Butane Hash Oil (BHO) and shatter are terms encountered in the cannabis community. While they are closely related, they are not the same. This article will explore BHO and its various forms, including cheap shatter, and compare their unique properties, uses, and production methods.
Key Takeaways:
- Butane Hash Oil and shatter are potent products, with THC levels up to 90% – much higher than traditional cannabis.
- Almost all solvent-based concentrates, such as wax, crumble, shatter, and budder, originate from hash oil with butane.
- Dabbing is the most common method for using concentrates. It involves applying the concentrate to a heated nail to produce smoke that you inhale through a tube.
Butane Hash Oil
Butane Hash Oil is a concentrated cannabis extract made using butane to extract THC, the main active component. It has a high potency, with THC levels around 80%, compared to the 10-25% found in cannabis.
It has a golden amber appearance and can look like honey, wax, or glass. It’s also called marijuana wax, budder, honeycomb, shatter, dab, amber, oil, wax butter, and sap.
Traditional methods like joints, bongs, and vaporizers don’t work well for oils, as they turn into a runny liquid when heated. Instead, a special bong called a “dab rig” is used.
Extraction Process
Producers use high-purity butane gas to extract cannabinoids and terpenes from cannabis in a sealed cylinder to create this extract. It employs two extraction methods:
- Open Blasting Systems: An outdated technique where butane passes through cannabis in an open system. This is dangerous due to the accumulation of flammable gas and cause explosions.
- Closed-Loop Systems: Loaded into a pressurized tank and passed through cannabis in a closed system to prevent gas leaks. This method is safer and more efficient, with no openings for flammable gas leaks.
- CO2 Extraction: Uses carbon dioxide. Safer and produces a high-quality product, but it tends to be more expensive.
- Rosin Tech: This solventless extraction method uses heat and pressure. Gaining popularity due to its simplicity and purity.
Forms
Almost all solvent-based concentrates originate from this extract. This is the main component or ingredient before the extractor turns to different types of extracts.
- Wax: Soft and malleable with a consistency similar to candle wax. Easy to handle and commonly used for dabbing.
- Budder: Creamy and buttery in texture. Produced by whipping the extract during purging and incorporating air.
- Crumble: Dry and crumbly, similar to honeycomb. Preferred for its ease of use.
- Shatter: Brittle and glass-like, known for its translucent appearance and high THC content. Most stable form.
The Glass-Like Extract with Potent Effects
Shatter concentrate is a brittle, glass-like extract named for its texture and appearance. This is created by extracting tetrahydrocannabinol and other cannabinoids from the plant through solvents like butane or carbon dioxide. The extracted components are refined and processed into a translucent, amber-colored substance that can break easily when handled.
It is one of the strongest forms of weed, with THC concentrations reaching up to 90% or more. You can smoke it in a pipe or bong, vaporize it, or dab it. The effects are nearly instant and can last for several hours. Because it is highly potent, novices should avoid using it or exercise caution.
From Gas to Glass-Like Concentrate
Producers create this concentrate by using Butane Hash Oil to extract pure cannabinoids and terpenes.
The process involves:
- Extraction: Flammable gas removes the desired compounds from marijuana.
- Refinement: The extract undergoes refinement into a solid, translucent concentrate.
The production involves specific conditions and techniques:
- The extraction and purging processes are carried out at lower temperatures than other concentrates. This helps preserve the translucent appearance and brittle texture.
- The process involves using a vacuum oven for an extended period to remove all residual solvents.
- Producers handle the extract minimally during production to avoid introducing air or causing nucleation, which can affect its final texture and appearance.
Is Shatter Just a Fancy Name for Butane Hash Oil?
Untrained users might find it confusing to distinguish between the two concentrates. Several characteristics can set them apart.
| Feature | Glass-like Concentrate | BHO |
| Appearance | Glass-like, translucent, amber | Opaque, golden-orange honey color |
| Texture | Brittle, breaks easily | Soft, malleable, or crumbly |
| Production | Lower temperatures, extended purging, minimal agitation | Higher temperatures, varied purging techniques, the potential for agitation |
| THC Content | Higher, up to 90% | Varies, generally high |
| Stability | Very stable, long shelf-life | Less stable, can degrade faster |
| Ease of Use | Can be challenging to handle due to brittleness | Easier to handle, especially wax and crumble |
When Shall You Use Potent Concentrates?
Both extracts have specific uses and times when they are applicable. While they may differ in appearance and potency, they each serve a particular purpose. Choosing between them comes down to personal preference.
- If you have a high tolerance or experience, these products provide a more intense and immediate effect due to their high THC content.
- For patients requiring strong relief from symptoms like chronic pain, severe nausea, or insomnia.
- If you want a richer, more concentrated flavor profile from your experience.
- When you want to consume less material to achieve the desired effects.
Methods to Enjoy Potent Concentrates
Both extracts offer different methods of consumption, each allowing you to enjoy their unique effects. Dabbing is the most common method for using Butane Hash Oil. The traditional method involves applying the concentrate to the heated nail. The nail burns the resin and produces smoke that you inhale through a tube.
Electronic nails (e-nails) or vaporizers offer a more refined experience. These methods preserve the original strain’s flavor better than the traditional method.
To experience the best effects of glass-like extract, use a dab rig. Alternatively, you can consume it with a dab pen. You’ll need a pen equipped with a special chamber for this method. Charge the pen, set the desired temperature, and load the concentrate into the chamber. As the pen heats the material, it melts into vapor, which you inhale through the mouthpiece.
Conclusion
Both are highly potent weed concentrates, with THC levels reaching up to 90%, far exceeding those of traditional marijuana. Both use butane extraction, but the glass-like concentrate stands out with its brittle, glass-like texture.
All shatter originates from BHO, but not all BHO is shatter. BHO can be processed into various concentrate types, such as wax and crumble. While people refer to the glass-like concentrate as BHO, it’s a specific type of BHO. For potent extracts and alternative options, check out GetLoud Cannabis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can you determine if shatter is high quality?
It must be translucent and can range from dark brown to bright golden-yellow. It should not contain dark flakes. The clearer, the better its quality. It also has a strong aroma.
What is the most versatile type of dabs?
Shatter, crumble, and budder are among the most versatile types of extracts because you can smoke, vape, or add them to edibles.
What is the most flavorful type of dabs?
The most flavorful types are live resin, sauce, and sugar wax. These products preserve the plant’s terpene profile, which enhances the flavor and aroma of weed.
During drying and curing, moisture and chlorophyll leave the plant, which can expose trichomes to heat, oxygen, and light. Handling and moving the plant during harvesting can cause trichomes to break off.
Freezing the plant immediately after harvest helps preserve the trichomes. It also maintains the marijuana plant’s valuable terpene profile, original flavor, and fragrance throughout the extraction process. This is why live resin and other concentrates like sauce have a better flavor profile.
