How is Bubble Hash Made?

Bubble hash, also known as “water hash” or “ice water hash,” is considered by many cannabis consumers to be one of the purest and most flavourful forms of cannabis concentrate on the market. While the process for making bubble hash has been known since at least the 1980s, it’s risen in popularity in the last decade as a chemical-free alternative to the solvent-based cannabis concentrates currently dominating dispensary shelves.  

Bubble hash is known as a less potent product than solvent-based concentrates like wax or shatter. It tests at around 30-60% THC. Wax, shatter, resin, and other solvent-based concentrates can reach up to 90% THC. However, bubble hash is considered far tastier with a range of clear-headed effects that can seem surreal at times. 

So what is bubble hash, really? How is it made? And does it have anything to do with bubbles? If you’re curious about this unique form of cannabis concentrate, sit back and read on. 

Step 1: Harvesting

As a cannabis plant matures, its buds become covered in small, white stalk-like structures called trichomes. The heads of these stalks are filled with the strain’s unique combination of flavourful terpenes like myrcene, limonene, and pinene, as well as potent cannabinoids like THC and CBD. When it comes to making bubble hash, these buds are harvested from the cannabis plant and either flash frozen fresh, or frozen after curing. Some bubble hash makers believe that fresh harvested nugs make the freshest tasting product, while others believe that allowing the nugs to mature allows the trichomes to reach their full flavour and potency potential. 

Lower quality bubble hash is called “trim processed” and is made from the leftover plant matter that’s collected after a nug has been manicured for sale. Trim processed bubble hash contains extra unwanted plant matter like chlorophyll from the trimming process, and usually ends up as a darker and less pure product that’s harder to burn. 

Higher quality, “bud processed” bubble hash is made from the nugs themselves. Bud processed bubble hash has a lighter colour and vaporizes much cleaner and easier due to the lack of plant matter. It’s also known as “full melt” bubble hash, because it doesn’t leave a residue as other hashes do when dabbed.

Step 2: Ice Bath 

Once a bubble hash producer has their supply of trim, fresh frozen, or cured buds, the next step is to remove the trichomes from the cannabis plant product so that they can be concentrated into hash. Bubble hash producers do this by agitating their cannabis in an ice water bath. By shaking the cannabis buds around, the millions of frozen, mushroom-shaped trichomes snap off at their stalks. These trichomes are denser than the surrounding water and sink to the bottom of the ice bath where they collect in a layer resembling the organic brown sugar you may find in upscale coffee shops. Another benefit of ice water is that it preserves the volatile essential oils of the terpenes that would otherwise escape into the water.  

One reason bubble hash has become more available in the past decade is the invention and wide distribution of “bubble bags.” Many people say this is where the “bubble” in bubble hash comes from (though there are a few other guesses out there). 

Bubble bags are bucket-shaped, cylindrical bags with an open top and a nylon screen for filtering trichomes and plant matter at the bottom. The bags nest inside each other, with the top bag having the widest filter screen and the bottom bags having the narrowest screen. As ice water washes through the bag, smaller and smaller pieces of plant matter get filtered out, so that only the trichome heads fall into the lowest bag. Sometimes a micron screen is placed at the bottom of the bath to catch the trichomes so that they can be removed later. 

Lower quality bubble hash is made with larger width micron screened bubble bags. These larger screens mean that more plant matter and organic compounds fall through and are processed into hash along with the trichomes. The resulting product, much like trim processed hash, is darker and less pure. 

Higher quality concentrates like full melt bubble hash are made with bubble bags with much smaller screens. These smaller screens can be anywhere from 90 to 25 microns across, which is the width of a human hair. Only trichome heads will pass through these smaller screens, which creates the purest type of product with no residue. 

Step 3: Processing

Once all the trichomes have collected in the bottom bag or a micron screen, it’s time to turn them into bubble hash. The bottom bag or micron screen is removed and the trichomes are spread out and left to air dry for about a week. 

It’s important during this time that they are left completely in the dark, as any sunlight can degrade the THC molecules. Once the dried resin is solid to the touch, it’s ready to be pressed together and stored. 

Step 4: Consuming 

This is where some claim the “bubble” part of bubble hash is really from. Without any residual plant matter or solvents, high quality bubble hash is pure enough to bubble up as it’s consumed, until it evaporates leaving no residue behind. Unlike solvent-based concentrates, bubble hash is pure and organic enough to be consumed in multiple ways. Much like other concentrates, bubble hash can be vaporized using a dab rig or a dab pen. However, you can also place a little bit on the screen of your bowl, one-hitter, or bong and smoke it by passing a lighter flame over it until it cherries. You can also sprinkle it onto your cannabis bowl or joint to add to the experience, or dust it onto your food and ingest it. 

While there are other methods of creating bubble hash, like using a bubble hash machine to agitate the water, or using a freeze dryer to cut down on drying time (as well as cannabinoid and terpene loss), bubble bags and hand agitation remain the most common methods of creating bubble hash. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Make Bubble Hash at Home?

Yes, you can make bubble hash at home using only a five gallon bucket, some ice-filled water, as well as some bubble bags and micron screens.

Is Bubble Hash the Same as Ice Water Hash?

Yes, bubble hash and ice water hash are the same product. 

How Much Does Bubble Hash Cost?

It depends on the quality and where you live, but generally bubble hash will be more expensive than solvent-based concentrates due to its purity and processing. 

How Do You Smoke Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash is incredibly versatile. You can vaporize it using a dab rig or vape pen. You can also spread it on a bowl screen and smoke it with a lighter, or use it as a topper for your cannabis in a bowl or a joint.