Hot and Cold Cannabis Extraction Methods

Cannabis concentrates (achieved through cannabis extraction) are among the most popular cannabis products on the market today.

This robust segment of cannabis-product lines commonly found in dispensaries include a number of specific products that are created using a variety of methods.

Potent concentrates can be made in a variety of ways, and often the names given to these products relate to their consistency and appearance.

The following products are commonly found in the cannabis market today.

Types of Cannabis Concentrates

Concentrates that are made through the use of one of a variety of solvents include:

• Wax, which has the consistency of candle wax
• Shatter, which usually is a golden color and brittle—like the consistency of peanut brittle
• Hash oil, which has the appearance of amber oil
• Crumble, which appears like golden cookie crumbs
• Taffy, which is golden and the consistency of saltwater taffy
• Kief, which appears similar to a powder but consists of the THC-rich trichomes that fall from the surface of cannabis flowers
• Rosin, which has a similar appearance and consistency as hash but is created with a hot cannabis extraction method

Cannabis edibles, topicals, and teas also incorporate concentrates as a key ingredient. Cannabis cooking oils and butters also contain rich amounts of concentrated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Most concentrates are consumed by either smoking them or using a vaporizer device like a vape pen for cannabis oil or a dab rig for wax, shatter, crumble, oil, and taffy.

Cold Cannabis Extraction Methods

Cold cannabis extractions refer to methods of extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plants using cold temperatures to preserve the delicate compounds that can be degraded or lost when exposed to heat.

There are several methods of cold extractions.

CO2 Cannabis Extraction

CO2 is considered one of the cleanest extraction methods.

In this process, CO2 is pressurized and cooled in a supercritical state, where it acts as a solvent to extract cannabinoids and terpenes.

The CO2 is then separated from the extract, leaving high-purity concentrate.

Supercritical CO2 extraction can be performed at lower temperatures to preserve sensitive cannabinoids and terpenes.

The method is expensive and intricate but it is worth it in the end to have a non-toxic, high-quality product.

Cold Ethanol Extraction

On the opposite side of clean and non-toxic is the ethanol extraction method. Ethanol is a color-less, flammable liquid.

Cold ethanol is used to extract the cannabinoids and terpenes. The plant material is soaked in cold ethanol which dissolves the desired compounds.

The solution is then filtered and the ethanol is evaporated to leave behind a concentrated extract.

Ice Water Extraction (Bubble Hash)

In ice water extraction cannabis buds or trim are mixed with ice water, and the mixture is agitated to separate trichomes from the plant material.

The trichomes, which contain cannabinoids and terpenes are then filtered through a series of mesh screens of bags, resulting in a concentrate known as bubble hash.

Rosin Press

Fresh or dried cannabis flower or hash is placed between parchment paper and subjected to pressure and low heat using a rosin press.

The pressure forces the cannabinoids and terpenes out of the plant material, producing a solvent less extract known as rosin.

These cold extraction methods are popular because they help maintain the integrity of the cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in a more flavorful and potent final product.

Hot Cannabis Extraction Methods

Hot cannabis extraction methods involve using heat to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis plants.

These methods can be more efficient and faster but may also risk degrading some of the more sensitive compounds.

Rick Simpson Oil (RSO) Extraction

Crushed cannabis material is soaked in a chemical like ethanol or naphtha. The material gets stirred for about 2-3 minutes. The solvent will dissolve the cannabinoids and terpenes.

After the material has been thoroughly soaked it gets strained through mesh or a cheesecloth.

The process is repeated again. Then the solvent mixture is heated to evaporate the solvent.

What's left is a thick, dark oil known as Rick Simpson Oil.

Butane Hash Oil Extraction

Butane hash oil is a relatively new extraction method.

Cannabis material is packed into a tube and butane is passed through it, dissolving the cannabinoids and terpenes.

The butane and extract mixture is then heated to evaporate the butane, leaving behind a concentrated oil.

Hot Ethanol Extraction

Similar to cold ethanol extraction but this process involves heating the ethanol to speed up the extraction process.

The cannabis plant material is soaked in hot ethanol, which dissolves the cannabinoids and terpenes.

The ethanol is then evaporated to leave behind the concentrated extract.

Hot Water Extraction

This method is typically used to create cannabis-infused products like teas or broths.

While not as common or efficient as other extraction methods, it can be useful for making mild infusions.

The infusion will have a distinct herbal flavor that may be influenced by the strain of cannabis used.

Adding a lipid source, such as butter or coconut oil, can significantly improve the extraction of cannabinoids, making the infusion more potent.

Summary

Cannabis concentrates provide a powerful cannabis experience. There are a wide variety of concentrates, and each has its following of loyal devotees.

Some concentrates are best left to experts with professional extraction equipment, while others can be made safely at home.

Enroll in CTU today to learn how to make cannabis concentrates like a pro!

Karen Getchell

Karen gained expertise in developing training programs and technical documentation as a Senior Editor at Cisco Systems. She began her journey in cannabis as a patient, searching for a way to heal herself. When she perfected a method for making cannabis oil, other patients began to seek her out. An early adopter of CBD medicine, she started her CBD-infused-products business in 2014. Over the last two decades, Karen has taught hundreds of patients and caregivers how to select strains, infuse oils, and extract cannabinoids.

When she isn’t teaching cannabis cooking classes, Karen works as a cannabis business consultant, writes for online cannabis publications like Cannabis Training University, Leafly, and Weedmaps, and runs a CBD-infused-product business.