Should you put concentrates in the fridge?

Table of Contents

What are cannabis concentrates?

Cannabis concentrates are products made from cannabis plants that have gone through an extraction process to isolate and concentrate the psychoactive compounds like THC and CBD. Some common types of concentrates include:

Oils – Oils like hash oil or butane hash oil (BHO) that are viscous and syrupy.
Waxes and budders – Softer solid concentrates that have a wax-like consistency.

Shatter – A hard, brittle glass-like concentrate that shatters when broken.
Live resin – Concentrates made from freshly frozen cannabis plants to preserve terpenes.
Kief – The glandular trichomes collected from dried cannabis buds or leaves.

Hash – Compressed and dried resin glands from the cannabis plant.

The extraction process removes most of the fats, lipids, and other plant compounds, leaving behind a product with very high levels of active cannabinoids. This allows consumers to get a much higher dose from a smaller amount compared to regular cannabis flower.

Do you need to refrigerate cannabis concentrates?

Whether or not you need to refrigerate your cannabis concentrates depends on a few factors:

Type of concentrate – Very stable concentrates like shatter and wax may not need refrigeration. More perishable types like budder, live resin, and HTFSE are best kept refrigerated.
Storage time – If you plan on storing your concentrates for an extended period, refrigeration helps preserve potency and flavor.
Climate – Refrigeration is more important in hotter climates. Cooler temperatures naturally help preserve concentrates.

Personal preference – Some consumers refrigerate all concentrates for maximum freshness and consistency.

Here is a more detailed look at whether different concentrate types need to be refrigerated:

Shatter

Shatter is one of the most stable concentrate types. Its glass-like texture comes from a higher ratio of THCA to terpenes compared to other concentrates. With proper storage, shatter can last for months at room temperature without losing potency or flavor. Refrigeration is optional for shatter stored short-term.

Wax and crumble

Waxes and crumbles have lower THCA levels so terpenes play a bigger role in the texture. They tend to be softer and waxier than shatter. The higher terpene content makes waxes and crumbles more prone to drying out or losing aroma over time without refrigeration. Refrigeration can extend their shelf life.

Live resin

Live resin concentrates are made using fresh frozen cannabis plants to help retain the full terpene profile. With very high terpene levels, live resins are best kept refrigerated to prevent drying out and preserve those volatile aromatic compounds. The cold helps live resins maintain the right consistency.

Budder

Budder has an ultra creamy texture from whipping the concentrates during processing. The air introduced into budder makes it less stable compared to denser products like shatter. Refrigeration helps budder maintain that smooth, spreadable consistency. Cold temperatures also prevent separation of compounds.

HTFSE

High terpene full spectrum extracts (HTFSE) are specially made to preserve the wide diversity of terpenes from fresh frozen cannabis. The high moisture content and delicate terpene profile of HTFSE make refrigeration strongly recommended. Without cold temperatures, HTFSE can lose potency and flavor quickly.

Benefits of refrigerating concentrates

While not all concentrates require refrigeration, there are some general benefits to storing your concentrates in the fridge:

Slows terpene degradation – Cold temperatures slow the natural decay of aromatic terpenes over time.

Prevents moisture loss – Refrigeration helps concentrates maintain moisture and prevents drying out.
Inhibits microbial growth – Colder temperatures inhibit mold, fungi, and other microbial growth.
Slows oxidation – Oxidation from exposure to oxygen causes loss of potency. Refrigeration dramatically slows this process.

Maintains texture – Cold helps concentrates keep the desired consistency, whether glassy, waxy, or creamy.
Locks in color – Refrigeration protects light-sensitive compounds and prevents color changes.

Proper refrigeration can make your concentrates last significantly longer while preserving aroma, flavor, and potency. Concentrates kept in the fridge may remain high-quality for well over a year. Without refrigeration, some types lose quality after just a few months.

Best practices for refrigerating concentrates

If you decide to refrigerate your concentrates, here are some tips for maximizing shelf life and potency:

Use an airtight container – Choose a non-porous container like glass or silicone to prevent air exposure.
Avoid moisture – Water can promote microbial growth. Use a desiccant pack to remove moisture.

Monitor the temperature – Optimal is below 4°C (40°F). Avoid freezing.
Store in the dark – Light degrades THC and terpenes over time.
Let warm to room temp before opening – Avoid condensation by letting it warm up before exposing to air.

Limit temperature fluctuations – Frequent temp changes accelerate degradation.
Avoid the fridge door – Place concentrates toward the back where temps are most stable.

Properly stored concentrates can retain optimal flavor and potency for many months when kept refrigerated.

Signs your concentrates have gone bad

Refrigeration slows the aging process substantially, but concentrates can still degrade over time. Watch for these signs that your refrigerated concentrates have spoiled:

Change in texture – Separating, recrystallizing, weeping, or otherwise deviating from the original form.
Loss of aroma – Fading or muted terpene aromas.

Loss of flavor – Soapy, medicinal, or harsh flavors.
Change in color – Darkening, paling, or color shifts.
Cloudiness – Particles or film forming in the oil.

Foaming – Bubbles when dabbed or vaporized.
Microbial growth – Visible mold, fuzz, or spots.

A concentrate exhibiting multiple degraded characteristics should be discarded. The more obvious signs like mold, major texture changes, rancid odors, or soapy flavors indicate spoilage. Subtler changes may still make the product less pleasant to consume. When in doubt, it’s best to replace very old concentrates with a fresh product.

How long do concentrates last in the fridge?

With optimal storage conditions, most concentrates can last in the fridge for:

Shatter and wax: 6-12 months
Live resin: 6-10 months

Crumble: 4-8 months
Budder: 3-6 months
HTFSE: 1-3 months

Higher purity extracts with more THCA like shatter have the longest shelf life. More complex products with higher moisture and terpene content degrade faster but benefit the most from refrigeration. No matter the type, concentrates gradually lose potency and aroma over time. Refrigeration only slows this inevitable process.

For maximum freshness and potency, most concentrates are best consumed within 1-3 months of extraction. So refrigeration can prolong but not indefinite preserve them. The exceptions are very stable types like shatter that may retain quality for a year or more.

Can you freeze concentrates?

While refrigerating your concentrates is fine, freezing is not recommended for long-term storage. Here’s why:

Freezer burn – Extreme cold and low moisture can degrade compounds.
Condensation – Water droplets form on thawing, introducing moisture.
Separation – Freezing can cause certain compounds to come out of solution.

Texture changes – Products may become brittle, stiff, or grainy.
Loss of terpenes – Terpene preservation relies on cold, not freezing.

Freezing concentrates for brief periods is acceptable, like briefly freezing wax to improve handling. But prolonged freezing causes substantial degradation for minimal benefit over basic refrigeration.

Can you store concentrates without refrigeration?

While refrigeration is recommended for most concentrate types, proper storage can preserve potency without refrigeration. Here are some tips:

Use an airtight, UV filtering container.
Control temperature to stay below 70°F (21°C).

Keep away from heat, air vents, windows, and sunlight.
Use desiccant packs to control humidity.
Store concentrates away from each other to avoid flavor mixing.

Inspect regularly for any changes in appearance.

The more stable the type of concentrate, the better it will hold up without refrigeration. Shatter and wax can stay fresh for months this way. More delicate concentrates like budder lose quality rapidly at room temperature. In general, refrigeration is recommended whenever possible.

FAQs

Why do terpenes degrade faster than THC?

Terpenes are more delicate aromatic compounds compared to the relatively stable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) molecule. Exposure to air, heat, light, and time breaks terpenes down more readily than THC. Refrigeration slows terpene loss by cooling and controlling air exposure.

What happens if concentrates get too cold in the fridge?

Overly cold temperatures can cause waxes and crumbles to stiffen, live resins to lose terpenes, and shatters to become brittle and crack. Try keeping concentrates toward the top and front of the fridge where temperatures fluctuate less.

Should you keep concentrates in the fridge door?

Avoid storing concentrates in fridge doors. The door compartment experiences major temperature swings whenever opened, which introduces moisture and accelerates concentrate degradation. Keep them in the back of a shelf.

Can you return concentrates to room temperature after refrigerating?

It’s fine to let refrigerated concentrates gradually return to room temp before use. Just avoid big temp swings. Don’t open a fridge-cold concentrate then immediately dab it or leave it in direct sunlight. Let it normalize for an hour or so.

How often should you replace old concentrates?

Most concentrates keep their maximum quality for 1-4 months. Shatter can sometimes last 6+ months. No matter what, concentrates slowly decline over time. Every 3-4 months, cycle out your oldest concentrates to maintain top flavor and effects.

Conclusion

Refrigerating cannabis concentrates helps preserve potency and terpenes by protecting from heat, light, oxygen, and moisture. More delicate concentrate types like budders, live resins, and HTFSE benefit most from cold storage. While not all concentrates require fridge storage when consumed quickly, refrigeration can significantly prolong the shelf life of any concentrate. With proper airtight, low-humidity storage in the fridge, most concentrates can retain excellent quality for 6 months or longer. Just be sure to keep an eye out for signs of degradation like texture changes, fading aroma, cloudiness, or discoloration. Follow best practices like air-tight containers and minimal temperature fluctuations, and your concentrates can stay fresh for many months in the fridge.