3 Reasons Why You Need A Pre Press Mold
Viviane Schute
Cannabis enthusiast and student of the art of solventless extraction
✅ Updated 1/1/21
Pre-pressing cannabis material prior to rosin extraction provides multiple benefits to extractors. Pre-pressing is a simple and effective way to prepare flower, dry sift, or bubble within a filter bag to create consistent and even rosin flow from the material during extraction.
The process of pre-pressing cannabis is straightforward. Using specially-designed rectangular aluminum molds (or cylindrical molds if you’re pressing Bottle Tech), loaded filter bags are hand-pressed within a mold just before extraction. After the filter bag is filled with material, use your fingers to compact the material inside the bag tightly and evenly.
The shape and size of the pre-press mold you use should match the general shape and size of the filter bags. The bag should fit completely within the edges of the pre-press mold. A little room on either side is okay.
Once the filter bag is positioned inside the pre-press mold, a common technique is to place your palms flat on the top of the mold and use your upper body weight to firmly press the material.
You can even place one side of the mold onto your heated rosin plates for a minute or two before pre-pressing the material. This additional heat from the pre-press mold helps to prime the material for extraction.
The goals of pre-pressing are to fill in empty space or gaps in the cannabis material, even out the material along the edges of the filter bag, and prime the trichome heads for maximum flow once heat and pressure are applied. All this translates into increased yields.
Reduce Gaps and Compact the Material
Even distribution of material within the filter bag has a direct impact on the flow of rosin under heat and pressure. During extraction, rosin can become trapped within gaps in the cannabis material and never escape the bag. Big spaces between chunks of flower or loosely-packed bubble hash invite rosin fill the empty space rather than flow through like an unobstructed river.
Consistent distribution of your material is the key to uniformly lessening viscosity and increasing the flow of rosin through the bag. Pre pressing helps even out any inconsistencies and ensure that your material is evenly distributed inside the bag.
The Press Club pre-press molds are designed to optimize your flower, dry sift, and bubble.
Evenly Fill-in the Bag
Along with even distribution and consistency within the flower, dry sift, or bubble hash, pre-pressing also packs the material firmly against the edges and into the corners of the rosin bag. Space between the filter bag and material can draw in rosin and trap it within the filter itself.
Pre-pressing the cannabis makes it nice and tight against all sides of the filter bag so there’s less opportunity for rosin to get trapped between the material and the edge of the bag.
Pre-pressing expands the cannabis material to take up the entire space within the rosin bag, which also allows for more even distribution of pressure during extraction.
Increase Yields
Firmly-packed and consistent material with no gaps, and tightness of material around the edges of the rosin bag all leads to better flow of rosin and increased yields. As cannabis is pre-pressed, the trichome heads are primed to burst and flow as heat and pressure are applied.
Conclusion
Pre-press molds provide a quick and easy way to prepare your cannabis material for extraction. They help pack cannabis within the filter bag much more efficiently than is possible just using your hands.
The Press Club makes various sizes of pre-press molds depending on which size bags you’re using. You can check out the full selection here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a rosin pre press mold?
A rosin pre press mold is a simple hand-pressing system used to compact and prime cannabis material within a rosin filter bag prior to extraction. Pre press molds are generally made of 3 pieces of aluminum in a rectangular or cylindrical shape. Filled rosin bags are placed in between the pieces of aluminum and a moderate amount of pressure is applied, often using upper body weight pressing down through the palms of the hands and onto the pre press. Check out The Press Club Pre Press Molds here.
What is a rosin pre press mold made of?
Quality Rosin Pre Press Molds are made of 100% aluminum. The Press Club's Pre Press Molds are designed specifically for rosin extractors and come in various sizes to match different bag sizes and extraction techniques, such as bottle tech. Learn more about bottle tech here.
What size pre press mold is the best?
The best size pre press mold is the size that most closely fits the rosin bag that you're using. If using rectangular bags, there are 2x4 inch and 3x5 inch pre presses. The 2.5x2.5 inch pre presses are ideal for square rosin bags. If pressing with Bottle Tech, the cylindrical pollen press is the best pre press.
Where can I buy a pre press mold?
Pre Press Molds for rosin can be purchased online from reputable manufacturers like The Press Club. Pre Press Molds are effective in compacting and priming cannabis material to increase the efficiency of rosin flow during extraction. Pre Pressing cannabis flower, bubble hash, and dry sift can lead to higher yields. You can purchase The Press Club Pre Press Mold here.
How hard do you press down on pre press mold?
You can use your hands and upper body weight to press down firmly on the pre press mold. It's not necessary to use your rosin press to create high levels of pressure with the pre press mold. The pressure should be firm but not excessive, and be applied for at least 30 seconds.
1 comment
If your bubble has small sticky pebbles that didn’t sieve proper mixed in with the sand, would this be best for pre-press molding? Making these smaller pieces that are too small to microplane or too sticky to strain into larger sticky pucks sounds ideal for the bags, no? I would separate sand from pebbles if that is ideal as well.