The world of cannabis has progressed steadily since its origination, with many users passionate about making their own concentrates at home utilizing tools such as a rosin press.
The transformation of simply ingesting or smoking cannabis has evolved drastically and expanded into a myriad of products and consumption methods. Most notably, there has been a significant uptick in recent years of the usage of cannabis concentrates.
These products have been at the forefront of the most popular, heavily used options available on the market due to their versatility and potency, with rosin being praised for its ease of use and straightforward method for making yourself.
A rosin press allows cannabis enthusiasts to transform their dry flower into a simple concentrate safely and effectively without relying on potentially harmful ingredients or chemicals through a process that requires little to no expertise and has relatively small to no risk.
Today, we will be outlining what a rosin press is, how to use it and how to make one for yourself. If it sounds intimidating, there’s no need to worry. Our simple guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
What is a Rosin Press?
A rosin press can be small or large, simple or complex.
The quality, durability and complexity will vary depending on whether you purchase one from a reliable dispensary or retailer or if you instead opt for the option of making one for yourself at home.
Ultimately, a rosin press is a relatively simple and straightforward device whose variations all share the same critical components in common. A rosin press contains two heated surfaces to compress and apply pressure to cannabis while collecting the rosin cannabis extract that results from this extraction process.
While laboratories can afford massive rosin presses capable of handling larger amounts of marijuana, anyone can create a do-it-yourself (DIY) rosin press at home.
It may come as a surprise that you likely already have everything you need, or can easily acquire it for a low cost.
How does a Rosin Press Work?
A rosin press uses two simple mechanics, heat and pressure. The process of using a rosin press is very simple.
The flat surfaces are heated. This temperature, combined with the force of compressing the cannabis inside, similar to what you would do with a waffle iron, forces out the incredibly potent cannabis concentrate, rosin.
The applied heat works at softening the trichome glands on the cannabis flower. These glands erupt out from the flower surfaces primarily (but not exclusively). Their appearance is similar to little clear or white mushrooms rising from soil under a microscope.
The heads of these glands are broken off and collected when using water hash techniques.
When it comes to the rosin press, once the trichome’s heads are softened and warm, the pressure forces them to flow away. As mentioned, the glands contain an abundance of rich resin.
Inside this resin, you’ll find cannabinoids such as THC and CBD, along with the variety of terpenes found inside that strain, which serve to provide it with its unique aroma and flavour profile.
How to Make an At-Home Rosin Press
When considering the various forms of cannabis concentrates currently available on the market, none are as simple to create and easy to use as rosin.
In regards to needing only simple and safe supplies, a rosin press, and subsequently creating rosin, is one of the most uncomplicated and straightforward cannabis extracts that users can make for themselves.
In fact, you may likely have precisely the materials necessary to create a rosin press and make your own rosin without even having to leave the house.
What Will You Need?
- Cannabis
- A hair straightener or rosin press
- Parchment paper (organic or natural if you can)
- Gloves
- Knife or scraper
- Storage container
That’s it! These supplies can be as simple or complex as you’d like. For the first few times you press, don’t expect it to be perfect. Like any skill, it takes time for you to figure it out and become an expert at the rosin press.
If you are still interested in learning appropriate techniques or are simply looking for general tips on how to use a rosin press effectively, we will outline some below.
General Pressing Tips
When pressing the cannabis, do not try to cram in as much weed as you can. The heated bud will spread out and stretch as it is flattened.
Based on the size of your plates, determine the amount of weed that can easily fit inside. Go with less rather than more, as you can easily repeat the process, but it is harder to fix a press gone poorly.
Once you gain experience, you’ll gain a firmer grasp regarding how much weed is optimal for your press. It is also important to consider the bud.
Depending on the cannabis you use, it may produce more or less rosin.
For example, some heavy Indica strains may have more juice than a light Sativa. When it comes to pressing, once you learn the basic steps, you should think of each new strain as a fresh start.
Each one may require different heat or pressure to get it just right. Once you do a few trials, you should be able to optimize your runs and finish up that strain.
While you can technically use any old weed to create some rosin, the best cannabis is generally the freshest. Once you try out a few pressed with some lower quality bud, feel free to work toward your best strains to get the best rosin. You may find some strains are better suited than others for pressing rosin, and that is part of the learning process.
In terms of differences between rosin press options, there is plenty of variety. There are multiple options in regards to buying a rosin press – Canada or the United States.
These heated presses vary in size and complexity. If you have the funds, conduct some research surrounding the different products available on the market to find one right for you.
On the other hand, there are cheap and easy solutions on the market as well, such as hair straighteners. If you’re new to pressing rosin, starting with a simple option can take some of the pressure off.
Ensure you’re performing your pressing safely on surfaces that are heat-resistant at the least. Avoiding fires and burns is the top priority of the rosin press process. Take your time when preparing to press rosin and gather all the necessary safety supplies you need.
How to Press Rosin
Once you have your supplies and the basics in mind, the rest is easy. Ensure you take it slow and don’t apply too much pressure to the cannabis or yourself. That said, you’ll need some firm pressure, so get ready for a bit of work.
Depending on how much weed you want to press, determine how many runs you will need to do. By planning ahead and having your parchment paper folded and ready, you’ll be able to complete your presses quickly.
Without further ado, here is how to press rosin using a rosin press:
- Cut a rectangular piece of parchment paper and fold it in half.
- Place your cannabis in the middle of the folded parchment.
- Place this fold inside your pre-heated rosin press or hair straightener so that the weed is right in the middle of the plate.
- Position or fold the rest of the parchment paper to catch the resin (some people like to create an envelope so that there is only one side for the resin to emerge).
- Press down, lightly at first and then gradually firmer.
- Pay attention to the rosin flowing out. Ensure it is not dripping out of the paper.
- Pause and hold until you feel a gentle ‘crunch’ (roughly 30-180 seconds).
- Press down for a few more minutes with more pressure.
- Release the pressure and remove the parchment paper carefully.
- Fold the parchment and press the rosin flat. Let it cool.
- Scrape the rosin off the parchment paper and store in an airtight container (in a cool, dark place).
That’s all there is to it. While the steps themselves are easy to perform, there is an art and science to create the perfect rosin as you’ll discover. Each cannabis strain is unique and as you gain experience you’ll get better and better.
Once you have your rosin ready to go, there are numerous ways to smoke or vape it. You can break off pieces and place them inside your joints, bowls, or bongs. The rosin also goes well inside vaping devices that can tolerate this cannabis concentrate.
Be prepared for a potent concentrate that will provide powerful effects. As always, it is critical to stay within your tolerance and stay safe while high.
Rosin Press – A Beginner’s Introduction to Making Cannabis Concentrates
Perhaps one of the most appealing features of using a rosin press that many cannabis enthusiasts appreciate is that it provides an easy and accessible way to enter the realm of creating their own concentrates without having to spend an excessive amount of money.
If you have your own hair straightener, you have everything you need to try it for yourself to determine whether or not it is worth your while. Even if you don’t, there are affordable hair straighteners that can be purchased at multiple retail locations, including most drug stores.
Alternatively, you can also visit your local dispensary and purchase a dedicated rosin press to try your hands at creating your own rosin at home.
Either way, safety is of the utmost importance. Ensure that you have the correct gear, such as gloves, to protect yourself from the high temperatures and always perform this extraction process away from potentially flammable materials and surfaces to avoid the risk of fire.
As well, ensure that you are purchasing your cannabis from a reliable, licensed dispensary to know that you are receiving a top-quality product.
Stay safe and happy experimenting.
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