Bubble hash is cannabis resin separated with ice, water, and agitation. Cold water makes trichome heads brittle. Mesh bags catch the heads by size. The output is a solventless concentrate graded by micron screen. Yield runs about 3% to 10% of dry flower weight. The 73 and 90 micron screens hold the full melt grades.
What the process does
Trichomes sit on the outside of the flower and hold cannabinoids and terpenes. Water at 32-39°F (0-4°C) firms the resin heads. Agitation breaks them off the plant material. The heads fall through a stack of screens. Each screen has a mesh size in microns. Stalks and leaf fiber stay in the top bag. Resin heads collect on the finer screens below.
Supplies
- Two 5-gallon buckets
- Bubble bag set: 220, 190, 160, 120, 90, 73, 45, 25 micron
- 10-20 lb ice
- 100-450 g dry trim or flower, frozen
- Wooden paddle or large spoon
- Drying screen and parchment
- Thermometer
Steps
- Chill the water. Fill a bucket with water and ice. Target 32-39°F. Let it sit 10 minutes.
- Stack the bags in the second bucket. Smallest mesh goes on the bottom, 220 micron work bag on top.
- Add material. Put the frozen trim or flower in the work bag. Add cold water to cover. Add ice to the top third of the bucket.
- Agitate 10-15 minutes with the paddle. Keep ice in the mix. Do not use a blender; blades chop plant matter into the resin.
- Settle 20-30 minutes. Resin sinks to the bottom bag.
- Pull each bag in order. Rinse the outside with cold water. Scoop the resin onto the screen with a spoon.
- Run a second and third wash on the same material. Each round gives less and grades lower.
Micron sizes
220 micron: work bag, holds plant material. 160 to 190: coarse grade, cooking use. 120: mixed grade. 90 and 73: prime grade, melts clean. 45: lower grade, good for pressing. 25: fine grade, holds dust and small plant bits.
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Drying and storage
Spread the hash about 1/4 inch thick on a drying screen or parchment. Dry 5-10 days at 60°F and 45-55% relative humidity. Break large clumps by hand after 24 hours. The hash is dry when it crumbles instead of smearing. Store in glass at 60-65°F, away from light. Frozen storage holds quality for a year or more.
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Yield and quality
Fresh frozen material gives more full melt. Dry trim gives less. Color tracks grade: white and pale blonde hash melts clean, green or brown hash carries plant matter. A second wash pulls lower grades from the same batch.
Legal note
Home extraction rules differ by state. Some US states allow it, others restrict it. Check state law before you buy equipment or starting material.