By RQS Editorial Team


Tired of smoking the same old bud week after week? Ready to bring the potency and purity of your stash to new levels? Then you need to try bubble hash—a potent concentrate that is a little hands-on to make, but doesn’t require the use of a dangerous solvent.

Find out everything you need to know about bubble hash, including how to make it yourself!

What Is Hash?

Hash, short for hashish, is a concentrated form of cannabis. It is produced by collecting and compressing the most powerful material from the cannabis plant—the trichomes. Trichomes are the source of resin containing the cannabinoids, terpenes, and other precious phytochemicals in the plant. These tiny mushroom-like growths coat the leaves, branches, and particularly the buds, giving it a frosty white appearance.

By concentrating the trichomes into a mass, hashish contains much higher levels of cannabinoids and terpenes by volume, making for a very potent and aromatic smoke. Hash is often presented as a dark brown, waxy, sticky substance. It is versatile, and can be smoked in a pipe, bong, vape pen, or "dabbed". You can also roll hash into a joint or blunt with marijuana or tobacco, or even add it to food or drink.

Hash is generally considered a crude type of cannabis concentrate, as it tends to be less pure than commercial “dabs”, such as wax and shatter. Still, depending on the product, hash can be up to four times stronger than regular bud. The concentrations do, however, vary depending upon the product. THC extraction is evolving to be more and more refined as the laws governing recreational use of cannabis have relaxed in the US.

An image of bubble hash, a concentrated form of cannabis created by compressing trichomes, the source of cannabinoids and terpenes. This dark brown, waxy substance represents what hash is and emphasizes its potency compared to regular cannabis. Bubble hash can be smoked, vaped, or added to food, illustrating its versatility as a cannabis concentrate.
  • Types of Hash

Some of the most ancient forms of hash-making originated in India. Here, hash (or charas) and Nepalese temple balls are made by rubbing live cannabis buds between the hands to remove the trichomes and capture the resin. This is continued until a thick, dark mass is produced, which is then scraped together to form balls or sticks of hash.

"Dry sift" encompasses varieties of hash such as red Lebanese, black Afghan, Pakistani, Turkish brick, and Moroccan pollen. These types are created by dislodging the trichomes of dried cannabis bud (aka kief) using physical agitation. The buds are rubbed over fine mesh sieves, under which a fine powder collects. This is then pressed into blocks, and typically smoked.

With rosin hash, dried cannabis buds are subjected to immense pressure and heat. What is produced is a very satisfying golden, honey-like substance. Rosin is almost 100% pure and untainted.

Modern hash—aka cannabis concentrates—dominates the legal cannabis market, specifically in the US and Canada. The industry has developed very efficient ways to extract high amounts of cannabinoids and terpenes, creating concentrates like shatter, wax, crumble, and budder. These extraction methods can produce concentrates with over 80% THC! Solvents like butane, propane, and CO₂ are used in these highly technical and potentially dangerous processes.

So, where does bubble hash stand in comparison to other forms?

What Is Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash is a solventless extract that uses no additional chemical inputs. It got its name from the tiny bubbles that form when it’s heated. As the cold temperatures used during extraction preserve most of the terpenes, bubble hash is one of the most aromatic and flavourful extracts you can make. Harnessing techniques first popularised by cannabis industry trailblazer Sam the Skunkman in the 80s, bubble hash has gone from strength to strength as more cannabis users have discovered the practice.

How Is Bubble Hash Made?

Bubble hash is made by separating trichomes from cannabis buds using only ice, water, a couple of buckets, and filter bags. Cold water and ice harden the heads of the trichomes, making them less sticky and more brittle. With some gentle agitation, the trichomes will break off the plant easily. Filter bags with varying microns are then used to sieve out the trichome heads from the water, along with any plant matter. The hash is then dried out thoroughly. Commercial manufacturers use a freezing ice washer and reverse osmosis (RO) water for the purest results.

An image of bubble hash, showcasing a concentrated form of cannabis made by separating trichomes from cannabis buds. The dark brown, resinous substance exemplifies what bubble hash is, highlighting its potency and rich cannabinoid content. This versatile product can be used for smoking, vaping, or cooking, emphasizing its appeal as a cannabis concentrate.

What Is the Potency of Bubble Hash?

While the potency of bubble hash isn't as high as some commercial cannabis concentrates, it still packs a punch, containing anywhere between 30% and 60% THC. This is in addition to a high level of terpenes. However, much depends on the strain of origin, the cultivation method, the amount of material, the terpene profile, and more. Fortunately, bubble hash experts have created a 6-star rating system to help you separate the good, the bad, and the ugly.

  • 1 and 2 Star

These grades are usually composed of less than 50% trichome heads and stalks. The remaining amount is other plant material. One and two-star hash works well for edibles and can make a potent addition to a bong bowl or spliff.

  • 3 and 4 Star

These grades will include small amounts of plant material. Also known as "half melt", this hash adds good potency to flower, or can be effectively pressed into rosin.

  • 5 and 6 Star

Five and six-star bubble hash should be free of practically all contaminants and residue. The finest six-star hash should effortlessly bubble and leave no residue on the banger or nail when dabbed. This is known as "full melt" hash.

Bubble Hash vs Dry Ice Sift — What Is the Difference?

Dry ice sift is similar to bubble hash; however, bubble hash uses freezing water to extract the trichomes. Dry ice sift uses… you guessed it, dry ice. The flowers are agitated with the dry ice in freezing conditions, causing the trichomes to break away and autumn through the screen to be collected. Ultimately, dry ice sifting is much more efficient at removing resin from flowers than bubble hash, though this efficiency may come at a price.

It is generally accepted that bubble hash produces more potent results than dry ice sift. Using freezing-cold water allows for a more gentle extraction process, one that leaves plant material behind and preserves the quality of the trichomes through milder agitation. On the other side of the coin, there is a lot of drying required because of the water.

Dry ice hash does have its plus points. You can extract and collect the trichomes almost instantly, as no drying time is required. The process as a whole takes much less time and effort. Moreover, the yield from dry ice sift will generally be more considerable. However, more plant material will be present in the end product. The dry ice can tear open the trichomes, diminishing the quality of the final product.

Close-up of cannabis bubble hash and dry ice sift next to each other, showcasing the texture differences between the two extraction methods

How to Make Bubble Hash

So, you’re interested in making your own bubble hash. Luckily, it’s very doable. You can make it yourself using cannabis flower or trim, fine-mesh micron bags, and ice water. It’s smart to invest in an eight-bag bubble bag kit for the best, purest results. These kits come with bubble bags ranging from 25 microns to 220 microns.

What Are Bubble Bags?

Bubble bags separate the different sizes of trichome heads and surplus plant material, leaving you with pure trichomes at the end of the process. The different microns of each bag are ultimately what filter or sieve the hash into different grades. “Microns” refers to the size of the holes of the fine mesh.

Making Bubble Hash: Equipment

  • Cannabis buds or trim
  • 2x 19l buckets
  • 2x big bags of ice (or more)
  • Bubble bags (we recommend 8)
  • Big stirring spoon or electric hand mixer
  • Non-stick drying sheets

Making Bubble Hash: Step by Step

  1. Add your ice to one of the buckets, and top up with cold water. Make sure to leave enough room for your weed. Now, add your cannabis bud or trim to the ice water. Make sure all the cannabis is submerged.
  2. Agitate the plant material with a large wooden spoon or stick for 15–20 minutes. This allows the trichomes to break away from the plant. Add more ice as necessary to keep the water as cold as possible. If you have an electric hand mixer, you can try using this as well.
  3. After the allotted time has passed, it's time to prep your bubble bags. Place the bags in your second bucket in ascending order of microns, down to the 220-micron bag (the smallest size). Secure the bags over the rim of the bucket, then slowly pour in the water and plant material from the other bucket.
  4. Once the water has drained, take the first bag out of the bucket and flush it with ice water again to capture any remaining trichomes. Shake the bag, allow it to drain, and set it aside. Repeat this process for every bag. Every bag will contain its own quality of hash. The finest mesh bags at the bottom will contain the best product.
  5. Once the bags are fully drained, take each of the different hash grades and spread them out on separate non-stick drying sheets.
  6. Roll the hash into a ball or press it flat when dry.
  7. Shop in an airtight, lightproof container to preserve the cannabinoids.
Step-by-step process of making bubble hash, showing ice, water, and cannabis being agitated in a bucket, followed by filtering through mesh bags to collect the hash.

How to Dry Bubble Hash

Your hash will require a thorough drying process that should not be rushed. An inferior drying process can lead to mould issues, making the hash unusable.

Air Drying

This is the simplest and most cost-effective way to dry your bubble hash.

  1. After removing the filtered trichomes from the bubble bags, spread them all out on some non-stick drying sheets, and put them in the freezer for 12 hours. Put a sieve in the freezer too, as you will need this later. A regular baking sieve effectively breaks the hash apart without being too abrasive.
  2. Line the bottom of a cardboard box with some parchment paper. Make sure the paper is silicone-side facing up. A pizza box is perfect.
  3. After 12 hours, remove the hash from the freezer. Take the pieces and scrape them gently back and forth across the sieve, with the sieve positioned over the carboard box and parchment paper. Use a spoon to press the frozen chunks against the sieve and break down the hash. You are aiming for a fine, sandy consistency. Increasing the surface area helps the hash to dry more quickly and thoroughly, and allows the cardboard to absorb moisture more effectively.
  4. Move the closed box to a cool, dark, dry room or dedicated space. The ideal temperature is around 12°C with a relative humidity of 35%. Do you best to get as close to these conditions as you can.
  5. The hash can take anywhere from 48 hours to more than a week to completely dry out. When sufficiently dry, the hash should have a sandy texture that leaves zero moisture when squeezed.
Close-up of different mesh bags being used to filter cannabis plant material during the bubble hash extraction process, with water and trichomes draining through the bags
  • The Cold Room Method

This is a revised version of air drying that uses an automated system to create a space with a consistent temperature of around 4–5°C and controlled humidity.

A cold room works because it reduces the rate of terpene and cannabinoid degradation. This happens with exposure to oxygen and heat when air drying in the traditional way. An easy way to create your own mini cold room is to use a wine cooler, as they let you attain the perfect temperature and humidity levels, and are small and somewhat portable.

  • Freeze Drying

Freeze dryers are expensive, but the hash they produce is unbeatable. These devices can remove moisture quickly and evenly. Moisture may spawn mould, so removing all water is precisely what you want.

The whole freeze-drying process is finished in just 24 hours or less. Freeze dryers also reduce the amount of oxidation that occurs. Less oxidation helps to maintain the original lighter colour of the hash. Air-dried bubble hash will generally have a darker colour due to oxidation.

With freeze-drying, microplaning or sieving is not required as the hash does not need to be prepared for air drying. You can take the hash straight from the bubble bags and place it into the freeze dryer. This saves time and labour, and causes less structural damage to the hash.

Using a Bubble Hash Machine

There are still options if you are nervous or unsure about making bubble hash, or do not have the time. A machine like the Bubbleator B-Quick is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants a speedy, uncomplicated, and reliable method of making bubble hash.

The machine will do most of the work for you, without compromising on quality. It agitates the plant material in a similar way to a washing machine, extracting the optimal amount of trichomes and producing fantastic results. The Bubbleator is also small and easily transportable. All you need is cannabis, water, ice, and a collection bucket.

How Do I Smoke Bubble Hash?

Bubble hash is very versatile. You can break off small pieces and mix it into joints, or place it on top of bowls for a slightly more crude method. If you choose to roll a bubble hash joint, remember to add it to the outside. Otherwise, the hash will burn slower than the flower and paper, and may autumn out before being combusted.

If you want a true full-melt bubble hash experience, however, dabbing is the way to go. Not only will you get some hugely powerful hits, but you’ll get to see just how pure your hash really is.

Many people also choose to turn their bubble hash into rosin, especially the less refined grades. Using a dedicated press or a couple of hair straighteners, you can create a waxy, oily substance that is even more refined.

Bubble hash being placed on top of a bowl, ready to be smoked, showing its versatility for different consumption methods.

Is Bubble Hash for Me?

As well as involving one of the safest extraction methods, bubble hash produces one of the most refined final products. It captures the purest essence of the cannabis plant, preserving only the most potent and practical components of this natural wonder.

Hash-making is an art form, and once you get over the typical teething problems, you will undoubtedly find your signature style. The strains and bags you use, methods for agitation and drying; all these variables play a role in creating your perfect bubble hash. So what are you waiting for? Give it a go.

Cookies settings

We are requesting your permission to use your data for the reasons stated below:

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of data from a particular website that get stored on a user’s computer while they’re surfing the internet. Cookies have several different functions. Some of them track browser activity that enables businesses to deliver targeted advertisements. Other cookies serve to remember user login details to different websites to make jumping on social media, or other sites, a more fluid process. Because each cookie has its own unique ID, these pieces of data allow website owners to measure the unique traffic coming into their site.

Why do we use cookies?

Cookies come in handy when you visit our website. They ensure you stay logged in, that you can shop safely, and that the items you add to your cart stay there before you make a purchase. But cookies also help us. The data they provide allow us to improve our website and enable us to present you with targeted advertisements that are compatible with your interests.

What kind of cookies do we use?

Functional cookies

Functional cookies help our website to function optimally and allow us to personalise certain features.

Preference cookies

Preference cookies allow us to remember information that influences the way our website looks, including your preferred language based on your region.

Analytical cookies

Analytical cookies give us insights into website traffic and customer behaviour, including how many people visit our site, how long they browse for, and which parts of our site they visit.

How can I disable or delete cookies?

Not a fan of cookies? No worries. You can disable them (with the exception of necessary cookies) in your browser settings. However, blocking cookies may impact your browsing experience and prevent you from enjoying all of the technical features of our site.

Privacy Policy - Royal Queen Seeds

To ensure a safe online environment and guarantee adequate data protection, we strictly comply with all legal requirements. In this privacy statement, we provide information about how and for what purpose data is collected, safety measures, storage periods and contact details.


COMPANY NAME: SNORKEL SPAIN, SL (hereinafter ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS)

C/ Vilar d'Abdelà, 5 (nave 1) CP: 08170 de Montornès del Vallès

+34 937 379 846

support@royalqueenseeds.com


The present Privacy Policy sets out the terms on which we will treat personal data at ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS; this includes any personal data collected through our website https://www.royalqueenseeds.com/ as well as any other data we process in the course of our business activities.

ROYAL QUEEN SEEDS collects the following personal data for the purposes listed below:

SECTION 1 – PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT

1.1 Account purchases

Account purchases can only be made if you are in possession of a personal account. When you create an account or purchase something from our shop, as part of the buying and selling process we collect the following personal information that you provide to us:

This information is required for delivery. In addition, when you browse our shop, we automatically receive the Internet Protocol (IP) address of your computer. Based on this information, we can optimise your online experience and at the same time protect our online environment.

Purpose of data collection

We collect and store account-related data for the following purposes:

(a) to carry out obligations arising from any contracts between you and us, and to provide you with information, products and services that you may request from us;

(b) to set up, manage and communicate with you about your account and your orders;

(c) to conduct market research and analysis;

(d) to confirm your age and identity, and to detect and prevent fraud.

1.2 Newsletters

With your explicit permission, we may send you newsletters about our shop, new products and other updates. We send newsletters based on your explicit consent. In the event that you purchase a product, and in accordance with current regulations, we may send you commercial communications in accordance with the legitimate interest of our company, always about products or services similar to those you have purchased or contracted. In any case, you may exercise your right of opposition through the channels announced in this Privacy Policy. The following information is collected in relation to the newsletter:

We do not need to know the sex of the person in order to send the newsletter (data minimisation: by law we must ask for data that is strictly necessary to provide the service, and in this case knowing the sex is not necessary to send the newsletter).

Purpose of data collection

The data collected is used to:

(a) personalise our emails, including your name and gender;

(b) provide gender-specific content.

You can withdraw your consent at any time by using the link provided in the newsletter or the contact information provided in section 2.

1.3 Customer service and contact form

In order to provide appropriate support, our customer service employees have access to information related to the account. Consequently, their support will be highly effective and friendly. The data provided in our contact form is used by our CRM provider, SuperOffice. We will only use your details to respond to your message.

SECTION 2 – LEGITIMATE INTEREST

If you have purchased any of our products, please note that we may process your personal data for promotional purposes, based on Royal Queen Seeds' legitimate interest only to offer you products or services from our company and about products or services similar to those you have purchased. You may exercise your right to opt out of future messages by the means set out in this Privacy Policy or through any notification you receive.

2.1 How do you withdraw consent?

If you change your mind, you can withdraw your consent for us to contact you for the purpose of collecting, using, or disclosing your data at any time by reaching out to us at: support@royalqueenseeds.com.

SECTION 3 – DISCLOSURE

We may disclose your personal information if we are required to do so by law or if you breach our Terms of Service.

SECTION 4 – HOW LONG DO WE KEEP YOUR DATA?

At Royal Queen Seeds, we will not retain your data for longer than is necessary for the purposes described in this Policy. Different retention periods apply for different types of data; however, the longest period we will normally hold any personal data is 10 years.

4.1 Account information

Data relating to the account remains relevant for as long as the consumer is in possession of an account. Therefore, the data remains documented for as long as the account exists. When our customers delete an account, the associated data will be deleted within a reasonable period of time. Requests regarding the inspection or correction of stored personal data or the deletion of an account can be sent to support@royalqueenseeds.com.

4.2 Newsletters

In the event that you give us your consent to inform you about our products or services, we will keep your data until you express your wish not to receive any further communications from us. However, we regularly (every month) carry out a relevance check. Registered customers (and their personal information) will be deleted whenever customers do not reply to our request. In addition, our newsletter mailing has an opt-out feature. Consumers can withdraw their consent by using this opt-out feature.

SECTION 5 – COOKIES

Cookies are small information files that notify your computer of previous interactions with our website. These cookies are stored on your hard drive, not on our website. Essentially, when you use our website, your computer displays its cookies to us, informing our site that you have visited before. This allows our website to function more quickly and remember aspects related to your previous visits (such as your username), making your experience more convenient. At Royal Queen Seeds, we use two types of cookies: functional and analytical.

5.1 Functional Cookies

Functional cookies are used to enhance your online experience. Among other things, these cookies track what is added to your shopping cart. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

5.2 Analytical Cookies

Analytical cookies are used for research and market analysis. The data collected with these analytical cookies is anonymous, making it unusable for third parties. The use of these cookies does not require prior authorization.

SECTION 5 – THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

Third-party services are required to conduct transactions and provide our services. In general, the third-party providers we use will only collect, use and disclose your information to the extent necessary to enable them to perform the services they provide to us.

However, certain third-party service providers, such as payment gateways and other payment transaction processors, have their own privacy policies regarding the information we must provide to them for your transactions.

We encourage you to read the privacy policies of these providers so that you can understand how these providers will handle your personal information.

In particular, certain suppliers may be located or have facilities located in a different jurisdiction than yours or ours. Therefore, if you choose to proceed with a transaction involving the services of a third party, your information may be subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which that service provider or its facilities are located.

Once you leave our website or are redirected to a third-party website or application, you are no longer governed by this Privacy Policy or the Terms of Service of our website.

Web analytics service (anonymous data)

On this website we have integrated an element of a web analytics service (with anonymisation functionality). Web analytics can be defined as the gathering, processing and analysis of data about the behaviour of visitors to websites. An analytics service collects, among other things, data about which website a person came from (the so-called referrer), which sub-pages they visited or how often and for how long they visited a sub-page. Web analytics is mainly used for website optimisation and for a cost–benefit analysis of internet advertising.

Courier service

To complete deliveries we use a courier service. This courier service carries out the delivery between our company and the consumer's home. To complete these logistics, the company requires access to the consumer's name and address information.

Mailing service

Royal Queen Seeds uses a third-party mail service provider to send its newsletter. This provider has access to limited account information related to opt-in consent (e.g. email address).

Marketing services

Royal Queen Seeds has the support of a company that specialises in marketing and communication activities. Their access to personal information is very limited and mostly anonymous.

Payment services

At Royal Queen Seeds we use external payment services to handle our transactions (e.g. credit card payments).

SECTION 6 – SECURITY

To protect your personal information, we take reasonable precautions and follow industry standard best practices to ensure that it is not inappropriately lost, misused, accessed, disclosed, altered or destroyed.

If you provide us with your credit card information, the information is encrypted using secure socket layer technology (SSL) and stored using AES-256 encryption. Although no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, we follow all PCI-DSS requirements and implement additional industry standards that are commonly accepted. Information related to the account is protected with a hashing method. This method transforms the information into a generated hash. As a result, confidential information is protected and invisible, even to us. In addition, our databases are exceptionally protected against unauthorised access. For example, access to the database is only possible and permitted via approved IP addresses (e.g. from Royal Queen Seeds headquarters). Other attempts and addresses are rejected at all times.

Furthermore, data is anonymised as much as possible, so it cannot be directly linked to a specific consumer. With this data, however, we may be able to carry out market research and analysis. In addition, the third parties concerned (e.g. mailing service) are examined prior to our collaboration, comply with the GDPR from the EU and receive a processing agreement. Within Royal Queen Seeds, employees are assigned different access permissions. Specific permission provides access only to information that is strictly required to perform a task. Digital security measures are subject to change and must meet high requirements to ensure the safety of online customers. That is why, at Royal Queen Seeds, we appoint a security officer. Regular verification and improvement of security measures (where necessary) are part of the role.

SECTION 7 – CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please check back regularly. Changes and clarifications will be effective immediately upon being published on the Website. If we make substantial changes to this policy, we will notify you here that it has been updated so you will know what information we collect, how we use it and under what circumstances, if any, we use and/or disclose it.

SECTION 8 – YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO: