Bubble hash is a potent type of cannabis extract made with a process called agitation involving ice-cold water that separates the cannabis trichomes, which are part of a cannabis plant that contains the cannabinoids that interact with the human endocannabinoid system to get users “high,” or give them the therapeutic qualities the plant is known for.

While highly-concentrated cannabis extracts like resin, crumble, and budder have grown in popularity in states where weed is legal, you don’t need to head to the dispensary for bubble hash. Cannabis enthusiasts are finding the process of making bubble hash at home to be appealing thanks to its affordability and relatively simple process. 

Understanding Bubble Hash

What is Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash is a cannabis extract created by using an extraction process called agitation. The process was discovered by the infamous cannabis breeder Sam the Skunkman, who detailed it in a 1988 article in High Times magazine.

The main difference between bubble hash and traditional hash is the extraction process. The old-school method for making traditional hash involves pressing the dusty crystals on a cannabis plant called kief, whereas bubble hash is made by using bubble bags to filter resin in ice-cold water.

Bubble hash extraction can lead to a more potent final product due to a more efficient method for isolating trichomes. Trichomes are an integral part of the cannabis plant as they contain all the stuff that interacts with the human body, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids, to give the user both psychoactive and therapeutic benefits. 

Why Choose Bubble Hash?

With so many different methods of consuming cannabis, why should you consider bubble hash? One of the biggest attractions is how potent the end product is with bubble hash compared to traditional hash.

If you create your bubble hash at home, you'll know exactly how pure it is. Bubble hash also delivers a full-spectrum cannabis experience, which means you'll get the benefits of all of the natural compounds found in a cannabis plant, including cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids.

Another positive of bubble hash is that it is a solvent-free extraction method, so you're not exposing yourself or your product to harsh chemicals to make the hash, whereas budder, crumble, wax, and shatter require butane to extract. 

Materials Needed to Make Bubble Hash

Basic Tools and Equipment

• Bubble bags (also known as ice water extraction bags) - These mesh filter bags are available online and have different micron sizes to collect different sizes of trichomes. 

• Ice- This is vital to keep the trichomes at the right temperature needed for separation. 

• Water (preferably cold) -When combined with ice, this is where the extraction will take place. 

• Cannabis (trim, buds, or hash) - There’s no smoke without fire, and there’s no hash without cannabis. Freeze it ahead of time for best results. 

• Stirring tools (wooden spoon or paddle) -These are needed to encourage the trichomes to separate from the cannabis plant and enter the mesh. 

• Large clean container or bucket -This is where you’ll start the process. 

• Drying surface (like parchment paper or silicone mat) - After it gets wet, you’ll need a place to dry off the extract before use.

Optional Equipment

• Freezer (for freezing cannabis before extraction) - Keeping everything at a low enough temperature for the trichomes to separate is vital to making bubble hash. 

• Electric washing machine (for larger batches) -Primarily utilized by cannabis companies with bigger batches, electric washing machines can be efficient on larger scales and clean equipment faster. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Bubble Hash

Prepare Your Cannabis

First, you'll need to prepare the product to make your bubble hash. Most bubble hash enthusiasts will tell you that fresh frozen cannabis is preferred over dried cannabis because it will deliver the full spectrum of the strain and can be both more potent and flavorful.

However, dried hash does have the benefit of being able to hold its structure longer over multiple washes than fresh frozen cannabis, which deteriorates more quickly. Freezing the cannabis before use will make the separation of trichomes easier. 

Set Up Your Bubble Bags

Next, you’ll need to prepare the bubble bags for extraction inside your container. To help separation during the extraction process, start with the smallest micron mesh bags at the bottom and work your way to the largest micron mesh bags at the top. 

Ice Water Extraction Process

It’s time to cool everything off by adding ice and water to the container. First, add your cannabis to the container, then fill the bucket with ice and water, which will make the trichomes on the cannabis plant more brittle, and they will break off the plant more easily.

Leave this mixture for around 30 minutes; then, it’s time for the agitation process to begin when you stir the water and cannabis to release the trichomes. Stir gently using your stirring device for 5-10 minutes so the trichomes release and make their way into the mesh bags.

You’ll need to add more ice to keep the temperature of the trichomes down. After agitating, leave the mixture again, and the trichomes will have a chance to sink. 

Straining and Collecting the Hash

Now, it’s time for the vital part of the process where you’ll collect the hash. Pick up the top bag and allow the water trapped inside to flow out and into the bag below. Then, continue this process with the remaining bags, making sure the cannabis plant is gradually making its way through the bags.

The final bags are the money, where the most potent bubble hash will be found. Take your spoon and collect the trichomes from the bags to spread onto your drying area in a thin layer. 

Drying Your Bubble Hash

Mold is a risk with all wet things. You can avoid moldy bubble hash by keeping it in a cool, dry place with proper airflow and low humidity. Parchment paper is the best drying surface as it can absorb some of the wetness from the hash, which can also prevent mold and increase the speed of drying. After drying, press the extracted trichomes into a solid block or keep them loose. 

Tips for Maximizing Quality

Choosing the Right Cannabis Strain

While it's up to you what strain you choose to make your bubble hash with, picking a strain with many trichomes, like OG Kush or Northern Lights, is essential. The more trichomes a strain has, the better the potency and yield from the bubble hash extraction process will be. 

Maintaining Cleanliness

Making bubble hash essentially involves an experiment, so you’ll want to keep everything as squeaky clean as a laboratory to avoid contamination, to make sure the final product is pure, and to give you the best yield possible. If you want to sanitize your products, you can do this by cleaning them with Isopropyl alcohol after an initial wash. 

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, the hash may not collect as expected during the bubble hash extraction process, which can be down to several factors, including the quality of the cannabis plant used and not enough trichomes being present, the water being too warm for trichomes to get brittle enough to break off, or you were too delicate with your agitation. If this happens to you, try running the process again with less water and adjust the temps. 

How to Use Bubble Hash

Smoking and Dabbing Bubble Hash

There are many different methods for consuming bubble hash. One of the go-to ways of consuming most cannabis products is a classic pipe, and you can use one of these for bubble hash, too.

Other users prefer to sprinkle a little bit on a regular joint to add more potency. Dabbing is also a popular choice to consume quickly and effectively, but it requires a torch lighter to burn it to high enough temperatures. However you decide to consume it, remember, it’s pretty potent stuff, so go easy at first to see how it affects you. 

Storing Bubble Hash

Keep your bubble hash in an airtight container in a cool, dry place between uses. Reach for the trusty parchment paper again to stop sticky bubble hash from sticking to the airtight container. Please don’t open your container too much to make it last longer and prevent contamination. 

Conclusion

Making your bubble hash at home is relatively easy and can yield great results. Pick a strain with lots of trichomes and prepare the process properly before you start.

If it doesn’t work out the first time, run the same plant through again and make some tweaks for better results. When you extract your bubble hash, you’ll feel like Sam the Skunkman, and nothing will ever have tasted better.