Your Quick-Start Steps for Perfect Extracts: How to Press Rosin
In this guide, we will explore how to press rosin effectively and efficiently.
- Pick the flower, not too dry keep around 62% relative humility.
- Break the flower buds apart remove any excess stems.
- Put in filter bag evenly (for maximum efficiency skip this step). I wouldn’t use a filter bag with a 1 ton press or lower, but each to their own.
- Put in a pre-press mould and apply pressure to even out flower and make a “puck”.
- Fold some parchment in half
- Put the puck (or bag) inside parchment.
- Put parchment and puck between heated plates.
- Apply light pressure for 20 seconds pre-heating the puck.
- For a manual press apply pressure to the lever until it “toggles” on a hydraulic increase the pressure by pumping the handle, hold top handle to steady the press.leave for 1 to 2 minutes.
For best results, remember how to press rosin can vary based on the flower type.
Understanding the settings is key when you learn how to press rosin effectively.
Utilising the standard mould is an important step for those mastering how to press rosin.
Settings for… | Flower | Kief | Hash |
| Temperature (°C) | 85-100 | 65-95 | 60-88 |
| Pressure (PSI) | 600-1200 | 450-800 | 350-750 |
| Time (seconds) | 60-140 | 60-100 | 60-90 |
| Puck – 1 Ton Press | 1½ in2 | 2½in2– 4in2 | 2.¾in2– 5 ¾in2 |
| Puck for Plier Press ½ ton | ¾ in2 | 1in2– 2in2 | 1½in2– 2¾in2 |
| Puck For 5 Ton Hydraulic | 7½ in2 | 7½ in2 or bigger | 7½ in2 or bigger |
When using the manual press, remember the importance of knowing how to press rosin correctly.
To ensure a successful extraction, it’s vital to understand how to press rosin precisely.
In your journey to learn how to press rosin, focus on small amounts to start.
As you master how to press rosin, avoid common mistakes to improve efficiency.
When learning how to press rosin, consider the specific needs of your equipment.
The technique for how to press rosin requires careful attention to detail.
By following these guidelines for how to press rosin, you can achieve better results.
Every step in the process of how to press rosin contributes to the final yield.
Utilising a pre-press mould is a significant aspect of how to press rosin effectively.
Finally, knowing how to press rosin requires patience and practice to perfect the technique.
Mastering how to press rosin can lead to significant improvements in your yield.
Notes for The 5 Ton EZR1905
The standard mould will make the right puck for flower with the 5 ton press (EZR1905). On theses types of presses your limited more by the platen size than the pressure.
Notes for the 1 Ton Manual Press EZR1903
On a manual press the applied pressure is adjusted by changing the size of the puck. The bigger the puck the lower the applied pressure. Flower need the highest pressure so a small puck.
Little and often is the way to go with a one ton or any lower pressure heat press. Remember if you try to press too much your efficiency will drop or in some case fail all together.
The most common reason for returns on these presses is customers trying to press too much flower. Trying to press a 2x4in rosin bag full of flower. This is far too much. Just reduce the amount and do a few batches. and using a bar to extend the lever. This just breaks the press. the other reason is poor efficiency due to very dry flower.
The Portable and Pliers Presses (EZR 2034 & EZR2011)
These presses are dinky but lower powered. They are both manual toggle presses like the one tone. Again the solution is the same. Use a small puck. The pollen pincher pre press is ideal for these presses giving a puck with a diameter of 0.75 inches.
Little and often is the way to go with a one ton or lower pressure heat press when extracting from your flower. Remember if you try to press too much your efficiency will drop or in some case fail all together.
Pre Press Moulds
The point of a pre press mould is simply to make the flower your pressing more uniform to improve efficiency . When not using a rosin filter bag it also produces a puck which is easier to handle. You don’t want to be extracting you don’t need that much pressure. That is what your press is for.
How long should I press for rosin?
The ideal pressing time for rosin depends on the material you’re using (flower, hash, or kief), the temperature, and the desired consistency. Here’s a general guide:
Pressing Time by Material:
Flower:
Time: 1-3 minutes
Notes: Longer presses (2-3 minutes) at lower temperatures (160-180°F) can preserve terpenes but may reduce yield. Shorter presses (1-2 minutes) at higher temperatures (190-220°F) can increase yield but may degrade terpenes.
Hash/Kief:
Time: 1-2 minutes
Notes: Hash and kief require less time than flower because they have higher resin content. Pressing for too long can lead to contamination or degraded quality.
Factors That Affect Pressing Time:
Temperature:
Lower temperatures (160-180°F): Longer press times (2-3 minutes).
Higher temperatures (190-220°F): Shorter press times (1-2 minutes).
Pressure:
Gradually increase pressure over 10-15 seconds to avoid blowing out the micron bag or contaminating the rosin.
Material Quality:
High-quality, fresh material with good resin content may require less time to press.
Desired Consistency:
For a more buddery consistency, press at lower temperatures for longer.
For a shatter-like consistency, press at higher temperatures for shorter times.
General Tips:
Start with 1-2 minutes and adjust based on your results.
Experiment with small batches to find the perfect time for your specific material and setup.
Monitor the flow of rosin during the press. If it stops flowing, it’s time to release the pressure.
By fine-tuning your pressing time, temperature, and pressure, you can achieve the best possible yield and quality for your rosin.
What are the mistakes in pressing rosin?
Pressing rosin can be a straightforward process, but there are several common mistakes that can lead to poor yields, low-quality rosin, or even damage to your equipment. Here are the most frequent errors to avoid:
1. Using Low-Quality Flower
Mistake: Pressing flower with low resin content or poor trichome development.
Solution: Use high-quality, fresh flower with visible trichomes for better yields and quality.
2. Incorrect Humidity Levels
Mistake: Pressing flower that is too dry (brittle) or too moist (sticky).
Solution: Maintain a relative humidity (RH) of 60-65% using humidity packs (e.g., Boveda or Integra) to ensure optimal moisture content.
3. Overloading or Underloading the Press
Mistake: Using too much or too little material in the press, leading to uneven pressure or poor yields.
Solution: Follow your press’s recommended capacity (usually 3-7 grams for personal presses) and use pre-pressed pucks or bags for even distribution.
4. Incorrect Temperature
Mistake: Pressing at too high or too low a temperature. Too high: Degrades terpenes and produces darker, less flavorful rosin.
Too low: Reduces yield and makes the rosin harder to collect.
Solution: Use a temperature range of 160-220°F (71-104°C) depending on the material and desired consistency.
5. Improper Pressure
Mistake: Applying too much or too little pressure. Too much: Can blow out the filter bag or cause plant material to contaminate the rosin.
Too little: Results in low yields.
Solution: Apply gradual, even pressure. For most presses, 1,000-2,000 psi at the bag is ideal.
6. Using the Wrong Micron Bag
Mistake: Using a micron bag that’s too large or too small for the material. Too large: Allows plant material to contaminate the rosin.
Too small: Reduces yield by trapping too much resin.
Solution: Use 90-160 micron bags for flower and 25-37 micron bags for hash/kief.
7. Pressing for Too Long or Too Short
Mistake: Pressing for too long (degrading terpenes) or too short (reducing yield).
Solution: Press for 1-3 minutes, depending on the material and temperature. Start with shorter times and adjust as needed.
8. Skipping the Pre-Press
Mistake: Not forming the flower into a puck before pressing, leading to uneven pressure and lower yields.
Solution: Use a pre-press mold to create a compact puck for even pressure distribution.
9. Not Collecting Rosin Properly
Mistake: Using improper tools or techniques to collect rosin, leading to waste or contamination.
Solution: Use a cold plate or parchment paper to cool the rosin slightly, making it easier to collect with a dab tool.
10. Ignoring Cleanliness
Mistake: Not cleaning the press, bags, or tools, which can lead to contamination.
Solution: Regularly clean your equipment with isopropyl alcohol and replace parchment paper between presses.
11. Not Testing Small Batches
Mistake: Pressing large amounts of material without testing small batches first.
Solution: Start with small amounts (1-2 grams) to test temperature, pressure, and time settings before scaling up.
12. Using Old or Improper Parchment Paper
Mistake: Using low-quality or reused parchment paper, which can tear or stick to the rosin.
Solution: Use high-quality, non-stick parchment paper designed for rosin pressing.
By avoiding these mistakes and fine-tuning your process, you can achieve higher yields, better-quality rosin, and a more enjoyable pressing experience!
How much flower to make 1g rosin?
The amount of flower needed to make 1 gram of rosin depends on the quality of the flower and its resin content. On average, you can expect a 10-25% yield when pressing rosin, meaning you’ll need 4-10 grams of flower to produce 1 gram of rosin. Here’s a breakdown:
High-quality flower (20-25% yield): 4-5 grams of flower to make 1g of rosin.
Mid-quality flower (15-20% yield): 5-7 grams of flower to make 1g of rosin.
Lower-quality flower (10-15% yield): 7-10 grams of flower to make 1g of rosin.
Factors that affect yield:
Resin content: Higher resin content in the flower means a better yield.
Humidity: Flower that is too dry or too moist can reduce yield. Aim for 60-65% relative humidity.
Pressing technique: Proper temperature, pressure, and time are crucial for maximizing yield.
Strain: Some strains naturally produce more resin than others.
For the best results, use high-quality, fresh flower and experiment with pressing settings to optimise your yield.