Solvent-Based vs Solventless Concentrates

Solvent-Based vs Solventless Concentrates

There are two main categories of dababble concentrates: Solvent-based and Solventless.
Both types can be consumed in similar ways and will produce similar effects. The main difference between the two categories is the extraction method used while the concentrate is being produced.

Solvent-less concentrates are extracted through a process that removes trichomes from the cannabis plant without the use of an external solvent.

Solvent-based concentrates can be produced using a variety of external solvents including butane, propane, C02 or ethanol.

Let’s explore the differences a bit further.

Solventless Concentrates

Solventless extracts are often called “hash” or “hashish”. Hash is a natural extract of the cannabis plant. Solventless concentrates are made without external solvents using only heat, pressure and/or other sieving methods.

There are a few different categories of solventless concentrates:

Traditional Hashish: A solid, sticky collection of trichomes that can be smoked or used in cooking. The oldest form of cannabis consumption in the world.

Flower Rosin: Sticky dabbable concentrate made using heat and pressure, squeezing the terpenes and cannabinoids out of the bud.

Hash Rosin: Dabbable concentrate made with traditional hashish or ice water/dry sift hashish as a starting material – using heat and pressure.

Kief: A collection of trichomes – sticky “crystals” that fall off the bud that contain terpenes and cannabinoids.

Live Rosin: Made by pressing (using heat and pressure) bubble hash that was created from freshly frozen live cannabis flower.

Ice Water Hash: AKA bubble hash, ice wax or wet sift. Produced by sifting the trichomes of dried cannabis flowers using ice water.

Dry Sift Hash: Made using screens with fine mesh to hand-sift trichomes, resulting in an extract with a granular-like consistency.

Solvent-Based Concentrates

Solvent-based concentrates are dabbable extracts created using one of many potential external solvents including butane, propane, C02 or ethanol.

Live Resins: Dabbable extract made using fresh cannabis plant material that was not dried or cured to retain the full flavour profile. Available in a variety of consistencies including caviars, diamonds and terp sauces/slushes.

Shatter: A solid, glass-like concentrate that can be “shattered” easily. Easily handled. Usually made with butane but can also be made using C02 or propane.

Wax and Budder: A soft, buttery, sugary extract that is usually very flavourful.

Distillate: Pure THC distilled in a translucent liquid. Devoid of all waxes and other plant compounds (including terpenes, flavonoids and other minor cannabinoids).