Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This guide delves into the Quick Wash Ethanol Extraction (QWET) method, also known as Golden Dragon Tincture. Unlike the standard 3-4 hour soak for Full Extract Cannabis Oil (FECO), QWET prioritizes taste, making it ideal for vape liquids.

Important:

  • Always use food-grade ethanol with at least 95% alcohol content (higher is better).

  • Decarboxylation is optional. You can decarb the cannabis beforehand or after evaporation in a separate container.

Steps:

  1. Decarb (Optional): Decarboxylate your cannabis (or plan to decarb later in a small silicone container).

  2. Freeze: Place the ethanol and the beaker with cannabis in the freezer overnight for optimal chilling.

  3. Soak: Pour the chilled ethanol over the cannabis, ensuring it's fully submerged.

  4. Stir/Shake: Gently stir the mixture in the beaker for 3-5 minutes, or shake it in a mason jar, to release the cannabinoids.

  5. Filter: Separate the plant material using a filter.

  6. Evaporate: Pour the infused ethanol into the beaker and use the evaporator to remove the alcohol, leaving behind your concentrated extract.

Three Minutes Enough?

Yes, a 3-minute soak can extract around 80% of the cannabinoids. For a more complete extraction, you can soak the filtered plant material for a few additional hours. However, this might affect the taste due to additional chlorophyll content.

QWET vs. FECO:

  • FECO: Stands for "Full Extract Cannabis Oil." It involves a longer soak in room temperature alcohol, extracting a wider range of plant materials, resulting in a darker green color and potentially higher potency.

  • QWET: Focuses on extracting only the trichomes (resin glands) on the outer surface of the cannabis leaves. This method produces a lighter colored tincture (light brown to lime green) and might have a slightly lower potency due to the shorter soak time.

Flavor and Color Tip:

Freezing the tincture before or during steeping can help trap residual water and chlorophyll in ice crystals, preventing them from dissolving into the alcohol and improving the final taste and color. This technique works with hash or rosin as well. Remember, you'll need less ethanol for hash due to its smaller volume compared to cannabis flower.