jason-crawford

Medically Reviewed by
Jason Crawford

Article Last Updated on January 11, 2023

Every cannabis user has their preferred method of marijuana consumption, and while some choose smoking and vaping, others may choose dabbing and consuming edibles. Nowadays, with so many different methods of extracting the THC and CBD cannabinoids from the cannabis flower, every user can find their own favorite cannabis product and way of consumption.

Cannabis oils, concentrates, and extracts, are all the rage right now as dabbing marijuana is gaining popularity. This consumption method enables consumers to use potent cannabis products and therefore increase the effects of their high. While there are a lot of different ways to make hash oils and concentrates, today, we’re going to cover how you can make a quick wash hash oil, or quick wash isopropyl cannabis extract (QWISO) as it’s generally called.

Cannabis Extracts and Concentrates

First, we need to differentiate between cannabis extracts and cannabis concentrates. Cannabis extracts are made using solvents that extract the THC and its other components. Concentrates, on the other hand, are made through mechanical processes that isolate the resin in cannabis. In order to make high-quality extracts and concentrates, you need high-quality weed so you get the most out of the terpenes and cannabinoids.

Some of the popular cannabis products in the form of extracts, oils, and concentrates include:

  • Butane Hash Oil (BHO) –  used in vapes and dabs.
  • Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) – applied as a topical or ingested in food or drinks.
  • Rosin Hash Oil (RHO) – used in vapes, dabs, and edibles.

What Is Quick Wash Isopropyl Extract (QWISO)?

QWISO (Quick Wash in Isopropyl alcohol) and QWET (Quick Wash in Ethyl alcohol) are some of the most common types of extracting hash oil, simply because they can be done at home. In this article, we’ll focus on QWISO.

QWISO is a technique that uses a solvent in order to extract the oil from the cannabis plant which is later used for topicals, vapes, and dabs.

The alcohol extraction is done by using Isopropyl alcohol which is generally purer than Ethanol and is relatively cheap to buy. Note that you shouldn’t substitute with rubbing alcohol or ethyl alcohol, because it’s unsafe to consume.

Since alcohol is a polar solvent, with this technique, as well as with QWET, we’ll also extract the other water-soluble substances in weed, like chlorophyll or alkaloids. More chlorophyll gives the final product a green color, but there are ways that you can avoid this. 

The first thing would be to use plant material which is as dry as possible (if you want you could also decarb the weed in the oven). Secondly, you shouldn’t grind the buds really fine, a loose grind will work best to minimize the amount of chlorophyll that ends up in the final product. If you’re using a grinder, one to two grinds should be more than enough.

How to Make QWISO

Things Needed for ISO Wash Cannabis

  • 10 – 20 grams of high-quality cannabis flower per batch (or as much as you want);
  • Isopropyl alcohol (100 to 200 ml per 10 g of cannabis flower);
  • 3 paper coffee filters (1 for wash A, 2 for wash B);
  • Metal strainer;
  • Mason jars;
  • Razor bladed scraper;
  • Pyrex dishes;
  • Fan.

Method

Preparation

Grind your buds and place them in a jar. Place your Isopropyl in another jar, and place both jars in the freezer. Freeze them overnight in order to freeze the resin glands and make it easier for the trichomes to separate. 

To make your cannabis extract, you should “quick wash” the cannabis buds with the Isopropyl, but don’t leave it too long or you risk getting a lot of chlorophyll in your end product. Before you do the wash, make sure you presoak the coffee filters for more efficient drainage and do the wash in under a minute. Also, place a coffee filter on top of the strainer, and place the filter and strainer on top of another clean mason jar.

Wash A 

Remove the ISO and buds from the freezer, and pour Isopropyl in the mason jar containing the bud in a ratio 2:1 – ISO: BUD (the Isopropyl should fully cover the bud). Do a 20-second soak, and afterward do a 20-30 second swirl in the jar. Immediately after that pour the liquid and the bud through the metal strainer and the coffee filter inside the other mason jar. The strained bud should be put in another mason jar and back in the freezer. The filtered liquid from the jar is your Wash A which should have a golden tint, but otherwise look clear. 

Wash B

The procedure is the same as with wash A, but you should use 2 pre-soaked coffee filters instead of 1. Do a 10-second soak, and a 20-30 second swirl in the jar. Filter the wash B and discard the remaining plant matter. This wash should have a dark golden or brownish color.

Evaporation

Place both washes in different pyrex dishes and spread the liquid over the pyrex dish surface area evenly so the alcohol can evaporate faster. Place a thin cover over both dishes to prevent dust from entering. Place a 6″ fan over each pyrex dish and begin the alcohol evaporation process which can last between 18-24 hours. Don’t forget to place the bowls in a ventilated area. When the liquid has finished evaporating, smell it to make sure there’s no alcohol left behind.

Final Product

If you have used the fan for too long, the oil might have gotten too dry. Simply use low heat 110 – 120 degrees Fahrenheit (45 – 50 degrees Celsius). Scrape the extract with a razor blade scraper, place it in a container, and leave it to cool down to room temperature.

Storing and Using Your QWISO Cannabis Extract

We all know that over time, light and air help to degrade THC to CBN. In order to preserve your QWISO Cannabis extract in the best condition, place it in a dry, dark area with minimal light to reduce the chance of degradation. 

You can use your product in topicals for exterior use, but you can also vape it, add it to your joint, or dab it. It all depends on your preference.

QWISO in a Nutshell

QWISO (Quick Wash in Isopropyl alcohol) is an alcohol extraction method that extracts the oil from the cannabis plant by using Isopropyl alcohol.

This is a 1-minute method where the freezer-chilled Isopropyl alcohol is mixed with the freezer-chilled cannabis buds in a ratio of 2:1 accordingly. The mixture is left to soak for 20 seconds and is then swirled in the mason jar for another 20-30 seconds. Afterward, it’s filtered through a coffee filter, and the alcohol is evaporated from the remaining liquid.

This is a preferred method among both amateurs and professionals since alcohol is a polar solvent that enables trichomes to be removed effectively from the bud. The final product is stored in a dark, dry place in order to prevent THC degrading to CBN, and used in topicals, dabs, and vapes.

A passionate advocate for the benefits of cannabis. Fraser Horton, who has a background in botany and a strong love of nature, has spent years researching how cannabis affects the body and mind. He established Leaf Nation in 2020, where he has devoted himself to educating people about the legalisation of marijuana and its safe and responsible use. Fraser is committed to highlighting cannabis’ potential for improving wellness and working to dispel the stigma associated with its use.

Disclaimer

The information presented on this page is provided as a public service to aid in education and is derived from sources believed to be reliable. Readers are responsible for making their own assessment of the topics discussed here. In no event shall Leaf Nation be held reliable for any injury, loss or damage that could happen if using or abusing drugs.