Learn the Best Methods for Making Cannabis Concentrates at Home

If you're curious about how to make dabs at home, you’re likely familiar with what they are. Dabs are highly concentrated cannabis extracts that contain potent levels of THC and terpenes. These concentrated forms of cannabis deliver powerful effects with a smaller amount of product, making them ideal for those looking for a stronger high. While it’s possible to purchase cannabis concentrates from a dispensary, not everyone has easy access to them. If you're one of those people, you might be wondering how to make your own dabs at home. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the safest and most efficient methods for crafting your own concentrates.

 

What Are Dabs?

Dabbing refers to the process of vaporizing concentrated cannabis and inhaling it. Unlike traditional smoking, dabbing allows you to inhale almost pure THC and other cannabinoids. This is why dabs are so much more potent than regular flower. To dab, you'll need a dab rig, vaporizer, or nectar collector, along with a cannabis concentrate. The vaporization process is far more efficient than combustion, meaning you get more cannabinoids and terpenes from a smaller amount of product.

 

Types of Dabs

There are several different types of dabs, each with distinct properties based on the extraction method and moisture content. These variations affect the color, texture, and potency of the concentrate. Here are some of the most popular types:

• Shatter: Known for its glassy, brittle appearance, shatter is typically made through butane extractions. It’s amber-colored and shatters easily like glass. This is a potent concentrate that’s rich in THC and terpenes.

• Crumble: Crumble has a lighter yellow or green color and is more crumbly in texture. It’s a result of a solvent extraction process and is ideal for those who need a more stable texture for handling.

• Oil: Made by extracting terpenes and cannabinoids from cannabis using solvents like ethanol, oil can be quite potent and is perfect for those who want the pure flavors and effects of the plant’s terpenes.

• Live Resin: This high-quality concentrate is made by freezing the plant material immediately after harvest and then extracting the THC and terpenes in a closed-loop system. The result is a live resin concentrate with high amounts of both THC and terpenes.

• Rosin: Unlike other concentrates, rosin is made by applying heat and pressure to cannabis buds without the use of solvents. This method preserves the plant’s natural flavors and delivers a potent concentrate.

How to Make Dabs at Home with Butane

We strongly advise against using butane at home for making dabs.

While it’s true that some people have used butane to make dabs in the past, this method is highly dangerous. The extraction process involves flammable gases and is often performed in unsafe environments, resulting in accidents and explosions. Furthermore, the residual solvents left in the concentrate could pose serious health risks if not removed properly. While butane extraction methods can be done safely in a laboratory setting, they’re not suitable for home use.

If you're determined to make dabs at home, there are safer methods to explore.

 

How to Make Dabs Using Ice Water

For those who prefer a safer, low-risk method of making dabs at home, ice water extraction is an excellent option. This method is simple, solvent-free, and effective. By freezing the trichomes and filtering them through mesh bags, you can create a high-quality concentrate that’s somewhat similar to kief hash.

What You'll Need:

• 1 ounce or more of weed
• A bucket
• Regular and Dry Ice
• Micron straining sheets
• Rubber gloves

Steps for Making Dabs Using Ice Water:

1. Add ice and water to the bucket. The dry ice will help lower the temperature below freezing, which is key to extracting the trichomes.
2. Pre-freeze the cannabis buds and break them up slightly. Add them to the bucket and stir the mixture vigorously to release the trichomes.
3. Use a micron filter to strain out the plant material, allowing the pure trichomes to collect in the bottom of the bag.
4. After straining, spread the collected material (called hash) onto non-stick parchment paper and let it dry for a few days.
5. You can now use this hash as an alternative to dabs, though it will contain more plant material.

How to Make Dabs Using Alcohol Extraction

If you prefer to use a solvent, alcohol extraction is a safer and simpler method than butane extraction. Using high-proof grain alcohol, you can dissolve the cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant and then evaporate the alcohol to leave behind a potent concentrate.

What You'll Need:

• Cannabis flower
• Food-grade alcohol (190-proof Everclear)
• Oven-safe glass dish
• Mesh or coffee filters
• Heat source (such as a rice cooker or hot plate)

Steps for Making Dabs with Alcohol Extraction:

1. Break up the cannabis into small pieces and remove any stems.
2. Immerse the cannabis in alcohol and stir it for about 10 minutes to extract the cannabinoids.
3. Strain the mixture through a filter into a clean glass dish.
4. Use a heating element (like a rice cooker) to evaporate the alcohol, leaving behind a sticky cannabis concentrate.
5. Once the alcohol is fully evaporated, you should have a potent dab that can be used in your dab rig.

How to Make Dabs Using the Rosin Press Method

Rosin is one of the easiest and safest ways to make dabs at home. Unlike other methods, it doesn’t require solvents, and it only takes a few minutes to make.

What You'll Need:

• Fresh cannabis nugs
• Parchment paper
• A flat iron
• A clamp

Steps for Making Rosin Dabs:

1. Take a fresh cannabis nug and remove any protruding stems.
2. Place the nug in the center of a piece of parchment paper and fold it over.
3. Heat the flat iron to a low setting, then clamp the parchment paper with the nug inside.
4. Squeeze the nug to extract the rosin, which will ooze out onto the parchment paper.
5. Let the rosin cool and collect it for later use.

Conclusion

Making dabs at home can be a rewarding experience if done safely. Rosin extraction is the safest and most efficient method, providing high-quality dabs without the need for solvents. If you have access to a rosin press, you can create your own concentrates without the risk of harmful chemicals. However, if you’re not able to purchase a rosin press, methods like ice water extraction or alcohol extraction are great alternatives that can also produce high-quality results.

 

For those who prefer the convenience and safety of store-bought dabs, be sure to check out premium products from reliable sources. Visit www.geticglass.com for all your cannabis accessory needs, including dab rigs, bongs, and more.