Let’s take a moment to note shatter’s ascent over the last decade or two before we get into the solventless part. When people talk about shatter, they usually mean a product that was made using butane, propane, or other hydrocarbon mixtures.
Shatter has long been favored over other types of concentrates such as wax due to its potency and texture. Shatter is a sheet-like substance that resembles amber or yellowish glass and gets its name from its look and consistency. It comes true to its name, shattering like a pane of glass with ease. Cannabis shatter’s texture and resilience make it excellent for dabbing, since it melts rapidly and efficiently onto a rig’s heated nail. Its tremendous strength, which typically reaches or exceeds 80 percent THC when made by competent growers, adds to its popularity.
Traditional shatter is made from cannabis plant material and extracted using a solvent like butane or propane, as previously stated. This approach has been and continues to be popular among extractors because it produces a consistency that is easy to package and dab. However, there are also disadvantages, such as the loss of terpenes, as solvents can remove many of the most valuable components from the source material.
However, this is not the case with solventless extraction. Consumers can enjoy the all-natural terpenes, flavonoids, and cannabinoids that are preserved from the beginning material when solvents are not used. While some solventless extraction methods do not always produce the same yields as solvent-based procedures, the gap is closing with each new development. Breeders attempting to develop cannabis with resin-abundant trichomes, specifically for solventless hash manufacturing, are known as resin/trichome farmers. Solventless concentrates, like BHO (butane hash oil) or any other solvent-based extract, can reach above 80% THC with the correct starting material, equipment, and experience.
Solventless shatter is comparable to typical shatter in that it is extracted without the use of solvents. The key difference is how it’s made, which involves no chemicals at any point in the process. In recent years, the solventless approach has gained popularity among both manufacturers and extract fans.
In addition, safety is a major consideration in the manufacturing process. While it is unlikely that any compliance enterprises will be affected, the risk element linked with solvents persists. DIY extraction laboratories have resulted in horrific explosions in distant locations and residential areas, resulting in death, injury, and property loss. With solventless, this isn’t the case. When compared to methods that use combustible substances like butane, propane, or ethanol, the risk of an explosion is virtually non-existent. As a result, solvent-based enterprises must spend more money to guarantee that their facility is safe and capable of containing any potentially catastrophic effects, which in most cases necessitates blast-proof C1D1 rooms.
For a long time, extractors and businesses have been aware of the differences in procedures and products, while customers are gradually learning about the benefits of solventless.
When people learn what solventless shatter is, they usually see the appeal right away. Thousands of people have shown a preference for all-natural products in recent years. Solventless products make the most sense for these people. During any portion of the extraction and production process, solventless shatter, ice-water hash, and other rosin products require no chemicals or dangerous pollutants. As a result, the consumer inhales no residuals and enjoys a superior product with natural terpenes and flavors originating from the parent material.
Consider a chemical-free extraction procedure instead of blasting your cannabis blossoms with chemicals to obtain shatter afterwards. This procedure produces a solventless oil using only ice, water, heat, and pressure. Instead of using chemical solvents, heat and pressure are used to drive cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids out of the plant’s trichomes. More about that in the following section.
Before you start making concentrates, make sure you have the right equipment. To make rosin or solventless shatter, some people use household items like a hair straightener with clamps. While this method can work, it does not produce consistent results and is inefficient. Instead, go with a machine like the Helix rosin press, which can be used at home or in a commercial setting. A press is more expensive than a hair iron, but it is much less expensive than a solvent-based extraction lab with a C1D1 room. More importantly, it’s a lot safer method that results in a higher-quality product. A rosin press, unlike a hair straightener, was designed to complete the task.
Is it possible to extract with propane?
Butane is a type of hydrocarbon solvent that is commonly used for extraction. However, because it is a highly flammable gas, it is incredibly dangerous!
Butane is compressed to make it into a liquid, which is then poured over cannabis to extract the chemicals. The liquid combination is then heated/vacuumed to evaporate and remove any remaining butane.
Despite the fact that butane is often connected with lighters, there are no hazards associated with consuming cannabis extracted with it because it is totally eliminated during evaporation.
Because butane is non-polar, it does not extract unwanted substances such as chlorophyll and plant alkaloids, making it one of the cleanest and most powerful extraction processes available.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol that can potentially be used as a food preservative. Ethanol is a safer method of extraction than some others because it is suitable for human consumption, although it does not give the purest results.
Because ethanol is a polar solvent, when it is rinsed with cannabis, the water in the ethanol clings to the chlorophyll and extracts it. This can result in a product with a dark color and a grassy flavor.
Freezing the wash will paralyze anything water-based, which is one approach to avoid picking up undesirables. To isolate the cannabinoids and terpenes, all that is required is a little soak. The longer the plant is soaked, the more it dissolves. After the wash is removed, the ethanol is removed by filtering and evaporated.
The extraction of propane is identical to that of butane. When propane is compressed, it transforms into a liquid and is injected into the cannabis. Propane, which is commonly used to heat homes or fuel barbecues, is a highly flammable gas that must be purified with heat or vacuum before use. Propane has a lower boiling point than butane, making it easier to get rid of any residual solvent.
Butane and propane differ primarily in that propane operates at higher pressures. This makes it easier to remove bigger plant compounds, resulting in reduced residue and increased terpene levels.
High pressures are applied to carbon dioxide until it becomes a supercritical fluid. CO2, like hydrocarbons (such as butane and propane), depletes the cannabis of key nutrients while also destroying mold and germs.
CO2 is safer than butane and propane since it is non-flammable and contains no chemical solvents. Because the final product is free of hazardous residues and toxicity, it can be consumed without purging.
This procedure necessitates precision when it comes to maintaining the proper CO2 pressure levels, which necessitates the use of expensive apparatus. On the bright side, the gear can be tweaked to extract more cannabinoids and terpenes while removing less unwanted material.
These are only a few extraction methods for separating cannabis’ therapeutic chemicals, but they all necessitate trial and error. According to experts, the beginning material (i.e. solvent and strain) is more significant than the final output because variables may be changed to modify it. Because certain methods are exceedingly harmful and may cause hurt or damage, it’s better to leave the dirty work to the professionals.
Is it possible to make dabs without butane?
Is it possible to make shatter without butane? Yes, there are several ways to make shatter without the use of butane. As previously said, you can make one with kief. Some folks enjoy making shatter with alcohol as well.
Do Bernzomatic torches work well for dabbing?
The Bernzomatic TS8000 High Intensity Torch is arguably the pinnacle of dab torches. It’s a serious machine that runs on propane rather than butane. It can be connected to most propane tanks or purchased separately as High Intensity fuel canisters. It’s a tank of a torch with long-lasting canisters. The flame may be locked, the ignite button is simple to operate, and the torch is simple to replenish. Bernzomatic torches are dependable and will last for many years. They come in a variety of types, but most dabbers will like the High Intensity.
What happens if you fill a butane torch with propane?
In some circumstances, this allows propane to be used in butane canisters. However, filling a cannister built for butane with propane and then heating it can cause it to explode. This explosion will have additional intriguing effects on the surrounding objects if there is an open flame present.
What is the purpose of using propane as an extraction solvent?
In general, hydrocarbon extraction is particularly advantageous for large-scale production, whether you utilize butane or propane. Not only can large volumes of plant material be extracted at once, but these solvents also have low boiling points, allowing them to be distilled fast and at low temperatures. This prevents the deterioration of your product. Use it to make full-plant extracts and a variety of consistency variations.
Is it better to use wax or shatter?
The majority of people choose between wax and shatter based on their preferences for use and results. Shatter is more difficult to use because of its glassy texture. It does, however, have a longer shelf life than wax. Shatter is generally stronger when smoked or heated, but it has a weaker aroma than wax, despite the fact that wax has the same medical properties. Wax is less stable than shatter due to its soft nature, therefore it breaks down faster and must be utilized sooner, but it may be used in many ways.
Although both products are good for dabbing and provide many of the same benefits, wax is more commonly used for bowl topping. Because wax has a larger surface area, you’ll need more of it to last the same amount of time as shatter. Wax can also be used to boost the strength of other types of marijuana in a bowl.
For BHO, what type of butane do you use?
The leftover solvent and contaminants from the butane solvent are also a concern for BHO. When extracting BHO, only high-purity butane should be utilized.
Is it possible to extract BHO with propane?
Butane hash oil is very similar to propane hash oil. Butane hash oil (BHO) is a form of cannabis concentrate that is prepared with butane rather than propane or another solvent. Butane has a low boiling point (30.2oF), whereas propane has a far lower boiling point. PHO extraction also uses higher pressures than BHO extraction, which helps maintain the terpenes in the strain and results in a lighter color.
When compared to butane extraction, several extraction artists have discovered that 100% propane solvents extract fewer fats and lipids. Propane extraction, on the other hand, might be more unstable without suitable distillation and purging techniques. Propane can assist a skilled extraction technician create a lighter, more delicious concentrate.
BHO creates a broader range of concentrates, including hard shatter and wax. BHO can also provide a full-spectrum product that contains all of a strain’s components. Both solvents are flammable, but under the right conditions and with the right equipment, they can be used safely. As a result, some operators have decided to mix propane and butane in order to improve yield and consistency.