BHO extraction is a versatile process used to produce a wide array of potent cannabis concentrates. Among the many extracts available today, butane hash oil (BHO)—often referred to as butane honey oil because of its golden, viscous appearance—stands out. BHO can be refined into various products including shatter, budder, and wax.
BHO extraction involves using butane as the primary solvent to pull cannabinoids and terpenes from raw cannabis, often resulting in products that can contain up to 90% THC. While this technique offers several advantages over other extraction methods, it also comes with certain risks.
In this guide, we delve into the specifics of BHO extraction, explain how it differs from other extraction processes, and highlight why many producers continue to favor this method for creating a diverse range of products.
What Is BHO Extraction?
BHO extraction—commonly known as hydrocarbon extraction—relies on the use of hydrocarbons as solvents to extract the resin from the cannabis plant. This resin, which becomes the basis for products like shatter, contains a concentrated mix of purified cannabinoids and terpenes.
The process involves filling a closed-loop extractor with cannabis material and then passing a hydrocarbon solvent through it. The key to successful BHO extraction is using high-purity butane. In many cases, operators may also use a blend of hydrocarbons, adding propane or isobutane to optimize extraction. Butane’s low boiling point (30.2°F or -1°C) makes it especially effective, as it can be easily evaporated from the concentrate after extraction.
During extraction, liquid butane (typically n-butane) is maintained at extremely low temperatures (around -40°F or -40°C) and is used to wash over the plant material, dissolving valuable compounds such as cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) and terpenes. In some setups, propane is employed to recover additional compounds, particularly extra terpenes. Once the solution is collected, the butane is removed, leaving behind the concentrated extract that can be further processed to achieve the final product’s desired consistency.
What Is a BHO Extractor?
BHO extraction typically requires specialized equipment, including closed-loop extractors, de-waxers, filtration columns, vacuum ovens, and pressure vessels. While BHO extraction can theoretically be done in an open system, that approach is notoriously unsafe and is not used by professional extractors. Closed-loop systems, though much safer, still demand strict adherence to safety protocols.
Kim Eastman, Vice President of Manufacturing at Jushi, emphasizes that “the process is performed in a classified room, free of any potential ignition sources, as hydrocarbon gases are highly flammable.” This highlights the importance of using state-of-the-art equipment and rigorous safety measures during extraction.
How to Make BHO?
The BHO extraction process typically follows these steps:
- Loading and Washing: The raw cannabis biomass is loaded into the extractor, and liquid butane is applied. The butane passes over the material, dissolving the cannabinoids and terpenes.
- Solvent Recovery: The solution is collected in a vessel where the butane is removed either through active or passive recovery methods. Active recovery uses compressors or pumps to draw the solvent back into the storage tank, whereas passive recovery employs heating and cooling exchangers to adjust temperature and pressure for the solvent’s transfer.
- Recycling: The recovered butane is then reused for subsequent extraction cycles.
- Process Customization: Operators can adjust variables such as temperature, soak time, and recovery conditions, as well as choose between a single solvent (typically n-butane) or a solvent blend (butane/propane), to develop proprietary extraction methods.
What Sets BHO Extraction Apart from Other Techniques?
One of the major reasons producers prefer BHO extraction is its high throughput and efficiency. The process is not only fast—with extraction runs typically lasting under 30 minutes—but it also requires minimal post-processing compared to alternatives like supercritical CO2 extraction, which often involve additional steps to remove unwanted compounds.
Butane’s low boiling point allows for gentle solvent removal with minimal heat, preserving the integrity of the extracted cannabinoids and terpenes. Moreover, the chemical properties of butane—with its pure hydrocarbon chains and lack of hydroxyl groups—reduce the likelihood of extracting waxes and chlorophyll, which are generally considered undesirable.
Another important factor is that the process is conducted at very low temperatures, enhancing selectivity during extraction. This ensures that the volatile compounds such as terpenes and flavonoids, which contribute significantly to the plant’s flavor profile, remain intact.
However, safety remains a critical consideration. Butane gas is highly flammable and tends to accumulate near the floor if leaked. Even small concentrations pose a significant fire hazard, requiring stringent safety protocols and high-quality equipment. Furthermore, any failure to fully purge residual butane can lead to hazardous levels of hydrocarbons in the final product. The use of low-quality butane may introduce contaminants such as toluene or xylene, which are dangerous if ingested.
How Cannabis Extractors Utilize BHO Extraction?
Many extractors and chemists regard butane as one of the most selective solvents available, capable of delivering a rich cannabinoid and terpene profile without capturing excessive unwanted compounds. Nate Ferguson, master extractor and co-founder of Jetty Extracts, notes that BHO extraction often results in a final product that many other methods, like CO2 and ethanol extraction, struggle to match in terms of preserving the natural characteristics of the cannabis plant.
Cannabis extractors use hydrocarbon extraction to produce high-quality concentrates from both fresh frozen and cured, dried cannabis. This method is versatile, allowing manufacturers to produce products suitable for vaporizer cartridges, dabbable concentrates sold by the gram, and even ingredients for edibles, topicals, or further distilled products. Depending on the post-processing, the extract can be transformed into various consistencies such as shatter, pull and snap, crumble, budder, wax, sap, and oil.
Conclusion
BHO extraction remains a powerful and flexible method for creating potent cannabis products. While the technique comes with inherent risks—particularly related to the use of flammable butane—when executed under strict safety protocols, it offers a fast and efficient way to obtain high-quality extracts with rich cannabinoid and terpene profiles. This balance of efficiency, selectivity, and versatility is why many professional extractors continue to rely on BHO extraction as a cornerstone of their production process.
