on the thermometer differs from your oven setting, raise or lower your oven temperature to compensate. For example, your setting is 260°F, but the thermometer reads 250°F, which means your oven is lower than your preset temperature. For decarb, you would increase your oven temperature.

NOTE:It's common for your oven to fluctuate by + 30°F and – 30°F. That's because oven cycles turn on and off for a total range of 60°F.

Step 2: Decarb Your Herb

1. After preheating, spread herb evenly in the glass pane, and press the silicone lid top down on all sides to seal.

2. Insert the temperature probe into the socket on the right side of the device.

3. Bake on the center oven rack for even heating. Do NOT exceed recommended durations.

4. When you put your decarb box with herbs in the oven, your glass pan will take some time to reach the desired temperature. The preset timer will start the countdown once the preset temperature has reached. Once the process is done, the alarm will sound.

Method using ECRU Decarb Activator

1. Load the canister up with herb. The Max capacity of the canister is 2 oz.

2. Put the cover lid onto the aluminum canister and lock the activator.

3. Power it up.

4. Press the TMP to select time and temperature. Press to adjust time and temperature.

5. The decarb cycle will start in 10s automatically once the mode is set.

6. Once preheat has been completed, the countdown will start automatically.

7. When the process is completed, you will sound "beep."

Note: Ensure your herb is completely dry; otherwise, the lid will open during decarb.

After the herb is decarbed, simply spread it on top of your food, make it a capsule, or soak it with alcohol of your choice. Serving options can be creative and numerous. ECRU gives all possibilities to bring herb into your daily lifestyle.

Interested in Infusion? Checkout ECRU Infuser