Cannabis concentrate lovers love the idea of solventless extracts.
They are flavorful, potent, and pure, due to the lack of additives to extract the concentrates.
In the world of concentrates, ice water hash, and bubble hash stand out because it is extracted using water, ice, and agitation, allowing you to preserve the terpenes, cannabinoids, and potency.
However, there's some confusion between the two concentrates. While the extraction processes are similar, the differences are in the extraction details.
So what are the differences between the two concentrates?
Table of Contents
Defining Ice Water Hash and Bubble Hash
Ice water hash refers to any hash extracted using ice and water to extract trichomes. This covers all forms of hash, making ice water hash an umbrella term for varying qualities.
Bubble hash is the highest grade of ice water hash, making it popular. Unlike other grades of ice water hash, bubble hash is known for having almost zero plant material in it.
The term bubble hash is derived from its characteristic of bubbling when exposed to heat. When bubble hash bubbles when heated, it means that the extract is pure.
You can think of ice water hash as a more general term, such as cat, while bubble hash would be more specific, like a particular cat breed.
You can also say that all bubble hash is ice water hash, while not all ice water hash is considered bubble hash.
Differences Between Ice Water Hash and Bubble Hash
Although ice water hash and bubble hash are extracted similarly, there's more to it. Let's look at how the line is drawn between ice water hash and bubble hash.
|
Feature |
Ice Water Hash |
Bubble Hash |
|
Extraction Process |
Uses ice water bath, micron bags, and agitation |
Uses ice water bath, micron bags, and gentler agitation |
|
Agitation Method |
More aggressive, leading to more plant material |
Gentler to preserve trichome heads and purity |
|
Filtration |
Can yield lower-quality hash (below six-star) |
Can produce full-melt, six-star hash |
|
Terpene Retention |
More trichome damage, leading to terpene loss |
Retains more terpenes and cannabinoids for better flavor and potency |
|
Yield & Efficiency |
Higher yield but lower quality |
Lower yield but higher purity |
|
Equipment |
Can use bubble hash washing machines but with less control |
Hand washing preferred for better control |
Understanding Bubble Bag Selection
A key component in ice water hash and bubble hash extraction is the bubble bag set. A bubble bag set comes in different micron ratings, which dictate the size of particles it can filter.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the number is, the larger the plant debris it can filter. For the best quality of hash, you should use as many bubble bags as possible to get better separation. A good number would be around six or eight.
Using fewer bags will lead to less separation, which yields lower-quality ice water hash.
Each bubble bag will yield different qualities of ice water hash. To give you an idea of what you can expect:
-
25 - 45µm bags yield smaller potent trichomes, often mixed with other grades.
-
73µm - 90µm bags is the sweet spot for bubble hash, which leads to full-melt quality
-
Bags rated 160µm and above provide larger trichomes, mixed with plant debris.
Bubble bags are arranged from the highest number inside with the lowest number last in the series of bags. This allows for the proper separation of trichomes from your plant materials.
Ice Water Hash and Bubble Hash Consumption
Ice water hash and bubble hash are consumed in different ways. While both are solventless, each grade of ice water hash ideal applications.
Ice water hash works well for:
-
Mixing in joints or bowls, due to the plant material content maintaining an even burn
-
Edibles and topicals are a great way to use lower grade products, similar to trimmings.
Bubble Hash is ideal for:
-
Dabbing, since there's minimal plant matter, and won't leave any residue behind
- Pressing into rosin, since the product is cleaner and has minimal chances of getting plant material into the yield
-
While you can use bubble hash for edibles, it can be overkill, since purity isn't as critical.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between ice water hash and bubble hash allows concentrate lovers to make a proper decision when buying in the dispensary or organizing concentrates according to use.
While bubble hash is the gold standard in ice water hash, that doesn't mean other grades are useless. As mentioned above, other grades of ice water hash can still be used for other applications. If you're exploring concentrates for the first time, it's good to try the different grades available to help you understand their effects.
If you plan to venture into ice water hash or bubble hash, feel free to check out our selection of tools on the site, which includes bubble bags and hash washing machines. Reach out to us if you need help in making an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Water Hash vs. Bubble Hash
- ◄What is hash?
- Hash, or hashish, is a traditional cannabis concentrate made by collecting and compressing trichomes from the cannabis plant. It is known for its potency, earthy flavors, and versatility in consumption.
- ◄How is hash made?
- Hash is typically made using dry sifting or hand-rubbing techniques, where trichomes are separated from plant material and then pressed into solid blocks.
- ◄What is bubble hash?
- Bubble hash is a solventless cannabis concentrate extracted using an ice water bath and micron filtration. It has higher purity and potency compared to traditional hash.
- ◄How is bubble hash made?
- Bubble hash is made by agitating fresh frozen cannabis in an ice water bath, allowing trichomes to separate. The mixture is then filtered through micron bags and dried.
- ◄What are the main differences between hash and bubble hash?
- Hash is made using dry sifting or hand-rubbing, while bubble hash is extracted using ice water and filtration. Bubble hash is cleaner, more potent, and has fewer impurities.
- ◄Which one is more potent, hash or bubble hash?
- Bubble hash is generally more potent because it contains fewer impurities and more concentrated trichomes, especially full-melt varieties.
- ◄How do you consume hash?
- Hash can be smoked, vaporized, or mixed with cannabis flower in joints or bowls. It can also be used in edibles and topicals.
- ◄How do you consume bubble hash?
- Bubble hash can be dabbed, vaporized, or smoked. Full-melt bubble hash is ideal for dabbing due to its high purity.
- ◄Is bubble hash worth the higher price?
- Yes, bubble hash is typically worth the price due to its superior potency, purity, and terpene-rich profile, making it a premium cannabis concentrate.
- ◄Can I make hash or bubble hash at home?
- Yes, hash can be made using simple dry sifting methods, and bubble hash can be made using ice water, agitation, and bubble bags for filtration.
