Cannabis concentrates are popular because people are always trying to find something new, something different.
Cannabis buds are great and give you everything you want, but concentrates offer that extra edge. If you can control your consumption, you will have a great time.
Speaking of concentrates, many come to mind, but if you're a beginner, you should look for something that's easy to make. So, what better than something that can take you higher but doesn't require extensive equipment to make? Meaning, you don't have to be a scientist but still make and use hash?
Yes, you guessed it. We're talking about bubble hash.
If you've been growing cannabis, you're probably going to have some extra weed lying around, so making bubble hash won't be a problem.
In this article, we will discuss everything revolving around bubble hash, including how you can make it at home.
Light a joint, relax, sit back, and keep reading.
What is Bubble Hash?
Bubble hash is a cannabis concentrate. Cannabis extracts or concentrates typically have a higher concentration of cannabinoids and terpenes compared to regular cannabis buds. These concentrates are produced from the cannabis plant using extraction techniques that separate the components from the plant matter. The outcome is a substance that you can ingest in small amounts to achieve better effects.
Concentrates come in many forms such as oils, waxes, shatter, and hash. They are preferred mainly because of their potency and efficient consumption methods. Recreational users chase a better high, whereas medical cannabis users need potent products, so you get why everyone loves them.
Now, bubble hash is a potent extract produced using a water-based extraction method that separates the trichomes — the resin glands containing most of the plant's cannabinoids and terpenes — from the cannabis plant material.
This method involves using ice, water, and specialized sifting bags to separate and gather these trichomes. The term "bubble hash" is used because the end result bubbles when heated, indicating a lot of trichomes and minimal plant material.
Unlike some concentrates, bubble hash doesn't require solvents like butane or CO2 making it a preferred option for those looking for a solvent-free or solventless concentrate.
Like every other product, the quality can vary. It largely depends on the micron size of the sieve you use in the extraction process. However, “full melt bubble hash” is known to be the God of all bubble hash concentrates. You can consume it as is while the lower-quality extracts can be combined with other cannabis products or types for consumption. The purity and strength of bubble hash make it a popular choice without a doubt.
History of Bubble Hash
Bubble hash traces its origins to ancient practices of making hash that has been around for centuries. The art of producing hashish can be linked to the Middle East, Central Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Traditional hash was crafted by separating the trichomes or resin from cannabis plants through techniques like hand rubbing or sifting dried plants through screens.
Hand rubbing, popular in places like India and Nepal, entailed rubbing the buds between hands to collect the resin. This approach yielded "charas," a dark, sticky form of hashish. Dry sieving required shaking or rubbing dried cannabis plants over a mesh screen to isolate trichomes from plant matter. While effective, this process often led to hashish containing plant residue that could impact taste and potency.
Although traditional methods were laborious and yielded varying results in quality, they served as the basis for modern methodologies.
However, comparatively, bubble hash is pretty new and surfaced after cannabis concentrates became popular. The moniker "bubble hash" is credited to Neville Schoenmakers, a renowned figure in the cannabis seed industry, and Rob Clarke, a cannabis expert and researcher. They popularized a water and ice extraction process that distinguishes bubble hash from different forms of hash.
A pivotal advancement in crafting bubble hash was incorporating ice and water to separate trichomes from plant matter. This method involves immersing plant material in ice water and stirring it to release the trichomes. Trichomes, which are heavier than the plant material, settle at the bottom while the plant material floats, enabling separation.
This technique enhanced the quality and strength of the end product effectively. Plus, using “bubble bags," a set of filtering bags with varying micron sizes further perfected the method, making it possible to gather different grades of hash based on the size of the trichomes. These bags sieve the trichomes based on their size, leading to different grades of bubble hash. The finest grades, known as " melt " consist mostly of trichomes and bubbles when heated, indicating superior quality.
Ice water extraction yields hash with minimal plant impurities boosting flavor and potency. Plus, bubble bags help you sort trichomes by size, resulting in a high-quality end product. As you can see, we have come a long way from rubbing plants to using ice to extract trichomes. If anything, this speaks of the ingenuity of cannabis growers who worked to perfect the art of making hash.
Advantages of Bubble Hash
1. Quality and Potency
Bubble hash is well known for its purity due to the solvent-free extraction method employed during production. The end product boasts a high concentration of trichomes with minimal impurities. This results in a more flavorful concentrate that maintains the profiles of cannabinoids and terpenes present in the original cannabis plant. In short, if you're looking to try something that reflects your favorite strain's characteristics in the form of a concentrate, bubble hash is perfect for you.
Don't forget that it's also super potent, as it only contains trichomes containing cannabinoids obtained through the extraction process. This concentrated form offers users a fantastic experience even with smaller doses, making it a cost-effective choice for both medical and recreational purposes.
Also, since it retains more terpenes due to the way it's extracted, you get to experience the entourage effect, where cannabinoids and terpenes collaborate to enhance the therapeutic effects.
2. Safer than Solvent Extracts
You already know that bubble hash is made without using any solvents. Unlike concentrates that use chemical solvents like butane or CO2 which can leave behind residues if you don't remove it properly, bubble hash is made using only ice and water. This natural approach results in a product that reduces the risk of health issues associated with consuming remnants of solvents.
If you don't like solvent concentrates or can't use them for reasons like weak immunity or respiratory issues, bubble hash works as a great alternative.
3. Negligible Plant Matter
Bubble hash contains less plant material compared to traditional cannabis flowers. So, when you smoke or vaporize it, you don't have to breathe in burnt plant particles and cough your lungs out.
4. Flexible Consumption Options
You can use bubble hash in many ways, depending on how you prefer it. Smoke it, vaporize it, make edibles or topicals — it's all good. That said, vaporizing seems like a better option as you don't have to deal with the byproducts of combustion. Plus, the terpenes are tastier when you vaporize.
Drawbacks of Bubble Hash
While bubble hash is recognized for its purity and potency, there are a few downsides related to its production and usage.
1. Labor Intensive Manufacturing
Producing bubble hash is a tedious process that demands manual labor. Now, you already know that it's prepared through the ice-water extraction technique. If you're trying to make a small amount, it's all good, but if you're a commercial producer, you may need to hire more staff or invest in equipment to agitate the plant material enough to release trichomes.
After that is the filtering process where a series of bubble bags are used to separate the trichomes from the plant material. Then the trichomes are dried while preventing mold. This entire process requires precision and patience, making it time-consuming compared to other techniques that use solvents.
2. Equipment costs
To produce top-quality hash, you need to invest in specialized equipment including stirrers or washing machines to agitate the plant material. Some of these tools can be expensive for home growers.
3. Variable Yields
The yield of bubble hash can vary depending on several factors such as the quality of the material used. The potency and trichome density of the plant material you start with will have an impact on the yield.
Plus, crafting bubble hash involves a blend of skill and expertise which significantly impacts the efficiency of extracting trichomes. Also, maintaining control over factors, like water temperature and agitation duration is crucial to optimize the yield.
The variability in these elements poses a challenge in achieving good yields, making it tricky to accurately estimate the quantity of bubble hash obtained from a specified amount of cannabis. However, if you practice, you'll be able to get more yields in no time!
4. Storage
When it comes to storage and shelf life, you must handle your precious bubble hash properly to preserve the quality over a long period of time.
The light, humidity, and temperature all play a big role in how fresh it remains. For instance, excessive moisture can promote mold growth, jeopardizing both the safety and potency of the hash.
Also, elevated temperatures can cause cannabinoids and terpenes to degrade, diminishing the effectiveness and flavor of the hash. UV light exposure can break down cannabinoids, reducing the potency of the hash.
To maintain bubble hash’s quality, you should store it in a dry place in an airtight container. Otherwise, your bubble hash may not be viable for a long time.
5. Limited Availability
While bubble hash is popular, it's not as widely accessible as other concentrates due to its labor-intensive production process and the need for top-notch starting materials. This scarcity can make it tough for you to purchase it at times. However, you can make it at home and make sure you never run out of it.
How to Make Bubble Hash at Home
Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of bubble hash, you've got an inkling of how it's produced as well. As mentioned before, it requires some elbow grease, but it's not all that difficult. Plus, it's all worth it if you use top-quality material. So, here's a step-by-step method to make the best bubble hash at home:
Essential Supplies and Tools
- Cannabis Flower or Trim: Ensure your starting material is abundant in trichomes.
- Ice: It's essential to keep the water cold to facilitate trichome separation.
- Water: Cold, clean water is essential for the extraction process.
- Bubble Bags: Assortment of mesh bags with different micron sizes
- Buckets: Large containers for holding the ice-water mix and bubble bags.
- Mixing Tool: Stirring device like a spoon or a small washing machine tailored for bubble hash production.
- Drying Screens: These are used to dry the trichomes.
- Parchment Paper: Used to collect and dry the hash.
- Spoon or Scraper: Tools for collecting hash from bags.
Step by Step Instructions
1. Choose Your Cannabis Material
As mentioned already, the quality of your bubble hash will depend on the starting material you use. Since you're going to collect nothing but trichomes at the end, make sure your material is loaded with them.
2. Freeze your buds or trim
Freezing your herb will make the trichomes hard and brittle. When frozen, they become more delicate and easily detach from the plant material during the agitation process. Break down the cannabis into pieces if needed to ensure uniform freezing. Avoid grinding it to prevent excess plant material in the final product.
Store the cannabis in an airtight container. You can even use a plastic bag so it doesn’t absorb moisture from the freezer. Keep the cannabis in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Some growers freeze it overnight for optimal results. In essence, you need to freeze them until the trichomes are brittle.
3. Prepare Ice Water
As mentioned already, ice water helps to separate the trichomes from plant material. When it gets cold, the trichomes on the cannabis plant become fragile and can easily break off when you agitate them.
To make your ice water, get a bucket that's large enough for the cannabis material, ice, and water with some space for stirring. Typically, a 5-gallon bucket works well for those making bubble hash at home.
Start by filling the bucket with clean, cold water so there are no contaminants. Do not overfill the bucket with water as you'll need space for the cannabis material and the stirring process.
Add plenty of ice into the water to chill it down close to the freezing point. The colder the water, the better and faster the trichomes separate. Keep some ice handy to add as needed during the process since the ice will melt and you'll need to maintain the water temperature.
4. Monitor the temperature
Aim for a water temperature around 32°F (0°C). Use a thermometer to keep track of it. If it warms up during stirring, add more ice to keep it cold.
5. Stir Well
Mix the ice and water well. Now, you're all set to separate the trichomes and make some amazing bubble hash!
6. Setup the bubble bags
Pay attention here as this phase is crucial to ensure that you extract the trichomes properly after they separate from the plant material. You need to set up the bubble bags in their proper order to collect top-grade bubble hash.
If you're clueless about bubble bags, they are nothing but mesh bags designed to filter out trichomes based on their size. Each bag has a micron rating and while the bigger microns let more plant material in, the smaller ones capture the finer trichomes.
You'll need to be aware of the sizes of the bubble bags. Invest in top-notch bubble bags for durability and efficient filtration. Low-quality bags may fail to filter. If you're reusing the bubble bags, check for any residues in the bags from previous uses. Dry them thoroughly after each use to maintain their efficiency.
Now, start with the smallest one at the bottom to collect the trichomes for top-quality bubble hash. Arrange the remaining bags in order of their micron size. For example, if you have a 25-micron bubble bag as the smallest, place it at the bottom. Then, go with 45, 73, 120, and so on with the biggest on top.
Ensure each bag is securely positioned in the bucket, with edges folded over its rim. This setup allows you to lift out each bag independently for water drainage through the finer bags below.
Make sure to review the arrangement. Confirm that the bags are properly aligned and there are no spaces or overlaps that might let plant material skip the filtering process. There must be enough space in the bucket for you to do the mixing.
7. Agitate the plant material
Once you've arranged the bags properly in the bucket, it's time to pour in the ice water mixture and the frozen cannabis material into it. As you mix the ingredients, the layered bubble bags will separate trichomes of different sizes with each bag capturing a grade of bubble hash.
The science behind stirring the mixture is that it separates the trichomes from the cannabis material. The movement and cold temperature help detach the trichomes, causing them to settle at the bottom of the bucket and pass through the bubble bags for filtration.
If you have less material, you can go with a stirring stick or a spoon. Needless to say, they should be long enough to mix everything well.
Now, gently stir the mixture. Be careful not to stir aggressively to prevent excessive breaking of plant material that could mix with trichomes. Stir continuously for about 15-20 minutes. You should be consistent, yet agitate the plant material well enough to separate the trichomes.
If you're not keen on manual stirring, you can use a washing machine specifically designed for bubble hash production. For this, place the cannabis and ice mixture inside a washing machine bag before placing it in the machine.
Select a gentle cycle on the machine and let it mix for 15-20 minutes. The washing machine will provide agitation effortlessly. You can increase the intensity slowly if you want more trichomes, but be careful as it can break away a lot of the plant material too.
Throughout this process, the water has to remain as cold as possible. You can also add more ice if needed to maintain freezing temperatures.
8. The Initial Extraction
After 15-20 minutes of agitation, pause to let the trichomes settle. This is important as you're essentially isolating the trichomes. If you've followed the steps correctly, you're bound to gather a large quantity of top-quality trichomes while reducing impurities from plant material.
Gently lift off the largest bubble bag and let the water drain through subsequent bags. Hold up the bag over the container. Let it drain completely. The biggest particles and any remaining plant material will be trapped in this bag.
Shake the bag gently to let the water flow but don't spill its contents. Follow these steps for every bag.
Once the water has passed through the largest bag, move on to the next bag with a smaller micron size. Repeat the action of lifting and draining and each bag will capture trichomes that are increasingly fine. Make sure each bag fully drains before moving on to another to optimize trichome separation.
Collect the filtered trichomes from each bag using a spoon or scraper. By extracting trichomes collected in each bag one by one, you get varying grades of bubble hash with the finest trichomes collected in the smallest micron bags.
Repeat both agitation and extraction steps with any remaining cannabis material for more yield; however, the first extraction typically offers the best quality as the quality decreases slightly with every cycle.
9. Gather the Trichomes
Now, you need to properly collect the trichomes so you have a good yield. Be careful and gentle so the trichomes are intact.
Start by placing parchment paper or drying screens on a level surface for collecting trichomes. Place the trichomes you have collected on the paper.
Repeat this process for each bag of trichomes making sure to keep the grades of bubble hash separate by placing them in different areas on the drying surface.
Keep an eye on the consistency of the trichomes; if they are too wet, allow them some time to drain before moving them to the drying surface.
Spread out the collected trichomes evenly on the parchment paper or drying screens, for uniform drying. Place them in a dark and dry environment to prevent mold growth and maintain the quality.
We want to reiterate that you should be gentle. You're excited, but rough handling of the trichomes can damage them. Also, wear gloves as you don't want to contaminate them.
10. Drying
Let the trichomes dry completely, which may take a few days. Proper drying is essential to avoid mold formation and preserve the potency and flavor of the bubble hash. Maintaining the temperature and humidity is crucial at this point. After all, you've come this far so you don't want to mess this up.
After drying, break up the hash into pieces to ensure all moisture is gone. Once the hash is dry, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark location to protect its freshness.
Here's a quick summary of the entire process:
- Start with high-quality cannabis flowers or trim for excellent results.
- Keep the water and cannabis mix at freezing temperatures to separate the trichomes effectively. Adding ice during the process helps regulate the temperature.
- Be gentle when agitating the mixture to avoid breaking up plant material and contaminating the hash. Consistent mild agitation is key.
- You can do multiple runs after the initial one to extract any leftover trichomes. Each run will produce a lower-quality hash but it maximizes overall yield.
- Make sure all equipment is clean before and after use to prevent contamination and maintain bubble hash quality.
- Dry the hash properly to prevent mold growth and ensure a high-quality end product.
- Use airtight containers to store your bubble hash and keep it away from light, heat, and moisture to preserve its strength and taste.
Types and Qualities of Bubble Hash
Bubble hash is grouped into types based on the size of the screens used in the extraction process and the quality of the hash produced. If you'd rather purchase it instead of growing it at home, knowing about these classifications can help you choose something you like.
Understanding Micron Sizes
Micron size refers to the size of the holes in the mesh of bubble bags utilized in extraction. It determines which particles can pass through the mesh. Micron sizes are measured in micrometers (µm) with numbers indicating meshes that trap smaller particles.
Common Micron Sizes
220 Microns: Usually this micron bag is used to catch plant material and impurities. With such a large micron size, it typically doesn't capture usable trichomes and is often filled with ice, plant matter, and loads of impurities.
190 Microns: Captures way too much plant matter, so it's not good.
160 Microns: Captures trichome heads that are large and some plant matter. The hash collected in this bag tends to vary quite a bit.
120 Microns: This bag collects top-quality trichome heads. You'll have a good time using this hash.
104 Microns: Captures the best trichomes and is perfect for home use.
90 Microns: Good enough to make high-quality hash.
73 Microns: This size is good enough to catch trichomes of medium quality.
45: Microns: Manages to capture small trichs.
25 Microns: Captures small and immature trichs along with some stalks.
Remember that the sizes vary from one company to another. Sometimes, they are drastically different. However, they also make it clear which size captures small vs. big trichomes and even differentiate them through varying colors. The logic is simple — start with the biggest and go to the lowest micron.
Also, the smallest micron bag doesn't necessarily capture the best trichomes as they can collect many immature heads that aren't all that potent. Instead, you need to catch all those mature, juicy trichs with full heads to get the best experience. The smallest micron bag will also capture too much dust while the largest will catch a lot of plant matter as well. Typically, try and use bags between 70-120 microns for high-quality hash. Also, keep in mind that hash from larger microns tends to have a grainier texture and is less sticky whereas hash from smaller microns is stickier and more cohesive.
Grades of Bubble Hash
Full Melt
Full melt bubble hash is the king of all grades of bubble hash. It completely liquefies when you heat it, leaving minimal to no residue. As you can guess, it's expensive and sought by most users.
Full melt hash is typically obtained from the 73-micron and 45-micron bags though it can also originate from the 90 and even 150-micron range if the extractor is skilled. Ideal for vaporizing or dabbing because of its melting properties and strong effects, this hash is highly coveted by cannabis enthusiasts.
Half Melt
Half-melt hash doesn't fully liquify under heat and leaves some residue behind. Although it's not as good as full melt, it's still a high-quality hash that's typically sourced from 120-micron and sometimes 90-micron bags. You can smoke this in a joint or bowl and can also use it in edibles with some processing.
Cooking Grade
As you can guess by now, this is a lower-quality hash containing plant matter that doesn't melt well. Gathered from the 160-micron bag and sometimes the 220-micron bag, this grade is more coarse in texture and less potent. No prices for guessing that this is best suited for cooking or making edibles where the plant material’s taste is less prominent.
Low-Grade Hash
This is the lowest quality hash often taken from 160-micron and larger micron bags. It contains lots of impurities and plant matter. Plus, it has a low trichome content, resulting in a weaker product. Usually, it's best for making tinctures, topicals, or other items where purity is not that big a concern.
How to Find Out if Your Bubble Hash is Top-quality?
To find out if you got the best-quality bubble hash, you can do something called the bubble test, which is a reliable way to evaluate the quality of bubble hash by observing how it reacts to heat.
Bubble Test
Steps for performing the bubble test:
1. Get a Hot Surface Ready
Use a hot surface like the tip of a metal dab tool or a heated glass piece. Gently heat the hash’s surface with a lighter.
2. Put Some Hash on It
Put a piece of bubble hash on the surface. You don't need a lot; just a minuscule amount will do.
3. Observe What Happens
High-quality hash: If your hash is high-quality, it will fully melt and you'll even see bubbles. There should be little or no residue left at all. This indicates it has lots of trichomes with negligible plant material.
Lower quality hash: Poorer quality hash won't melt as good as full-melt. You'll see some residue after it melts as well, suggesting there's some plant material and impurities.
Visual Indicators
Apart from the way the hash melts, there are other ways to check the purity. For example, the way it looks tells you a lot too.
Here are some key visual indicators to consider:
Color
High-quality hash: Full-melt bubble hash usually has a light to amber color. It even looks golden at times, suggesting there's very little or no contamination, and has a concentration of trichomes.
Lower quality hash: Inferior grades of bubble hash tend to be darker in color. They range from brown to greenish shades indicating more plant material and impurities.
Texture
Now, let's talk about texture. After all, you touch the buds to find out whether they are good or not. Similarly, the texture of your bubble hash should tell you about its quality.
High-quality hash: It looks like sand and even feels like fine sand. It may also be slightly granular but not too much. Most importantly, it will be slightly sticky, indicating a high concentration of trichome heads.
Lower quality hash: Lesser quality hash may be powdery or crumbly with a rougher texture due to more plant material and less resin. It won’t feel as fine as high-quality hash.
Consistency
Finally, we get to the consistency.
High-quality hash: This type of hash should be slightly sticky to the touch and hold together well. It shouldn't crumble when you touch it.
Lower-quality hash: This type of hash may feel a little dry and even brittle. It will be crumbly, which tells you that there's a lower trichome concentration.
Aroma and Taste
The fragrance and flavor of bubble hash are influenced by the retention of terpenes which are compounds found in cannabis that contribute to its unique smell and taste.
Aroma
High-quality hash: As this high-grade hash contains nothing but trichomes, you'll get to taste a lot of terpenes. All in all, you may experience a rich, intricate, and pleasant scent. The aroma should be potent and reflective of the strain's characteristics whether fruity, earthy, or spicy.
Lower quality hash: This type of hash won't announce its arrival like the full-melt one. It smells faintly of terpenes, which indicates that some terpenes were lost during extraction or that there is plant material in the hash.
Flavor
High-quality hash: When you vaporize or smoke premium bubble hash, it offers an experience that mirrors its profile. The taste should be smooth with clear notes corresponding to the strain’s terpene profile.
Lower quality hash: As this will have some plant matter, it will not have a complete profile like the full-melt.
By understanding these indicators, you'll be able to purchase top-quality hash. Even if you make it at home, you'll be able to ascertain if the hash is good or not.
Summary: Bubble Hash 101: Everything You Need to Know About Cannabis's Finest Concentrate
Bubble hash is a concentrate that you can make at home easily using ice, water, and bubble bags. If you have some extra weed with lots of trichomes, it’s the perfect candidate to make some delicious hash.
Although cannabis buds are enjoyable, bubble hash gives you that extra kick that you can enjoy sometimes with your loved ones or friends. Be careful not to consume too much or you risk low-tolerance and some negative side effects.
Stay tuned to learn more about concentrates.
