The POT by NOIDS (PBN) is a compact countertop device that lets you decarb cannabis and reclaim alcohol safely at home. This guide shows you how to make a cannabis tincture for edibles using the PBN. You’ll cover each step clearly: decarbing, infusing, filtering, reclaiming and storing.
It’s a simple, low-odour method for making potent extracts to use in gummies, oils or drops without guesswork. If you are still deciding whether the machine is right for you, read my full POT by NOIDS review before following the tincture method below.
Table of Contents
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
How the POT by NOIDS Works
The POT by NOIDS is designed for home use, with built-in settings for decarboxylation, infusion and alcohol reclaim. It gives you precise temperature control, so you can activate THC or CBD without burning off the good stuff.
The PBN handles everything in one container, keeping smells to a minimum and cleaning simple. It’s especially useful if you’re working with high-proof alcohol and want to reclaim it safely after infusion. If you’re still deciding whether the machine is worth it, I’ve shared my honest experience in a full POT by NOIDS review.
How to Decarb Cannabis with the POT by NOIDS
Decarboxylation turns raw cannabis into a form your body can absorb. THC and CBD both start out in their acid forms (THCA and CBDA) and need heat to become active.
The POT by NOIDS uses symbols around the rotary control rather than written settings or manually selected temperatures. Add the dried cannabis to the glass beaker, then turn the body until the correct decarboxylation symbol lines up with the fixed mark on the base.
The user manual calls the two symbols CBD Decarb and Decarb. Use the CBD decarboxylation symbol for CBD-dominant and 1:1 strains, and the standard decarboxylation symbol for other strains.
The machine controls the temperature and decides how long the cycle needs to run. The time can vary with the amount of cannabis and its moisture content. If you are decarbing less than 10g, the manufacturer recommends placing the filter above the cannabis, leaving about 1cm of space between them.
Infusing Cannabis in Alcohol with the POT by NOIDS
Once you’ve decarbed your cannabis in the POT by NOIDS, let it cool completely before moving on to the infusion step. You’ll need high-proof grain alcohol, ideally 95% ABV to extract the cannabinoids effectively.
Use only food-grade ethanol sold for human consumption, such as Everclear or Spirytus where it is legally available. Do not use perfumer’s alcohol, denatured alcohol, methylated spirits or isopropyl alcohol in anything intended to be eaten or taken orally.
Grind or break up the cannabis gently. You can also use kief which will already be very fine.
Room-Temperature Infusion
The POT by NOIDS short guide recommends infusing the decarbed cannabis in food-grade ethanol for three hours at room temperature. Add your cooled cannabis to a clean glass jar, cover it with the ethanol and seal the jar. Keep it away from heat, sparks and naked flames.
After three hours, filter out the plant material and pour the infused ethanol into the clean POT by NOIDS glass beaker, ready for the evaporation and alcohol-reclaim stage.
Cold Ethanol Extraction
The freezer method is a good method in the right setting. Keeping the cannabis and ethanol cold can reduce the amount of wax and chlorophyll pulled into the extract. It is also quick. Research found that a ten-minute extraction at -20°C worked well, so there is no need for a two-to-six-week soak.
The important point is that 95% ethanol should not go into an ordinary domestic freezer. These appliances are not designed for flammable vapours. Only use this method with a freezer rated for flammable liquids. If you have the correct equipment, chill the decarbed cannabis and ethanol separately, combine them for ten minutes, then filter immediately while cold. For most people making tincture at home, the three-hour room-temperature method is the safer choice.
Filtering Your Tincture
When your infusion is ready, it’s time to separate the liquid from the plant material.
The POT by NOIDS comes with its own steel mesh filter system designed for this purpose. Do not use it like a French press. Follow the official manual:
- Make sure the glass beaker has cooled and is at a safe temperature before fitting the Filter Set.
- Place the filter on top, then gently press it down about 1 cm above the herb.
- Turn the unit over while holding the lid on tightly and aim the metal spout into a bottle or far for the alcohol. Then, slowly push the filter down to strain the infused alcohol into the clean container.
If you want an ultra-clear tincture, run the liquid through a paper coffee filter after using the steel filter. Most of the extracted cannabinoids will now be in the tincture. The amount left in the spent plant material is unknown, so I do not recommend using it to fill capsules or make anything that depends on accurate dosing.
Reclaiming Alcohol with the PBN
Once your tincture is filtered, you can reclaim the leftover alcohol using the POT by NOIDS. This saves money and cuts down on waste which is especially useful when working with 95% grain alcohol.
Before you start, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions. Use the evaporation function in a large, well-ventilated room with airflow to the outside. The manual specifies a room larger than 50m³ and at least five metres between the machine and any naked flame. Use only food-grade, non-denatured ethanol containing at least 95% alcohol.
- To do this, pour the infused alcohol back into the clean glass beaker. Make sure it’s been washed properly with warm water and dried before reuse. Any leftover plant material or moisture can affect the process.
- Fit the reclaim lid and connect the metal tube as shown in the manual. Place the tube end into a clean jar or bottle to catch the alcohol.
- Twist the body of the machine to the alcohol setting. The PBN will use a low heat to warm the alcohol SAFELY. Do not try this with any other machine. The alcohol will warm up, travel up the tube and condense down into the bottle. This alcohol is ready to be used for another tincture session.
- Every now and then, check how much of your tincture is left in the glass jar. I like to stop when it is about 2 tablespoons so that I can decant it into a dropper bottle. If you let the machine run until it finishes, you will have a concentrated sticky paste inside the jar. Don’t try to scrape it out, just add a little alcohol back and the sticky paste will dissolve.
- If you tip this into the flat silicon lid, the alcohol will evaporate off leaving FECO. As the silicon lid is a food-safe material, it makes it easy to scrape off the FECO with a blunt knife or teaspoon.
Storing Your Cannabis Tincture
Once your tincture is ready, store it in a clean, airtight bottle, preferably amber glass to protect it from light. Label it clearly with the date and strain if known.
Keep it in a cool, dark place like a cupboard or fridge. Stored properly, tinctures can last for over a year without losing strength.
If you’ve reclaimed your alcohol, make sure any reused bottle is completely dry and free from residue before pouring the tincture in.
Avoid plastic containers, especially for long-term use. The alcohol can degrade plastic over time and affect the flavour and potency.
Using Cannabis Tincture in Skincare
A cannabis tincture is usually taken orally or added to edibles, but it can also be used in skincare when the formula has been designed for it. Because the tincture contains alcohol, you are not only adding cannabinoids. You are also adding a solvent that can change the texture and stability of the finished product. If some of the alcohol has already been reclaimed, the tincture will be more concentrated, so its strength also needs to be considered.
A water-based gel is usually the easiest place to use a tincture because there is no oil-and-water emulsion to split. That does not mean you can stir it into any gel. Some gelling agents cope well with alcohol, while others become thinner or lose their structure. You also need to make sure the preservative remains suitable for the finished formula. A small test batch will tell you far more than guesswork.
A cream or lotion is possible, but it is less common and needs more care. Adding the tincture during the cool-down phase does not guarantee that the emulsion will remain stable. The alcohol may thin the product or cause it to split, so a tincture should not be treated as a direct replacement for cannabis-infused oil.
Heating a tincture in the water phase is not a useful shortcut for removing the alcohol. Alcohol vapour is flammable, and the cannabinoids left behind do not become water-soluble. If you reclaim the alcohol using the POT by NOIDS, you are left with a concentrated cannabis extract. That concentrate must be treated as a different ingredient and formulated into a compatible base.
To see how tinctures fit alongside edibles, infused oils and topical products, read my DIY cannabis products guide.
Conclusion
Making cannabis tincture with the POT by NOIDS keeps the main stages together. The machine handles the decarboxylation and alcohol reclaim, while the infusion itself takes three hours at room temperature. Use food-grade ethanol, keep it away from heat and label the finished tincture with the date and estimated strength.
Do not put a 95% alcohol tincture straight under your tongue. Measure it into an edible or dilute the dose in a drink. Start with a small amount and give it time to work before deciding whether you need more.
FAQ
What is the best alcohol for cannabis tincture?
High-proof grain alcohol (like Everclear, 95% ABV) is best for cannabis tinctures. It extracts cannabinoids effectively and evaporates cleanly if needed. Do not use Isopropyl Alcohol or Denatured Alcohol.
How do you make cannabis tincture at home safely?
To make it safely, decarb your cannabis, steep it in high percentage alcohol, and store it in a cool, dark place. Use glass jars and avoid open flames.
Can you use cannabis tincture in edibles?
Yes, you can add tincture to edibles like gummies, drinks, sauces or baked goods. Be sure to calculate dosage carefully and allow time for effects to kick in.
How long should I soak cannabis in alcohol for tincture?
With the POT by NOIDS, infuse in food-grade ethanol for three hours at room temperature. A cold extraction pulls out less chlorophyll and takes about ten minutes at -20°C, but it requires a freezer rated for flammable liquids.
Does cannabis tincture need to be refrigerated?
No. Store it in a tightly closed amber glass bottle in a cool, dark cupboard. A high-proof cannabis tincture does not need refrigeration.
Can you use cannabis tincture topically?
Yes, but the formula needs to be designed for it. An alcohol-based tincture is usually easier to use in a compatible gel than in a cream or lotion, and it should not be stirred casually into a finished product.
If you liked this blog post, I would love it if you shared it with a friend.
If you use Pinterest, please pin this post.
