With the budding legalization of cannabis around the world, people are growing more and more interested in the newer, cleaner and more concentrated ways of its consumption. The trend of consuming edibles instead of smoking and leaning towards purer and more solventless forms of cannabis have led the rosin technology to peak quite exponentially with a notable rise in the sale of rosin tech products.
Whether you are thinking of hopping on the rosin bandwagon for personal use or you want to take a sweet taste of this trendy industry, Agar Industries brings you the ultimate rosin tech products required to make your own rosin the way you like it. But before introducing you to the band of amazing tools available, let us dive into the basics of rosin and how it really is different from the other available products.
What is Rosin and Why is it Getting Popular?
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To state simply, rosin is the sticky gooey substance that oozes out when two heated metal plates apply pressure to a cannabis plant. This process does not need to be chemically induced causing the extract to be potent and pure. Due to the absence of any solvents, the extract also retains the original taste and smell of the cannabis.
Its popularity can be tied to the fact that many cannabis enthusiasts are reluctant to consume chemically enhanced products lest they should face side effects in the long run. As a consequence of this, many opt for solventless pure forms of cannabis devoid of any chemical additions. Besides, the gooey texture of the product allows the consumer to add it to any edibles of their desire to the amount or dosage they can tolerate, giving them full autonomy over the way and the amount they want to intake.
Types of Rosin
While rosin is a general term, it can be classified into three types according to its source material. These products are different based on the kind of material they are extracted from rather than the extraction process as they are all produced through the rosin technology.
- Flower rosin- This is the easiest and most common type of rosin extracted as it is squeezed out of raw cannabis flowers. The availability of the starting material is what makes it so popular among cannabis enthusiasts. The end product is likely to have slightly more plant material than the rosin created from bubble hash.
- Hash rosin- Bubble hash or ice water hash is the material from which the hash rosin is extracted from. This rosin tends to be purer and more potent than flower rosin as the hash used in the extraction process is naturally a more concentrated form of cannabis.
iii. Sift rosin- This type of rosin is extracted from dry sift hash and is also deemed to be more potent than flower rosin as its starting material is already separated from its plant material. However, it is still not as potent and pure as hash rosin.
Rosin Tech Products
This fairly new technology of the voluntary secretion of oil from cannabis plants is known as rosin technology and the tools used to extract rosin through this process are referred to as rosin technology products. It is imperative to use good quality tools for this process as the rosin is as potent as the quality of rosin tech products utilized to extract it. Rosin tech products include rosin press, rosin filter bags, pre press molds, parchment paper etc. A beginner needs to have a thorough idea about each product to get pure quality rosin of their money’s worth.
Rosin Press
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Rosin press is the extraction machine used to extract the oil out of cannabis by putting pressure on it through two heated metal plates. These machines are built to seep the oil out with the application of pressure, heat and a filter containing microscopic holes. So if a typical rosin press is considered, it is supposed to have a pair of heated plates that can put the required pressure to extract rosin. According to the way the pressure is applied, they can be of different types such as electric, pneumatic, manual or hydraulic.
The active compounds in the resinous sap which collects onto a parchment paper, used during the extraction, is what we know to be as rosin. The hot plates of the rosin press apply enough pressure on the cannabis plant between them to extract this oil out while leaving out the pant material.
Types of Rosin Press
Although all rosin presses function in the same way, there are differences in the way they apply pressure to cannabis. According to these differences in the application of pressure, there are four main types of rosin presses.
- Manual Rosin Press- These presses are perfect for people who want complete control over the process of extraction. These use pumps or other user- operated methods to apply pressure totally by the use of the user’s hands. So the pressure applied by the hands is the same pressure that gets translated to the rosin press.
- Pneumatic Rosin Press- This press hardly requires the user to do anything as it utilizes an air compressor to achieve the desired amount of pressure. All this machine requires you to do is press a button after setting the required temperature and pressure. Then you are good to go.
iii. Hydraulic Rosin Press- These semi-manual machines require both the use of hand and machines to operate. The force required to smash the cannabis comes from the hydraulic pressure that is yet again generated by a hand pump. This requires maintenance that is often a hassle for the user for which it is generally avoided in industrial purposes.
- Electric Rosin Press- These presses are by far the most hassle- free option when it comes to an efficient extraction as they do not require any compressor or pumps to operate. More and more people are pivoting towards this press because of its reliability and functionality.
Pre Press Molds
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Pre press molds are rectangular or cylindrical hand- pressing tools which are used to compress the cannabis products before extraction. This is done within a rosin filter bag to filter out any form of contamination giving out the purest form of rosin. These molds are typically constructed of three pieces of aluminum. Pre- pressing cannabis allows one to control the dosage of cannabis and maintain the dosage appropriately every time it is extracted. Get your own set of premium quality pre- press molds from the selection of products available on the website of Agar Industries.
While it is not mandatory to use rosin bags during the extraction process, its presence will ensure fine quality rosin owing to its filtration properties. Rosin bags are small filtration bags that hold the cannabis in place during the preparation of rosin. Since these are made out of nylon filter screens, they help to decontaminate the end product giving out the purest form of rosin. The filter screens in these bags are graded in microns and can range from 15 to 220 microns. It also has to be ensured that the rosin bags are made out of food grade nylon which are capable of maintaining their properties even under extreme heat and pressure.
These rosin bags will help to filter out any fat, wax or other contaminants from cannabis and will also allow the user to contain it in a fixed place during the process of extraction. Doing so ensures that the heat and pressure are being distributed equally to the entire product allowing the optimum rate of rosin production to take place. So using these bags will not only improve the quality of the rosin but will also guarantee the maximum yield from the cannabis used in the extraction. While choosing the rosin bags, one has to be careful about the size and shape as it should fit perfectly in the pre- press mold. Although a little space around the sides are acceptable, matching the size and shape of the mold with the rosin bag should definitely be a prerequisite before buying them.
Parchment Paper
The use of parchment paper in the extraction of rosin cannot be downplayed under any circumstance as the fresh rosin that oozes out after the extraction process effectively latches onto its surface. This cellulose- based heat resistant sheet, once coated with silicone, acts as a non- sticky material aiding the collection of rosin from its surface. The absence of a good non-sticky parchment paper will result in a messy extraction with no efficient way of collecting the gooey oil that has been extracted. Before buying parchment paper, one should look for sturdy, heat resistant, food grade and non- sticky ones to actively use them for the purpose of rosin extraction without tearing or damaging them during the process.
How to Prepare Rosin
One major incentive for people to incline towards rosin is also its pretty basic preparation that requires close to zero hassle. With the right equipment, it can be prepared in a matter of minutes. A general rosin production setup will have items like a rosin press, the product from which the oil is to be extracted, rosin filtration bags and a sheet of unbleached parchment.
The preparation method is as simple as coating the cannabis in the parchment paper and putting it in between the heated plates of the rosin press to press it under high pressure. The heat from the metal plates and the applied pressure will seep out the viscous oil from the plant which will stick to the parchment paper. Since through the entire process, no chemicals or catalysts are used, rosin is said to be solventless.
Due to its simplicity, cannabis enthusiasts are often found experimenting with the preparation process including using the heated plates of a hair straightener as a rosin press. While this method might be a fun DIY for you and your friends, using the correct rosin tech products will definitely ensure a better quality and more potent form of the rosin.
Advantages of Rosin Consumption
As people are getting more conscious of their health, they are pivoting towards substances which are more natural and less chemical. This is exactly where rosin hits the mark. Let us take a look at the key benefits of its consumption.
- Absolutely natural, uses no chemical additives
- Is easy to make within a short time
iii. Gooey texture allows the user to blend it into almost anything
- Liquidity enables the user to control the dosage according to one’s tolerance
- Retains the original smell and taste
- Remains potent due to the absence of any chemicals
vii. No chemically induced side effects
Conclusion
Whether you are just a beginner or a cannabis enthusiast exploring new ways of consumption, it is always better to do some research so that you know what you are getting yourself into. A thorough idea of the different kinds of rosin and rosin tech products will gain you a good experience with experimenting with cannabis and guide you towards what suits you the best.