Making Marijuana BHO (Butane Hash Oil) Safely

It is a product of many names: BHO, honey, erl, hash oil, honeycomb, honey toast, wax, shatter, glass, whip, comb, ‘tane, and more.

As its popularity increases, more and more people are learning about butane hash oil (BHO) made from marijuana. There’s a reason it’s becoming so popular in recent years.

BHO sounds scary but can be extremely enjoyable when it is prepared correctly.

Many people choose to make it themselves so they know exactly what is in it, and can rest assured that it was made safely.

This article will help you understand what it is and how to make BHO from marijuana in a safe and healthy way.

Please keep in mind that it was written for information purposes only!  ILGM does not encourage any illegal activity and take no responsibility on what you do with this information.

Download my free marijuana grow guide to grow for your own BHO

What exactly is BHO?

Butane hash oil is called this because of the process required to make it. Marijuana trimmings are put into a holding container of some sort, with butane pushed through until only the butane escapes, and the plant matter remains.

This process allows for the cannabinoids to be removed from the marijuana by pumping the butane through the holding container.

It becomes a liquid mixture of butane and marijuana, which is then evaporated in order to remove the harmful substances while keeping the good product, which is a waxy or honey-like substance.

Is BHO safe?

The key aspect of making BHO that is safe for consumption is the evaporation process.

If the liquid substance is not evaporated correctly, then people might end up smoking both the good and the bad substances, making it unsafe and unhealthy.

That being said, if you compare properly evaporated BHO with regular marijuana that most people smoke, good BHO is much more pure.

While critics argue that smoking BHO must include a certain amount of butane being inhaled in the process, even with the purest and most properly prepared BHO, it’s important to consider that the average lighter also contains butane as fuel.

If you use a regular lighter to smoke a pipe, then you are also bound to inhale some of that butane, aren’t you?

Is BHO safe
Is BHO safe

Of course, any type of smoking is going to come with unavoidable and unhealthy aspects. Smoking anything is never going to be as healthy as inhaling pure air.

Many assert that smoking BHO is better than smoking raw marijuana with a pipe, however, so that makes it worth it for some who enjoy smoking BHO.

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It is also important to consider your personal security. In California, for example, BHO is completely illegal. That means making it, selling it, or even having it are all considered a felony.

In addition to it being a security risk for those using it, distributing it, and making it, it also means it is difficult to ensure safe laboratory conditions when it needs to be done in secret.

Safety gear is generally at a bare minimum during illegal extractions, and many new people who are interested in making BHO are given misleading information, such as “just don’t smoke while you make it, and you’ll be fine.”

This is extremely misleading and a dangerous lie. When there are no official rules or regulations, however, dangers increase.

Is making BHO safe?

No. Making BHO is a completely different process from smoking it.

It is possible to do it safely, especially if you are an expert or are partnering with an expert to make it, but the amount of risk involved is extremely high.

Messing up in any tiny way is extremely dangerous to your well-being, and even to your life. Do not make BHO if it is your first time.

Is making BHO safe
Is making BHO safe?

When making BHO you must take every precaution possible.

Butane is highly flammable, all extractions must be done outdoors, doing extractions indoors can be extremely dangerous, meaning you could catch yourself and your house on fire easily.  

Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure to wear safety equipment like gloves and eye protection.

There are many documented cases of people blowing themselves and/or their apartments up while attempting to make BHO.

People were burnt from an accident during the process and later died in the hospital.

Not only is this damaging to their own lives (and the lives of others), but it also is damaging the reputation of BHO in general.

Making BHO yourself without knowing what you’re doing could not only result in harming yourself but even if you survive the process, it could also harm others.

Plenty of rookie BHO-makers feel as though they have confidently and safely made BHO for others to smoke, and then it turns out that they did not perform the evaporation process completely properly, and then have caused other people to inhale unhealthy substances.

Not only that, but it also gives the BHO movement (not to mention the marijuana movement) a bad name — which is something we in the marijuana industry do not need right now.

The process of making BHO is also illegal in most places, so you should think long and hard about whether making your own BHO is actually worth all the risks involved.

How to make BHO

With the above warning aside, we have committed to providing you with information to make your own BHO.

If done correctly, there are a lot of positive aspects to making your own BHO, and it ultimately is safer for you (assuming you know what you’re doing).

Therefore, the below instructions are provided for those interested in making their own BHO.

Which butane should you use?

Before collecting the necessary ingredients for making BHO, you will need to make an informed decision about which type of butane to use.

There are two general types to choose from: Isobutane and N-Butane. Other types of butane likely have propane mixed in.

While generally less expensive, Isobutane is often considered more hazardous and toxic than N-Butane. N-Butane, therefore, works best for this recipe.

Not only is it safer, but it also works better for extraction and will not leave behind a residue in your final product.

How to make BHO
How to make BHO?

You can find pure N-Butane in gas supply companies, but not in retail stores.

The most reliable companies include Win, Sarome, Cora, CTC, Colton, Dunhill, Ventti, Colibri, Calor Gas Match, Unilight, Supergas, K2, Lucienne, Newport, Nibo, Fackelman, and Davidoff.

To check the quality of butane from a company you aren’t sure of, spray a large quantity of butane on a mirror, wait for up to 10 minutes, and see if there is a poor-smelling residue left over.

If so, it’s not a good idea to use it for making BHO.

Download the Free Harvesting Guide to learn more about when and how to harvest your Marijuana plants.

Which marijuana should you use?

Of course, we should also pay close attention to what kind of marijuana you should use for this recipe.

The higher quality the marijuana, the higher quality your BHO will be — the importance cannot be emphasized enough.

Your best bet is to use whole buds that are fresh, recently dried and put through the extractor.

Grade A oil can be accomplished via one extraction; grade B oil can be accomplished on a second extraction after grinding up the buds.

INGREDIENTS:

  • one 10-oz can of butane per 1-oz of marijuana
  • one extraction tube
  • one medium Pyrex dish
  • one large Pyrex dish
  • one electric heating pad
  • one razor blade scraper
  • a concentrate container
  • a purging system (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Extract the marijuana. First, fill your extraction tube with the strain you have chosen. Prevent any air pockets from forming, and make sure the grass you are using is extremely dry. Fill the tube, pack it down, and then repeat until full and air-free. For less plant material, use a smaller tube. Next, fasten the screen (or a mesh coffee filter) to the bottom of the tube. Hold it over the medium Pyrex dish, then get your butane and put the nozzle right over the top hole in the tube. Allow the butane to flow into the tube, then wait for up to a minute until the liquid begins to drip into the Pyrex dish. Use as many butane cans as necessary. Allow the drip to continue for several minutes. The liquid should appear gold in color.
  • Once you have completed the extraction process, you will need to evaporate the liquid so that the harmful butane can be removed. Get the large Pyrex dish and put the medium one inside of it. Then, put hot water in the outer, larger dish. This will cause the butane to begin to evaporate, which should take between fifteen and twenty minutes. Replace the hot water as needed to keep it hot. For your safety, be sure there is plenty of ventilation during this process.
  • Purge it. Purging is the process to complete the removal of the butane honey/hash oil. Using a purging system is the best way to do it, but many money-conscious people prefer to use an electric heating pad instead. Simply set it to high heat, and then place the medium Pyrex dish on it for an hour or more. Watch it carefully. It is finished once the oil stops bubbling. Honey oil that has begun to become hazy or cloudy in appearance looks that way because of trapped butane. Purge it again to get rid of all the butane. One simple way of checking if there is any butane left in it is to touch it with a flame — if it catches, there is still butane that needs to be removed.
  • Store the oil. Use the razor blade scraper to get all of the oil out of the dish, and then put it all into a concentrate container. As long as it remains in an airtight container that remains dark and cool, BHO can last a long time. If improperly stored, you can expect the substance to become dry, tasteless, and less potent.

FAQ about Butane Hash Oil

Is butane hash oil safe to smoke?

Yes, It is safe to smoke but some illegal hash oils, poses unique risks. such as: Chemical impurities, Lung injuries, Burn risks and more

How long does hash oil stay in your blood?

Blood: Up to 3- 4 hours
Saliva: Up to 72 hours
Urine: Up to 30 days

Are there any side effects?

Yes, here are some of the side effects you might encounter: dizziness , fainting, anxiety, hallucination, changes in mood, impaired memory and more


Enjoyed the article? Would you like to start growing marijuana for your own BHO? Download my free marijuana grow bible and order some marijuana seeds. All top quality marijuana seeds are available in my marijuana seed shop. We ship seeds to the US, CA and many other countries. For any grow related question please visit the marijuana support page.

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Robert Bergman is an Amsterdam-based marijuana grow expert who has years of experience from small grows to massive operations ... See profile

54 comments on “Making Marijuana BHO (Butane Hash Oil) Safely”

    • Hi Mama Joy,

      Thanks for your comment. This depends on how you’re planning to use it. For oral or topical use it is recommended to decarb it, as it becomes more bioavailable by doing so. If you’re making BHO to smoke, then decarboxylation is not necessary.

      Hope this helps!
      ILGM

      Reply
  1. Does my BHO need to be clear. I prurge it on a heating pad usally no more that 95% but it always stays blond or looks like live pressed rosin

    Reply
  2. Well, I’m glad to have read this to say the least. Never would have dove into this topic myself. Very interesting!

    Reply
  3. Very helpful content, I wasnt sure on the purging process an this has opened my mind up to the risk an good ways to get benefits from bho, thank you frfr.

    Reply
  4. Hi,
    Live in Providence North, R.I. AND I am a medical patient and I would like to press when we come back company can you please get back to me and let me know how about going through or not thank you

    Reply
  5. What type of electric heat pad do you need to purge BHO? I’v got a heat mat for my seedlings but I don’t think that will be hot enough. If not were can I get one?

    Reply
  6. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge.
    I use wax for multiple medicinal reasons. I often find myself disappointed. People say I’m picky . Some get. Offended once I’ve sampled their product and choose not to purchase due to the butane taste or feel in my lungs. Sometimes even instant headache. Now I understand quite a bit more about what’s goin on and why. And am able to produce my own medicine. I’m also excited about trying the Rosin heat press method. . So thankyou fir sharingyour knowledge here.

    Reply
  7. Hey bro first loved the article
    Second my question is about making wax i make it all the time check me out on instagram @real_i_b, my ?2 you is do u think it would be more potent if i were to heat activate the herb before blasting it ,kinda like if i was going to my cannabutter

    Reply
  8. Jim beam and others…before ye open ur mouths I suggest that you think first…. your the fucking idiots…go back and read he’s article again…but this time read it before you comment on it…he did mention that it should be done in a well ventilated area or outside….ur the idiot…go back an read the article, ffs…pay attion to what ur reading and not just look for something g to fucking bitch about…ya little bitches…. should some respect…or kick rocks

    Reply
    • 50% Agreed… I Understand The Frustration. But I Think You Killed The Thread Bud. Ya Come Off Pretty Hot Headed.. But Yea, I Get The Frustration. No Offense Man. The Article *DOES* Mention Ventilation, Butane Types, Safety Gear. They Do Say If It’s Your First Time, To Not Do It. But To See It Performed First. That Couldn’t Be Laid Out Too Much Clearer Of The Dangers. Gray Area.. Common Sense (For Those Who DO Possess It). There Are Some Serious Gray Areas.. But It’s A Start For Those Looking For Information. Common Sense Leads Ya In The Right Direction. ‘More Research’ Was Mentioned. I’m Not Gunna Try This Until I Find Information 5 Times, 5 Different Ways, Make My Own Conclusions On What Works Best For Others, Their Safety Precautions, And Hell.. Just Enjoy The Fruits Of Labor. From What I’ve Read In Comments… All That’s Complained About Is Here In The Article Guys. You Just Gotta Read It. This Is The 3rd Or 4th Site I’ve Checked Out And So Far The Most Informative. Thanks You Guys. It’s Not Perfect But That’s What The Comments Are For. That’s Why They’re Here.

      Reply
  9. WTF….the mans giving free advice…free books…he’s been at this racket more then most of ya Has been on the Earth. .fucking people…total Disrespect…name calling the man…no fucking class some of ye…f all ur going to do is complain and bitch…. fuck off somewhere else…disrespectful fucks

    Reply
  10. I’ve been growing for many years now and really enjoy having a garden.Only started making BHO for ten years. I Don’t have any of the fancy machines but would like to try using co2. Someday.I enjoy reading your web site Thanks for all the tips. Mike

    Reply
  11. Do your research first from all sources.. Extractor will get very cold when butane goes through. Need strong elbow length gloves.
    It is easy to do as long as you are very careful.
    Butane has a low boiling point so research the ideal temperature for making it.
    Buy the best and purest butane you can find. They are not all the same.
    Good luck and do it sober.

    Reply
  12. I appreciate this tutorial and thank you. I am stunned and amazed at some of the childish comments and because we are talking about weed, you would think some of these folks would not talk politics and call each other names. Ya know, weed is a wonderful thing and meant to be enjoyed by all. I really don’t get it and Choose to be a pleasant person who doesn’t have to be right all the time or be in competition with everyone.

    Reply
  13. Apart from the 180 criticism, good read. No shortage of assholes thinking they’re the smart kid in the room. So staying on topic my question is how do you know the extraction has removed as much product as possible. What signs will you see when you use “as many cans as it takes” in my researching this too much butane also extracts unwanted residues. I’ve also read glass, copper, and never pvc as the butane could also draw unwanted residues from the pvc. Personally glass and stainless would be my line in the sand.

    Reply
  14. A pretty nice explanation you have given here especially on creating BHO, Till now I don’t know how to make it at home. Thanks

    Reply
  15. I have been making bho for a few years now and always do the process outside where there little to no chance of an explosion. I use all the small bud and trim and the product is amazing. I suffer from a stomach ailment called diviticulitis and after eating a small amount infused with cocanut oil I have not had a single flare up in 18 months where before I was on antibiotics and pain meds at least 5 times a year with a couple hospital stays when it got real bad. Some say it’s all in my head and if so to bad I am pain free and taking no pharmacuticals and as a bonus the anti inflamitory properties have made my back pain dissapear

    Reply
  16. BHO i love my home grown!i like to play it safe.i have a really good thing.i would really not want to eliminate myself with fire!

    Reply
  17. Anyone complaining about BHO, come to Colorado where we make concentrates a dozen different ways.

    They even have BHO kits that come it everything except the Butane and the Flower for $100.

    Comes with rubber forearm length gloves, goggles, two Pyrex containers, extractor tube, screen cloth, hand screw tightener for cloth , tube for butane canister, non metal scraper & final product glass container.

    The dispensaries here tell you if it’s BHO, CO2, etc

    Guess what’s the best selling?

    $30 BHO grams.

    Reply
  18. AS far as safety sure seems like pumping 20 gallons of gas in my car is more risky then blasting 2 cans of butane in a tube.

    Reply
  19. Ide like to understand the process diferences of wax vs. Shatter a bit more. Any help? Ive made olenty of shatter but would like to try wax. What do i need to change?

    Reply
  20. Have to say I agree with Latewood, thorough disclaimer, and a tutorial, better info then the youth that want to try are going to get from the street, and they are going to try anyway, so here, be Careful. PS. to me youth is under 40.
    Just my two cents.

    Reply
  21. Chenist & GomezT,

    In view of your protests I re-read the entire article. I see warnings in the article and a sound tutorial on making Honey Oil. Sorry you disagree.

    Disclaimer: For clarification. No one should attempt to make Honey Oil / BHO, or whatever you wan t to call the yield of this process! If you attempt this process; Be aware that you can blow yourself up!

    Never attempt this process without 1st securing a well ventilated area, preferably outside. Do not smoke in highly combustible circumstances! Do not use metal implements during this process. Use Glass and PVC.

    Reply
  22. BB I have a funny thing happen to one of ny plants.I had it inside under lights until it was about 5 inches tall. Then took it outside where i had some great worm dirt about 5 weeks into the grow i noticed it was so green it looked liked the darkest green i had ever seen.I also noticed all the white crystals onthe leaves .Now its about 7 weeks i have never seen anything like it i had people taking pictures of it that knew alot about growing.Anyway i had to try to understand how and why this plant was this way, well i had a airconditioner about 3 feet from the plant. So the plant was getting nice breeze coming off the 4 ton aircon. Well having installed probably 50 units ac i knew that it was just air from the outside hitting the plant unless a little bit of gas R22 was comi g out not much to notice by me but what about the plant .The reason im telling youguys this is i had select few that were into growing said they had never seen anything that looked that good or beautiful. Anybody have a opinion on why.

    Reply
    • Curt Allen,

      Perhaps you have a green thumb. It may be advisable to you, not to let everyone be privy to your grow. (Your post is off topic)

      I suggest you join our support forum and start a topic in order to gain response from our many knowledgeable members.

      Reply
    • I think maybe the Worm Castings had a lot to do with the greening up of the plant. I once put some castings on the top of the dirt and the roots came up to the top . They were all over the top of the dirt. I never seen anything like it before. They love Worm Castings and fresh air.

      Reply
    • Marijuna grown in colder tempautre looks danker and do you know the strain… Anyways I get Reggie from our southern neighbors anyways they all year during winters harvest the bricks come with purple looking fire not exactly stronger but looks amazing and like it would be better it’s something with the cold I know I can’t explain well but I get different Reggie’s tons of next one being different it’s better when grown in winter or fall idk why yo can doubt me but I live in el Paso Texas Google it you’ll probably understand I see a lot of.bud and informed on different grown pot now bring on doubters nnyea I like kush too but my job is my job I like better quality that I can not get enough to.profit and yea I talk freely im encrypted 3 times anyways I will probably never b back but yes it’s the tempautre stay up ac dude

      Reply
    • From my experience most growers grow with 24/7 ligth on while I see big difference in only have 18 hours of light and 4-6 hours dark, my plants are really sticky and full of trichomes in vegetive state, and trichomes mostly are triggerd in dark periods but also ligth and nothing beats the sun.

      Reply
  23. I have to agree with chemist on this one. I’m 100% for cannabis. I also luv this site. But screwing around with butane is not the smartest thing in the world to do. I won’t buy off the street cause i don’t want to encourage the fact that there might be a market for this stuff. It’s better to have the legal gear for extraction than to risk mayhem with butane.

    Reply
  24. No offense. Your advice is terrible on bho. A human should not be near the extraction site. You don’t even tell people to do it OUTSIDE or use pneumatic air ventilation. Using a line to separate the person from the site is imperative. 30″. Yes a small thin fuel line makes it as safe as filling a lighter. Site. Pyrex on ICE! With a barrier. Less than 1 oz a time. Blast. Now it’s tricky. You have a voc with a bp well below freezing point. Not good. Your not safe until it boils off. Should the extractor want to speed the process up you need to add heat. In the form of 90* water. Yup. Run a hose from your faucet and calibrate to 90*. Run. Purge. Wait. The material is safe after 97% is boiled off leaving basically the goo or slime. I’m 100% for cannabis but have considered strongly wording my opinion to lawmakers in my state that is about to legalize it. You should update this site with this. Don’t make bho at all let states end prohibition and buy co2 extracted stuff. However should some one want to do this they can do it safely. You don’t even tell people what to wear. So far I like the site but telling people to play with butane like that is damn near mentally retarded.

    Reply
    • youre an idiot and probably a democrat too as a refrigeration specialist i make my bho all the time and if you have common sense and follow those instructions its safe . well ventilated and vacuumed makes strong dabs

      Reply
      • Dude you’re a ignorant asshole name calling little bitch! Smoke a joint prick!

      • Using Nbutane by means of polarization is safer and much more time and cost effective and efficient. Tamasium extraction..best in the business.

    • i 2nd this motion. you dont even MENTION any ventilation at all. fucking nuts. this is supposed to be an article on safely making bho and youve left out the single most important safety measure. asshole

      Reply
    • Chemist. You must have inhaled a product before you posted. First, any newbie would have to get more information, or do you think. butane-herb, and done. Come on. I get it, it wasn’t mentioned not to smoke, but ten years ago you could get no information. We are in a good era

      Reply
    • That’s fine if you have the money to buy the extractors. It’s very easy to make and if you are careful it can be done.unless you are retarded

      Reply
      • Buy co2 extracted stuff? Yeah right, I will make my own Thank you. Butane is safe if you are not a moron.Do it outside and do not use a flame around it.Use a pan of boiling water or just let it do it on its own.Come on guys all this name calling. You both sound like little kids. We are all entitled to post our way of doing things.lets try and act our age people.

    • Lol you are probably a retired COP. Who thinks that they are the law and definitely the smartest guy in the room. Lol turns out. People reserve the right to fuking be wrong. Or Blow there faces off or drink fuking ⛽ if they want. Send me your address i want to teach your smart ass something about freedom and liberty. Lol now get in there and get on your podium. You fagit ass elitist. …. Im a GD health and safety engineer who works for one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world. And do u hear me telling people how they have no clue. Kill yourself

      Reply