What Is Hydrocarbon Extraction and How It Keeps Cannabis Extracts Pure

Written by Sipho Sam

January 20th, 2026

Hydrocarbon extraction creates some of the purest, most flavorful cannabis concentrates available.

This method uses butane and propane solvents in closed-loop systems to selectively dissolve cannabinoids and terpenes.

It leaves unwanted compounds behind.

The process stands as one of three primary extraction methods used in cannabis production. Alongside CO2 and ethanol extraction.

Hydrocarbon extraction produces popular concentrates like live resin, shatter, diamonds, and badder. Cannabis enthusiasts recognize these for their intense flavors and potent effects.

Table of Contents

• What Is Hydrocarbon Extraction?
• How Does Hydrocarbon Extraction Work?
• Types of Hydrocarbon Solvents Used in Cannabis Extraction
• Why Hydrocarbon Extraction Keeps Extracts Pure
• Is Hydrocarbon Extraction Safe?
• What Products Come From Hydrocarbon Extraction?
• How to Verify Purity Through Certificates of Analysis
• How Hydrocarbon Extraction Compares to Other Methods
• Commercial Hydrocarbon Extraction Operations
• High-Quality Concentrates at Mood

What Is Hydrocarbon Extraction?

Hydrocarbon extraction is a process that uses nonpolar organic solvents like butane and propane. It dissolves and separates cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plant material.

The method relies on fundamental chemistry. Nonpolar solvents selectively dissolve nonpolar compounds while avoiding water-soluble materials.

Cannabinoids and terpenes are nonpolar. This means they dissolve readily in hydrocarbon solvents.

Water-soluble compounds like chlorophyll remain in the plant material. This is why hydrocarbon extracts typically have cleaner colors and better taste.

They compare favorably to methods that pull everything indiscriminately.

Hydrocarbons have been used in food production for over five decades to extract flavorings and colorings.

The cannabis industry adapted this established technology to create concentrated cannabis products.

Mood sells products manufactured using various extraction methods.

We're a retailer partnering with specialized manufacturers rather than operating extraction facilities ourselves.

How Does Hydrocarbon Extraction Work?

The hydrocarbon extraction process uses closed-loop systems with five main stages. Closed-loop means the solvent gets recovered and reused.

Rather than being released into the environment.

Preparation

Cannabis flower or trim gets loaded into a specialized extraction column. The quality of the starting material directly impacts the final product's quality and terpene profile.

Extraction

Cold, liquefied hydrocarbon solvent flushes through the plant material. The solvent washes over the cannabis, dissolving cannabinoids and terpenes.

This creates a rich, concentrated solution.

Collection and Recovery

The cannabinoid-rich solution transfers to a collection vessel. Heat applied to this vessel causes the low-boiling-point solvent to vaporize.

The vaporized solvent moves to a separate, chilled tank where it condenses back into liquid form. This recovered solvent returns to the system for reuse.

Completing the closed loop.

Post-Processing

Extractors may perform optional in-line dewaxing or winterization to remove lipids and waxes from the concentrate. This increases purity and creates a clearer final product.

The trade-off is that removing some lipids may also reduce flavor intensity slightly.

Purging

The final stage removes residual solvents through vacuum ovens operating at 90-100°F. Mechanical whipping or secondary purges may also be used.

Proper purging brings residual solvent levels below 500 parts per million. This is the safety threshold.

Premium producers achieve levels below 300 parts per million. Some even reach non-detect levels where lab equipment cannot measure any remaining solvent.

This extended purging process typically takes 48 hours or longer.

Types of Hydrocarbon Solvents Used in Cannabis Extraction

Different hydrocarbon solvents create different extraction characteristics. Producers select solvents or create custom blends based on their target product profile.

Butane (N-Butane)

N-butane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon with a 30.2°F boiling point. This moderate boiling point enables cold-temperature extraction.

It protects heat-sensitive terpenes from degradation.

The longer-chain structure creates lower vapor pressure. This allows slower and more controlled extractions.

Butane works particularly well for crystallization workflows used to create THCa diamonds.

Propane

Propane has a -43.6°F boiling point with high vapor pressure. This very cold operating temperature enables fast extraction that strips lighter terpenes efficiently.

Producers often blend propane with butane to aid purging and capture additional aromatic compounds. The high vapor pressure helps the solvent evaporate more completely during the purging stage.

Isobutane

Isobutane is a branched isomer with balanced pressure characteristics between propane and n-butane. Its 10.9°F boiling point provides medium vapor pressure.

Some extractors report that isobutane yields better color. Slightly higher yields compared to n-butane as well.

The moderate evaporation characteristics make it easier to work with than propane while still providing efficient extraction.

Custom Blends

Hydrocarbon solvents are miscible. This means they mix completely.

Producers create custom blends to fine-tune extraction by balancing pressure, temperature, and solvent power.

A common blend is 70/30 butane-propane. This balances extraction efficiency with terpene preservation.

The specific ratio gets adjusted based on the target cannabinoid and terpene profile.

Why Hydrocarbon Extraction Keeps Extracts Pure

Four factors combine to make hydrocarbon extraction particularly effective. It creates pure concentrates with preserved terpene profiles.

Low Temperature Processing

Cold solvents protect volatile terpenes that would degrade at higher temperatures. Terpenes are aromatic compounds responsible for strain-specific flavors and aromas.

Heat degrades these delicate molecules. Hydrocarbon extraction operates at temperatures cold enough to preserve them.

Chemical Selectivity

Nonpolar solvents avoid pulling water-soluble compounds like chlorophyll. Other extraction methods that use polar solvents pull chlorophyll and other plant materials.

These muddy the color and add unpleasant flavors. Hydrocarbon extraction's selectivity creates cleaner extracts from the start.

Closed-Loop Recovery

The closed-loop system recaptures and reuses solvent. This prevents contamination from outside sources.

It maintains consistent purity throughout the production process. Multiple extraction runs use the same high-purity solvent.

Lab-Verified Purging

Third-party testing confirms residual solvents fall below safety thresholds. Producers cannot sell concentrates without lab verification.

Purging must remove solvents to safe levels. Premium products achieve residual solvent levels below 300 parts per million.

Some reach non-detect levels.

Is Hydrocarbon Extraction Safe?

Hydrocarbon extraction is safe when performed by trained professionals in proper facilities with correct equipment. Butane and propane are flammable gases.

They require specific infrastructure to handle safely.

C1D1 Rated Facilities

Hydrocarbon extraction requires C1D1 booth certification. These flammable solvents demand electrical systems rated for explosive atmospheres.

Proper ventilation and safety interlocks prevent ignition. Gas detection systems monitor for any solvent leaks.

Emergency shutoffs can halt operations immediately if needed.

Trained Professional Operators

Professional extraction requires understanding of pressure systems, solvent handling procedures, and safety protocols. Operators follow standard operating procedures.

These account for every stage of the extraction process and potential failure points.

Closed-Loop Systems Prevent Release

Closed-loop systems prevent solvents from being released into the work environment. The contained system reduces fire and ignition risks.

It also minimizes environmental impact. Recovered solvents get reused rather than vented.

Third-Party Testing Confirms Safety

Every batch undergoes residual solvent testing before reaching consumers. Labs test specifically for butane and propane residuals.

Levels must fall below 500 parts per million. Products cannot legally sell without passing these safety tests.

Never attempt hydrocarbon extraction at home. The flammability risks require professional infrastructure that home setups cannot replicate safely.

What Products Come From Hydrocarbon Extraction?

Hydrocarbon extraction creates the full spectrum of cannabis concentrates. From glass-like shatter to crystalline diamonds.

Each product type has distinct texture and potency characteristics.

Shatter

Shatter has a glass-like consistency that breaks cleanly when handled. This concentrate typically contains 60-90% THC.

It displays a transparent amber color. The brittle texture forms when molecules align in stable formations during extraction and purging.

Wax and Budder

Wax and budder have soft, whipped consistencies with high terpene content. These concentrates contain 65-85% THC.

They get their texture from agitation during processing. The whipping process creates the creamy, easy-to-handle consistency.

Dab Sugar

Dab sugar has a thick, crystalline texture similar to granulated sugar. This consistency preserves cannabinoids and terpenes exceptionally well.

The granular structure forms during specific purging conditions.

Sauce and HTFSE

High-terpene full-spectrum extract (HTFSE) combines liquid terpene-rich portions with crystalline structures. The sauce consistency comes from terpenes remaining in liquid form.

Cannabinoids partially crystallize. This creates intensely flavorful concentrates with balanced cannabinoid content.

Live Resin

Live resin production starts with cannabis harvested at peak maturity and immediately flash-frozen. This fresh-frozen material undergoes extraction at sub-zero temperatures.

It preserves 10-15% native terpenes. Traditional concentrates made from dried cannabis contain only 2-4% terpenes.

The "live" terminology refers to the plant's state during processing. Flash-freezing within hours of harvest locks in volatile aromatic compounds.

These would otherwise evaporate during traditional drying. Learn more about cannabis terpenes and how preservation methods affect final concentrate quality.

Diamonds

THCa diamonds are nearly pure crystalline cannabinoid formations. They contain 95%+ THCa.

These crystal structures form through controlled crystallization over 2-3 weeks. Producers often sell diamonds in terpene sauce.

This combines ultra-high potency with preserved flavor.

Nug Run vs Trim Run

Nug run concentrates use whole flower buds. They deliver superior aroma and potency.

The dense trichome coverage on buds creates richer terpene profiles. Trim run uses sugar leaves and trim material.

This is more economical but produces lighter flavor profiles and slightly lower cannabinoid content.

How to Verify Purity Through Certificates of Analysis

Certificates of analysis (COAs) provide lab-verified proof of concentrate purity and safety. Reading COAs lets consumers verify extraction quality before purchasing.

Check the Extraction Method

Look for "hydrocarbon extraction," "butane," "propane," "BHO" (butane hash oil), or "PHO" (propane hash oil) listed on the COA. Real live resin products show hydrocarbon extraction methods.

CO2 or ethanol extraction indicates a different production process. Regardless of product labeling.

Review Cannabinoid Content

The cannabinoid panel shows THCa, Delta-9 THC, and other cannabinoid levels. Authentic hydrocarbon extracts from fresh-frozen material display cannabinoids in their acid forms (THCa, CBDa) before heating.

Products made from dried cannabis show more converted cannabinoids.

Examine Terpene Profiles

Hydrocarbon-extracted products typically show 10-15% total terpenes for live resin. The COA should provide detailed breakdowns of specific terpene compounds.

Like myrcene, limonene, caryophyllene, and pinene. Real cannabis terpene profiles show recognizable ratios.

Added botanical terpenes display unusual patterns.

Verify Residual Solvent Levels

The residual solvents panel must show levels below 500 parts per million for butane and propane. Premium products achieve under 300 PPM.

Look for butane and propane specifically listed with measurements. Properly purged concentrates are completely safe while retaining terpene richness.

Confirm Contaminant Testing

Complete COAs include pesticide panels, heavy metals testing, and microbial contaminant screening. All results should show clean readings.

No detected contaminants. This comprehensive testing confirms the concentrate is safe for consumption.

Mood provides certificates of analysis for all products. This allows customers to verify quality and compliance before purchasing.

How Hydrocarbon Extraction Compares to Other Methods

Understanding how hydrocarbon extraction differs from other methods helps explain product characteristics and pricing.

Hydrocarbon vs CO2 Extraction

CO2 extraction uses pressurized carbon dioxide to pull cannabinoids from the plant. The plant's character isn't completely stripped away.

You get hints of original flavor. However, CO2 extraction typically operates at higher temperatures.

This can reduce terpene preservation compared to hydrocarbon methods.

CO2 creates very clean, tunable extracts perfect for specific applications. Hydrocarbon extraction preserves more of the native aroma and taste through lower-temperature processing.

Hydrocarbon vs Ethanol Extraction

Ethanol extraction is fast and scalable. This makes it excellent for large batches of distillate production.

The process works at room temperature and handles high throughput. However, ethanol pulls more chlorophyll and plant materials than hydrocarbons.

It often requires additional winterization steps.

Hydrocarbon's chemical selectivity creates cleaner initial extracts. Less post-processing refinement is needed.

Hydrocarbon vs Solventless Methods

Solventless methods like rosin pressing use only heat and pressure. These create extremely pure products with zero solvent concerns.

The mechanical process preserves the complete terpene profile exactly as it existed in the living plant.

However, yields are much lower with solventless methods. One hundred pounds of flower yields only 3-5 pounds of rosin.

Compare that to 15-20 pounds of hydrocarbon extract. This efficiency difference explains why rosin commands premium pricing.

Hydrocarbon extracts offer more affordable options with excellent quality. Learn more about rosin vs resin comparisons.

Commercial Hydrocarbon Extraction Operations

Commercial hydrocarbon extraction balances throughput efficiency with safety requirements and quality control. Understanding the production realities helps explain pricing and availability.

Closed-Loop Recovery Lowers Operating Costs

Closed-loop systems recover and reuse solvents rather than venting them. This dramatically lowers per-batch operating costs after the initial equipment investment.

The same high-purity solvent runs through multiple extraction cycles.

Production Bottlenecks

Throughput can be high during the extraction stage itself. Bottlenecks occur downstream though.

Vacuum oven purging capacity limits daily production even when extraction runs quickly. Proper purging takes 48+ hours.

Oven space becomes the constraining factor.

Concentrate packaging remains highly labor-intensive. Workers manually portion concentrates into containers.

This creates another production bottleneck that automation hasn't fully solved.

Equipment and Infrastructure Costs

Hydrocarbon extraction systems cost less than comparable CO2 extractors. However, safety infrastructure represents a significant investment.

C1D1 facilities, ventilation systems, gas monitoring, and emergency systems add substantially to setup costs.

Future Trends

The industry is moving toward increased automation in both extraction and packaging. Real-time monitoring systems track solvent levels, temperatures, and pressures throughout extraction.

Advanced safety features include automated shut-offs and improved leak detection.

Researchers are exploring novel solvent combinations and blends. This refines extraction processes and targets specific terpene and cannabinoid profiles more precisely.

High-Quality Concentrates at Mood

Hydrocarbon extraction creates pure, flavorful concentrates through chemical selectivity, low-temperature processing, and verified purging. Safety comes from professional facilities, trained operators, and third-party testing.

Testing confirms residual solvents meet safety standards.

Consumers can verify concentrate quality by reading certificates of analysis. Look for the extraction method, terpene content, and residual solvent levels.

Hydrocarbon extraction methods, terpene levels of 10-15% for live resin products, and residual solvents below 500 parts per million.

Mood offers millions of users hemp-derived THC, which is 100% legal and fully compliant cannabis. You may have heard that the legality of hemp-derived THC is currently under attack.

This could threaten the wellness of so many.

Read here to learn how to join the fight. Help us keep hemp cannabis accessible to all for a long time to come.

We partner with specialized manufacturers who operate state-of-the-art extraction facilities. They provide third-party testing for every product.

Whether you prefer live resin for its full terpene profile or other concentrate types, our selection offers verified quality and transparent lab results.

Get 2g of THCa Ice Queen Dab Badder for $98. Get 2g of THCa Tropical Storm Dab Badder for $89.

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