FAQ Mega-Page
This reference gathers more than fifty high-intent edible-making questions in one place so users can move from search into the right guide, tool, or recipe without rebuilding context.
Basics
What does BatchCraft do?
BatchCraft is a planning app for edible cooking, infusion math, recipe discovery, and batch prep. It estimates serving strength, total batch output, and source requirements before you cook.
Is BatchCraft free?
Yes. The calculator, guides, recipe pages, printable tools, and planning features are free to use.
Do I need an account?
No. The app is designed to work without user accounts, and most planning is done directly in the browser.
Can I use BatchCraft on mobile?
Yes. The calculator, guides, and recipe pages are built to work on phones and tablets.
Who is BatchCraft for?
It is for home cooks, infusion planners, and anyone who wants clearer edible recipe math, dosage planning, and kitchen workflow guidance.
Dosing & Potency
How accurate is the potency estimate?
It is an estimate based on concentration, decarb assumptions, infusion efficiency, and serving count. It is useful for planning, but it is not a lab test.
What is a good beginner dose?
Many beginners start around 2.5mg to 5mg per serving and wait at least two hours before considering more.
Why does serving count matter so much?
Because the same total active content can feel mild or extreme depending on how many servings you divide it into.
What is the difference between total batch potency and mg per serving?
Total batch potency is the full estimated active content in the whole recipe. Mg per serving is the amount in each portion after you divide the batch.
Should I plan for a weaker batch on purpose?
That is often the safer approach, especially when you are testing a new strain, recipe, or equipment setup.
Decarb
Why is decarboxylation necessary?
Because raw material needs heat to convert inactive acids into more active forms before infusion.
Can I skip decarb if I am making butter?
No. Infusing into butter does not automatically replace the activation step.
What is the standard decarb temperature?
A common home reference point is around 240°F for about 40 minutes, but the best choice still depends on method and material.
Does a mason jar reduce smell?
It can help compared with open-tray decarb methods, though no kitchen process is truly smell-free.
What happens if I overheat the batch?
You risk degrading compounds, flattening flavor, and making the final infusion less predictable.
Infusion Methods
What is the easiest infusion method for beginners?
A careful double boiler or low-temp slow cooker workflow is usually the easiest way to start.
Is sous vide better than a slow cooker?
Sous vide gives tighter temperature control, while slow cookers can be simpler for larger batches.
Do dedicated infusion machines improve potency?
Their main advantage is consistency and convenience, not necessarily dramatically higher potency.
How long should butter or oil infuse?
Many home infusions land in the 2 to 4 hour range, depending on method, temperature control, and goals.
Can I use the same infusion for multiple recipes?
Yes, and that is often the smartest way to build a repeatable batch system.
Carriers
Is butter or coconut oil better?
Butter is great for classic baking, while coconut oil is often the strongest all-around choice for flexibility, shelf life, and gummies.
Why do people use MCT oil?
Because it is flavor-light, easy to portion, and useful for capsules, droppers, and drink add-ins.
Can I use olive oil?
Yes. It works especially well for savory recipes and finishing oils, though it is less neutral in flavor.
Is glycerin as strong as alcohol for tinctures?
Usually no. Glycerin is gentler but tends to extract less efficiently than high-proof alcohol.
What carrier works best for gummies?
A well-prepared coconut oil workflow with good emulsification is usually the most common gummy path.
Recipes
What recipe type is easiest for beginners?
Simple butter recipes, low-dose gummies, and straightforward tinctures are usually the easiest starting formats.
Are gummies easier to dose than brownies?
Yes, because mold cavities create discrete servings and make portion math clearer.
Can I scale a recipe up?
Yes. BatchCraft recipe pages support batch scaling so ingredients, shopping output, and calculator handoff stay aligned.
What is the best format for sharing with a group?
Clearly portioned recipes like gummies, cookies, and labeled single servings usually work best.
Should I medicate an entire dinner recipe?
That is usually riskier than keeping infusion in a clearly labeled dish or dessert.
Storage & Shelf Life
How should I store butter infusions?
Store them cold, sealed, and labeled. Butter has a shorter shelf life than many oil-based infusions.
Do gummies need refrigeration?
That depends on recipe style, moisture, and preservatives, but cooler storage usually helps consistency and shelf life.
How should tinctures be stored?
Dark bottles, clear labels, and stable temperature are the safest baseline for tincture storage.
Can I freeze infused butter or oil?
Yes. Freezing is common for longer-term storage when texture and packaging allow it.
Why should I label every batch?
Because date, format, and estimated serving strength are critical for safety and repeatability.
Equipment
What equipment is truly essential?
A scale, thermometer, decarb setup, gentle heat source, strainer, and storage containers are the baseline for most workflows.
Do I need a dedicated infusion machine?
No. They help with consistency and convenience, but they are optional.
Why does a kitchen scale matter?
Because guessing source weight is one of the fastest ways to ruin dosing accuracy.
Is an oven thermometer really necessary?
Yes, because many ovens run hotter or colder than the dial suggests.
What equipment matters most for gummies?
Molds, a scale, a saucepan, mixing tools, and reliable transfer tools matter most for gummy consistency.
Planning & Calculator Use
Can I save calculations?
Yes. BatchCraft supports recent calculations, templates, and shareable state links.
Can I compare multiple scenarios?
Yes. The app supports planner and scenario-oriented workflows so you can compare servings, strength, and batch size decisions.
What is the reverse finder for?
It helps match recipes to what you have on hand, instead of forcing you to start with the recipe first.
What is the batch planner for?
It helps coordinate multi-recipe sessions, shopping, prep order, and overall workflow when you are making more than one thing.
What is the strength checker for?
It works in reverse: if you already made something, it estimates how strong each serving likely is.
Safety
What is the biggest edible safety mistake?
Redosing too early is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes.
How long should I wait before taking more?
A full two hours is a common minimum waiting window for new batches and new users.
Should I test a batch before sharing it?
Yes. A controlled personal test is the best way to avoid surprising other people with an unknown batch.
How should I label edibles around guests or family?
Use clear labels with recipe type, date, and estimated serving strength, and keep them physically separated from standard food.
Should I trust a recipe ratio without calculator math?
No. Traditional ratios can vary widely once concentration, efficiency, and serving count change.
Advanced Questions
Can I plan with CBD as well as THC?
Yes. BatchCraft supports dual-cannabinoid planning when you know the relevant percentages.
Can I use concentrates or distillate?
Yes. Higher-strength inputs can be modeled, but the assumptions should match the material you actually have.
Why do some users choose conservative efficiency?
Because underestimating can be safer than overestimating, especially in early batches or with imprecise equipment.
When should I use optimistic efficiency?
Usually only when your process is dialed in and your equipment is consistent enough to justify it.
What makes a batch repeatable?
Repeatable source weights, verified temperatures, stable process timing, clear labels, and written notes from prior batches.