How to Smoke Hash
Hash is a popular concentrated form of cannabis widely used worldwide for centuries, with a deep history rooted in the Middle East that goes as far back as the 1100s.
Although nowadays many people prefer purer concentrates like shatter/wax, live resin, and live rosin, hashish is still prevalent in many parts of the world and the U.S. as an affordable, solvent-free cannabis concentrate rich in terpenes and cannabinoids, like THC and CBD, that can easily be made at home.
In this blog post, we'll go through everything you need to know about hash, how to make your own, and how to smoke it.
Let's get started!
How is Hash Made?
Here are the most popular ways of making hash:
Hand Method
Probably the simplest and most old-school way to make hash, here's how the hand method works:
- Gather Trichome-Rich Material: Start by collecting plant material rich in cannabis trichomes. This can include the small leaves and buds that are covered in kief.
- Roll and Rub: Roll the collected material between your palms or fingers. The heat and friction will cause the trichomes to stick together and form a sticky, resinous ball. This ball is your hash.
- Collect and Shape: Carefully collect the hash from your hands and shape it into a small ball or coin. You can use a knife or your fingers to shape it as desired.
- Cure: Allow the hash to dry and cure for some time, typically a few days to a few weeks.
Dry Sift Method
The dry sift hash method uses micron screens of varying sizes to filter out unwanted particles from trichomes. Here's how it's done:
- Collect Trichome-Rich Material: As with the hand method, start by collecting cannabis plant material with abundant trichomes and start separating them by gently shaking or agitating the plant material over a fine metal screen.
- Sift and Collect: The trichomes will fall through the mesh while the plant material remains on top. You can use different screens with varying mesh sizes to collect different grades of hash. The finest trichomes will be the most potent.
- Press and Cure: After collecting the sifted trichomes, press them together to form a solid hash. You can use a hash press or simply hand-press the material. Allow the hash to cure for optimal flavor and potency.
Bubble Hash Method
Also known as ice water hash, this method uses ice water and a bucket to separate the trichomes from the dry herb. Here's how it's done:
- Prepare Plant Material: Start by freezing your trichome-rich cannabis material. This makes the trichomes more brittle and easier to separate.
- Agitate in Ice Water: Place the frozen material in a container filled with ice water. Stir and agitate the mixture vigorously for a set period of time. The cold water helps trichomes to detach from the plant material.
- Use Bubble Bags: Pour the mixture through a series of fine mesh bubble bags with varying pore sizes. The bags trap the trichomes while allowing water and plant material to pass through.
- Collect and Dry: Remove the collected trichomes from the bubble bags and let them dry.
How to Smoke Hash
Once you have your hash, there are several ways to smoke it!
Smoke it Straight
One of the most traditional ways to enjoy hash is by smoking it straight. Simply find a heat-resistant surface like a glass or metal tray. Take a small piece of your hash and break it off. It's essential not to use too much at once, especially if it's potent.
Then, use a butane lighter or a match to ignite the hash. Hold the flame close but not directly on it to avoid burning it too quickly. Inhale the hash smoke through a pipe or by simply leaning your face close to the source.
Exhale slowly and enjoy the effects.
Top Off Your Bowl
If you're already a fan of smoking cannabis flower, you can enhance your experience by adding a bit of hash to top off a bowl, bubbler, or bong.
Simply load your regular cannabis bowl as you usually would. Then, break off a small piece of hash and crumble it over the top of your cannabis. Ensure it's evenly distributed. Use a lighter to ignite the cannabis and hash mixture, and inhale the combined smoke for a potent and flavorful experience.
Put it in a Joint or Blunt
Rolling hash into a spliff or blunt is another popular method. To make a good hash joint, just roll a joint or blunt as you typically would, but leave some space at the end for the hash before you roll it.
Break off a small amount of hash and crumble it into smaller pieces. Sprinkle these hash crumbles into your rolling paper along with your ground cannabis. Finish rolling your joint or blunt, making sure it's tightly sealed. Ensure the hash is evenly distributed.
Then, simply light up your joint or blunt and inhale. The hash will mix with the cannabis, delivering a unique and potent smoking experience.
Vape or Dab It
You can vape or dab hash for a cleaner and more controlled method. However, it's highly recommended to use a very high-quality hash to prevent residual plant matter from gunking up your vape or dab rig and affecting their airflow.
Start by ensuring you have a vaporizer or dab rig designed for concentrate use. Depending on the device, use a dab tool to load a small amount of hash onto the heating element or dab banger. Heat the hash until it vaporizes (for vaping) or until it's hot enough to produce vapor (for dabbing).
Once it has reached the desired temperature, inhale the vapor slowly through the mouthpiece and enjoy the smooth, flavorful experience.
Hot Knife Method
The hot knife method is a DIY approach for consuming hash without specialized equipment. While this method works in a pinch, it isn't the safest or most efficient. You'll need two metal butter knives, a heat source (stovetop or torch), and a surface that can withstand heat.
Heat the knife blades until they are red-hot using the heat source. Then, place a small piece of hash between the two hot knife blades. It should instantly vaporize, producing smoke.
Use a funnel or a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off to capture the smoke and inhale through the opening to enjoy the vaporized hash.