Equipment, Tools, and Supplies for Extraction

[Newty]

Try pressing the bag vertically in stead of horizontal.

I used the 2x4 pre-press mold so I think it's to flat to press vertically.
I've seen people hold the bag like a cylinder and fill it and then press vertically.
I'll end up trying it a few different ways and try my other pre-press molds as well as different temps.

 

[Natep]

I used the 2x4 pre-press mold so I think it's to flat to press vertically.
I've seen people hold the bag like a cylinder and fill it and then press vertically.
I'll end up trying it a few different ways and try my other pre-press molds as well as different temps.

I seem to get better yeild vertical. I think it lets me press harder.

 

[Newty]

I seem to get better yeild vertical. I think it lets me press harder.

I'll definitely try that next.
I felt like I should of been able to press harder but I couldn't get anymore out of it.

I know you said you like the 37 micron but being it was my first press and I only currently have 5 of each filter size, I used a 90 micron so I didn't waste any 37 if it didn't go well.

If I'm not smoking the rosin, I'll need to decarb it.
Is it best to decarb the flower before pressing or the rosin after pressing?

 

[BearWater]

Is it best to decarb the flower before pressing or the rosin after pressing?

question upon a question… doesnt the heat pads when you’re pressing the whole thing act as the decarb process? this is what I thought I’ve never done this process and only looked into buying some of the equipment (and not how to use it) because I knew I wasn’t buying anything at the moment lol!

 

[Natep]

I'll definitely try that next.
I felt like I should of been able to press harder but I couldn't get anymore out of it.

I know you said you like the 37 micron but being it was my first press and I only currently have 5 of each filter size, I used a 90 micron so I didn't waste any 37 if it didn't go well.

If I'm not smoking the rosin, I'll need to decarb it.
Is it best to decarb the flower before pressing or the rosin after pressing?

I don’t do edibles. Had a bad experience. I only smoke.

 

[Newty]

question upon a question… doesnt the heat pads when you’re pressing the whole thing act as the decarb process? this is what I thought I’ve never done this process and only looked into buying some of the equipment (and not how to use it) because I knew I wasn’t buying anything at the moment lol!

It takes around 30-45 minutes at 230-240 degrees to decarb, press is only running around 180-190 for like 3 minutes.

I looked at some info online, pretty much can be decarbed before or after but before has more benefits and is easier to handle.

Apparently decarbing flower or rosin even if you're going to only smoke it can make it more potent and effects last longer.

 

[BearWater]

It takes around 30-45 minutes at 230-240 degrees to decarb, press is only running around 180-190 for like 3 minutes.

I looked at some info online, pretty much can be decarbed before or after but before has more benefits and is easier to handle.

Apparently decarbing flower or rosin even if you're going to only smoke it can make it more potent and effects last longer.

Thanks for the info! Im not sure why I was thinking the heat front the plates was decarbing : )

I like more potent and longer lasting effects!

 

[GNick55]

lots of great info here,..

How to Press Bubble Hash into Hash Rosin - Hashtek

Full picture guide showing how to press bubble hash into a delicious cured hash rosin

hashtek.ca

 

[PlumberSoCal2]

It takes around 30-45 minutes at 230-240 degrees to decarb, press is only running around 180-190 for like 3 minutes.

I looked at some info online, pretty much can be decarbed before or after but before has more benefits and is easier to handle.

Apparently decarbing flower or rosin even if you're going to only smoke it can make it more potent and effects last longer.

Ruins the taste unfortunately. Now decarbing and eating is a thing. I haven't tried it but I may. I decarb it and extract it into coconut oil or alcohol. The oil is great for cooking, mainly brownies and cookies and 00 caps are also good.

 

[PlumberSoCal2]

I'll definitely try that next.
I felt like I should of been able to press harder but I couldn't get anymore out of it.

I know you said you like the 37 micron but being it was my first press and I only currently have 5 of each filter size, I used a 90 micron so I didn't waste any 37 if it didn't go well.

If I'm not smoking the rosin, I'll need to decarb it.
Is it best to decarb the flower before pressing or the rosin after pressing?

Hell of a question. I don't think decarbing would help the extraction seeing it would dry out the flower so probably after the extraction but I don't know for sure.

 

[Natep]

I seem to get the best color and yield when I press flower that has just been dried. The longer it cures the darker and less yield.

 

[cronicoldguy]

I'll definitely try that next.
I felt like I should of been able to press harder but I couldn't get anymore out of it.

I know you said you like the 37 micron but being it was my first press and I only currently have 5 of each filter size, I used a 90 micron so I didn't waste any 37 if it didn't go well.

If I'm not smoking the rosin, I'll need to decarb it.
Is it best to decarb the flower before pressing or the rosin after pressing?

Just my observations.

Decarbing before extraction really depends on what you will be using your concentrate for. If for edibles, then decarb. If for dabs, do not decarb.

Decarbing the flower absolutely ruins the natural flavor as almost all terps are vaporized and flower is dried. The Ardent Nova claims to retain terps. But I have used it and the weed tastes like dog shit after decarb. Furthermore - dont use the Ardent. Just use your oven.

If flower is decarbed prior to extraction, the extract will not have much of a flavor profile. If flavor is important, dont decarb. I have decarbed concentrate in vacuum oven during purging and the concentrate remained somewhat tastey.

You can also look at it this way: If you decarb the flower prior to extraction and fuck up, you have only lost your flower. If you decarb your extract and it gets fucked up, you lose much more. You have lost all the time you spent and cost of solvent is lost.

Hell of a question. I don't think decarbing would help the extraction seeing it would dry out the flower so probably after the extraction but I don't know for sure.

The only real advantage I can see decarbing prior to extraction is that the flower would be pretty much completely dried out. GOOD. But I am extracting with solvent. So I am not sure if this correlates to pressing as well. When using solvents to extract, I like the flower as dry as possible. With that said, I air dry the flower at room temp over a day or two prior to extraction. I try to use as minimal temps as possible in all steps of my process. So no decarbing flower for me.

 

[Newty]

The only real advantage I can see decarbing prior to extraction is that the flower would be pretty much completely dried out. GOOD. But I am extracting with solvent. So I am not sure if this correlates to pressing as well. When using solvents to extract, I like the flower as dry as possible. With that said, I air dry the flower at room temp over a day or two prior to extraction. I try to use as minimal temps as possible in all steps of my process. So no decarbing flower for me.

I've been reading up on this since my last post, it would seem solvent extraction favors decarb before extraction to dry the herb out more, it's my understanding that solventless you actually want the higher moisture level.
Yet when I pressed last night, my highest return was from the lowest humidity bud

I plan on making edibles, tinctures, topicals, etc
Also vape juice but I'll probably just start using Wax Liquidizers for that and overtime start mixing my own pg, vg, etc.

My thought is decarbing before hand would make infusion easier compared to decarbing the oil itself.
I'm looking for the cleanest method to do this.

I'm definitely not getting an Ardent, $300 fire hazard.
The STX Activation 420 is actually a very popular decarb device, I may try it.
I do like the looks of the H-Brewer also (decarb & infusion) but not a lot of info about it but Dulytek promotes it.

 

[Newty]

Did some more pressing.
I did 4 strains, 12 grams divided into 2 bags for each strain.
Pressed both bags at the same time, bottletech style (vertically) as suggested.

Returns were as follows
Frostette - 2.38 grams (19.8%) 90 micron
Mystery Auto - 2.05 grams (17.1%) 120 micron
Sharklato - 1.5 grams (12.5%) 120 micron
Rainbow Belts x Okie - 1.48 grams (12.3%) 90 micron

Now all I need is a 5 gallon mini washer and some bubble filter bags!
Freeze dryer would be nice as well

 

[BearWater]

Did some more pressing.
I did 4 strains, 12 grams divided into 2 bags for each strain.
Pressed both bags at the same time, bottletech style (vertically) as suggested.

Returns were as follows
Frostette - 2.38 grams (19.8%) 90 micron
Mystery Auto - 2.05 grams (17.1%) 120 micron
Sharklato - 1.5 grams (12.5%) 120 micron
Rainbow Belts x Okie - 1.48 grams (12.3%) 90 micron

Now all I need is a 5 gallon mini washer and some bubble filter bags!
Freeze dryer would be nice as well

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Hell yeah man! That looks great!

Are you happy with it? How do you feel the use of flower to end result pressed material weighs out?

 

[Newty]

Hell yeah man! That looks great!

Are you happy with it? How do you feel the use of flower to end result pressed material weighs out?

I'm very happy with it to far!
I'll be using it a lot once I get more equipment and supplies to make hash, edibles, etc

I'm not sure I understand the weight question.
I'm only documenting the returns so I know it's worth my time pressing, if I can get around 15%+ everytime then I'll keep pressing it but if I'm only returning 10% then I may stop pressing that strain.

Why I want to get a washer and make hash, way more trichomes in hash so will be more potent and higher returns.
Plus I don't have to trim the plants I'm going to turn into hash

 

[BearWater]

I'm not sure I understand the weight question.
I'm only documenting the returns so I know it's worth my time pressing, if I can get around 15%+ everytime then I'll keep pressing it but if I'm only returning 10% then I may stop pressing that strain.

You answered what I was asking Ididint ask it very well lol. (Is the flower used worth the return in concentrate) that makes perfect sense with strain type and different yields, seems like a pretty important factor to get pinned down early on so you’re not waisting time and efforts for end product! : )

I think where my mind needs to go is that “it’s worth my time” and also not get blinded by my yearning to smoke all the the flower! my thought process on the last run was “im going to press some” but then I was looking at my yield and got greedy.

 

[Newty]

You answered what I was asking Ididint ask it very well lol. (Is the flower used worth the return in concentrate) that makes perfect sense with strain type and different yields, seems like a pretty important factor to get pinned down early on so you’re not waisting time and efforts for end product! : )

I think where my mind needs to go is that “it’s worth my time” and also not get blinded by my yearning to smoke all the the flower! my thought process on the last run was “im going to press some” but then I was looking at my yield and got greedy.

I like smoking flower, I prefer it to anything else but it's all for personal use and I just have so much of it so I thought I might as well expand my knowledge and make some bad ass stuff from extraction!

My Frostette harvest brought me over 1.5 lbs, I pressed just shy of a 1/2 ounce of it so didn't even put a dent in my flower of that strain lol
Plus there's always more to grow
That's just 1 tent also, have 2 others lol.

Even when I start making hash, I won't use all the flower for hash. Maybe take 1/3-1/2 of harvest and make it all hash but I'll always save flower because it's just what I prefer.

Once I'm making hash, I may not even press flower anymore and just press the hash.

Like I said, I prefer smoking flower but I like vapes, edibles, etc when I'm not home so being able to make these myself is going to save me a bit of money all while learning and having a good time

 

[BearWater]

Like I said, I prefer smoking flower but I like vapes, edibles, etc when I'm not home so being able to make these myself is going to save me a bit of money all while learning and having a good time

100% agree on the away from home usage! I can eat 100mg of edibles in a day while im out running around but can shut my mind off until I hit the bong or pipe with some flower in it! I know if I could get some resin from pressed flower that would absolutely suffice though : )

Im having a great time watching you learn this craft! Between you and GNick and a few others here im beginning to feel more confident for when the time comes to make concentrates!

 

[PlumberSoCal2]

I like smoking flower, I prefer it to anything else but it's all for personal use and I just have so much of it so I thought I might as well expand my knowledge and make some bad ass stuff from extraction!

My Frostette harvest brought me over 1.5 lbs, I pressed just shy of a 1/2 ounce of it so didn't even put a dent in my flower of that strain lol
Plus there's always more to grow
That's just 1 tent also, have 2 others lol.

Even when I start making hash, I won't use all the flower for hash. Maybe take 1/3-1/2 of harvest and make it all hash but I'll always save flower because it's just what I prefer.

Once I'm making hash, I may not even press flower anymore and just press the hash.

Like I said, I prefer smoking flower but I like vapes, edibles, etc when I'm not home so being able to make these myself is going to save me a bit of money all while learning and having a good time

Now I'm going to have to break out the cheap ass press I bought a few years ago. This is YOUR FAULT

Actually I've been threatening to do this for a couple years now so don't hold your breath