Flower rosin extraction is both an art and a science. With the right flower, careful prep, and dialed-in press technique, you can produce a solventless concentrate that delivers the plant's purest expression—potent, flavorful, and clean!
Step 1: Preparing the Flower
- Moisture & Cure: Ensure your flower is properly dried and cured. Aim for a stable humidity of 58–62% RH. Too dry, and the yield drops; too moist, and the press can sizzle or darken the rosin.
- Breakdown: Lightly break buds into even chunks. Do not grind—this prevents plant matter from slipping through the bag.
- Packing: Fill your filter bag evenly, without air pockets, and fold it tight to create a flat, uniform puck.
Step 2: Pre-Pressing the Puck
- Use a pre-press mold or gently hand-compress the flower into a firm, brick-like puck.
- Even density ensures a more consistent press, improving both yield and quality.
Step 3: Setting Press Parameters
- Temperature:
- Low temp (180–200°F): Best flavor and terpene preservation, but lower yield.
- Mid temp (200–215°F): Balanced flavor and yield.
- High temp (215–230°F): Higher yield, slightly darker rosin.
- Pressure: Apply steady pressure—start light, then gradually increase to full press over 60–90 seconds. Avoid sudden force, which can cause blowouts.
Step 4: Pressing the Rosin
- Place your packed filter bag between folded parchment paper.
- Load into the press, making sure the parchment extends beyond the plates for easy collection.
- Apply heat and gradually increase pressure until rosin begins to flow.
- Continue pressing for 60–120 seconds, depending on strain and temperature preference.
- Remove parchment carefully and allow it to cool briefly before collection.
Step 5: Collecting the Rosin
- Use a dab tool or scraper to collect the rosin from the parchment.
- For easier handling, place parchment on a cold plate or in the fridge briefly to firm up the rosin.
- Store immediately in an airtight, light-proof container.
Step 6: Curing & Storage
- Fresh Use: Rosin can be enjoyed immediately.
- Cold Cure: For smoother texture, whip rosin gently and cure in a sealed jar at room temperature or in a cool, dark place for 24–72 hours.
- Storage: Keep in glass jars or silicone containers, ideally in a cool environment away from light and heat.
Tips for Best Results
- Start with quality flower: the "input = output" rule applies—high-grade bud makes high-grade rosin.
- Experiment with different micron bags (90µ for more filtration, 120–160µ for higher yield).
- Don't overload the bags—smaller, consistent presses yield better results than overpacked, blown-out bags.
- Keep your press plates clean for consistent performance.