Ice Water Hash Explained

Almost every weed lover considers making their own cannabis concentrates. Concentrates like hash are renowned for their potency, after all. And who doesn’t crave a stronger high now and then? That’s why making ice water hash at home has become a growing trend.

It sounds easy enough. But how simple is it to make, and which marijuana strain should you use? Is it used in the same way as other concentrates? These are just some questions that those new to hash have. But you can relax, because we have the answers to all those questions and more.

Read on to have ice water hash explained. 

What Is Ice Water Hash?

Ice water hash is a popular cannabis concentrate, also known as bubble hash, ice wax, and cold water hash. These colloquial names refer to the method employed in making this cannabis product. 

To make ice water hash, the trichomes (resin glands) of the plant are frozen with ice water and broken off through physical agitation. This is then put through mesh bags (also known as ‘bubble bags’) to sift out the non-resinous plant debris.

Ice water hash is just a method of producing hash and not a unique product from other forms of hash. However, it is one of the simplest ways to make hash at home with few supplies, while retaining cannabis quality and THC potency. 

Why Should You Try Ice Water Hash?

If you have never tried making hash before, or are just new to the ice water method, you may wonder what all the fuss is about. There are two great reasons to give making ice water hash a try!

• The ‘dry ice’ method of making hash is often touted as the best homemade hash method. But direct contact with this solid form of carbon dioxide can cause an injury similar to a burn, and breathing it in can lead to breathing difficulties and dizziness. 

Ice water hash is a safe and effective alternative to dry ice. 

• One reason hash is becoming increasingly popular is its potency. It contains the resin of the cannabis plant, which is where most of the cannabinoid content resides. Hash users claim that ice water hash can produce a more intense yet manageable high. 

If you’re looking for a deeper cannabinoid experience that’s not too overpowering, ice water hash may just be the right cannabis concentrate for you.

Origins Of Ice Water Hash

Hash has a long history in Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East. According to some sources, it was used in ancient cultures for medicinal and even religious purposes. Nowadays, though, people mostly use it for recreational purposes and it is gaining popularity in Europe, and to a lesser extent, the US. 

You make ice water hash the same way regardless of how you use it. You make it by separating the resinous trichomes from cannabis buds or trimmings, and concentrating them into a potent extract. Ice hash merely incorporates ice water into the process.

Best Strains For Making Ice Water Hash

Many strains are suitable for making ice water hash. It usually comes down to personal preference. You’ll have to experiment and find the one that’s best for you. 

That being said, these are the top recommended cannabis strains for making ice-water hash.

• Chemistry is a Sativa-dominant hybrid weed made from a cross between ‘Chemdawg’ and ‘OG Kush’. It has a pungent aroma similar to diesel. 
• Do-Si-Dos is an Indica-dominant hybrid made from a cross between ‘OG Kush’ and ‘Girl Scout Cookies’. It’s strong, with a flavor mix of earth and sweetness. 
• MAC strain is another hybrid, and is a cross between ‘Alien Cookies’, ‘Columbian’, and ‘Starfighter’. MAC is known for its aroma and flavor, which includes notes of citrus, spice, earthiness, and diesel fuel.
• Blue Dream is a hybrid strain favored for its balanced effects and high resin production. It produces large, resinous buds with a sweet berry aroma. 
• Gelato is a hybrid strain known for its dessert-like aroma and potent resin production. It’s a cross between Thin Mint Girl Scout Cookies and Sunset Sherbet, resulting in a strain with a sweet, fruity, and creamy flavor profile.

Different Grades Of Bubble Hash

You may have heard users refer to bubble hash with star ratings. Yes, ice water hash has its own ‘rating system’. It runs on a scale of one to six stars, with poor quality denoted by one star and high quality by six. This rating shows the quality and level of refinement of the product. 

How To Improve Your Ice Water Hash Quality

Freshly frozen cannabis flowers that have not been cured or dried are said to produce higher-quality ice hash. Also, you can use several mesh bags for the filtering process, one after the other, each with a finer mesh than the last. This will refine the hash more, producing a higher-rated product.

Tips For Making Ice Water Hash At Home

Trichomes are the resin glands of the cannabis plant that contain terpenes, flavonoids, and, of course, THC, CBD, and other cannabinoids. They are the key to making any type of hash, including ice hash. You won’t need many other supplies to make it, either. 

You can easily make ice water hash at home by following these three steps. 

Step 1: Materials You Need

You’ll need the following materials:

• A bucket of ice water
• Cannabis flower (fresh frozen or dry marijuana)
• 5 ‘bubble’ mesh bags of different micron sizes
• A large stirring spoon

Step 2: The Extraction Process

Place the cannabis plant material into the ice water, to freeze the trichomes. Then agitate the mixture, to break the frozen trichomes off the plant. Next, pour the mixture through the ‘bubble bags’, allowing the water and trichomes to pass through while holding back plant matter. 

Do this with each bag, leaving the one with the finest mesh until last.

Step 3: Drying And Curing Your Hash

Squeeze the remaining moisture out of your rosin concentrate and break it up into small chunks. This helps the hash to dry faster. You can use a freeze dryer, or leave it to air-dry on a clean, non-stick surface for a couple of days. 

Using Ice Water Hash: Consumption Methods

The usual method of consuming ice water hash is through dabbing. This involves heating a small amount of hash on a hot surface and inhaling the vapor. Fans of this consumption method claim it produces a more potent and fast-acting high. 

If dabbing isn’t for you, try using your ice water hash in edibles instead. Many hash users enjoy making biscuits, cookies, muffins, and brownies with their homemade hash. Some even make a type of hash tea! There are so many ways to use hash in edibles. The only limit is your imagination.

Users also sometimes sprinkle it on top of cannabis flowers to boost its effects. Sprinkling your bubble hash over a bowl will significantly boost a cannabis bowl’s potency. 

Best Way To Store Ice Water Hash

Store your hash in an airtight jar, in a cool, dark, and dry environment. This is the general rule for all cannabis products, as it preserves its quality and potency. But be sure that it is 100% dry before you do this, or you risk your hash developing mold and other issues. 

Also, open the jar briefly from time to time, to allow stale air to escape. If you store it away from heat, light, and moisture, your supply of hash can last several months.

Differences Between Ice Water Hash And Other Hash Types

When making any kind of hash, you need the trichomes of the cannabis plant. 

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Making Ice Water Hash

One of the biggest issues with making ice water hash at home is rushing the process. It’s not an arduous task, but you need to set aside time to do it. If you rush, you are more likely to make the following mistakes:

1. Agitate the plant material in the bucket of ice water to loosen the trichomes from the rest of the plant matter. But don’t use too much force when agitating the cannabis material in the ice water. You risk damaging the delicate trichomes and compromising the resulting hash’s quality.
2. If you don’t have the right type of mesh bags, or you don’t have different mesh sizes, rather wait until you do. Much of the process relies on refining your hash through multiple bags of progressively finer micron size. Skipping this step will produce poor-quality results.

Conclusion

Making hash at home is relatively easy with the ice water method. With just a few supplies and some good weed, you will be on your way to hash heaven. You’ll also be assured of the quality when you make it yourself. But if your living arrangements or schedule don’t allow for it, there’s another solution.

Embarc is committed to providing cannabis enthusiasts like yourself with high-quality cannabis products. You can have all the enjoyment of premium hash and hash edibles, without the hassles. So browse our online catalog of products, and pop into one of our dispensaries near you, today.