How To Make Bubble Hash At Home (Step-By-Step Beginner’s Guide)

I remember the first time I smoked hash.

I loved it as an alternative to flower, given the slightly different high it gave me.

But it was hard to find where I lived.

And I dismissed making my own outright, assuming it would be too difficult.

Turns out it’s not difficult at all. At least not bubble hash.

If you know how to make bubble hash at home, it actually a fairly simple process.

You just need some materials and a little bit of time.

Keep reading to learn exactly how you can make your own bubble hash at home and have a steady supply of high quality hash available at all times.

 

How To Make Bubble Hash At Home

Before we get into the actual instructions for making bubble hash, it makes sense to discuss the types of strains and materials that make for the best bubble hash.

 

What Is The Best Material For Bubble Hash?

The best material for bubble hash is whole-flower buds with a high trichome concentration. High-quality flowers, especially fresh-frozen ones, yield lighter bubble hash rich in monoterpenes. They also offer fruity and gas-like flavors.

In contrast, dried material produces a darker golden brown or yellow hash, which contains more sesquiterpenes and a cured flavor profile.

It is important to note that a dry and low-THC strain will produce a lower-quality yield than high-quality flowers. Therefore, selecting the right strain and material is crucial for achieving the best results in bubble hash production.

 

Best Strains For Making Bubble Hash

The best strains for making bubble hash include GMO, Papaya, Kush Mints, Apple Fritter, and Orange Cookies, especially when combined.

Gassy and fruity strains, particularly indica or indica hybrids, are ideal. Additionally, strains with Chemdawg genetics are known to produce excellent results when washed for bubble hash.

 

Can You Make Bubble Hash with Fresh Buds?

You can make bubble hash using fresh buds. It has certain advantages, but also some key disadvantages.

 

Pros Of Using Fresh Buds

• Higher yields and increased terpene content
• Preserves fresh flavors and aromas
• Saves time and space by skipping the drying process

 

Cons Of Using Fresh Buds

• Results in a less stable product that is prone to degradation
• Requires more freezer space due to bulkier, heavier fresh material
• May need immediate processing to prevent spoilage

 

Materials And Equipment Needed To Make Bubble Hash

• Cannabis trimmings or buds (fresh, frozen, or dry)
• Ice
• Ultra purified water
• Bubble bags or mesh bags with different micron sizes (25 – 220 micron (μ) filter screens): these are good and inexpensive
• A large bucket or container
• Mixing tool (spoon, paddle, or drill with a mixing attachment)
• Thermometer
• Sieve or strainer
• Parchment paper or drying screen

 

Step-by-Step Process To Make Bubble Hash

Follow these steps to make your own bubble hash at home.

 

Step 1: Chill The Water

The first step is to chill the water. The ideal temperature is between 32° F (0° C) and 34° F (1° C). This is the optimal temperature for making bubble hash.

At this temperature, trichome heads become brittle and easily separate from the plant material, resulting in higher quality with minimal plant contamination. Use ultra-purified water instead of tap water, which may contain chlorine.

 

Step 2: Prepare Your Workspace

• Set up your bucket on a stable surface
• Have your bubble bags ready and pre-fitted inside the bucket, with the smallest micron bag at the bottom

 

Step 3: Add Ice And Water

• Fill the bucket about halfway with ice, ensuring even coverage
• Pour ultra-purified water over the ice, leaving room at the top for cannabis and additional ice

 

Step 4: Add Cannabis Material

• Gently break up your cannabis material into smaller pieces to increase surface area
• Add the cannabis on top of the ice, spreading it evenly for optimal contact with the cold water and ice

 

Step 5: Layer With More Ice

Add another layer of ice on top of the cannabis. This is important to maintain the cold temperature and facilitate the separation of trichomes.

 

Step 6: Start Mixing Slowly

• Use a large spoon, paddle, or hand mixer with a low-speed setting
• Begin mixing gently to avoid breaking the plant material into small pieces, which can contaminate the hash

 

Step 7: Gradually Increase Intensity

• After 5-10 minutes of gentle mixing, increase the intensity slightly.
• Maintain a steady motion to agitate the mixture effectively without being too aggressive.
• Continue mixing for about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on the mixture to ensure the ice is melting evenly and the water remains cold. Avoid over-mixing, as this can lead to more plant material in the final product.
• Stop mixing when you notice the water turning a golden color, indicating that trichomes have been effectively separated.
• Allow the mixture to settle briefly before proceeding to the filtering step.

 

Step 8: Filtering

The filtering step in making bubble hash involves using a series of micron-sized bags to separate trichomes from plant material.

Each bag has a different mesh size, usually ranging from 25 to 220 microns, allowing you to collect hash of varying quality and purity. The smaller the micron size, the finer and more potent the hash will be.

• To filter, pour the mixed cannabis, ice, and water through the bags, starting with the largest micron size.
• Gently agitate each bag to drain the water, then carefully collect the resin from each bag’s mesh.
• Use a spoon or spatula to gather the hash onto parchment paper or a drying screen. Repeat this process for each bag, making sure you collect all trichomes.

 

Step 9: Collecting And Drying

The collecting and drying step in making bubble hash is crucial for preserving quality.

• To remove excess water, place the hash on a 25-micron drying screen or mesh and lightly press it with a paper towel or clean cloth. This helps absorb moisture without damaging the trichomes.
• For air-drying, spread the hash thinly on the screen in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for 24-48 hours. For freeze-drying, place the hash in a freeze-dryer to retain maximum terpene content and potency.

 

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Making Bubble Hash

There are a number of common issues that can pop up when making bubble hash. Let’s take a look at each one and find out what you can do to prevent it.

 

Dark And Flavorless Hash

Check the quality of your starting material. Always use fresh, high-quality cannabis flowers. Make sure the buds are harvested, prepared, and stored properly.

Avoid drying the hash on cardboard. Doing so absorbs the oils and makes the hash flavorless. Use something inert to dry your hash on so it won’t absorb the oils. Also, do not break the hash into a powder before pressing it.

 

Difficult And Time-Consuming Extraction

Avoid using excess ice. Ice should only be used to cool the water and not enhance agitation. Monitor the temperature continuously and only add ice when necessary.

 

Hash Is Not Bubbling Like It Is Supposed To

Use a wooden spoon to mix gently and cut the agitation time shorter. Avoid stirring violently.

 

Bubble Hash Balls Get Hard After Storage

This usually happens when you use strains with a higher terpene content. It could also be because of too much plant material or because you overdid the heat.

 

Making Bubble Hash At Home: Final Thoughts

That wasn’t so hard, was it? The keys to making high quality bubble hash are using the right input material and keeping the water in the ideal temperature range.

You also want to make sure you filter everything through the decreasing micron-sized filter bags in the correct order, and that you collect and dry the hash properly.