Are you on the hunt for a straightforward way to make your own cannabis-infused products while cutting costs significantly?
The Ardent FX is one of the top-tier decarboxylators available, enabling you to produce your own tinctures, lotions, and edibles right from your home.
But does this device truly deliver value for its price? I’ll dive into that question and share the three features I adore and the one I dislike about the Ardent FX shortly.
What Is Decarboxylation?
Did you realize that on its own, cannabis lacks significant psychoactive effects?
Indeed, before THCA can have any psychoactive impact, it must transform into THC, and this is similarly true for other beneficial cannabinoids like CBD.
These compounds need to be heated—a process known as decarboxylation—to “activate” them within a very specific temperature, time frame, and environment.
But why bother with this?
Doesn’t smoking cannabis do the same thing? Well, yes and no.
Although smoking or vaping cannabis does unlock many of the plant’s benefits, these methods aren’t flawless and often fail to utilize the plant’s full potential. It’s comparable to trying to get the last bit of toothpaste out of a nearly empty tube; inevitably, some gets wasted each time.
Similarly, when you smoke or vape, a significant amount of the plant’s potential benefits goes unutilized because the heating isn’t perfectly controlled—and cannabis isn’t cheap like toothpaste.
Decarboxylating in a controlled environment changes the game. By precisely heating the flower, you can fully activate the cannabinoids, achieving much higher potency than is possible through smoking or vaping.
It’s not as simple as popping some bud into a kitchen oven or slow cooker, either.
To fully activate cannabinoids like CBD and THC without degrading them requires precise, scientific conditions, which are nearly impossible to achieve at home without the right equipment. This was the case until the Ardent FX came along, making laboratory-precision decarboxylation accessible for everyday users.
“Fully activating cannabinoids like CBD and THC without destroying them requires a very precise, scientific process, and this is almost impossible to replicate outside a laboratory.”
Decarbing your cannabis correctly at home can significantly enhance its effectiveness and versatility.
That’s where the Ardent FX truly shines.
This compact decarboxylator simplifies the intricate decarboxylation process into an easy-to-use, all-encompassing device, making it effortless to craft your own cannabis products right at home.
Why Should I Care?
As mentioned before, failing to adequately heat or decarboxylate your raw cannabis means losing out on nearly all its potential benefits. This is particularly crucial for those using cannabis for medical purposes. Moreover, the FX increases the potency of each gram of flower, so less is needed to achieve the desired effects.
And let’s talk about convenience! There’s no need for guesswork, no assembly required, and no need to hover over a stove for hours with a thermometer to keep the temperature just right. With the Ardent FX, it’s as easy as setting it up and stepping away. Really, it’s that simple.
Plus, this device can save you a significant amount of money over time, but I’ll go into more detail on that shortly.
Here’s the scoop: Ardent has recently introduced the Nova FX, but the brand is already well-known for their original decarboxylator, the “Nova.” So, what remains the same, and what has changed between the classic model and the new FX? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are The Similarities?
Both the Nova and the FX are designed with sophisticated technology, including advanced logic, dual sensors, and a high-tech thermal blanket. These features allow each device to utilize precision heating cycles that ensure your cannabis is fully decarboxylated without any loss or degradation. This precision makes both models excellent for maximizing the potency and bioavailability of your cannabis.
Additionally, both the Nova and the FX are adept at infusing butter and oil with THC and CBD. These infusions can then be incorporated into a wide range of recipes, from baked treats to skincare lotions.
How Is The FX Different?
While the Nova is excellent for decarbing and infusing botanicals, the FX takes it a giant step further by allowing you to actually bake edibles directly within the unit.
Yes, you heard that correctly. That’s why it’s affectionately called the Easy Bake Ardent—it truly does everything, and you don’t need any prior cooking, baking, or cannabis knowledge to use it.
This makes the FX an ideal entry point if you’re new to the world of homemade cannabis products, completely lowering the barrier to entry. Plus, it’s foolproof for those of us who aren’t exactly kitchen-savvy 🙂
But that’s not all; the FX is also four times larger than the Nova, capable of holding up to 4 oz of plant material at once. Now, let’s do a side-by-side comparison. With the Nova, you get:
- Full activation of THC and CBD in your flower, kief, or concentrates
- Capability to infuse butter and oil
- Odorless and mess-free operation, with no cleanup needed
- Compact and easy to use at home (unit dimensions are 7.5″ x 4″)
- Capacity for up to 1 ounce of flower or 5 ounces of kief
And with the FX, you receive:
- Ability to decarboxylate, extract, infuse, melt, and bake—all in one appliance
- Full activation and infusion of THC, CBD, CBG, and other cannabinoids
- Suitable for any plant material, including flower, kief, and concentrates
- Odorless operation
- Stainless steel interior
- Four different settings to cover a full spectrum of activation, infusion, melting, and baking options
- Detachable base for straightforward cleanup
- No minimum material requirement, accommodating up to 4 oz of plant material at once
- Perfect for personal culinary and crafting projects, in addition to all its cannabis functions
This Is A Deal-Breaker…
When you’re making your own infusions and edibles, the last thing you want is to introduce harmful spores and microbes like salmonella into your system. Unfortunately, it’s quite common to find such contaminants on cannabis. If you take a magnifying glass to your next dispensary visit, you might be shocked at what’s visible at a closer look—think loads of insect feces. Yeah, it’s as gross as it sounds.
This is where the FX becomes an essential tool. The device heats up to a level that not only decarboxylates but also sterilizes the flower, eliminating dangerous spores and microbes that could harm your health.
As you might already know, terpenes aren’t just what give plants their aroma; recent research suggests that terpenes also have health benefits. They are particularly effective when they work in tandem with cannabinoids to enhance the plant’s benefits through what’s known as the entourage effect.
Unfortunately, using a conventional oven for decarboxylation often results in the loss of these precious terpenes because it’s hard to maintain the low, even temperature necessary to preserve them—ovens often have hot and cold spots.
Here again, the FX stands out. It decarboxylates at just the right temperature—not only high enough to sterilize but also low enough to preserve the vital terpene profile, ensuring your extracts are as beneficial as possible.
The Value Proposition
Is It Worth The Price?
Given that cannabis flower can be quite pricey, it’s crucial to maximize the value of every dollar spent. Considering that the market rate for cannabis is roughly $1600 per pound (0.45 kg), investing in a top-notch decarboxylation tool like the FX could lead to substantial savings over time. Here’s why the FX justifies its initial cost:
1. Simple And Easy To Use
The FX features four automated settings that let you effortlessly activate various herbs, turning you into an instant expert in infusions and baking.
2. No Trial And Error Required
With the FX, there’s no need for trial and error. It removes the complexity so you can easily create your favorite products, be they tinctures, lotions, or edibles, without fuss.
3. Save Money And Stop Wasting Ingredients
- The FX operates with complete precision, ensuring you use less and get more out of each batch of flower.
Curious about the specifics? Take a look at the savings calculator below:
“Given that the market price of cannabis stands at about $1600 USD per pound (0.45 kg), investing in a top-quality decarboxylation device like the FX could save you a substantial amount of money over the long term.”
Who is the FX Right For?
Whether you rely on cannabis regularly for medical reasons or simply to tap into its numerous health benefits, the Ardent FX decarboxylation device is essential. Featuring a spacious stainless steel cavity and a comprehensive range of settings for activation, infusion, melting, and baking, this device enables you to produce any cannabis product you desire in bulk, allowing for future storage and use.
This makes the FX an invaluable asset for daily cannabis users—a tool that quickly pays for itself. Why? Because you’ll need to buy significantly less flower to achieve the results you want, and you can create recipes that are as good as, if not better than, the pricey tinctures and edibles available commercially.
Who might not need the FX?
If you’re comfortable decarbing small amounts of cannabis and don’t plan to utilize the FX’s baking capability, the Ardent Nova might be a better fit for you.
The Three Things I Love And The One Thing I Hate About The Ardent Nova FX Decarboxylator
LOVE: The ease of use is unbelievable—you just toss your flower into the canister, secure the lid, and hit the power button. That’s all there is to it. You don’t need to grind your flower or constantly check to avoid burning it in the oven. The Nova’s sensors expertly handle the decarboxylation, ensuring the flower is processed perfectly.
LOVE: The Nova has truly expanded the ways I enjoy cannabis, introducing methods I wouldn’t have thought of before. I never imagined myself making infused olive oil or brownie bites, but now that I have, both my friends and family are thrilled with the results.
LOVE: The cost-effectiveness. If you haven’t already, use the calculator mentioned earlier to see how much you’ll save by opting for a Nova. It’s rare to find something that pays for itself, but the Nova FX does precisely that. The flower becomes twice as potent once processed, meaning you need only half the usual amount.
HATE: I do wish there were more color options than just purple. The vibrant color tends to attract attention, leading guests to inquire about the Nova sitting on my counter. While I’m usually more than happy to explain and share my enthusiasm for the Nova FX, there are times, especially with certain visitors or relatives who aren’t cannabis-friendly, where it leads to an awkward conversation. I’d love to see it offered in more discreet colors like silver or black.
Final Thoughts
From decarboxylating to baking, the FX accomplishes what you’d expect from a laboratory-grade machine and then some—all within one easy-to-use device.
If you’re aiming to maximize the potential of your flower and produce top-notch cannabis products at a fraction of the cost, I highly recommend the Ardent FX.
