Decarboxylation Chart
Decarboxylation is the heat-activated chemical process that converts inactive THCA and CBDA in raw cannabis into the active compounds THC and CBD. Without it, your edibles will have little to no effect. Getting the temperature and time right is the single most important step in edible preparation — too low and conversion is incomplete, too high and you destroy the compounds you want to preserve.
This chart compares the five most common decarboxylation methods side-by-side and lets you adjust recommendations based on your source material type.
Printable Reference Cards
Download quick PDF cards for kitchen reference, planning, or printing with your prep notes.
Method Comparison
| Method | Temp Range | Recommended | Time Range | Conversion | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Oven (Standard) Most common method — baking sheet with foil cover | 220–260°F | 240°F / 40 min | 25–60 min | 85% | Verify temp with an oven thermometer. Most ovens are off by 10-25°F. |
Mason Jar (Oven) Sealed jar in oven — reduces smell, preserves terpenes | 220–250°F | 240°F / 45 min | 30–60 min | 82% | Finger-tight lid only. Let cool in oven before opening. |
Sous Vide Vacuum-sealed bag in precise water bath | 195–230°F | 203°F / 90 min | 60–120 min | 90% | Most precise method. Requires immersion circulator. |
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker Sealed jar inside pressure cooker with water | 240–250°F | 240°F / 40 min | 30–45 min | 88% | Very low smell. Use natural pressure release. |
Dedicated Device (Ardent FX, Levo) Purpose-built decarb appliance with precise temp control | 230–250°F | 240°F / 35 min | 30–45 min | 92% | Most consistent results. Higher cost but easiest to use. |
Oven (Standard)
Most common method — baking sheet with foil cover
Verify temp with an oven thermometer. Most ovens are off by 10-25°F.
Mason Jar (Oven)
Sealed jar in oven — reduces smell, preserves terpenes
Finger-tight lid only. Let cool in oven before opening.
Sous Vide
Vacuum-sealed bag in precise water bath
Most precise method. Requires immersion circulator.
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
Sealed jar inside pressure cooker with water
Very low smell. Use natural pressure release.
Dedicated Device (Ardent FX, Levo)
Purpose-built decarb appliance with precise temp control
Most consistent results. Higher cost but easiest to use.
Temperature Range Visualization
Bright marker = recommended temperature for selected material
Adjust for Material Type
Oven (Standard)
Mason Jar (Oven)
Sous Vide
Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker
Dedicated Device (Ardent FX, Levo)
Quick Reference Presets
Standard
240°F / 40 min — recommended balance
Pro Tips
- ▸Always verify your oven temperature with an oven thermometer. Most home ovens are off by 10–25°F.
- ▸Break material into small, uniform pieces for even decarboxylation. Do not grind to a fine powder.
- ▸Cover your baking sheet with foil to trap volatile compounds and reduce smell.
- ▸Let material cool completely before opening any sealed container (mason jar, sous vide bag). Compounds continue to off-gas while hot.
- ▸Material should look toasted and golden-brown when done, not dark brown or black.