The simple one-line answer to the question “what is bubble hash?”, would be a cannabis concentrate created using ice water. It is deemed to be one of the highest quality forms of solventless marijuana on the market today, with a THC content of up to 60%. While it isn’t quite as potent as wax and shatter, which can have THC levels of 90%, it is cleaner and purer than any concentrate made using solvents such as butane.

It gets the name ‘bubble hash’ for two reasons. For one, the concentrate bubbles when heated before use. Two, you need to use bubble bags to sift the marijuana plant material from the purified trichomes it possesses. As you’re probably aware, trichomes are microscopic and resemble cloudy mushrooms to indicate when the weed is ready for harvest.

Bubble hash is marginally stronger than traditional hash which is also taken from the cannabis plant’s trichomes. You can consume bubble hash in a pipe, via a bowl, or in a joint. For most users, one-third of a gram is more than enough to help them achieve their desired effect.

How Is Bubble Hash Made?

The primary goal of making bubble hash is to make sure that the trichomes are removed without being damaged. Trichomes are glands that grow on the flowers, leaves, and stems of the marijuana plant, although they are most prevalent in the flowers. Trichomes are comprised of a minuscule stalk and a round head which is laden with cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, as well as flavonoids and terpenes.

With bubble hash, you are removing these delicate glands in their entirety. There are different forms of bubble hash, and a variety of colors too. For example, this substance can be wet and dank or dry and sandy. It can be maroon, marigold or even brown in color. If you use plants that haven’t been cured or dried, you’ll end up with a wet and unstable product that resembles live resin. If you use older weed, you’ll probably end up with a brown or even grey dried mass.

The art of creating hash has been popular for centuries, but bubble hash has only hit the Western mainstream in the last 30 years or so. You can make it using cannabis flowers, fine-mesh micron bags, and ice water. The bags and ice water are utilized to extract the cannabinoids from plant materials.

If you’re really serious about making premium grade bubble hash, we recommend investing in an eight-bag bubble bag kit. These kits contain eight different size bags ranging from 25 microns to 220 microns. In most cases, the 73-micron and 90-micron bags are the best options, but it is handy to have the full spectrum of sizes. In any case, here’s a rapid, step-by-step guide to creating bubble hash:

1. Place ice water into a bucket with the marijuana starting materials. Make sure you submerge the flowers to freeze the trichomes.
2. Agitate the flowers to ensure the trichomes break off from the plant. Professional bubble hash making companies use a freezing ice washer for five minutes per cycle, and also use reverse osmosis (RO) water.
3. Make sure you use caution when trying to separate the trichomes. Their heads are extremely delicate, and it is all too easy to damage them.
4. Once the trichomes have been removed, use the bubble bags to separate them. Use a second bucket and place the bags in the bucket in ascending order of microns. For example, place the 25-micron bag on top, followed by the 45-micron bag, all the way to the 220-micron bag.
5. After securing the bags over the side of the bucket, pour the water and flower mixture onto them. Make sure you take your time doing this and wait at least 15 minutes.
6. Take the first bag from the bucket and flush it with ice water for a second time to get any remaining trichomes. Shake each bag in turn, allow each one to drain, and set them aside.
7. Every bag will have its own range of hash, with the finest mesh bags containing the best product.
8. Take the different hash grades and spread them on separate drying sheets. We recommend using non-stick surfaces.
9. When the hash is dry, roll it into a ball or press it onto a sheet.
10. At this point, you can break off small pieces and either roll them into joints or place them on the tops of bowls. If you elect to roll a joint, add heat to the outside. If you don’t do this, the hashish will burn slower than the flowers and papers, which means it’ll fall off the joint before you even get to use it!

Tips for Making Bubble Hash

Bubble hash is somewhat rare, which also means it can be costly. Although it would have been unlikely to see it available in stores just a few years ago, its presence is expanding. Nevertheless,  you’ll probably want to make it yourself instead of trying to hunt bubble hash down. Here are a few tips to help you get it right.

A Cold Process = An Outstanding Result

There is no way you can make bubble hash without extremely cold water because it is the icy water that separates the cannabinoids from your weed. It freezes and snaps the trichome stalks and heads. Trichomes aren’t water soluble, which means they get mixed in the ice water mix contained in the bubble hash washer.

Use Purified Water

The quality of water varies depending on where you live, and unless your town’s water supply has been in the news lately, it is hard to determine its suitability. Purified water usually doesn’t contain chlorine and fluoride. If you use tap water instead, your bubble hash could have a nasty chemical taste. Invest in a reverse osmosis (RO) filter for best results.

Use Top-Shelf Genetics

Low-grade weed means low-grade bubble hash. We recommend using a marijuana strain rich in terpenes and resin. It is also important to use a fresh flower, or else your hash will be brown and stale looking.

Invest in a Freeze Dryer

Although one of these babies costs a small fortune, it is an essential investment for commercial bubble hash makers. A freeze dryer can reduce drying and processing time from days to hours. Without a dryer, it can take up to a week to fully dry the hash, which can compromise the quality. A freeze dryer gets the job done in 24 hours or less, and provides you with a higher quality product.

Assuming you can’t afford a freeze dryer, use desiccant-like cardboard lined with parchment paper. This is an effective method of wicking moisture from the hash. Don’t rely on porcelain, plastic, or metal, because none of these materials wick moisture from inside the product. You also need to cure and dry the hash to prevent it from buttering out within a couple of months.

Take Note of the Aesthetics & Smell

Your bubble hash should transform from a golden yellow hue to a slightly darker color, with the merest hint of transparency in warm temperatures. It should also become sticky. We recommend storing your hash in an airtight container in the freezer.

It’s not a good sign if your hash is black, brown or green. Also, the hash should retain the same scent as the marijuana strain you began with. This is a sign that the hash has retained its trichomes and aroma. If there is a lack of a scent, it means you have a lower grade bubble hash and must consider new methods of making it.