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Concentrates for Noobs - Q&A

CrazyDiamond

Crosseyed & Painless
I still don't comprehend...I'm old, well sort of...I am not in a place where it is "friendly", although we're creeping closer. I make my own concentrate from pressing, but I do need to go get a med card so if I want I can try a dispensary, although I hear the prices are kinda lofty...but still, I need to do that...anyway, I bet I'm way off here...I digress
 

ataxian

PALE BLUE DOT
I still don't comprehend...I'm old, well sort of...I am not in a place where it is "friendly", although we're creeping closer. I make my own concentrate from pressing, but I do need to go get a med card so if I want I can try a dispensary, although I hear the prices are kinda lofty...but still, I need to do that...anyway, I bet I'm way off here...I digress
It depends on your location & status perhaps?
 

FlyingLow

Team NO SLEEP!
I know a lot of folks, including myself, store concentrates in the fridge or freezer.

I am curious, do any of you find there is any difference in flavor if you allow your concentrate to reach room temperature versus dabbing cold?
 

invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
I know a lot of folks, including myself, store concentrates in the fridge or freezer.

I am curious, do any of you find there is any difference in flavor if you allow your concentrate to reach room temperature versus dabbing cold?

It's easy to introduce condensation into the extract if you open the jar while it's still cold. I store in the fridge but let it acclimate to room temperature for my sapphires well being!
 

CrazyDiamond

Crosseyed & Painless
^^^^EXACTLY why I want one....need to get off my a$$ and get it done. As for the cold storage, I don't store mine in the freezer or fridge since I never have enough to keep around! I would have to agree about the condensation if you didn't let acclimate.
 
CrazyDiamond,
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Recently purchased some concentrate that obviously did not have the butane burned off properly. I unfortunately bought a decent amount and as I was getting it from someone I trusted, didnt look at it until I got home stupidly. I'm a seasoned smoker when it comes to flower but concentrate I'm newer to. Is there a way for me to fix it?
 
Miss Chanadlerbong,
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FlyingLow

Team NO SLEEP!
If you don't mind my asking, if you do not know much about concentrate, how was it obvious that it did not have butane burned off properly?

What makes you so convinced?

What kind of concentrate is it?
Many fine live resins can smell downright gassy, are your comments based solely on how it smells?

That gas comes out even in rosin with strains like diesel...


How are you consuming it? Dab rig, pen, twax?
 
I have a more seasoned friend who looked at it with me and thinks the same. It straight up smells like butane, I use butane refills on lighters I use for candles and it smells almost identical. Its SUPER dark as well. I've smoked a decent amount of wax to be familiar with the taste and the after taste is horrid. I more meant I'm newer to the process of how it is made and would have no idea what my options are, if it's just a lost cause or what.

I used a rig, with a banger. Another reason I think the butane wasnt burned off is because when I went to heat my banger up to take another one it went aflame. I'm new to this group can we post pics? I'm willing to if it would help. I think it's supposed to be shatter? I honestly cant tell. It's really sticky, dark, and opaque.

Whatever clarification you need I'm willing to provide Haha I'm welcome to any help or advice or opinions as long as you're not too hard on me for being a bit of a noob

My friend suggest I try to heat it up and 'whip' the butane out but I've tried to watch videos and nothing really tells me, once the process is completed, can you go back and fix it and if so is he right on how to do so?
 
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phattpiggie

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
@Miss Chanadlerbong set up a ban Marie, in the past I've used a couple of pyrex bowls. One larger than the other for this along with water from a fresh boiled kettle.
Butane boils at - 1°c to 1°c, 30-34°f so any residue will evaporate very quickly. If there is any left you will see it bubbling in the extract.
Repeat this process a couple of times until the bubbling stops.

A petrochemical smell is, as @FlyingLow mentions, common in some strains. It's a different smell to butane as it's 'smell' is added to the normally odourless gas.
Propane and natural gas also have this 'smell' added so leaks can easily be detected.

Colours do vary from dark molasses to a more honey colour. If you take a look around you'll see purple strains which leave a purple extract and some crystal clear stuff where all the pigment has been removed.

The majority of the stuff I get is yellow/honey looking.

IMG-20191009-103647.jpg
 
That's extremely helpful thank you! I know I've had some that have had that kind of smell before but this is different. The after taste is really what got me and the fact that its really cloudy and my banger lit on fire. I will try this and we shall see, if its not butane it wont bubble right? So then I'll know for sure!
 

CouchKushn

The flying Druid.
Hi all, I too am a total nub when it comes to making concentrates, yesterday I received my 3x5 diy press from DabPress, I had no issues setting it up but I’m really bummed at the quality of the rosin. I’m getting good returns as far as the amount, but the rosin is coming out very dark almost black and when I tried it I thought I took a hit of mustard gas, it was really harsh and it didn’t taste or smell good either. I watched a bunch of utube vids but mine doesn’t look anything like it’s supposed to. I’ve got it setup in a 12 ton H.F. H-frame, 7 grams in 190 mic. filter bags using the bottle tech. pre press, and using a temp. of 200f. I don’t have a pressure gauge setup, and I’m pressing until I see the rosin bubble out( about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes). Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
 

EmDeemo

ACCOUNT INACTIVE
Hi all, I too am a total nub when it comes to making concentrates, yesterday I received my 3x5 diy press from DabPress, I had no issues setting it up but I’m really bummed at the quality of the rosin. I’m getting good returns as far as the amount, but the rosin is coming out very dark almost black and when I tried it I thought I took a hit of mustard gas, it was really harsh and it didn’t taste or smell good either. I watched a bunch of utube vids but mine doesn’t look anything like it’s supposed to. I’ve got it setup in a 12 ton H.F. H-frame, 7 grams in 190 mic. filter bags using the bottle tech. pre press, and using a temp. of 200f. I don’t have a pressure gauge setup, and I’m pressing until I see the rosin bubble out( about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes). Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

How accurate are the plate temps compared to what the controller says? Might be a bit too hot maybe?

Have you got any different flower to try? Maybe its that batch of flower?

How moist is the flower? Maybe its too wet and some watery crap is coming out too?

What paper are you using to press onto?

Re-reading your post, it kinda sounds like the plates are too hot, I think thats the option I'd check first.

Anyone else got thought?
 

invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
Hi all, I too am a total nub when it comes to making concentrates, yesterday I received my 3x5 diy press from DabPress, I had no issues setting it up but I’m really bummed at the quality of the rosin. I’m getting good returns as far as the amount, but the rosin is coming out very dark almost black and when I tried it I thought I took a hit of mustard gas, it was really harsh and it didn’t taste or smell good either. I watched a bunch of utube vids but mine doesn’t look anything like it’s supposed to. I’ve got it setup in a 12 ton H.F. H-frame, 7 grams in 190 mic. filter bags using the bottle tech. pre press, and using a temp. of 200f. I don’t have a pressure gauge setup, and I’m pressing until I see the rosin bubble out( about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes). Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'd suggest posting in the Dabpress thread for more feedback, but that color/flavor is likely due to your flowers.

Only thing I could think of is make sure the plates are in F and not C.

Also what device are you dabbing on?
 

CouchKushn

The flying Druid.
I'd suggest posting in the Dabpress thread for more feedback, but that color/flavor is likely due to your flowers.

Only thing I could think of is make sure the plates are in F and not C.
Thanks guys, the temps. are accurate using an infrared thermometer gun, moisture is at 62%. O.K. I’ll try another strain, and thanks for the heads up on the DabPress thread, I’ll have to look harder, I didn’t happen to see it, but I’m still getting used to the site. Oh and I’m using Raw brand unbleached parchment paper.
 

invertedisdead

PHASE3
Manufacturer
Thanks guys, the temps. are accurate using an infrared thermometer gun, moisture is at 62%. O.K. I’ll try another strain, and thanks for the heads up on the DabPress thread, I’ll have to look harder, I didn’t happen to see it, but I’m still getting used to the site.

Yeah the Dabpress thread is in the vapor equipment subforum and not the concentrate subforum (for whatever reason)

http://fuckcombustion.com/threads/dabpress-rosin-plates.26087/page-128
 

jl420

Well-Known Member
Hi all, I too am a total nub when it comes to making concentrates, yesterday I received my 3x5 diy press from DabPress, I had no issues setting it up but I’m really bummed at the quality of the rosin. I’m getting good returns as far as the amount, but the rosin is coming out very dark almost black and when I tried it I thought I took a hit of mustard gas, it was really harsh and it didn’t taste or smell good either. I watched a bunch of utube vids but mine doesn’t look anything like it’s supposed to. I’ve got it setup in a 12 ton H.F. H-frame, 7 grams in 190 mic. filter bags using the bottle tech. pre press, and using a temp. of 200f. I don’t have a pressure gauge setup, and I’m pressing until I see the rosin bubble out( about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes). Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong? Any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

I'd try a lower temp (maybe 170-180 on your press) higher temps will give you more yields but darker concentrates and less flavor. Try a lower setting and hold press time for 2 mins or so. From what I've seen more heat less press time and/or less heat more press time is the key. It's a definite learning curve all presses are different so you will have to experiment. For example I use a 5 Ton Hydraulic Press from High 5 and I have to set my plates at 250 degrees and press for at least 2 mins to get decent results. Also better quality flower will give you better results Good Luck Brother...:science:
 
Last edited:
@Miss Chanadlerbong set up a ban Marie, in the past I've used a couple of pyrex bowls. One larger than the other for this along with water from a fresh boiled kettle.
Butane boils at - 1°c to 1°c, 30-34°f so any residue will evaporate very quickly. If there is any left you will see it bubbling in the extract.
Repeat this process a couple of times until the bubbling stops.

A petrochemical smell is, as @FlyingLow mentions, common in some strains. It's a different smell to butane as it's 'smell' is added to the normally odourless gas.
Propane and natural gas also have this 'smell' added so leaks can easily be detected.

Colours do vary from dark molasses to a more honey colour. If you take a look around you'll see purple strains which leave a purple extract and some crystal clear stuff where all the pigment has been removed.

The majority of the stuff I get is yellow/honey looking.

IMG-20191009-103647.jpg
Working on this process now and it seems to be getting better! I'm definitely seeing bubbles and the color is lightening up. For anyone in the future who may have the same question
 

FlyingLow

Team NO SLEEP!
I tend to press between 160-175 and find gold.

BUT your starting product has everything to do with it as well... I find older product that is many months cured just comes out dark at any temp.

Finding the right humidity for you also plays a part. Most find that the 62% relative humidity is the ideal pressing point.
 

CouchKushn

The flying Druid.
I'd try a lower temp (maybe 170-180 on your press) higher temps will give you more yields but darker concentrates and less flavor. Try a lower setting and hold press time for 2 mins or so. From what I've seen more heat less press time and/or less heat more press time is the key. It's a definite learning curve all presses are different so you will have to experiment. For example I use a 5 Ton Hydraulic Press from High 5 and I have to set my plates at 250 degrees and press for at least 2 mins to get decent results. Also better quality flower will give you better results Good Luck Brother...:science:
Thanks @jl420 , wow there’s so much to figure out. I guess I’ll have to waste some to get some good rosin.But again thanks for the info. I appreciate it.
 

CouchKushn

The flying Druid.
I tend to press between 160-175 and find gold.

BUT your starting product has everything to do with it as well... I find older product that is many months cured just comes out dark at any temp.

Finding the right humidity for you also plays a part. Most find that the 62% relative humidity is the ideal pressing point.
Hi @FlyingLow , thanks for the reply, if that’s correct then I’m sure that’s what’s going on, what I’m pressing is my last years crop, been in Mason jars with a Bovida 62% for many months, but I’ve a 4x4 tent completely packed with buds that are in their 4th week of flower, by the time those Alchemy buds are ready I should have my technique a bit more perfected for a better press(I hope).
 
CouchKushn,
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