[note: If you just came here for a coupon code and you already know about the FX, click on this link and enter the code WAKEANDBAKE for $30 off]
About a year ago, a comment thread popped up on my Instagram account that went a little like this:
“I love the Levo 2, but the capacity is way too small and my oil isn’t very strong.”
“Yeah, kind of in the same boat with the Nova. It’s amazing, and my oil is good, but it’s too small for what I want to do.”
“I have the exact opposite issue with the MB2. I have to make huge batches in there. So if I only have a little bit of weed, my oil is super weak. Plus it doesn’t decarb.”
“There’s just no perfect machine… yet. Hey Corinne, are they going to make a bigger Nova?”
At the time, I’d heard only rumors of the new and improved device that Ardent was developing. A top secret gadget; all I knew is that it was going to be bigger.
But what came in the mail last week was more than just a bigger, shinier version of the Nova. It’s called the Ardent FX and it’s a game-changing all in one cannabis infusion and baking device.
We’ve been calling it the Easy Baked Oven around here, and while it’s been fun to play with and joke around about, it’s also been an uplevel over every other cannabis kitchen device I’ve ever tested.
You can watch the unboxing and review below (and snag my CBG Olive Oil recipe) or read the post for more.
What does the Ardent FX do, exactly?
The Ardent FX is considered an “all in one portable cannabis kitchen”.
But what it really does is provide the perfect environment and temperature for decarboxylation of your cannabinoids and infusion into oil (you can also bake in it!).
If you’ve never heard about decarboxylation or know why it’s so important in crafting your homemade edibles and infusions, check out this post: Decarboxylating Cannabis to Activate THC and CBD
In order to make infusions and tinctures that contain THC, CBD or CBG, you need to first heat your plant material to a specific temperature for a certain amount of time. (This happens naturally when you smoke or vape, which is why you don’t need to decarb for inhalation methods).
When you’re making edibles and tinctures, you will only get about 20-30% of your cannabinoids, meaning weaker oil and wasted money. To get more of the cannabinoids from your cannabis, you need to decarboxylate.
Ardent did a lot of testing while developing the FX and the Nova and what they found was that our DIY decarboxylation methods were burning off a lot of cannabinoids
According to the lab results, popular methods like the oven, toaster oven and crock pot, could make us miss as much as 33% in converting THCa into THC, CBDa into CBD and CBGa into CBG.
If you decarboxylate an ounce of cannabis in the oven and 30% of your plant material is wasted, you can be losing as much as $150 dollars every time you make a batch of edibles (if you live in a place like DC where an ounce can cost up to $500 ?).
If you skipped decarboxylation completely, and went straight to throwing your cannabis in oil to infuse it, you’re wasting at least twice that amount.
Investing in a decarboxylator that’s been lab tested and proven to fully activate your cannabis will definitely save you money in the long run.
Cash money aside, the FX is such a convenient way to decarb and infuse. With the push of a button you decarb. Add oil and another push and you’ve got infused oil. Then strain and toss everything but the base in the dishwasher and you’re done.
Let’s break that down.
How to use the Ardent FX (aka the Nova FX)
Step 1: Decarboxylation
The FX has different settings to decarboxylate CBD, CBG and THC. A1 will decarboxylate THC and CBG and A2 decarboxylates CBD.
This is going to be a very short section because all you do is select the mode you’d like to use by pressing the M button and then hitting power.
Once the decarboxylation process is done, the light will blink red telling you that it’s cooling down. Then it will turn green and your plant material will be fully decarbed.
Step 2: Infusing with the Ardent FX
After your cannabis is decarboxylated, let the device cool and pour in your favorite oil or butter. Hit the infuse button and come back an hour or two later to a perfectly infused oil. The infuse cycle runs as long as 3 hours, but you can turn the device off sooner than that.
A 3 hour cycle won’t ruin your oil, but lab reports show there’s no real difference in infusion rates after 1 hour, so you may as well save the energy and get to making some healthy edibles with your infusion.
Note: If you skip the step of decarb and try to just decarb your plant material in oil, testing shows that you’ll only get about 20-30% activation. Make sure you always decarb first to get the most out of your plant material.
Step 3: Strain and Bake
After you infuse your oil, you can strain it out (they’re going to have a custom strainer available soon, but for now, I just used a fine mesh colander).
Put the purple chamber in the dishwasher.
You’re done! Your oil is now ready to be made into infinite possibilities. You can make pain salve, cannabanana bread, or homemade weed lube. The sky is the limit (and depending on if you use THC, you just might reach it)
The Verdict
I only recommend and post things here that I use and that I love and this thing gets the Wake + Bake stamp of approval.
This is by FAR the easiest, cleanest, and most efficient decarb and infusion process out there.
I typically do a pros and cons list here, but the only con I can think of is that the cycle can be a little long (but that’s what it takes to get a full decarboxylation). I wasn’t paying that much attention, but I think it took almost 2 hours to run a cycle. So you have to account for that if you’re planning on whipping up some brownies the same day as making your oil.
I probably won’t be using any other device or method from here on out.
You can buy the Ardent FX here and get $30 off by using the code WAKEANDBAKE.
Note: When you buy products through our links, we get a kickback that supports our work here at Wake + Bake and can keep on testing and sharing free cannabis recipes, health tips and more. We don’t put ads on this site, so we offer this as alternative win: win. We get a kickback sharing stuff we love at no cost to you. And we always strive to work with other independent businesses to get you the highest quality stuff and coupon codes to save you even more money. I wouldn’t be here doing this without your support over the years, so thank you.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Ardent FX
When I asked the people of instagram to toss questions my way about the Ardent FX, most of the questions related to how they compared to the other devices on the market. So I’m going to cover all of that here. If you have other questions, just shoot them into the comments below or send me an email at support@wakeandbake.co and we’ll add them here.
The FX vs. The Nova
I loved my Nova, and still think it’s a great budget option if you only need to decarboxylate and infuse small amounts at a time.
You can still decarboxylate up to 1 oz of flower or 5 oz of concentrates (compared to the FX’s 4 oz flower capacity). And you can infuse small amounts in the Nova using the Infusion Sleeve or by using a small glass jar (a commenter below mentioned they found a pyrex jar with a pourable spout that fit perfectly… if you find something that works, add it to the comments!)
While the Nova isn’t dishwasher safe, but it has a removable chamber that you can quickly wash. With very few moving parts, it’s still very simple and convenient to clean.
The Nova decarbs and infuses small batches. The FX decarbs small to large batches, infuses, and bakes. The FX is also dishwasher friendly.
Nova vs. FX Cost
The Nova will run you about $130 less than the FX, so it’s a great budget option for small batches.
I used to decarb in my Nova and then infuse in my MB2 to do my larger batches, so if you’re planning on doing that, the FX is still a less expensive all-in-one option.
If budget is an issue and you only want to do small batches, the Nova is the best option on this list.
Because we have testing data on the decarb, we know that you’ll be getting a 97% decarb on your plant material, which is something that the MB2 doesn’t do at all. The Levo 2 does not provide data on their decarb feature, so we can’t tell you for certain.
The FX vs. The Levo 2
According to Wake + Bake readers, size does matter. And so does strength. And so does convenience.
With readers who have used the Levo 2, the feedback has been “It’s awesome. It’s beautiful. It’s convenient.” But some also add, “the capacity is just too small.”
Some readers have commented about the lack of strength of their oil in the Levo 2 because even their largest herb pod doesn’t contain very much plant material (it can hold up to ½ cup).
Depending on the density of your plant material, if you were to fit 3.5 grams of 10% THC material in the device and infuse 1 cup of oil, your oil would come out at 7.5mg per teaspoon.
I used my Otto grinder to perfectly grind my herb before loading it in the pod to fit more in. Many readers have found other workarounds like this to get more potency in each cup.
Some run a couple of cycles with each pod. Some put more pods into the device for each cycle. With the Levo 2 if you want more potency, you’ll likely have to MacGyver a way that works for you.
If you’re microdosing, this wont matter much. But if you’re cooking for others who have high tolerances or if you have a high tolerance, this may be more hassle than it’s worth.
I would say that if you order the Levo 2, the Herb Press accessory is essential. While the Levo doesn’t make the strongest oil per teaspoon, it does have the least amount of oil loss out of any gadget I ever tried when you use the Herb Press.
Usually you have to MacGyver something to squeeze out all of your oil (a french press – which makes coffee interesting the next day, pressing your cheesecloth bag with your knuckles until they’re sore, I even once used a potato ricer in a pinch and that worked pretty well).
As for decarb, you can adjust the cycle to any temperature for any length of time, so it leaves it up to the user to try and get the decarb results they’re looking for.
This is awesome if you’re doing a custom decarb to leave some raw cannabinoids in tact (which is what most cannabis clinicians are currently recommending) and that’s what I use the Levo 2 for now.
There’s one downside that may not apply to anyone but me, but I feel like I have to mention it here. There is a little piece that come along with the Levo 2. And if you use it, you can’t use the device. I lost it and had to wait for a week to get a replacement.
If you’re good at keeping things the size of a quarter from getting lost in your kitchen, that might work for you, but I’m a type A.5 personality (halfway between A and B) and my kitchen is B territory.
Levo 2 vs. Ardent FX Cost
The Levo 2 retails at $249 and the FX retails at $349.
But with the $30 off code (WAKEANDBAKE), that brings the FX down to $319.
You’ll save about $70 on a Levo, so if you only want to do small batches, you’d be saving some money.
Verdict: If custom decarboxylation and infusion temperatures and the added drying feature are important, and if you typically microdose your cannabis anyway, the Levo 2 is the gadget for you.
Magical Butter vs. Ardent FX
The MB2 is one of the oldest cannabis infusion devices out there and it’s just that. An infusion device.
When I first started doing this, it was the only thing on the market and I thought it was really cool. As a matter of fact, I wrote a rave review about it and was using it to infuse large batches until I got the FX.
The company has decided that instead of innovating and creating something new with better functions, they’d just rebrand the same ole MB2 and call it a day.
The MB2 has a minimum volume to operate (2 cups of oil) so it’s really only for large batches. You can’t put it in the dishwasher which means a little more elbow grease on infusion days.
To be fair, they do offer some accessories that are pretty cool. They have a decarb box that makes decarboxylating in the oven easier and the strainer bags included can also be used to make small batches of bubble hash.
While it was once my go to infusion method, I think they got outpaced by the other three options now available.
Magical Butter vs Ardent FX Cost
The MB2 is the most affordable device on the list at $189. So if you’re just looking for a large capacity infuser (like if you already have a Nova or if you prefer your home decarb method to keep some of the raw cannabinoids in tact), it’s budget friendly.
My Money’s On: The Ardent FX
Here’s why.
It’s got the capacity of a Magical Butter, the convenience of a Levo 2 and the lab-tested reliability of the Nova.
It can decarb and infuse as little as 1 gram or as much as 4 ounces of flower. It has modes to decarboxylate THC, CBD and CBG, so no matter what cannabinoids you’re working with, or what ratios, you can do it in the FX.
Then you can just strain the plant material out and throw the entire thing in the dishwasher. It’s so simple.
You can also decarboxylate and infuse concentrates directly in the FX.
I know you can even bake in it, so if you’re living that kitchenette lifestyle, you can use it as a full on cooking device. I’ve heard of people making pasta and banana bread in it.
I haven’t used the bake function just yet, so let me know what you’d like to see cooked in the FX in the comments below and I’ll accept any (realistic) dare!
If you’re looking to get your hands on the Ardent FX, you can use this link to grab this amazing gadget. Don’t forget to use WAKEANDBAKE for $30 off.
Note: If you already own an MB2, Levo or Nova and still love it, that’s awesome! I’m not saying you need the newest, most improved thing. It’s kind of like when the new phone, computer, TV comes out. Yours still works, but the quality of the new one might be higher. It’s just the nature of invention.
Questions? Lay em on me in the comments below or by emailing support@wakeandbake.co
With fully infused love,
Corinne
682 thoughts on “Ardent FX Review and Coupon Code (plus a CBG oil recipe!)”
I don’t use the silicon sleeve. I don’t even own one. I use a small Pyrex beaker (it has a little pouring spout, too.) I love my Nova. I’d love to own an FX, but I don’t need to have an appliance that does large batches. (Nor can I afford it at this time.)
Totally! If you already have a Nova and the size works for you, it’s great. It’s also lab tested, so we know it works, and mine have lasted for years through seemingly infinite batches. Also, can you share the pyrex beaker you use? I know a lot of folks don’t like to infuse in silicon and would love to share an alternative.
thanks!
CT
Yessss, I was waiting eagerly for this review! I’m also surprised at the MB2’s rebranding. They definitely missed the mark completely.
I just ordered mine yesterday. I started out decarbing in the oven and using the crock pot to infuse oils. I have been using the MB2 for quite a while and it cut my processing time tremendously and increased the potency by a goodly amount. I am stoked to get the FX just for the decarb feature alone. The only drawback that I can see is you cannot infuse alcohol in the FX.. I will keep the MB2 for that.
Wow I’ve been researching this product and I plan to purchase it, I too used the crock n oven method!!
I’m using a glass Lee Kum Kee jar that probably had oyster sauce or something similar in it originally. Fits like a glove in the Nova. I’m the same as GEEWHIZ in that I don’t need the FX since I only do small batches and it works perfectly. A beaker with a pour spout would be a better alternative but my glass jar really works well for me.
Thank you for this review. I understand that one can decarb up to 4 oz dry herb in the FX. What is the min and max amounts in ounces/cups that one infuse in the FX at a time? Thank you!
Great question Simon! I’m on it today. Happy 420!
Do you know if the Ardent Lift activates CBD flower as well as THC? Wondering about that other setting for CBD. I’ve been usi ng a lift, but really considering the Flex.
Yep! You get most of a decarb for CBD on the first cycle, if you want to get a few more percent out of your plant material, just let the device cool for at least 20 minutes and run another cycle. Hope that helps!
With love,
CT
First time visitor, love the review and can’t wait to try it out!
Welcome to the community Chris! It’s a lively bunch of cannabis, science and health nerds!
Sounds like a great machine! I have the MB2 and that extra step of decarbing is a pain. I bought an oven thermometer and found my oven temperature was not correct.
Totally! Ovens are just so inconsistent (which I didn’t know until I learned about decarboxylation!)
Ardent makes quality products and continues to save me money. Thanks to Wakeandbake for giving terrific indent reviews.
Thank you Jeffery! Happy 420!
Thank you for such a well thought out comparison between the products. ughhhh I want the novaaaaa
Thanks Angelina! Appreciate you!
Looks awesome.
Awesome – thank you for this!!!!
I just purchased your cookbook pack and I hope to have the Nova FX soon so I can put them to use. Thank you for the review it has helped me make up my mind to get one soon.
Thanks so much for your support Erik! Let us know if you have questions or feedback. We’re here to help!
Wow perfect decarb?! I NEED this in my kitchen accessories this is amazing I want one so bad just out of my price range.. :/
I’ve been wanting to invest in a decarb or infusing product but I’m glad I waited because this is perfect! Awesome! So excited to get one of these!
So worth the wait. They really knocked it out of the park. Happy 420!
I am interested to see how the FX works. I’m interested in something that will be an all in one. I hope it’s quieter than the MB!
Completely… and totally… silent.
The MB2 scares me every single time. No more heart attacks thinking someone’s in your kitchen with a chainsaw ?
I can’t wait to try this.. the oven is just too unpredictable! Hopefully I’ll get my hands on one soon ?
This would be absolutely stellar to have in the kitchen!!! I love cooking and baking and experimenting
This website is spectacular. And l am gonne get one of these. Thank you for a scientific, consice, and precise write up, Corinne.
Thank you Joe! I appreciate you. Happy 420!!
Ya, this thing is swanky-dank! I always feel I was born too late, not much interest in or use for hi-tech gadgets, silly drivel. Dross. Triflin’! Call me old-fashioned. But this is actually a practical, handy gizmo I could get some use out of. Not only simplifies the process, but gives better results than I could doing it the old-fashioned way. Bravo! I am coveting
such cool products here!
Ya, this thing is swanky-dank! I always feel I was born too late, not much interest in or use for hi-tech gadgets. Silly drivel, Dross. Triflin’! Call me old-fashioned. But this is a practical, handy gizmo that I could actually get some use out of. It simplifies the process, and gives better results than I could doing it the old-fashioned way. Bravo! I am coveting…
Seriously. Kitchen gadgets are usually so meh to me at first until I get the hang of it. And even then, I usually just use one setting (looking at you instapot)… but this thing is so simple all I want to do is put stuff in it ?Happy 420!
With love,
Corinne
We have the old school and can’t wait to try the new school Nova?
Great review Corrine. I need this for decarbing and infusing my cbd flower! I can never get it right in the oven and the mbm. Cbd is so tricky to decarb!
I need one of these ? I make my oils the old fashioned way with an oven and crockpot. The process takes so long It’s been awhile since I’ve made any homemade. Instead I’ve been spending way too much on butter from a local dispensary
Would like to try this but live in Aussie, so unsure where to purchase this. Will continue using my magic butter machine until I find this.
I think they ship internationally, no? I’ll check in with them.
I was saving up for a Nova, but now that I know there is the Ardent FX I know what I’ll get for sure. In the end I’m happy I waited a bit.
Also for pressing our your weed after a small batch infusion, I love use sing my fine tea strainer. It’s perfect when I infuse a batch up to an half ounce and I can press on the herb with the back of a spoon for maximum extraction. Mine is metal so I can just take it with herb and all and dump it in my soy milk for high chai.
🙂
What a perfect workaround! Thanks for sharing!
I read the article. Can’t wait to get the FX, waiting for a bundle. Interested in the lube…
Awesome! Just out of curiosity… What would you like to see in your bundle Marlena? I want to see if I can make your dreams come true 😉 Happy 420!
Wow, I need this. I’m 71 and just recently started making edibles. The ease of the whole process looks great with the FX. My goal, after this virus is dead, is to have friends over for an entire meal of edibles. Now for your challenge: Bake a vegan fudgy chocolate cake. And…go!
YES! It’s on the docket now! Thanks maxine ?
You and your team are an absolute inspiration bringing wonderful positive vibes x Thank you for making it ok and better x
Great article. Thank you for covering(and comparing) the big ticket appliances. Ardent had an amazing Black Friday deal. I missed out because I had questions between the Nova and Levo2. I’m on a fixed income and didn’t want to be stuck with buyers remorse so I waited. I haven’t cooked with weed yet because I live with children and didn’t want the smell to linger. Now I know I want the FX(for the baking capability), just waiting for a bundle(and waiting to see if they come out with a sleeve)
So through! Thank you for making the choice easy with this review!
So through! Made the choice easy, thank you!
I must must must have one of these amazing machines! New larger size is very appealing and a one-container infusion process is a dream time saver!
I need to have this in my life, for balance and consistency. Much love✌️?
I appreciate the comparison being easy to understand. Looks awesome!
Wow. I never would’ve guess there was a device like this! Really interesting in using that device to make edibles
These devices all seem so nifty and like they bring an increased level of ease to infusions. I think you should go classic & bake brownies or maybe a cookie?
These devices are so nifty. Would love the ease of one fo streamline my infusing. You should go classic with brownies or cookies for that first bake
I think cookies might be tough, but brownies could work. I’m on it!
So to be clear, the FX can infuse up to 5 cups oil same as the MB2? To quote you, ”
My Money’s On: The Ardent FX
Here’s why.
It’s got the capacity of a Magical Butter, ”
So the FX will infuse 5 cups like the MB2? Or will it do more?
Thanks Corinne, you’re a babe.”
Ooooh! Great question Garry! And the answer is… I don’t know yet! Let me see how many cups fit to the max capacity today and report back.
with love,
Corinne
Have been infusing the “Old School” way reading the reviews on the FX & watching the Youtube vid inspires me to move into the future of infusing which is here right now with the FX!
The future is now! Happy 420!
Great review of FX Corrine! I ordered mine and used your code.
THANKS!
Thank you so much for your support Debbie! I’m truly grateful!
With love,
CT
It’s amazing what you learn from reading comments sections lol.. I love all the suggestions regarding the glass replacement possibilities. Thank you all for the tips and happy 4/20 day to y’all! xx
There’s never a dull moment in the Wake + Bake comments section ? Happy 420!
Wow, I really need one of these new Ardebt Fx’s. This is all new to me as I have never done and baking or cooking, just smoke. I want one! Thanks for the write up on it.
I love my nova, but it is too small, this is looking spot on!
I’m an absolute beginner and will be doing small batches to start. I’m a cannabis coach (by need), caregiver and patient as well as an amateur chef. I’m using distillates and concentrates but feel I want to have this skill in my wheelhouse. Thanks for any advice you may want to share.
I’ve tried many ways of decarbing over the years and the nova is by far the best I’ve ever tried, and I’m sure the fox is even more impressive. I wish I had the extra money for one now, but I just bought a qp at the dispensary for the holiday last week. I could really really use an FX right now! I hope and pray I win one!
So far I love it. Can’t wait to get recipes to use it.
We’re on it. An FX cookbook is in the works!
This looks like a great device, who wouldn’t want a “one device for every step”. I will have to save some pennies for a while to get one tho.
I’ve been using my little purple Nova for a while now, dabbling my way through several of Corrine’s great recipes and having a grand time playing with potencies. Thanks for the honest, fun & long-awaited quirky FX review Corrine, your lively, upbeat personality always make my day. Keep on brining smiles to the world with your joy & passion for mother nature’s miracle plant, Happy 4/20 to everyone at the Wake & Bake team !!!!
Awwww! Thank you Donna! You know I love doing it and I love connecting with people like you who also love this plant. Let me know if you ever have any questions or want to share a recipe 🙂
with love,
CT
Thank you for the informative and interesting article. I’m really interested in the machines just haven’t bought one yet.
This looks like such an impressive bit of kit. Great review.
Sounds like it’s much better for decarb than the oven.
Nova is just right for my needs now. I would like to branch out and try additional products such as lotions. Looking forward to needing the FX. Thank you for your products!!
I love the Nova and just recently got my FX. Love these great machines.
I currently have the MB2, however after reading your review, I really appreciate the sleek look and versatility of the Ardent FX. Do you know when they will have a strainer sleeve available? Looking forward to what they will come up with!
There’s talk of a french press-type straining device coming out soon. I cannot wait for to see what they come up with either! A strainer will make this thing perfect.
I bought the Butter Machine version of the decaroxalator and man does it stink after! I can’t hide it anywhere w/o it smelling up the closet or whatever. Does the Ardent have an odor, or does the case hide the smell?
Some say it has a faint smell, but I never notice it. It’s as discreet as it gets 🙂
This sounds amazing! I currently do the bake to decarb/crockpot Mason jar infusion method. This would seriously change my time spent, lol. I kinda hoard my infusions & don’t experiment much because it’s so time consuming & I don’t want to waste it.
I’m stoked for the FX! The Nova is such a great tool and I’d love to step up my game and decarb, infuse, and bake all in one machine.
My decarb box is the only gadget I’ve used – unless you count my crockpot. Would be great to be able to make fresh stuff, in larger amounts, without all the fuss. Definitely out of my budget, though – especially now, in lockdown lay-off.
I have the levo 1, sounds ideal, but I read some bad reviews about customer service. Have you had any issues?
I’ve never had issues, but I will say this… Ardent is a small business. I know folks expect Amazon-like response times from everyone on the internet, but as a small business owner myself, I now that sometimes it’s just not possible. They’re also growing, so the growing pains of training new customer support staff can be rough sometimes. Plus, they’re not just a company, they’re activists and curious cannabis consumers who do a lot of experimenting and lab testing. I know that they really care and that’s what matters to me.
I have been looking into buying the original Nova for a while now and with the FX coming out it is a game changer. Thanks for a very thorough review!
You’re so welcome! Happy 420!
Welp, looks like this just replaced the Levo II on my wishlist
Hey love! Happy 420! And that totally makes sense… it’s the dopest thing on the market now for sure!
I would love to try one! I like my MB2
The MB2 grinds the cannabis during cycles and the FX does not. Does the FX require you to grind in advance? What impact does this have on infusion? Thanks!