Rosin is the oil produced from the flower by applying heat and pressure over time. Of the various plant oil extraction techniques, rosin pressing is the simplest and safest. To merely heat up the flower and squeeze out the sticky substance seems like a pretty straightforward set of instructions. However, many new pressers find the process confusing. Let’s look at the three common mistakes people make when trying to successfully press rosin.
How is Rosin Made?
Rosin is the oil extracted by means of a mechanical process involving applying heat and pressure for a period of time, in order to “press” out the terpene and rich resin from the cured flower. The rosin extraction process is very quick. In fact, the extraction occurs almost instantaneously, and it requires almost no professional knowledge of botanical extractions.
The rosin extraction technician applies heat, in order to melt off the glandular domes of the trichrome from the flower’s base material onto parchment paper. The sticky, resin-rich sap then reconstitutes itself on the parchment and is ready for collection. The technician scrapes the rosin from the parchment paper. The waxy residue that has been collected in the clean rosin product, ready for dabbing.
Problems efficiently extracting rosin usually are due to one or more of these common mistakes people make early on:
Common Mistakes #1: Using a Poor Quality Material
It’s a common mistake to use a material that is desiccated, or ill-equipped genetically for the process of rosin extraction. To determine the quality of starting material, its material density, trichome density, terpene profile, and active organic contents are all measures that can be employed. Keep in mind that, as with any final product—the quality of the finished product much depends on the quality of materials that go into it.
Genetically better material contains more trichomes. Also, the method used for drying and curing the material is a major factor in the potential clarity of rosin to be extracted. So, naturally, the better the quality of your starting material, the better your extracted rosin product is likely to be in all measures of quality, including yield, clarity, and desired effects for the user.
Common Mistakes #2:Using an Inappropriate Rosin Press
A poorly designed heat plate or a plate with hot spots due to low-quality heating elements can cause frustrations for extractors. Avoid using a device not specifically engineered to produce rosin such as; a hair straighter, repurposed t-shirt press, or low-quality h-frames. These are unlikely to produce good results. Using proper equipment makes it much easier to produce consistently good quality results.
The MyPress Solventless rosin press frame is manufactured from custom engineered steel. The press consists of high-strength, dual-heated Axiom stainless steel plates, to enable optimum efficiency of heat transfer, and to deliver high-performance results and lasting durability.
When closed and locked properly, the pressing unit plates apply approximately 1400psi at the plate level. Yet, the compact, lightweight unit requires very minimal effort to operate.
Common Mistakes #3. Using Incorrect Temperatures or Times
One of the easiest of the common mistakes made to correct is finding the best time and temperature to press at. If the temperature is too high, the oil will become burned. This can result in the harshness of the final product, and it can destroy many of the flavorful terpenes and desirable plant elements. Exposing rosin to high temperatures above 240°F for excessive time can cause the rosin to darken significantly, which may indicate some loss of quality. Work within the recommended temperature range.
- Temperature Testing — Because every strain of a plant species is different, it can be expected to react differently to temperature and time length in pressing, first test a small sample. Test the sample material within 200 – 220°F for between 90-120 seconds, until you identify the optimal temperature and timeframe settings for pressing the given batch of material. Record your results so that you may replicate your desired and favorite results in the future.
- Optimum Yield and Clarity — Many experienced rosin extractors report that they achieve good results within the 180°F – 220°F temperature range. We have found that at temperatures above 240°F, the material’s terpene integrity typically degrades significantly. Our best test results both in terms of yield and clarity have normally been within the 200°F – 220°F temperature range.
Note: As you become more comfortable with your starting material you can experiment by lowering the temperatures. It is important to increase your pressing times by 30-60 seconds for every 10°F decrease.
Rosin Quality Issues
Knowledgeable rosin consumers recognize clarity as one of the most readily identifiable features distinguishing high-quality from low-quality extracts. Just keep in mind that yielding black rosin is often a consequence either of pressing a product that is very old or using excessive temperatures.
MyPress Solventless
We help our clients save material, money, and time by providing our industry’s finest portable rosin press. MyPress Solventless allows you to produce high yields of quality rosin at home, or even on the spot, any time or place you may want to render fresh oil.
MyPress Solventless has been designed using an engineering process focused on the safest and most efficient production of high-quality oil. The technology allows for the most careful management application of heat, pressure, and pressing time, enabling users to maintain ideal control of the process.
The solventless MyPress technology provides the most user-friendly and seemingly effortless method for producing top-quality oils.
MyPress Features and Benefits
- Adjustable Plate Distance and Temperature Control
- Count-Up One-Second Incremental Count-Up Timer Built-In
- F to C Temperature Display with Single Button
- Does Not Need Solvents! (Solvents are NOT healthy.)
- Small, Lightweight and Portable
- Easy-to-Use Functions & Features
- Can Produce Yields to Industry Standards
- Easy to Place in Locked Position
- 90-day warranty.
Shipping limited to the United States and Canada. (International shipping rates include taxes and duties.)
- How do I make rosin? - August 23, 2019
- Tips and Tricks for Pressing Rosin - July 11, 2019
- Why Consistent Temperature Matters When Pressing Rosin - April 25, 2019