Cannabis concentrates are increasingly becoming one of the most popular ways to consume cannabis – particularly solvent-free variations. Their purity and potency mean that more people are opting for concentrates such as rosin, wax, and shatter. Yet, there are still many consumers who have yet to experience the benefits of these products, and many more who may be unsure what they are and how they are made.
So, what are cannabis concentrates? Which are the most popular? And how are they made? We’ll be answering all these questions in the article ahead, placing a particular focus on rosin, before answering our main question: Can you rosin press fresh bud?
What are Cannabis Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are a category of cannabis products that distil the plant into a more potent (or concentrated) form. This process preserves the most desirable components of the plant while discarding other plant matter. In essence, it dilutes cannabis down to the essential oils, rich with cannabinoids and terpenes – including THC and CBD. Cannabis concentrates are usually much stronger than the plant from which they have been made. As a result, concentrates like rosin are often packaged and sold in much smaller quantities – you only need a very small amount to reach your desired effect.
Sometimes, concentrates may also be referred to as extracts. They can come in a range of consistencies, from liquid oils to hard ‘shatter’ or mid-consistency wax and rosin. Different users will favour different products depending on their potency, consistency, and manner of administration. For example, many cannabis concentrates are consumed using a ‘dab rig’ or vaporizer. These products apply small amounts of heat to your cannabis rosin or other chosen concentrate until it begins to give off a cannabinoid and terpene-rich vapour. This is then inhaled in the same manner as smoking.
Everyone will have their own favourite cannabis concentrate product, from rosin to shatter. But their commercial availability can obviously influence which products you use. For example, cannabis shatter has become increasingly available in recent years and, as such, has perhaps become the most popular cannabis concentrate. However, if you are looking for a different way to source your cannabis concentrates – and indeed experiment with different types – then why not try making your own?
How are Cannabis Concentrates Made?
While cannabis concentrates like rosin and shatter may all be made using the same starting product, they are not the same product. In fact, they can be made in several ways with the final product depending on the exact method used and the quality of the cannabis product used. For example, the cannabinoid and terpene content of the original plant can significantly impact the final product in terms of consistency, texture, and potency. Nonetheless, the production of all cannabis concentrates requires two key elements – heat and pressure.
Some concentrate, however, require the use of other steps to further refine the final product. This often involves the use of solvents in the extraction process, which some consumers may find undesirable. While the use of solvents in cannabis extraction is completely safe, it requires the correct equipment and setting (i.e., a large-scale production facility). For this reason, solvent extraction should not be attempted at home. Solvent extraction involves the use of a solvent to filter out any unwanted products. While solvent extracted and heat extracted concentrates may look the same – and in some cases, even sound the same (rosin and resin, for example), they are produced in very different ways.
Cannabis resin is extracted using a solvent extraction process. As we mentioned above, this requires the use of a solvent, such as ethanol. The most common method, though, is the Butane Hash Oil (BHO) extraction process which uses – you guessed it – butane. This method is usually employed when making an isolate product such as CBD or THC isolate. If you are looking for a more rounded product that represents the true cannabinoid and terpene profile of the original plant, then this extraction method may not be the right fit for you.
Luckily, there are alternative options and, better yet, you can even employ them in the comfort of your own home. One of these options is rosin. Similar in appearance to resin, this form of cannabis concentrate doesn’t require the use of a solvent extraction method. Instead, only heat and pressure are required, making this an extremely accessible option.
What is Rosin?
Rosin is a full-spectrum cannabis extract. This means that it contains practically the complete selection of cannabinoids, terpenes, and even flavonoids from the original plant used to make it. Rosin is a popular option for users who value purity as, unlike resin and other concentrates, it doesn’t require the use of chemicals or solvents in its production. The term ‘rosin’ also refers to a block of pine-extracted wax used to lubricate the bow of a piano… but we’ll save that for another time.
You may come across ‘live’ rosins, too. While this might sound like something from a laboratory, the difference between the two products is minor. Put simply, live rosins are extracts that have been manufactured using frozen plant matter.
Anyway, back to making rosin. Like we said, cannabis rosin can be made in your own home – though having the right tools makes the job a whole lot easier.
How to Make Cannabis Concentrates at Home
Like we said, cannabis rosin can be made in your own home – though having the right tools makes the job a whole lot easier. The more daring cannabis user may employ the ‘hair straightener technique’ to extract the desirable cannabinoid rich oils from their cannabis. This involves placing your starting product between grease-proof paper and placing it between a pair of hair straighteners (a relatively low heat setting of between 130-170°C is recommended). From here, it is simply a case of pressing the tongs together and waiting. Of course, this DIY technique does come with its drawbacks.
First of all, it is uncomfortable. Let’s face it, hair straighteners weren’t designed to be held shut for as long as it may take for essential oils to begin seeping from your cannabis plant. For that matter, your hands weren’t made to be holding something shut for that long, either (hello, hand cramp). Secondly, it can be quite unsafe. Being in such close proximity to scalding hot plates is a situation that you don’t want to be in. If you are up for trying this technique, get ready to pick up a few burns along the way. And lastly, it is messy. This goes without saying, as hair straighteners were not made for this job. Therefore, collecting your rosin as it seeps out of your cannabis can be a fiddly, messy, and dangerous jobs (more burns likely here).
Using a Rosin Press
This is where a Rosin Press comes in handy. This impressive bit of kit might look a bit scary and intimidating on first glance, but don’t let that fool you. If you are interested in creating your own rosin products, then this machine will be worth its weight in gold. Better yet, they are really easy to use! It may not come as a surprise but, making rosin using a high-quality Rosin Press is infinitely easier and more effective than any DIY techniques you can imagine.
So, how does a Rosin Press actually work when creating rosin? Well, by applying the two elements we mentioned earlier, of course! Heat and pressure, as we said, are the two key requirements for creating a high-quality, cannabinoid-rich rosin. A Rosin Press works by applying a carefully controlled and consistent amount of both of these elements at the same time, using two heated plates. Our Rosin Presses can also be used with micron filtration bags to make the process of collection much easier and leave you with an even purer final product!
Not only is rosin production much easier and safer than DIY techniques; the chances are – thanks to the consistent application of heat and pressure – you will also end up with a higher quality rosin. Our selection of rosin presses allows you to produce your own cannabis rosin extracts in a convenient, safe, and tidy manner, leaving you with only one job left – to enjoy your home-made cannabis concentrate! What’s more, you can even experiment with different textures and consistency until you find your perfect rosin product.
Controlling the Consistency of your Cannabis Rosin
As you will well know, different cannabis users have a preference for different products. This preference can be between flower and oils, or shatter and rosin, but one of the biggest factors that influences a person’s preference is the texture and consistency of the product. This can contribute to how well a cannabis extract can be vapourised – including what temperature is needed for a smooth drag. So, what contributes to the different consistencies of cannabis extracts and how can you control it?
The Big Question: Can you Rosin Press Fresh Bud?
So, that brings us to the biggest question of all: Can you use fresh but to make cannabis rosin? Luckily, the answer to this question is pretty straightforward. Any kind of cannabis flower or bud product can be utilised to make a high-quality and potent cannabis rosin. This includes fresh, whole buds which can be easily processed using a Rosin Press. Furthermore, if you want to discover the world of ‘live’ rosins, why not try the process with frozen plant matter? Simply place your cannabis product in a freezer-safe bag in the freezer and wait for a few hours or overnight before placing in your Rosin Press.
There is another thing that many cannabis users may not know about making their own cannabis rosin. It can be a great way to make the very most out of every last bit of your cannabis stash. As we go into in much more detail in our blog, ‘Can You Use a Rosin Press for Trim?’, cannabis trim – the off-cuttings of the plant that are regularly discarded – can actually be used to make high-quality extracts – including rosin. So, why not give it a go the next time you are thinking of trying your hand at some homemade cannabis extracts?
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