What is Full Melt Bubble Hash?
If you have been searching for a top-tier cannabis extract on the market, you may want to consider six-star bubble hash also known as “full melt.” This solventless, contaminant, and residue-free concentrate is typically “the best of the batch” so it often comes at higher price points. Full melt refers to the quality of the hash in terms of cleanliness, ability to melt without leaving residue, and the richness of the cannabinoid and terpene profile the hash contains.
How is Full Melt Bubble Hash made?
Full-melt hash, as the name suggests, is any hash product capable of melting fully without leaving any plant residue behind. There’s no solid plant matter that can burn as the hash is vaporized; it’s just pure resin. Full-melt extracts are extremely difficult to achieve, but they’re incredibly high-quality. Full-melt hash is a relatively recent innovation and made two different ways:
THE BUBBLE HASH METHOD
Full-melt hash is most commonly achieved using an ice water extraction method (i.e. bubble hash, or ice water hash). Cannabis is submerged in an ice water bath, which is then agitated using a hand paddle or machine. The trichomes freeze, break off of the plant, and float to the bottom where they’re filtered through a series of micron screens. Finally, the hash is collected and dried, either naturally or (more commonly) with a freeze dryer. Though the ice water extraction method lends itself to premium-grade hash, not all bubble hash is full-melt. If you want to achieve the real deal, you need an excellent-quality starting material. Quality in has a direct relationship to quality out. From there, it takes practice, refinement, and the right amount of filtration. You want to isolate only the best trichome heads and stalks, preferably between 90 and 120μm (though sometimes as low as 45μm). Your yield will be lower at these levels, but your quality will be sky-high.
Traditionally, full-melt bubble hash requires a lot of equipment, including multiple hash-washing vessels, layers of bubble bags, freeze dryers, and other supplementary tools. However, more extractors are turning to The Original Resinator for their bubble hash needs, as they can achieve the same product at a lower cost, in less time, and with less space. With the Resinator OG or Resinator XL, all you have to do is load up the drum with your ice, water, and biomass, and turn it on. The Resinator is equipped with a drain plug that routes the water through the collection bags, allowing for easy filtration. Then you just need to freeze-dry your product and call it a day—no manual agitation required.
THE DRY SIFT METHOD
You don’t often hear about dry sift in relation to full-melt hash. That’s because it’s much harder to achieve full-melt quality using dry sifting techniques. They just don’t offer the same level of precision. It’s not impossible to achieve full-melt kief; it’s just more difficult and requires additional steps. First, you have to consider the method. Dry sift can be achieved by hand (e.g. with an herb grinder) or with the help of large-scale equipment (e.g. a trichome sifter). The Original Resinator allows you to achieve high-quality sift with minimal effort. Just load the appropriate drum screen onto the Resinator (go as low as 75µm if your goal is full-melt), insert your starting material into the drum, and start your cycle. Whether you use the hand method or machine method, it’s unlikely that you’ll achieve full-melt sift right away. For that, you’ll typically have to refine your sift using static tech. And even then, there are no guarantees. You need an excellent starting material and a mastery of the static tech process. Refer to our guide to how to make full-melt dry sift for more information.
What makes Full Melt Bubble Hash so special?
Full-melt hash delivers a superior taste, a cleaner presentation, more mileage, smoother hits (little to no throat burn), less cleanup for the dab rig, and a bolder and more enjoyable experience overall. You’re retaining more of the plant’s original profile, which is evident in the flavor, aroma, and experience.
How do I consume or use Full Melt Bubble Hash?
When dabbing full melt, be sure to properly heat your quartz nail or e-nail. Too hot of a dab can result in burning your hash which not only impacts taste but can also burn your throat and lungs. If the temperature is too low, the hash won’t properly melt and may not release the full cannabinoid and terpene profile of the plant.
Most consumers tend to recommend lower temperature dabs to experience the full profile of the plant without the risk of burning the hash. Temperatures between 315°F and 425°F have been said to be ideal for melting water hash. It is important to note that dabbing full melt is not the same as dabbing rosin, which is often vaporized between 450°F and 580°F. Dabbing is by far the most popular way to consume full melt hash. However, many weed smokers use it as a bowl topper or add it into a joint when smoking flower. When dabbing full melt hash, many people will scoop the hash onto parchment paper and press it in between their fingers to get a “hash flag.” Doing so warms up and expands the oils into a larger surface area, so that the hash melts more evenly on the nail.
