ABV (Already Been Vaped) also known as AVB (Already Vaporized Buds) is the leftover plant matter after vaporizing weed. Most people toss the ABV assuming it’s worthless. Turns out if enough ABV is saved up, the residual cannabinoids can be extracted. Since the ABV has already been heated, it tends to have more of a pungent smell to it compared to regular dry weed. This tends to overpower when used to cook with. Luckily, we have an ancient method for removing that smell/taste: water curing!
What is water curing? Water curing is the act of placing a dry ingredient (tea, coffee, weed, etc) into water until the water takes on the flavor of the ingredient. (THC doesn’t dissolve into water, this won’t reduce the potency of the ABV)
One example of water curing is using a tea bag. When placed inside of a hot cup of water, the water takes on the taste of the tea. Each time that same tea bag is used, the tea will taste weaker, and weaker. This is exactly what we are trying to do with the ABV.
What you will need:
- Cheese cloth
- ABV (1oz or more
- Glass bowl
- Scissors
- Pyrex glass pan
How to Water Cure ABV
Step 1: Cut the cheesecloth into squares. Try to make them as big and even as possible
Step 2: Place the cheesecloth squares down, and begin placing a handful of ABV on each square
Step 3: Tie the squares to contain the ABV
Step 4: Place an additional cheesecloth over the tied knots to ensure no ABV will leak out
Step 5: Fill the bowl with water
Step 6: Place the cheesecloth balls in the water and let it soak for 60-120 minutes
Step 7: Squeeze the cheesecloth balls turning the water dark brown
Step 8: keep repeating steps 6 & 7 at least 3 times. Some people prefer to do this for 12 hours
**If you plan on immediately cooking with the ABV you can skip the following steps**
Step 9: Open the Cheesecloth and place the ABV in the pyrex glass pan
Step 10: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees (F) and place the ABV pan on the middle shelf. Keep stirring every 30 minutes until the ABV is dry
Now your ABV has less toasty shit flavor, which will make your edibles more delicious!
I have found by simply putting A.V.B. in a fine sieve and running it under the hottest tap water you can until the water runs clear much quicker and easier than all this “soaking” business. The cannabinoids are not water soluble so the faster the process the better. Then simply dry the vegetation either on top of your pellet stove (as I do) or in a warm oven. The result is like original product and with plenty of THC and CBD to enjoy all over again…
That’s brilliant!! Thank you so much for the tip Connie! I’ll definitely try this. I have to find a fine sieve big enough to do a LARGE batch of abv though.
Why is it okay to skip the drying step if planning on using the ABV right away?