Last reviewed October 18, 2026
Bubble hash is a solventless hash made by separating trichomes from cannabis with ice, water and filter bags. The cold makes the trichomes brittle so they snap off. Mesh bags then sort them by size, and the result is dried into a sandy, light-coloured hash. It’s named for the way good bubble hash bubbles when it’s heated.
In short: ice water + agitation + mesh bags = trichomes without solvents. Graded 1 to 6 stars by how cleanly it melts.
How bubble hash is made
- Freeze the plant material, usually trim or small buds, to make the trichomes brittle.
- Agitate it in ice water in a bucket lined with a set of mesh bags, stirring gently for several minutes.
- Drain through the bags. Each bag has a finer mesh, measured in microns, and catches trichome heads of a certain size.
- Collect each bag’s resin separately. The middle sizes (often around 73–120 microns) usually hold the best heads.
- Dry it thoroughly, often in a freeze dryer or on screens in a cool room, so it doesn’t grow mould.
Because it uses only water and cold, it’s a solventless method you can do at home. In Canada, home extraction with organic solvents isn’t allowed, but ice-water hash is a mechanical process.
The star rating
| Grade | What it means | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| 5–6 stars (“full melt”) | Melts almost completely, little residue | Dabbing, pressing into hash rosin |
| 3–4 stars | Partly melts, some plant matter | Bowls, joints, pressing |
| 1–2 stars | Lots of plant matter, won’t melt | Cooking, or crumbled into joints |
How to use bubble hash
- In a joint or bowl: crumble it over flower.
- Dabbing: only full-melt grades; lower grades leave black residue.
- Pressing: top bubble hash is pressed into hash rosin.
Common questions
Is bubble hash strong?
Yes. It’s concentrated trichomes, so it’s stronger than flower; full-melt grades are the strongest.
Why is it called bubble hash?
Good bubble hash bubbles when heated, and the method uses “bubble bags” in ice water.
Is bubble hash the same as kief?
Both are trichomes, but bubble hash is washed and size-sorted in ice water, so it’s usually cleaner than dry kief.
How should I store bubble hash?
Fully dried, in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Damp hash can grow mould.
