LĒVO vs. the Stovetop
The stovetop works and costs nothing extra. The trade-off is time at the stove, a thermometer and straining. Here's the honest side-by-side.
- Hands-off
- Decarb built in
- Nothing to strain
- Watch and stir
- Separate oven step
- Cheesecloth
- 1-year warranty
- Free shipping $199+
- Free app + potency calculator
The quick answer
The stovetop is the cheapest way to make infused butter or oil: a saucepan or double boiler, a thermometer and cheesecloth you probably already own. The trade-offs are attention and mess. You hold a low heat by hand for the whole infusion and activate your herb in the oven first. Then you strain and squeeze everything through cheesecloth. LĒVO activates and infuses in one machine at the time and temperature you set, with your herb of choice sealed in a pod, so it comes out ready to use. Infuse once or twice a year? The stovetop is fine. Infuse regularly? The time and cleanup add up.
Choose if
- You infuse more than a few times a year
- You don't want to watch a pot and a thermometer for hours
- You're done straining through cheesecloth
- You want activation and infusion in one machine
Choose Stovetop if
- You infuse once or twice a year
- You need a one-off batch bigger than 6 cups
Dry, Activate and Infuse in one machine, a sealed carbon-filter lid and push-button dispense: the most hands-off swap for a stovetop routine.
How LĒVO compares
Tap any row for the details and sources.
| Feature | Stovetop | |
|---|---|---|
| LĒVO: yes.Set it and walk away | Stovetop: no.Watch and stir | |
Set the infuse time and temperature, press start and walk away. The machine holds the temperature and stirs while it infuses. Stovetop
You hold a low, steady heat by hand for the whole infusion, checking it with a thermometer and stirring so butter doesn't scorch. Herbal guides give anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. |
||
| LĒVO: yes.Activate cycle | Stovetop: no.Separate oven step | |
Every LĒVO has a dedicated Activate (decarb) cycle, so activation happens in the same machine. II+ and Lux run it in 30 minutes; the LĒVO C runs 45 minutes per ½ oz, so a full 1 oz Jumbo Pod takes two runs. Stovetop
Activation is a separate step, usually baking the herb in the oven before it goes in. Published guides call for roughly 240–295°F for 20 to 60 minutes. |
||
| LĒVO: yes.Sealed herb pod | Stovetop: no.Cheesecloth | |
Your herb of choice stays sealed in a pod, so the infusion comes out ready to use. Stovetop
The herb infuses loose in the fat, so you strain it through cheesecloth or a fine strainer and squeeze out the rest. Oil often won't wash out of cheesecloth, so it's usually single-use. |
||
| LĒVO: yes.Set time + temp | Stovetop: partly.Burner + thermometer | |
Set the infuse time and temperature on every LĒVO. The II+ and Lux also let you customize the Activate cycle; the C uses a preset Activate cycle. Stovetop
A burner dial isn't a temperature setting, so the heat is managed by eye and with a thermometer. |
||
| LĒVO: yes.Carbon filter (II+) | Stovetop: no.Open pot | |
LĒVO II+: sealed lid with a coconut-husk carbon filter. Stovetop
An open saucepan or double boiler releases aroma into the kitchen for the whole infusion. |
||
| 2 to 6 cupsVaries by model | Any sizeLimited by your pot | |
LĒVO C makes up to 6 cups per run with a 1 oz Jumbo Pod. LĒVO II+ and Lux make up to 2 cups. Stovetop
As much as your pot holds, which makes the stovetop the better fit for one-off very large batches. |
||
| LĒVO: yes.Removable parts | Stovetop: partly.Pot, bowl, cloth | |
Every LĒVO's removable parts, including the reservoir or glass basin and the herb pod, go in the dishwasher. The base wipes clean. Stovetop
A pot or double boiler, utensils and a strainer to wash, plus oily cheesecloth that's usually thrown away. |
||
Details about the Stovetop method come from published herbal-oil guides and USDA appliance guidance (sources below). Your results depend on your recipe, equipment and herb. Last verified Fall 2026.
Sources (4)
- Mountain Rose Herbs, Making herbal oils: heat method in a crock-pot or double boiler; straining through cheesecloth, which oil often won't wash out of
- Homestead and Chill, Herb-infused oil: quick heat method in a double boiler or slow cooker, 30 minutes to 12 hours, probe thermometer recommended
- Wholehearted Eats, Herbal oils: double-boiler setup and cheesecloth straining
- Wine Enthusiast, Infused olive oil: separate oven activation step, roughly 240–295°F for 20–60 minutes
Less work, every batch
The same batch, start to finish, each way.
With
3 steps, one machine- Load your herb of choice into the pod and run Activate
- Add oil or butter, press Infuse and walk away
- Dispense or pour it out, ready to use. Nothing to strain
With Stovetop
4 steps- Bake your herb in the oven to activate it
Extra step, outside the pot - Warm butter or oil in a saucepan or double boiler and add the herb
- Hold a low heat for hours, checking the thermometer and stirring
- Strain through cheesecloth and squeeze out the rest
Extra step, outside the pot
Stovetop steps follow published herbal-oil guides (sources under the comparison table).
Verified reviews
Owners who did their research
J G. · Verified LĒVO C buyer
Easy no thoughts infusion
Great device to set and forget for making infused oils for foods
Kimberly W. · Verified LĒVO C buyer
It’s awesome!
Love my Levo cause it just works! Excited to try more infusion combinations.
Vickie W. · Verified LĒVO II+ buyer
Levo ll
I love the levo ll machine. Low to no odor, very easy to use. Start up ready!
Sierra M. · Verified LĒVO II+ buyer
Great and amazing product
Was a little skeptic at first due to the price, but definitely worth every penny. Doing your research before hand comes in handy.
Anthony C. · Verified LĒVO Lux buyer
First timer
We absolutely love love love the Levo Lux. This machine is foolproof. So much can be made.
Stephanie W. · Verified LĒVO Lux buyer
Great deal
I waited a few months and did a ton of research. I don't regret buying at all. Worth the price tag
Real Kitchens, Real Batches
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Real Reviews From Infusiasts
LĒVO vs. Stovetop: questions, answered
Is it better to make infused butter on the stove or in a machine?
Both work. The stovetop costs nothing extra but needs you at the stove: holding a low temperature with a thermometer, stirring, then straining through cheesecloth, plus a separate oven step to activate the herb first. LĒVO activates and infuses at a set time and temperature with your herb sealed in a pod, so there's nothing to watch or strain. Infuse rarely? The stovetop is fine. Infuse often? A machine saves time and mess.
Do you need a double boiler to infuse butter on the stove?
Not strictly. Most herbal guides use one because the water bath keeps the heat gentler and steadier than direct heat. A heavy saucepan on its lowest setting works if you watch it closely with a thermometer.
How long does stovetop infusion take?
Herbal guides range from about 30 minutes to several hours of gentle heat, plus time to activate the herb in the oven first and to strain afterward. On the LĒVO II+ and Lux, Activate runs 30 minutes; then you set the infuse time and walk away.
Do you have to strain stovetop infused butter?
Yes. The herb infuses loose in the butter or oil, so you strain it through cheesecloth or a fine strainer and squeeze out the rest. LĒVO keeps your herb sealed in a pod, so the infusion comes out ready to use.
Does stovetop infusion smell?
Usually, yes. An open pot releases aroma into the kitchen for the whole infusion. The LĒVO II+ has a sealed lid with a coconut-husk carbon filter.
Can I make bigger batches on the stove?
Yes, and that's the stovetop's real advantage: batch size is limited only by your pot. LĒVO II+ and Lux make up to 2 cups per run, and the LĒVO C makes up to 6 cups.
What warranty comes with LĒVO?
Every machine carries a 1-year limited manufacturer's warranty, and extended coverage can be added at checkout or within 90 days of purchase.
How do I know how strong a batch will be?
The free LĒVO app includes a potency calculator that estimates strength from your herb amount, its percentage, and how much oil or butter you're infusing.
How we compared
We compared each method on the same batch: infused butter or oil, start to finish. LĒVO details come from our own product specifications. Details about the other method come from published herbal-oil guides and, for slow cookers, USDA guidance; each one is listed under the comparison table. Rows where the other method comes out ahead stay in.
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