Introduction
Congratulations on purchasing your Bubble Craft Bubble Bags! These multi-micron filter bags are designed for high-quality extraction, allowing you to separate plant resins with precision. This manual will guide you through the entire process, including the critical step of washing your collected extract between micron stages for the purest final product.
What's Included
Each kit includes 5 to 8 Bubble Craft Bubble Bags (with sizes ranging from 220μm down to 25μm), a pressing screen for drying, and a convenient storage bag.
What You Will Need
To begin, you will need two clean buckets (5-gallon or 1-gallon, depending on your bag size), purified ice, cold water, a stirring tool (plastic or wooden spoon), fresh or frozen plant material, clean towels, and a drying surface such as a mesh screen or parchment paper.
Setup Instructions
Start by stacking your Bubble Craft Bags inside a clean bucket. Begin with the smallest micron size (25μm) at the bottom and work your way up to the largest micron (220μm) at the top. Ensure each bag is secured snugly around the rim of the bucket. The largest micron bag will act as your initial filter for larger plant material.
Extraction Process if doing it manually.
1. Prepare Your Ice Bath
Fill the bucket halfway with ice and water. Keeping the temperature as cold as possible is crucial for protecting delicate trichomes.
2. Add Plant Material
Place your frozen or chilled plant material into the ice bath. Ensure it is fully submerged for even agitation.
3. Stir and Agitate
Using your stirring tool, gently agitate the mixture for 15 to 20 minutes. Be thorough but avoid aggressive stirring to minimize breaking up plant matter into the mix, which can lower the quality of your extract.
4. Settle and Drain
Allow the mixture to settle after stirring. Once settled, slowly lift the top bag (largest micron) out of the bucket, letting the water drain naturally. Discard any plant waste collected in this bag. Repeat this draining process for each subsequent bag.
5. Collect and Wash the Extract
After each bag drains, you will notice resin collected on the mesh. At this stage, it is important to wash the collected extract. Lightly rinse the resin still on the mesh with clean, ice-cold water. Move the resin gently with your spoon to help wash away any dust or plant contaminants that may have been caught. Washing between microns significantly improves purity, helping you achieve a cleaner and more flavorful end product.
6. Transfer for Drying
Once the extract is washed, carefully transfer it onto the included pressing screen or a piece of clean parchment paper. Spread the resin into a thin, even layer to promote faster drying.
Drying the Extract
We highly recommend sieving your hash when wet to allow more surface area to dry. Allow the extracted material to dry in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area. This process may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on the environment. For the highest quality results, you may also opt to use a freeze dryer, which better preserves terpenes and cannabinoids.
Cleaning Your Bubble Bags
Immediately after use, rinse each bag thoroughly with cold water to prevent resin buildup. For a deeper clean, use a mild, non-residue soap along with cold water. Once cleaned, hang the bags to dry completely before storing them in a cool, dry location.
Storage Tips
Always ensure your bags are fully dry before storage to prevent mould or mildew. Your final extract should be kept in airtight containers, ideally stored in the freezer, to maintain potency, flavour, and freshness over time.
Micron Sizes and What They Capture
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220μm: Filters out large plant debris such as leaves and stems.
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160μm: Captures larger trichomes; generally lower-quality extract.
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120μm: Collects good quality resin heads suitable for pressing or consumption.
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90μm: Contains high-quality trichomes with strong flavour and potency.
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73μm: Considered premium quality, rich in cannabinoids and terpenes.
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45μm: Collects smaller trichomes; still very potent.
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25μm: Catches the smallest resin heads; typically a sandy texture, strong but slightly less flavourful.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
Always maintain cold temperatures throughout the process. Ice and cold water protect the fragile trichomes, making them easier to separate. Stir gently to avoid contaminating your extract with broken plant material. Finally, never skip the washing step between micron stages, as this ensures a cleaner, purer final product.