How concentrates are made
General educational overviews of the major extraction and refining methods. Each page says whether it covers my own hands-on work or the wider industry.
Closed-Loop Hydrocarbon (BHO/PHO)
Hands-on: Hydrocarbon extraction uses light, non-polar solvents, most often butane (BHO), propane (PHO) or blends of the two, to dissolve…
THCa Diamond Crystallization
Hands-on: THCa diamonds are large crystals of nearly pure tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCa) that form out of a supersaturated hydrocarbon extract.…
Moisture in the System & Crystallization
Overview: Water is one of the most common and least visible causes of trouble in hydrocarbon extraction and crystallization. Hydrocarbon solvents and…
Terpene Separation (HTFSE)
Hands-on: HTFSE (High Terpene Full Spectrum Extract) is the aromatic, liquid fraction left behind after THCa crystallizes out of a hydrocarbon…
Distillation (Short-Path, Wiped Film, Cut Points)
Hands-on: Distillation separates compounds by their boiling points. Under deep vacuum, boiling points drop far enough that cannabinoids can be…
Winterization & Dewaxing
Hands-on: Plant extracts contain fats, lipids and waxes that cloud the oil, hurt the texture and interfere with distillation. Removing them is called…
CO₂ Extraction
Overview: Supercritical CO₂ extraction uses carbon dioxide held above its critical point (about 31 °C and 74 bar), where it behaves partly like a gas…
Ethanol Extraction
Overview: Ethanol is a polar solvent that dissolves cannabinoids efficiently, making it a common choice for high-throughput extraction of dried…
Solventless (Ice Water Hash, Rosin, Dry Sift)
Overview: Solventless extracts separate and concentrate the plant's resin glands (trichomes) using only mechanics, water, cold, heat and pressure,…
Post-Processing (Purging, Vacuum Ovens, Decarb)
Hands-on: After extraction, crude oil still holds residual solvent and needs its final texture and consistency set. Post-processing turns raw extract…
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