RSO Oil How To Make: A Complete Technical Guide To Crafting Rick Simpson Oil At Home
Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) is a whole-plant cannabis extract characterized by its dark, viscous consistency and high concentration of cannabinoids. Crafting RSO requires a precise extraction protocol utilizing food-grade solvents to strip trichomes from plant matter, followed by controlled evaporation to purge residual chemicals safely.
Pre-Operation & Equipment Checklist
Producing high-purity RSO requires strict adherence to safety protocols, precise temperature control, and professional-grade laboratory or kitchen equipment. Because volatile solvents are involved, working in a well-ventilated area free of open flames, sparks, or pilot lights is mandatory.
- Essential Gear and Materials:
- 1 ounce (28 grams) of high-quality, decarboxylated cannabis flower or trim (indica-dominant strains are traditionally preferred for RSO).
- 500 milliliters to 1 liter of high-purity food-grade solvent (minimum 99% isopropyl alcohol or pure food-grade ethanol/Everclear).
- Two large glass Mason jars (1-quart capacity each).
- A digital kitchen scale capable of measuring in grams.
- Unbleached paper coffee filters and heavy-duty metal fine-mesh strainers.
- A stainless steel rice cooker or electric skillet with precise, low-temperature digital readouts.
- A silicone spatula for scraping and collecting the finished extract.
- Medical-grade glass syringes (without needle attachments) for convenient storage and dosing.
- Prerequisite Knowledge & Safety Standards:
- Comprehensive understanding of solvent volatility and vapor accumulation risks.
- Familiarity with decarboxylation science (converting raw acidic cannabinoids like THCA into active THC).
- Fire extinguisher rated for chemical fires (Class B) kept within immediate arm's reach.
- Time and Budget Benchmarks:
- Total active operational time: 2 to 3 hours.
- Estimated equipment and material investment: $50 to $150 USD (excluding raw botanical costs).
Step-by-Step RSO Production Workflow
Step 1: Decarboxylation of Plant Material
Before beginning the solvent extraction phase, raw botanical matter must undergo decarboxylation to activate the cannabinoids. Break the cannabis flower down coarsely by hand, avoiding fine grinding which introduces excess plant matter and chlorophyll into the final wash. Spread the material evenly across a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet into an oven preheated to 240 degrees Fahrenheit (115 degrees Celsius) for 40 to 50 minutes. This thermal process releases the carboxyl group from the THCA molecule, converting it efficiently into bioavailable THC without degrading the terpene profile excessively.
Warning: Exceeding 250 degrees Fahrenheit or roasting the plant material for too long will begin to degrade valuable cannabinoids into CBN, diminishing the overall therapeutic efficacy of the finished extract.
Step 2: Solvent Infusion and Agitation
Transfer the cooled, decarboxylated cannabis into a clean glass Mason jar. Pour your chosen food-grade solvent (isopropyl alcohol or ethanol) over the plant material until it is completely submerged and floating freely—typically requiring about 500 milliliters for 1 ounce of plant matter. Secure the lid tightly and agitate the mixture vigorously for exactly 3 minutes. This rapid washing phase strips the trichomes, cannabinoids, and terpenes off the plant material while minimizing the extraction of bitter chlorophyll, waxes, and water-soluble plant impurities.
Step 3: Primary and Secondary Filtration
Place a stainless steel fine-mesh strainer over the second clean glass Mason jar and line it with unbleached paper coffee filters. Slowly pour the solvent-cannabis mixture through the filtration apparatus, allowing the liquid to drain completely. Gently press the remaining plant matter inside the filter to extract residual solvent, but do not twist or wring the filter, as this can rupture plant cells and cloud your extract. For pharmaceutical-grade clarity, run the strained liquid through a fresh coffee filter a second time to remove any remaining microscopic plant particulates.
Pro-Tip: Pre-freezing both your cannabis material and your solvent for 24 hours prior to extraction minimizes chlorophyll pickup, resulting in a cleaner, golden-amber starting wash before evaporation.
Step 4: Controlled Solvent Evaporation
Pour the filtered golden liquid into a stainless steel rice cooker or electric skillet. Turn the heating unit on to its lowest setting, ensuring the temperature remains between 210 and 230 degrees Fahrenheit (99 to 110 degrees Celsius). Monitor the liquid constantly as the solvent boils off into the atmosphere. Ensure your workspace features cross-ventilation with an industrial exhaust fan or open windows, as solvent vapors are heavier than air and can pool on floor surfaces.
Step 5: Final Purging and Collection
As the solvent volume diminishes, the mixture will thicken and bubble continuously. When the volume is reduced to a few tablespoons, add a few drops of distilled water to the center of the oil pool; this helps break surface tension and aids in releasing trapped solvent bubbles. Once bubbling stops entirely and the liquid becomes still and glossy, turn off the heat source. Allow the extract to cool slightly before using a warm silicone spatula to collect the dark, viscous RSO resin. Draw the warm oil directly into graduated oral syringes for precise storage and application.
What is RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) and How Do You Use It? • Fire Island
Comparative Parameters of Extraction Solvents
| Solvent Parameter | 99% Isopropyl Alcohol | Pure Food-Grade Ethanol (Everclear) | Acetone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity Standard | Technical/Electronic Grade | 190-Proof (95%+) / 200-Proof | Technical Grade |
| Polarity | Polar protic | Polar protic | Polar aprotic |
| Evaporation Rate | Moderate | Moderate to Fast | Extremely Fast |
| Chlorophyll Extraction | Low (if frozen) | Moderate | High |
| Safety Profile | Moderate toxicity; strict ventilation needed | Low toxicity; high flammability | High volatility; severe vapor hazard |
Common Production Failures and Field Fixes
- Root Cause: The final RSO product is cloudy, dark green, and possesses an excessively bitter, grassy taste.
- Actionable Fix: You likely over-agitated the solvent wash or ground the plant material too finely. In future batches, limit the wash time to under 3 minutes and keep all materials ice-cold prior to combination.
- Root Cause: The extract remains runny, sticky, or smells faintly of residual chemical solvent after the evaporation phase.
- Actionable Fix: Insufficient heat or premature termination of the evaporation cycle. Place the collected oil in a glass dish on a warm griddle or food dehydrator at 140 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours until all residual chemical scent dissipates completely.
- Root Cause: The rice cooker or heating surface scorched the extract, producing a burnt, acrid smell.
- Actionable Fix: Your heating element exceeded safe temperature thresholds during the final stages of evaporation. Always use a digital thermometer to verify that surface temperatures do not exceed 230 degrees Fahrenheit, and add a few drops of water during the final phase to protect the cannabinoids from thermal degradation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make RSO without using alcohol or chemical solvents?
While solventless extraction methods like rosin pressing yield concentrated cannabinoids, true Rick Simpson Oil is chemically defined as a whole-plant extract derived using a solvent to strip all water-soluble and oil-soluble compounds from the plant matrix. Utilizing a high-purity food-grade solvent is mandatory to achieve the signature thick, viscous consistency and comprehensive cannabinoid profile associated with RSO protocols.
What is the difference between RSO and standard cannabis distillate or shatter?
Standard distillate is refined and molecularly stripped through fractional distillation to isolate single cannabinoids like THC or CBD, removing most terpenes and plant lipids. Shatter is typically a butane-extracted concentrate processed for dabbing. Conversely, RSO is a crude, full-spectrum extract containing all available cannabinoids, flavonoids, terpenes, and plant waxes intended primarily for oral or sublingual consumption rather than vaporization.
How do I accurately measure and dose homemade RSO?
Because home extraction yields vary based on starting material potency, exact milligram per dose calculations require laboratory potency testing. Without lab data, standard practice begins with an oral dose the size of a single grain of rice—approximately 25 to 50 milligrams of volume—gradually increasing the intake over several days according to individual tolerance and therapeutic goals.
How long does homemade RSO last, and what is the proper storage method?
When stored correctly away from heat, light, and oxygen, RSO maintains its potency indefinitely. The best storage method is keeping the extract inside amber glass medical syringes sealed in a cool, dark environment such as a refrigerator or a dedicated storage cabinet.
Is it safe to vape or smoke Rick Simpson Oil?
No, you should never smoke or vape RSO. Because RSO is a whole-plant extract that contains remaining plant waxes, lipids, and trace chlorophyll, inhaling combusted or vaporized RSO introduces these heavy organic compounds directly into lung tissue, which can cause severe respiratory irritation and pulmonary complications. RSO is strictly formulated for oral, sublingual, or topical administration.
Mastering the precise chemistry and safety steps of RSO production ensures a potent, clean, and therapeutically effective full-spectrum extract every single time.
