Rosin Pressing FAQs

What do I need to make rosin?

You will require:

• A rosin press
• A pre-press mold (recommended)
• Parchment or PTFE paper
• Collection tools (picks and preferably a glass stamp are recommended).

How to make rosin?

1. Prepare your plant material, grinding buds or trim as needed, while kief and water hash do not require grinding.
2. Compact your material into a puck using a pre-press mold, which helps increase yield and prevent filter bag blowouts.
3. Optionally, place the puck in a micron bag and trim any excess, keeping in mind that omitting this step may yield more rosin but with lower quality due to plant particles.
4. Put the micron bag inside folded parchment paper.
5. Insert the parchment-wrapped bag into the press and follow your machine's instructions to extract the rosin.

What are the recommended press settings?

Cold Rosin Pressing: Press at 160°F - 190°F for 1 to 5 minutes or longer. Cold pressing often results in a malleable, batter consistency terpene-rich rosin, but it comes with a sacrifice in yield.

Hot Rosin Pressing: Press at 190°F - 225°F for 40 seconds to 3 minutes. Hot pressing produces a sappy or shatter-like rosin. For better terpene preservation, try pressing at at 215°F or below. Generally, the hotter you press, the higher yield you’ll get. However, anything over 230°F generally has a notable drop in quality and terpenes.

Flower: Buds can be pressed at 190°F - 225°F for 30 - 180 seconds.

Bubble Hash, Kief, Dry Sift: Refined precursors are usually pressed at 165°F - 195°F for 60 - 130 seconds.

For flowers, we recommend starting at 210°F for 85 - 115 seconds and evaluating from there. Usually, pressing at 210°F results in strong yield, great consistency, and high terpene preservation.

Don't forget you can always double press your bags/pucks. Save your pressed leftovers to make edibles!

Do I Have to Use Filter Bags When Pressing Rosin?

Using a filter bag / tube is a personal choice based on your preferences. If you're okay with a final product that includes essential oils and plant particles, you can skip the filter bag. However, for a higher quality dabbing experience, using a mesh bag is advisable. Keep in mind that using a filter bag may slightly reduce your yield, so you'll need to weigh your priorities between quality and quantity.

What Kind of Filter Bag Material Should I Use?

Filter bags are available in nylon, metal, polyester, and silk, with nylon being the best option due to its heat resistance, durability, and ability to stretch under pressure. Avoid stainless steel mesh as it can scratch your press plates, while polyester and silk bags are more likely to rupture under heat.

How are Filter Bags Measured?

Filter bags are measured by mesh size and bag dimensions, with mesh size expressed in microns. A smaller micron size indicates a finer mesh. For optimal use, select bag dimensions that fit closely with your press plates—like choosing 2 x 4 or 3 x 4 bags for a 3 x 5 inch plate press.

What Mesh Size Should I Use?

The finer the precursor material, the tighter the mesh you can use. For items like kief or bubble hash that flow easily, fine meshes work best, while flower, trim, and shake require larger mesh sizes. Here's a general guide to get you started:

How Do I Use the Bags?

Begin by turning the bags inside out to hide the seam, then break up larger flower chunks and fill the bag evenly with your material, ensuring it’s not overstuffed. Fold the edge to prevent spillage, and trim the bag if it's too long to eliminate unused mesh that could trap extract. Pre-pressing your material into a puck can also help achieve uniform thickness, with the overall thickness of the filled bag not exceeding a quarter inch.

How Do I Prevent Bag Blowouts?

To avoid blowouts, do not overfill your bags; a common guideline is to use about half an ounce of flower for a 2.5 x 4.5 filter bag. Additionally, apply pressure gradually rather than all at once, allowing air and extract to escape. Pre-press molds are beneficial as they remove excess air and ensure even thickness, leading to better pressure distribution.

Can I Reuse My Filter Bags?

Yes, you can reuse filter bags by cleaning them with rubbing alcohol followed by soap and water to remove residue. However, be aware that remnants may remain, and the mesh will stretch over time, making bags more susceptible to blowouts.

What is the ultimate humidity level for my flower?

Relative humidity is vital to ensuring your maximum yield. We recommend keeping your flower at 62% to avoid loosing trichomes due to dryness or introducing mildew or mold. Just put some two-way humidity control packs like Boveda 62 in with your material in a jar or other airtight container and store in a dark space. You’ll find this affects how your herb smokes on its own, and it helps minimize harshness and promotes a slower burn.

How do I collect my rosin off the parchment paper without making a mess / tearing it?

The fastest and easiest way to collect rosin from the paper is with a glass stamp. Just press the stamp down on the material, and it will be picked up by the stamp. Then take a pick, large scraper, or dabbing tool to collect the rosin from the stamp. Some people prefer to use the big scraper alone on the parchment paper, but, if you are not careful enough, you risk tearing the paper and contaminating rosin with it.

You can add some rosin to any bowl pack, joint, or blunt! Scrape up your solventless concentrate onto a dab tool and simply use a lighter to warm the tool and carefully drip the dabs into your smoking device of choice. Just be careful not to get your rosin too close to the edges of the paper or bowl as it will make for a hard, messy roll and clean up.