If you vaporize cannabis, you’re sitting on a goldmine of reusable material — and knowing how to wash AVB (already vaped bud) is the secret to getting more out of every session. ABV (also called AVB, or already vaped bud) still contains active cannabinoids even after vaporization. By applying a simple water-curing ABV cleaning technique, you can dramatically improve the flavor, remove harsh byproducts, and make it ready for powerful edibles, cannabutter, and infusions.
In this guide — based on Fordee’s hands-on video tutorial — you’ll learn the complete already vaped bud reuse process, including exactly what you need, how long it takes, and how to dry your cleaned ABV for storage or immediate use.
Why You Should Wash ABV Before Using It
Most vapers don’t realize that their spent bud still contains a meaningful amount of cannabinoids. But raw ABV can be harsh, funky-tasting, and rough on digestion. Here’s why the wash ABV method is worth the effort:
- Better flavor — Water-curing strips out chlorophyll, tar residue, and the burnt, earthy taste that makes raw ABV hard to work with in recipes.
- Gentler on digestion — The water cure helps remove compounds that irritate the gut, making washed ABV easier on sensitive stomachs.
- Removes combustion byproducts — If any accidental combustion happened during vaping, water curing helps wash out potential carcinogens.
- Reclaim AVB cannabinoids — You preserve the THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids while eliminating the junk. The goal is to reclaim AVB cannabinoids efficiently without any solvent extraction.
How to Wash AVB: 3 Steps Using the Water Cure Method
This is the core of the AVB water cure process. It takes patience — about 7 to 10 days — but the hands-on time is minimal. Here’s what you need and how to do it.
What You Need
- A glass jar or container (large enough for your ABV)
- Cheesecloth (cut to fit over the jar opening)
- Rubber band
- Water (tap is fine)
- A baking sheet with parchment paper
- An oven set to the lowest temperature (around 60–100°C / 140–212°F)
Step 1 — Fill and Shake
Add your ABV to the jar. Don’t fill it all the way with water immediately — add just enough to wet the material first. Seal the jar and shake it gently so the ABV gets thoroughly saturated (dry ABV is so light it floats, which makes it harder to work with). Once everything is wet, open the jar and add more water until the ABV is fully submerged.
Step 2 — Drain and Repeat Daily
Stretch the cheesecloth over the mouth of the jar and secure it tightly with the rubber band. Turn the jar upside down over a sink and let the dirty water drain through the cheesecloth. Shake and tap the bottom to help force the water out — the cheesecloth can get clogged so you may need to be patient here.
Refill with fresh water, seal, shake, and repeat. Do this process at least once or twice per day. You’ll know the ABV water cure is complete when the drained water runs clear rather than dark brown or greenish. This typically takes between 7 and 10 days, though some batches go faster. Fordee’s batch took about 9 days before the liquid was clear enough to call it done.
Step 3 — Dry Your Washed ABV
Once your ABV is water-cured and the runoff is clear, it’s time to dry it. Dump the wet ABV onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread it into a thin, even layer — the thinner the layer, the faster it dries.
Put it in the oven at the lowest setting. Fordee started at 60°C but bumped it up to 100°C (212°F) to speed things up. After about 20–25 minutes at 100°C, it was dry to the touch. The dried, washed ABV should feel crumbly, not damp or sticky. If it’s not fully dry, leave it longer — moisture left in stored ABV invites mold.
Once dry, give it a smell. You’ll notice it no longer has that harsh, pungent ABV odor. It smells neutral — like a mild green herb. That’s your cue that the ABV cleaning technique worked.
What to Do With Washed ABV
Now that you know how to wash AVB, here’s the good news: cleaned ABV is incredibly versatile. Because the harsh flavor has been removed, it blends seamlessly into recipes. Some of the best uses include:
- Cannabutter — Fordee uses washed ABV to make canna butter, which you can use in almost any baked good or savory recipe.
- Firecracker edibles — ABV goes directly into firecrackers (peanut butter between crackers, baked briefly) without any infusion step.
- Coconut oil infusion — Washed ABV makes a cleaner, better-tasting infused coconut oil for capsules or cooking.
- Tinctures — Combine with high-proof alcohol to make a green dragon tincture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the AVB water cure take?
Typically 7 to 10 days, changing the water once or twice daily. You’re done when the water drains completely clear. Some batches with lighter ABV may finish in 5 days; heavily combusted or dark ABV can take longer.
Does washing AVB remove cannabinoids?
Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are not water-soluble, so the water cure does not wash them out. You’re only removing water-soluble compounds — chlorophyll, tannins, and other byproducts — which is exactly what you want to reclaim AVB cannabinoids efficiently.
Can I skip drying and use ABV wet?
You can use it immediately if you’re making cannabutter or an oil infusion the same day. But if you’re storing it, you must dry it completely first. Wet ABV stored in a container will develop mold within days.
What temperature should I dry washed ABV?
The lowest oven setting works — around 60°C (140°F). If you’re in a hurry, 100°C (212°F) for 20–25 minutes gets it done. Check it regularly and pull it when it’s dry to the touch. Avoid going above 150°C as that can degrade cannabinoids.
References
- Cannabis vaporization and residual cannabinoid content — PubMed
- How to Make Cannabutter — Healthline
Learn More on Herbistry420
Items Used in This Video
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- MCT Oil Video
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