Infusion 101
What is herbal infusion?
Herbal infusion means gently heating your herb of choice in a base like butter, oil or honey, so its flavor, color and aroma move into it. Here's how it works, what you can infuse, and how LĒVO makes it push-button simple.
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How it works
Infusion in three steps
Every infusion follows the same basic path, whether you're on a stovetop or using a LĒVO.
1. Dry
Fresh herbs hold water. Drying them first keeps moisture out of your infusion. The LĒVO II+ and Lux do this for you.
2. Activate
Some herbs need gentle heat before infusing to reach their full potency. This is called decarboxylation, and every LĒVO has an Activate cycle for it.
3. Infuse
Low, steady heat moves flavor and aroma into your base, from about an hour for soft herbs to up to five hours for others.
The easier way
Push-button infusion at home
LĒVO dries, activates and infuses in one machine, at the exact time and temperature you set. The herb pod strains as it goes, so there's no cheesecloth, and a gentle magnetic stirrer means no blades.
- Same strength every batch
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Works with butter, oils, honey and more
Ideas
What can you make with infusions?
Gummies
Use infused oil to make homemade gummies you control from start to finish.
Baked goods
Swap infused butter into brownies, cookies and bread, cup for cup.
Dressings & marinades
Herb and garlic oils that lift salads, vegetables and grilled meats.
Balms & salves
Infused oils make the base for DIY balms, salves and lotions.
Which carrier should you use?
Shop infusers
Choose your LĒVO
Three machines, one easy process. Every one dries or activates, then infuses.
Verified reviews
Loved by home infusers
Alex M. · Verified buyer
Easy as cooking a pizza
Not kidding either. Just press the button to activate, then pour your stuff in then press the button again. Liquid gold when it’s done
Beaux J. G. · Verified buyer
Would buy again without question
Best thing I’ve bought myself in a long while. It takes the guess work totally out of the picture. You can succeed on the first try and every time after. …
Dexter B. · Verified buyer
The possibilities are infinite
This machine makes infusing a breeze. The possibilities are infinite. I’ve infused things that I never would’ve done without the Levo. …
Shanarra H. · Verified buyer
Worth it
I’ve tried making my gummies using the stove and I’m so glad I decided to buy this machine with the spout lid. It’s way less mess, quicker preparation, less waste, and waaaay easier to dispense into the mold. …
J G. · Verified LĒVO C buyer
Easy no thoughts infusion
Great device to set and forget for making infused oils for foods
From the LĒVO kitchen
Infusion recipes to try first
Chamomile Gummy Recipe: Key Lime Gummies with Herbal Infused MCT Oil
This key lime pie gummy recipe is the herbal take on a bright citrus classic. The base is LĒVO's Key Lime Pie Gummy Mix, tangy and sweet with a creamy finish. This recipe infuses ashwagandha and ch...
Rosemary Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches with Honeycomb
Rosemary in a chocolate chip cookie sounds unexpected until you taste it. The herb's piney, slightly resinous edge cuts through brown sugar and dark chocolate much the way flaky salt does, making e...
Key Lime Gummy Recipe: Key Lime Pie Gummies with Lemon Peel Infused MCT Oil
This key lime pie gummy recipe is the herbal take on a bright citrus classic. The base is LĒVO's Key Lime Pie Gummy Mix, tangy and sweet with a creamy finish. This recipe infuses ashwagandha and ch...
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FAQ
Infusion questions, answered
The basics, from temperatures to timing.
What is an herbal infusion?
An herbal infusion is a base, like butter, oil or honey, that has been gently heated with your herb of choice so it takes on the herb's flavor, color and aroma. The herb is then strained out.
What temperature should I infuse oil at?
Most oils and butter infuse at 165–170°F. Honey needs a gentler 105°F. Our time & temperature calculator has the exact setting for every herb and base.
How long does it take to infuse oil?
About 1 hour for soft herbs, petals and vanilla, 1–2 hours for roots, and up to 5 hours for some herbs.
Do I need to dry fresh herbs first?
Yes. Drying keeps water out of your infusion. The LĒVO II+ has a built-in Dry cycle and the LĒVO Lux has DRY+.
What is decarboxylation?
Some herbs need gentle heat before infusing to reach their full potency. That step is called decarboxylation, or activation. Every LĒVO has an Activate cycle, so you can do it in the same machine you infuse in.
Can I infuse without a machine?
Yes. A stovetop, slow cooker or double boiler works, but you'll need to watch the temperature, strain by hand and expect more smell and mess. LĒVO holds the exact time and temperature and strains as it infuses.
What can I make with infused butter or oil?
Gummies, brownies and cookies, dressings and marinades, drizzles, and DIY balms and salves. Browse 500+ recipes for ideas.
Which LĒVO should I get?
LĒVO C for big batches, LĒVO II+ for everyday set-and-forget with the best odor control, and LĒVO Lux for the most control. Compare all three or take the quiz.