In this article, we explain step by step how to make bubble hash, also known as bubble hash or ice-o-lator. This cannabis resin extraction is done using buckets and ice, allowing you to recover trichomes from buds and plant residue to obtain a pure and powerful concentrate.
Why choose the bubble hash method?
The bubble hash method offers several advantages over other extraction techniques:
- It is simple to make, requiring no expensive or hard-to-find materials.
- It produces a clean concentrate without chemical solvents.
- It is resource-efficient, as it allows plant waste that would normally be thrown away to be used.
- The hash bubble obtained is often considered to be of higher quality than those produced by other methods.
What equipment is needed to make hash bubble?
Here is a list of items you will need:
- Extraction bags with different mesh sizes (generally between 25 and 220 microns)
- A large bucket
- Crushed ice
- Cold water
- Cannabis residues rich in trichomes (buds, leaves, small branches, etc.)
- A spoon or other utensil for stirring
- A sieve and a spatula to collect the bubble hash
- Baking paper or parchment paper for harvesting and storing the final product
Now that you have everything you need, let's move on to preparing the bubble hash.
Step 1: Preparing the extraction bags
Start by determining the order in which you will place the mesh bags according to their size. Then place them in the bucket, starting with the one with the largest mesh and ending with the one with the smallest mesh.
Step 2: Setting up cannabis residues
Place the buds, leaves, and other plant waste containing trichomes in the bag with the largest mesh size (usually 220 microns). Make sure the pieces are evenly distributed across the entire surface of the bag.
Tips for improving extraction
- Place the residue in the freezer for a few hours before using it to make it even more brittle and facilitate the separation of the trichomes.
- Lightly grind the buds and leaves with a manual grinder to increase the surface area in contact with the ice and cold water, but do not over-grind to avoid damaging the glands and releasing too much chlorophyll.
Step 3: Adding ice
Add a layer of crushed ice to the bag containing the cannabis residue. Make sure to completely cover the buds and leaves with ice. The ice is essential for cooling and hardening the trichomes, making it easier to separate them from the plant particles.
Step 4: Fill the bucket with cold water
Find another bucket or container large enough to hold the first bucket filled with the bags and plant material, then add cold water directly to it until the residue and ice in the 220-micron bag are completely covered. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes so that the trichomes can cool down and detach more easily from the plant pieces.
Step 5: Shaking the bags and extracting the trichomes
Use a spoon, plastic spatula, or other suitable utensil to gently but thoroughly stir the submerged buds and leaves. Be careful not to puncture the extraction bags during this step.
The idea here is to mix the water and ice with the cannabis residue to separate the trichomes from the plant particles. Do this for about 10 to 15 minutes. You don't need to stir constantly; you can take breaks to rest your arms if necessary.
Step 6: Filtering and retrieving the bubble hash
After this extraction time, carefully remove the 220-micron bag containing the plant material and ice from the bucket, then let it drain into another container so as not to lose the trichome-rich drops. Once drained and emptied, you can start a new extraction session with this plant material, bearing in mind that the trichome concentrations will be lower with each successive session.
Then continue with the other extraction bags representing different mesh sizes, taking care to wring them out thoroughly to recover the trichome-rich water. The bags will contain bubble hash with varying levels of purity depending on the size of their mesh. Use a sieve and spatula to collect this precious substance, which you can spread out on baking paper or parchment to let it dry at room temperature before storing it.
Now you know how to makebubble hash! With this simple and effective method, you can make the most of your cannabis trimmings and produce a high-quality concentrate.
