The Art of Making Bubble Hash: A Comprehensive Guide for Enthusiasts
Bubble hash can take you to new heights of bliss. But how do you create this incredible extract? Is it easy to make? And why is it called bubble hash in the first place? We’ll answer all these questions and more below.
What is bubble hash?
Bubble hash is one of the purest solventless concentrates out there. Comprised of the plant’s trichomes, bubble hash is made by separating the resin from the plant using nothing more than icy cold water, some agitation, and a sieve.
The name “bubble hash” comes from its tendency to bubble when exposed to a flame and the bubble bags used in its creation. By shaking the buds in a bag filled with ice and water, the trichomes break off and fall to the bottom of the sieve.
The quality of bubble hash varies based on the material used and the agitation process. Once the trichomes are collected, the bubble hash turns into a sticky paste, ready to be dried and enjoyed.
Types of bubble hash
Trim processed bud
Trim is the leftover material from a harvest, including flower clippings, leaves, and stems. Using trim to make bubble hash will yield lower quality results, but with the right trim, it can still produce a potent product.
Bud processed
Bubble hash works best with whole-flower buds that have a high concentration of trichomes. The quality of your whole-flower buds also affects your final outcome. A dry, low-THC strain will produce lower-quality yields compared to high-quality flowers.
Micron screen sizes
The number and size of your micron screens matter. Large micron screen sizes will let more unwanted plant material through, along with valuable trichomes. Smaller micron sizes will filter trichomes while keeping the organic material out. Having a mix of both is crucial.
Bubble hash vs traditional hash
Traditional hash-making techniques, originating from Middle Eastern countries, skip the ice, water, and bubble bags for a simpler setup. Traditional hash was made by hand-pressing or rubbing the trichomes off of plants. Nowadays, traditional hash is made using dry-sifting methods.
Traditional hash offers a potent dose of cannabinoids for users, with THC concentrations reaching up to 50 percent. Bubble hash, on the other hand, can have THC levels of around 60 percent due to its more refined extraction process.
How to Make Bubble Hash
Creating bubble hash is a straightforward process. You only need a few tools to get started.
1. Gather all your materials
First, gather all your bubble hash-making materials in one spot, including:
- 1-to-5-gallon bucket
- Ice
- Water
- Silk-screen filters/bubble bag
- Cannabis bud or trim (fresh or frozen)
- Large spoon (for mixing)
2. Fill your bucket
Start by layering your micron filter screens or bags into the bucket, going from smallest to largest filter size. For example, bubble bags begin with 25-micron bags and work up to the 220-micron bag. After lining your bucket with the filter screens, fill the bottom portion of the bucket with ice-cold water.
Once you have a base of water (halfway full), add the weed and then the ice until you reach the top of the bucket. Fill the rest of your bucket with cold water, if needed.
3. Stir your mixture
Grab a spoon, ladle, or another mixing device to gently stir. As you stir, the ice will start to melt. Feel free to add more ice if needed. Stir for about 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Strain and repeat
After stirring your ice, water, and cannabis for a good amount of time, strain the liquid from each filter screen into the bucket and repeat the process by removing one screen bag at a time. Turn each filter bag inside out to collect your resinous trichomes and gently press out the moisture from the bag.
Mastering the Art of Bubble Hash: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices
There’s a slight learning curve when it comes to making bubble hash. Over time, you’ll learn the tricks of the trade, but we’ve got a quick primer on some bubble hash-making tips from the pros.
Keep things as cold as possible.
When making bubble hash, it’s crucial to keep the entire process cold. The ice-cold temperatures separate the trichomes from the plant by freezing and snapping them off. While you don’t need to go to the North Pole for your hash-making, try performing your operation in a cold room like a large storage freezer. Some users even put their water in the freezer so it turns into a slurry form.
Consider your water source.
Tap water can work in a pinch, but what you really want to use is ultra-purified water. Purified water removes chlorine, fluoride, and other chemicals found in tap water that can make your bubble hash taste bad.
Start with quality weed.
You won’t get the best hash with poor-quality buds or trim. For your first few runs, you can use lower-quality trim to minimize the chance of wasting your premium buds, but ultimately, you want to use the best quality weed you have.
Use a freeze dryer instead of air drying your bubble hash.
Freeze dryers can cut down your drying time, so you can enjoy your hash sooner rather than later.
Bubble hash extraction produces some of the most potent and flavorful extracts around. While the process can be time-consuming, you’re left with a resinous and potent concentrate that can provide enormous therapeutic relief.
How to consume bubble hash
Once you’ve made or bought your bubble hash, it’s time to enjoy it. Bubble hash can be consumed like most other cannabis extracts, although dabbing generally doesn’t work as well.
- Break off a piece of your bubble hash and sprinkle it over a joint or blunt for an out-of-this-world experience.
- If you prefer to use glass pieces to smoke your flower, add a dash of bubble hash on top of your flower-packed bowl.
- Bubble hash can also make a great ingredient for your next meal or baked good. Use bubble hash to make really potent cannabutter or canna-oil.
- Some dry-herb and wax-friendly vaporizers can handle the consistency of your bubble hash, so you can vape your concentrates on-the-go.
