How to Press Bubble Hash: The Ultimate Guide

Solventless cannabis concentrates like bubble hash rosin have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering consumers a high-quality concentrate that preserves the full essence of the cannabis plant. With its potent terpene profile and rich selection of cannabinoids, bubble hash is a flavorful, pure, and powerful concentrate. 

Cannabis cultivators can expand their product portfolio and increase their income by learning how to press bubble hash effectively. This involves using the right tools, accessories, and processes. After all, bubble hash is currently the second most popular solventless dabbable after rosin.

By pressing bubble hash into rosin, you create a highly potent and pure product, known for its craft quality and high profit potential. It’s an excellent way to capture the attention of a wide audience of consumers. This guide will tell you everything you need to know to optimize rosin yield, quality, and flavor, pressing from bubble hash. 

What is Bubble Hash Rosin?

Bubble hash rosin is a premium type of solventless cannabis concentrate. Unlike standard flower rosin, bubble hash rosin results in higher clarity and purity due to the ice water extraction process (and proper drying) that happens prior to pressing. 

The more traditional flower rosin is created by pressing dried cannabis flowers between heated plates. While the method is still popular, advances in solventless extraction have led to bubble hash as a more refined source material for pressing.

Bubble hash, or ice water hash, is created by agitating cannabis with cold water and ice, separating the trichomes from the plant material. The flower and ice water are steadily mixed then drained and sifted through various micron screens to collect the pure trichomes and form bubble hash. 

Bubble hash is rich in cannabinoids and terpenes, and contains fewer lipids like plant oils and waxes such as chlorophyll than flower. Because of this, bubble hash can contribute to a purer, more concentrated, and flavorful rosin.

As technologies have evolved, creating bubble hash is now a more attainable process with high ROI potential. Commercial scale hash washing machines like the Triminator Maker™ offer cultivators a high-capacity bubble hash washer, specifically designed for solventless producers.

Using the Maker™ to extract quality hash, cultivators can create rosin using heat and pressure with a rosin press. Rather than relying on solvents like butane or CO2, hash rosin is a fully solventless concentrate. 

This strategy has become more popular as demand for solventless products has grown. For instance, between January 2021 and January 2023, demand for solventless concentrates such as rosin has doubled among consumers in the US. 

How to Press Bubble Hash: Step-by-Step

On a broad scale, learning how to press bubble hash is similar to pressing flower or kief rosin. They both use similar tools and techniques. However, pressing bubble hash can require a more precise focus on time, temperature, and pressure to create the best rosin.

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Materials and Equipment

The first step in pressing bubble hash is collecting the right materials and equipment. First, you’ll need high-quality bubble hash with a rich terpene profile and excellent potency. Next, you’ll need to prepare your extraction equipment and tools.  

Key pieces of equipment include:

• The Rosin Press: Choose a press with adjustable pressure and precise heat control. This helps retain a good profile of cannabinoids and terpenes in your rosin. Look for a press that will maintain consistent temperature and pressure across the heat platens to avoid blowouts and maximize quality yields.
• Rosin Bags: Rosin bags hold the dried bubble hash during pressing. They help to distribute pressure evenly to improve rosin yield and quality. Rosin bags also act as filters that keep any unwanted plant materials out of the final product. For bubble hash, 15, 25, or 37-micron bags are ideal. Smaller micron sizes are also preferable for finer filtration. Opt for quality bags that resist bursting under pressure and allow for even heat distribution.
• Pressing Tools: Accessories and tools to help during the pressing and collection process, such as parchment paper, a dab mat, and dab tools. Use high-quality, silicone-coated parchment paper to catch the rosin as it flows from the filter bag.

You’ll also need to prepare your workspace for pressing. This means creating a clean, stable workplace to avoid the risk of cross-contamination. Additionally, find the right temperature for your press in advance (between 130°F and 200°F) for the ideal combination of yield and terpene preservation. 

Step 2: Prepare the Bubble Hash for Pressing

Next, you’ll need to prepare your bubble hash for the pressing process. Start by thoroughly drying your bubble hash. Moisture left over from the bubble hash extraction process can hinder the pressing process and the resulting quality of the rosin. Proper drying helps the hash retain a crumbly texture that presses well for a cleaner extract.

Different cultivators prefer to use different drying techniques. Freeze drying is one popular method. It helps to reduce moisture levels quickly without compromising the hash’s terpene and cannabinoid profiles. When freeze-drying isn’t an option, air-drying in a low-humidity, cool environment can also work. However, it does require more time. You’ll also need to pay attention to your hash when drying to minimize the risk of mold and oxidation.

Once your bubble hash has dried, you can begin to fill your rosin bag. Ideally, only fill around 75% of the bag to create a layer around 0.5 inches thick. You can use a funnel for easier handling. Try to distribute the hash inside of the bag evenly. Making sure your bag isn’t over-full reduces the risk of blowouts and allows for even pressure and heat distribution across all of the material.

Step 3: Preheat and Press the Hash

Now, it’s time to begin the preheating process. Begin by preheating the rosin press to the appropriate temperature. This varies based on the quality of your hash and your desired results. Typically, lower temperatures (130–170°F) help retain terpenes and reduce the risk of burning your rosin. Higher temperatures (170-200°F) can yield more product faster but can disrupt terpene content.

Start with a low temperature and adjust gradually as needed. Quality hash should release rosin evenly at lower temperatures. This means you might not need to use excessive heat. When your press is ready, gently preheat the bubble hash between the rosin plates without applying pressure.

This warming-up session will allow the hash to begin to soften and reduce the risk of bag blowouts. It can also help the rosin to flow more freely, increasing yield. After an initial pre-heating, you can apply light amounts of pressure gradually.

A slow and steady approach to increasing pressure will minimize stress on the bag. It also lessens the damage to fragile terpenes, which improves the end quality of your product. Remember, finding the right balance between pressure and heat is crucial. Too much heat can degrade terpenes. Too much pressure could cause unwanted plant material to be extracted with the rosin.

Step 4: Increase Pressure and Press the Rosin

After the preheating and initial pressing, you can gradually increase the pressure of your press. This ensures you’re extracting as much rosin as possible. Start with a low PSI to allow the hash to warm up with minimal stress and enable a clean extraction.

Gradually increase the pressure on the solventless hash over the next few seconds until you reach the ideal PSI level. To calculate the optimal platen PSI (pounds per square inch) of pressure, divide the applied force by the pressing area. The right PSI will depend on your press and setup. However, it usually makes sense to aim for a gradual increase from between 300 and 1,000 PSI. 

As you’re pressing, pay close attention to the temperature of your press. Avoid going above 200°F. In some cases, you may be able to reduce temperature and increase pressure to increase yield without causing terpene damage. 

There’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how long you’ll need to press your bubble hash to get the best rosin extraction. Timing will depend on the hash quality and your setup. A good rule of thumb is that it should fall within 60 to 120 seconds per batch. Monitor the flow of rosin as you increase the pressure and avoid exposing the hash to heat and pressure for too long. 

Step 5: Collect and Cure the Rosin

Once your rosin is fully pressed, you’ll need to collect, cure, and store it. Carefully peel away the parchment paper to reveal the pressed rosin. You can use a chilled metal surface or cold plate to help with the collection process. Cooling your rosin slightly can make it easier to handle without smearing or sticking. 

It’s important to use controlled motions and clean equipment to avoid contamination. Once you’ve collected your rosin, you can begin to cure it. Curing rosin can increase the flavor, potency, and overall consistency of your concentrates. 

While there are various methods you can use for curing, the Jar Tech method is one of the most popular. This involves placing your rosin in an airtight glass jar and then storing it in a specific location. 

Where you store your rosin will depend on whether you choose a cold curing or warm curing method. Cold curing helps preserve terpenes and enhance flavor. Here, you’ll store your jarred rosin in a dark, cool place for several days, or even weeks.

With warm curing, you’ll place your jar in a slightly warmer environment (90-100°F) for a slightly shorter period. This strategy can help to intensify the rosin’s terpene profile and create a batter-like consistency. Throughout the storage process, make sure you follow best practices to maintain the rosin’s freshness and purity. Choose an airtight container, ideally made from glass, to reduce exposure to air or moisture. Proper curing and storage allow the rosin to develop its full profile while maintaining its freshness over time.

Tips and Factors to Consider When Pressing Hash Rosin

Pressing bubble hash to create rosin doesn’t have to be a complex process. Especially if you have access to the right tools that help you wash and prepare bubble hash at speed, however, there are some tips you can follow to improve your chances of success.

Select a High-Quality Cultivar

The overall quality of your rosin will depend on the material you start with. Choose cannabis with large, resinous trichome heads to improve yield and potency. Strains rich in trichomes will yield more rosin and allow for a more robust flavor profile.

Prioritize cultivars known for excellent resin production. Popular options include:

• Cookie variants like Girl Scout Cookies and Thin Mints
• Cake strains like Birthday Cake
• Classics like Chem Dog and Cherry Pie. 

All of these strains are bred for high trichome production, making them great for rosin pressing.

Process the Hash to Create a Wide Range of Products

Once you’ve extracted your bubble hash rosin, there are several advanced techniques to enhance its flavor and versatility for new products. For instance, techniques like whipping and curing can improve the flavor profile of your rosin.

Whipping involves agitating the rosin to incorporate air. This creates a creamy texture and an enhanced terpene profile. It also leads to a batter-like consistency which makes the rosin a little easier to handle and use. On the other hand, curing with cold and warm methods used over several days can refine the flavors of your rosin. 

You can encourage the development of more complex flavors as terpenes mature with curing. This gives you a wide range of experiences to offer customers. 

Experiment with Rosin Textures

You can also further process bubble hash rosin to create different textures that appeal to various customers. For instance, you might experiment with:

• Sauce: This texture combines high-terpene extracts with a crystalline structure. It often results in a visually appealing rosin with pronounced flavors. The process involves letting the rosin sit in a cool environment to allow crystals to form. It also retains flavorful terpenes in the surrounding sauce.
• Diamonds: By controlling temperature and pressure, you can produce THCA diamonds. These are pure crystalline structures that offer a potent punch. They can be paired with a terpene sauce for a flavorful experience.
• Badder: This texture is achieved by whipping the rosin after extraction for a soft, cake-like consistency. Badder is highly sought after for its creamy texture and ability to deliver a flavorful and potent experience.

Successfully Pressing Bubble Hash

Learning how to press bubble hash effectively doesn’t have to be complex. Tools like the Triminator Maker™ and TRP Stack can help you throughout the process. However, there are important best practices to follow every step of the way. 

Selecting premium cannabis cultivars with abundant trichomes, using the right combination of temperature and heat, and properly curing your rosin can all lead to better results. Investing in the best quality equipment and accessories for the pressing process will help to improve extraction purity, quality, and potency. 

If you’re ready to expand your product portfolio with high-quality bubble hash rosin, Triminator has the tools you need to optimize extraction. Our high-quality products can help you produce incredible, consistent rosin at scale, increasing yield and product quality. 

Contact Triminator today to start your journey toward a superior hash rosin product.