Creating your own cannabis concentrates at home doesn’t need to be complicated or dangerous. Rosin is a popular type of dab that you can produce safely and efficiently without the use of solvents. This guide will walk you through the process of making rosin using simple tools, ensuring you do so safely and effectively.
If you are anything like me then you will have been marveling at the progression of cannabis products in states where cannabis has either been legalized recreationally or medically. These new products range from various sprays, to edibles and dabs which will blow your head off without you having to inhale copious smoke.
Sadly for me and my other non American stoners we do not have anything that comes close to these products. It is possible to get high quality wax and other US produced cannabis products however they are incredibly expensive as they have to be smuggled in which increases the price.
What You Need To Produce Rosin
Don’t worry though, a savvy stoner located somewhere on this planet has discovered a way to make dabs at home with little to no specialist equipment.
The best thing is that you won’t even have to worry about setting your house on fire or scarring your whole body for life. This method is foolproof (some might say stonerproof). The normal process involves using a cheap solvent (usually butane) to preform the extraction on the actual plant material, these cheap solvents can be dangerous though and unless you are a professional with the correct equipment then I would strongly advise you do not try and replicate this method. at home.
However anyone without the correct training and equipment should opt for a solventless extraction process which will be a lot easier, cheaper and safer for everyone involved. Don’t expect to get the same yields or quality as professional extractors but this is to be expected.
To get started, you will need the following items:
- Cannabis: You can use flower, kief, or hash. The choice will affect the flavor, potency, and yield of your rosin.
- Rosin press: For best results, a professional rosin press is ideal, but a hair straightener can also work for small, personal batches.
- Parchment paper: To collect the rosin.
- Heat-resistant gloves: To protect your hands from burns.
- Collection tool: Typically a dabber used to scrape and collect rosin.
- Micron bags (optional): Used for pressing kief or hash to keep plant particles out of the rosin.
All you will need is parchment paper, hair straighteners and your strain of choice. You will want to take a medium to small sized bud and place it on the parchment paper, fold the parchment paper over the bud to give full coverage so the bud will not be directly exposed to the hot plate of the hair straightener.
The Rosin Extraction Method Explained
The Rosin Pressing Process
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to pressing your rosin:
- Preheat the Press: Set your rosin press or hair straightener to a temperature between 250-300°F (120-150°C). The exact temperature will depend on the moisture content of your cannabis and desired yield.
- Prepare the Cannabis: Place your cannabis inside a folded piece of parchment paper. If using kief or hash, first pack it into a micron bag.
- Press: Place the parchment paper with cannabis in the press and apply pressure gently for about 15-30 seconds. The time and pressure will depend on the strain and the amount of material you are pressing.
- Collect the Rosin: Carefully remove the pressed cannabis and open the parchment paper. Use your collection tool to scrape off the golden, sticky rosin.
- Repeat if Necessary: Adjust heat or pressure based on the results of your first press and try again if needed.
Safety Precautions
- Always wear heat-resistant gloves when handling the press or straightener.
- Ensure your equipment is stable and set up on a heat-resistant surface.
- Maintain good ventilation in your workspace to avoid any discomfort from heat or mild vapor.
Once you have placed the bud in the parchment paper you will want to set your hair straighteners to a medium-low heat. When the hair straighteners reach your desired temperature take the parchment paper with the bud inside and place it between the two hot plates. You will want to press down for around about 5 seconds, once you have done this you will notice a small amount of solventless oil on the inside of the parchment paper, repeat this process with each nug 2-3 times to ensure you are getting your maximum potential yield.
This solventless extraction method is commonly referred to as Rosin Tech. After the extraction you will be left with the ‘Rosin’ which is a pure concentrate of the given strains medicinal benefits, it also enhances the flavour and gives the taste a slightly sweeter note. This method can also be used to turn kief into oil and to make some hashs a lot easier to dab. You can expect a yield of anywhere between 7-10% so if you press out 2g of cannabis you should get about 0.15g – 0.2g of dabable material. Don’t let this deter you as the potency of this ‘Rosin’ is incredibly high and will give you the same, if not better, high as smoking the original buds would. It also has many health benefits which come about via the reduction of how much smoke you are inhaling on a daily basis.
If anyone wants to produce a lot of ‘Rosin’ then you would need a larger form of the hair straighteners, an industrial iron or a large t-shirt press. If you have access to any of this equipment then you could easily press out 1oz of cannabis in one press which would yield about 3g of smokeable dabs.
Inexperienced smokers should be wary of dabs though as the high is a lot more intense when compared to just smoking the same amount of weed, the dabs also give you the ability to consume up to 5g of cannabis in one dab easily, so don’t go too crazy or you could be forever couch locked.
Can I reuse the cannabis material after pressing?
- The pressed cannabis is depleted of most of its oils, but it can still be used in edibles or as compost.
How long can I store rosin?
- Properly stored, rosin can remain potent and fresh for up to six months.
Conclusion
Making rosin at home is a straightforward and safe process if you follow the right steps and take necessary precautions. With a bit of practice, you can produce high-quality dabs that are both potent and flavorful. Always remember to operate within the legal framework and prioritize safety to enjoy your homemade concentrates to the fullest.
