@@TheCrunchyGinger hi! I love this method. Do think if I let the infused oil sit in Sunlight after I removed it from Rheumatoid CrockPot for a stronger oil?
Use 95% vodka and let it set for at least 12 hours before adding your carrier oil. The alcohol extract more from the herb. You will be amazed at the difference in your oil.
@@madamsavant6296 Hey there Love... do you strain the liquid after the infusion and evaporate the alcohol then add the resin that's left to your oil or do you then add your oil after the 12-hour alcohol infusion and let it Infuse in the Crock-Pot together... ?
This is definitely a game changer. I would also add a little Vitamin E oil as a natural preservative to slow down the oil going rancid. Thanks for this nugget of knowledge!!! ☺
@@TheCrunchyGinger LOL... Vitamin in the caplets are edible but for my purpose I like infusing my oil-herb blends in the butters (ie: Mango, Shea, etc).
This video was AMAZING! I have made so many great oils using your video. Jalapeno is my fav so far. But...i have also used your direction exactly the same with vinegar with deyhdrated strawberries and it is AMAZING. Thank you for making this video. As I type, I am infusing dried oranges in a simple syrup to see what that does.
Great video! You are clear, concise, to the point and lovely. I usually do the windowsill method but am definitely trying the crockpot method. Thanks for sharing!
Hey there! You could certainly grind your herbs first. I would actually do it the same way, filling the jar about 1/2-3/4 full with dried herbs and leaving an inch or so headspace. I would think your infusion might end up a little more potent than with whole leaves or flowers. Also, just be aware you may end up with more sediment after straining and you may want to run it through your strainer a second time!
This was extremely informative! Thank you for sharing! By the way, once you do what you stated above, do you just put it in a tincture bottle to use? (New to this) Thank you!
I put the lid on the prevent any water from getting into the jars. The temperature of the oil in the jar should never get above about 100F, so there is no danger of them boiling or exploding. They are just warm.
@@TheCrunchyGinger I do long term infusions on sunny window but wanted to learn how to do crockpot method for infusions of roots since they need more heat to realese all the goodness. I put on low for 10 hours and temp was higher than 100F. Nothing I could do about it, I added more water in crockpot and left bigger jar to finish but had to take small jar out since it was cooking.
I know that some people do use fresh herbs/flowers although I have never done it. Fresh herbs will introduce water into your oil which can lead to quick spoilage. If you decide to give it a try, make sure the flowers are as dry as possible going into the oil. And plan on keeping your infused oil in the fridge and using soon! Keep an eye out for signs of mold or changes in color, cloudiness, or smell. Hope that helps!
Hi Emily and thanks! This is a great question. It seems like you already found the answer, but I wanted to explain it anyway for anyone else who might be wondering the same thing! Essential oils are the highly concentrated volatile oils from plant materials, which are extracted through a distillation process. Infused oils, like the ones we are making here, are made by steeping plant material in a carrier oil. This releases some of those volatile oils from the plants into the carrier oil. Infused oil is much more mild and safe to use directly on the skin. Infused oils are also much heavier/thicker than essential oils and are not suitable for using in a diffuser.
@@TheCrunchyGinger I know the concerns about using fresh, should I dehydrate it first? Or since I’m using the crock pot method and as long as it is covered well, do you think it will be okay?
Hmmm 🤔 interesting thought. I really can’t say because I don’t have one and I am not very familiar with the way they work. Do you know how low the temperature can get in an Instant Pot? I try to keep the oil at about 100* F so it doesn’t fry the herbs. If you test it out, let us know! I bet other people would be curious to know, too!
Hmmm 🤔. I wish I could say for sure. I would also be concerned that the long heat time would damage some of the beneficial properties of the mango butter. Or at the very least might significantly shorten the shelf life. But again, I don’t know that for a fact. I’d love to know how it goes if you try it!
I keep mine in a cool-ish dark pantry and tend to use within 6 months or so. But you could certainly keep it in the fridge for a very long life or if your home is very warm.
They are ready to use now! Infusing them in the warm crock pot replaces the need to soak them for several weeks at room temperature (ie the simpler’s method). I like to store the infused oils in jars in a cool dark cabinet though for long term storage.
I know that some people do use fresh herbs although I have never done it. Fresh herbs will introduce water into your oil which can lead to quick spoilage. If you decide to give it a try, make sure the mint is as dry as possible going into the oil. And plan on keeping your infused oil in the fridge and using soon! Keep an eye out for signs of mold or changes in color, cloudiness, or smell. Hope that helps!
One more question, do you think dried herbs would be okay to place in your container for presentation? I’m using roll-on tunes and I thought about placing small lavender cuttings in the tube. Just to make it look nice.
I have never done this, so I can’t say from personal experience. But I have read it can shorten the shelf life, since the herbs will eventually start to break down.
I haven’t tried it. But I understand that flaxseed oil goes rancid more quickly than other carrier oils. So if you try it, I would stick to a smaller quantity that you will use quickly and store it in the fridge!
Great question! It depends a bit on a few factors, mainly the shelf life of the oil itself and how fresh it is when you infuse it. Storing it in a cool dark place is also a good idea. To be conservative, I think at least 6 months, but it could be good much longer. If you notice a change in color or smell or cloudiness, it’s time to ditch it and make a new batch!
The Crunchy Ginger thank you! I’ve been learning to make roll on aromatherapy oils and I’ve been really trying to find the technique with the maximum shelf life.
I do the same thing so to speak, but your conserving too much oil. Your recipe is never going to turn out good it will be too strong. I use a miniture crock pot and I do not fill the herbs with a glass jar. I just go on warm and have they herbs sit inside a full crock pot that is miniture. This gives me more oil and I don't have to squeeze of of cheese cloth and can reuse the herbs left over for incense.
