Hashmaking has a deep enchantment to it — it represents a connection to the past and creates a bridge between the modern-day connoisseur and the historical practices of growing and consuming cannabis. While it is possible to obtain hash at your local dispensary, there is a deep satisfaction and sense of accomplishment that results from creating your own hash at home. Hash made by you is tangible evidence of the time, care and work that went into producing it.
With several years of exploration under my belt — ranging from sloppy early attempts at hashmaking to developing techniques that I now thoroughly enjoy — I wish to provide an explanation not only as to how to create hash, but why and what it is like to create hash. This book is not simply a technique based manual — it is a journey to the experience of creating hash.
A Personal Note on Legality and Safety:
The most important advice I can give you prior to beginning is to familiarize yourself with the laws of your area. Creating concentrates at home is prohibited in many states and countries. I have always created concentrates in areas where they were permitted, and I want to emphasize how critical it is to operate legally. Additionally, any technique utilizing solvents such as butane or alcohol is hazardous because these materials are volatile and combustible. Throughout my experiences, I have consistently utilized solventless techniques. They are safer, more environmentally friendly, allow the true characteristics of the plant to remain intact, and represent the ultimate form of reward.
Method #1: The Dry Sift / Screen Method (The Most Pure Type)
This was the first type of hash I became interested in. It is a traditional, old-school, low-cost and in some ways, most intimate technique. You are, literally, coaxed the resin glands (trichomes) from the plant material.
I began with a relatively inexpensive package of silk-screening boxes, however, I have also obtained high-quality results with a single screen located above a clear glass plate. The process is very relaxing. You add your frozen, cured, preferably, cannabis bud or trim onto the screen and gently shake it. Gently is the operative word here. I quickly learned that grinding or mashing the plant material would break through the green chlorophyll and result in a harsher and poorer quality hash.
When I first witnessed a fine golden powder (kief) accumulate on the glass surface below the screen, I was hooked. It is similar to panning for gold. Once you have collected the kief, you then heat and compress it. I utilize a glass bottle with hot water and roll it over the kief wrapped in parchment paper. As you compress the kief, the powdery kief transforms into a dark, pliable, aromatic hash. During the compression process, the aroma that fills the air is distinct from the aroma produced by smoking cannabis — it is earthy, spicy, and rich.
My Key Recommendations:
- Quality In, Quality Out: High-quality trim or buds produce the finest hash. Waste your time attempting to create hash with low-quality materials.
- Freeze Before You Begin: Chill your cannabis and your screens for a minimum of 30 minutes prior to commencing. Trichomes are brittle and easier to separate when chilled.
- Gentle Motion Yields Better Results: Short, gentle motions will produce a cleaner, purer product. The first sift is always the highest quality ("full-melt") and contains the greatest amount of THC.
Method #2: The Ice Water Extraction Method (Modern Classic)
If dry sift is the ancient art of hash creation, ice water extraction is its modern evolution. The ice water extraction method utilizes ice, water and agitation to freeze the trichomes so that they become brittle and fall-off, and then separates the trichomes from the remaining plant material via a series of fine mesh bags.
My first ice-water run was a chaotic, exciting and ultimately, revolutionary experience. I used a simple bucket and a bubble bag set. When you combine your cannabis with ice and water and vigorously agitate it, the science behind this process is beautiful — the trichomes (being denser than water) sink to the bottom of the container, and the plant material rises to the top.
The true magic occurs when you remove the bags and lift the last, micron-rated mesh bag to discover a creamy, blonde paste of resin inside. At first glance, it resembles wet sand, but upon smelling it, you realize that it is the essence of the cannabis plant. You then dry the bubble hash for two to seven days on a cardboard box (the cardboard helps absorb the excess moisture) until it reaches the desired consistency.
My Key Recommendations:
- Agitating is an Art: Agitating is necessary to separate the trichomes, but over-agitating will damage the plant material and contaminate the hash. A slow, rhythmic, churning motion is ideal for separation.
- The Dry is Critical: Many new hashmakers fail to properly dry their hash. If your water hash does not fully dry (three to seven days), it may mold. Be patient.
- Multi-Washes: Don’t discard your plant material after one wash. I usually do three to four washes with each batch of cannabis, and the first wash is always the best quality, followed by higher quality hash with subsequent washes.
Method #3: The DIY “QWISO” Method (Caveat Emptor)
Quick Wash Isopropyl (QWISO) is a solvent-based method of hash creation. While it is quick and efficient, it is also the point in which I feel uncomfortable and want to strongly stress caution.
I attempted this method once in a well-ventilated garage with no open flames or spark-producing devices. The process is easy — simply rinse your cannabis with cold isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds to 1 minute, filter the mixture, and allow the alcohol to evaporate. The end result is a shiny, translucent substance similar to shatter.
While I achieved satisfactory results with QWISO, I found the experience to be stressful and unpleasant. The smell of isopropyl alcohol was overpowering, and I was constantly aware of the potential dangers. The final product was potent, but it lacked the rich, complete flavor profile that I experienced with my solventless hash. To me, the risk factors and the subpar taste of my solvent-based hash made this a technique I do not repeat.
My Key Recommendations (Be Extremely Cautious):
- Ventilation is Mandatory: You MUST perform this task outdoors or in a laboratory-grade fume hood. Do NOT perform this in your home.
- “Quick” is the Operative Word: Your wash should be between 20-45 seconds. Longer wash times will strip the chlorophyll and waxes from your plant material.
- Dry Thoroughly: Place the extract in a hot water bath and then allow it to sit for 24-48 hours after it appears to be dry. Inhaling residual isopropyl alcohol is toxic.
Final Thoughts from My Journey
Creating hash at home is far more than a means to an end; it is a hobby that allows you to develop a deeper appreciation for the cannabis plant. It provides knowledge of the plant’s anatomy, the nature of its resin, and the essence of the plant.
My personal path has led me to primarily employ the ice water extraction method of hash creation. To me, it is the perfect balance between safety, high-quality hash production and the engaging, interactive nature of the hash-making process.
Regardless of the method you choose, respect the plant, respect the process, and most importantly, respect the safety and legality of your endeavors. The ultimate objective is not merely to create hash, but to enjoy every aspect of the journey from seed to finished product.