All About Concentrates

Have you ever heard someone using terms like; dabs, extracts, shatter, wax, or diamonds? No, we aren’t talking about actual diamonds! Instead, these are terms used to describe different types of cannabis-derived concentrates. The different types of concentrates are differentiated based on their extraction processes, consistencies, and potencies. In this article, we will educate you on these topics to help you understand what concentrates are and how they can be used. 

How are concentrations extracted?

Butane; more commonly producing butane hash oil, is a popular way to extract concentrates like shatter, wax, and budder. This extraction process dates back all the way to the 1970s. This process occurs when the butane goes through a sealed cylinder containing cannabis, and out comes the extract from the filter. The butane is then evaporated and leaves behind the concentrate.

The extraction process that we use at Restart CBD for the majority of our products is CO2 extraction. This process uses carbon dioxide instead of butane and is much safer. This process freezes and compresses the carbon dioxide into a liquid form, and then it is moved into a cylinder where it goes through the plant matter, and the terpenes and cannabinoids are saved. When pressure is added to the carbon dioxide liquid present, it turns into a gas and evaporates, and leaves the cannabis oil behind.

A rosin press can also be used, and this is the most natural option to release extracts. A rosin press is a machine similar to a hair straightener, but it is much hotter and has more weight. The heat and pressure remove the rosin from the flower, and that is a very flavorful part of the plant that saves all the cannabinoid and terpene content, including a high percentage of THC

What kind of concentrates exist & how are they extracted?

Some of the most popular concentrates are: shatter, wax, budder, live resin, live rosin, diamonds, and crumble.

Shatter is the most popular and cost-effective way to consume concentrates. It feels like glass which is why it is called shatter due to its consistency. Shatter is extracted through hydrogen or CO2 extraction.

The distillate is considered to be a refined cannabis oil that is usually put in vape cartridges and infused oils and edibles. The distillate is also commonly extracted from CO2 extraction or butane/propane.

Crumble is a wax, and it is very grainy. Crumble usually has low moisture coming from the plant, so that is how it gets its brittle honeycomb texture. Similar to wax and shatter, crumble is also going to be extracted using solvents like butane, propane, or CO2

Badder or budder will be very similar to crumble, but the moisture content of budder is higher, so the consistency is liquidy. The consistency of badder is like cake batter, and it is not as moist as budder but more moist than crumble. Crumble, badder, and budder all are extracted the same way using solvents like CO2, propane, or butane.

Live resin is extracted similar to rosin; however, the flower is flash-frozen to save all the terpenes, so it is famous for being exceptionally flavorful. This process is not solventless, usually due to the fact that it has to go through a solvent that is then vaporized, and you get pure live resin. Live resin’s consistency will be similar to rosin, but it will be sappier with chunks of crystals. 

Diamonds are the most potent form of concentrate you can get on the market. Live resin separates over time and can turn into a terpene sauce and form solid pieces called diamonds. Diamonds go through an extraction process where the cannabis is flash frozen and then shaken, usually in a bucket (very similar to live-resin extraction). The only difference is that after this process, there are two ways where you can use solvents to let the diamonds harden over time. Essentially if you let this concentrate sit for about 14 days, the diamonds start to form, and that is pure THCA at about 99% THC and is extremely strong. The diamonds usually come with a sauce as well that is highly flavorful.

Rosin is one of the cleanest concentrates since this method is solventless. It requires the cannabis buds to be squeezed while they are dry, then heat and pressure (usually in a rosin press) are used to extract the rosin. Generally, the rosin comes out of the machine and onto parchment paper in the process. The consistency will be similar to crumble; however, not exactly the same due to the fact that rosin is usually very golden and sappy. 

Can concentrates still show up in drug tests?

We are not legally able to make any recommendations or guarantees regarding drug tests on THC-free products and cannot make any claims on whether or not any of our products will show up on a drug test. 

However, since concentrations can be isolated, we have products that are strictly just CBD isolated extracts. Even though we do have options with zero THC, we would recommend doing some further research before making the decision to consume any CBD products. Depending on what’s holding you back from using THC products, if it is a job or even medical reasons, you should know the difference between testing methods. Well, now you know all about concentrates, but how do you smoke them?

Concentrates can be smoked in many different ways, and it all depends on your preference.

Electric vaporizer—Many different types of electric vaporizers can also be used with concentrates. You can have a device as small as a standard dab pen, but you can also use an electric vaporizer that looks just like a water pipe. The benefits of using an electric vaporizer would be that you can use the device on the go, and you would not need the dab rig setup, which can be bulky. It is also much easier to adjust the temperature setting on your vaporizer and ensure you get all the extracts’ benefits. The only disadvantage of electric vaporizers is that they can be challenging to care for.

Dab rig—The most common way to ingest concentrates would be by using a dab rig. A dab rig is a similar piece to a bong; however, the piece where you would ideally put flowers looks a little different. Instead of a standard bowl, this piece is called a bucket, nail, banger, etc. More slang words, but ideally, the nail is a small bucket made of quartz, ceramic, or titanium that can be heated at a high temperature using a torch. After the bucket is adequately heated, you can use a dab tool to drop your concentrate into the banger. It is essential to use small dabs because a little will go a long way.

Nectar collector or dab straw—-These devices are by far the easiest way to consume a concentrate, depending on the consistency. Nectar collectors are just like they sound. The concentrate is the nectar, and you are the collector. Some people call nectar collectors a dab straw, and it surprisingly works just like a straw. You light the device’s tip, heat it to a high temperature, and then put the device to the concentrate you want to suck up and do so. Consuming cannabis using a nectar collector can be very easy, but be careful not to slurp up a big dab!

Now that you know all about what concentrates are, how they are extracted, and the different options there are to choose from, try it out for yourself! At our store, we make sure we are equipped with various tools used to dab. CBD concentrates are an excellent place to start as they are not psychoactive and a great way to figure out if dabbing is something you’re interested in. Even CBD concentrates have a unique terpene flavor and chill effects. We also carry a D8 Diamond Sauce that will give you that potent psychoactive effect and have a pungent terpene flavor. Smoking concentrates can look complex, but you can guide yourself through your new consumption method with the right tools and information. 

Always remembering a little will go a long way!