Rosin is created through the application of heat and pressure onto starting material over the course of several minutes. These variables of time, temp, and pressure can be adjusted depending on the type of cannabis material pressed and the specific strain or cultivar of that material. Differences in these inputs also impact both yield and quality of rosin.  

A range of temperatures are suitable for pressing rosin. Pressing at the low end of the temperature range will yield different results than pressing at the higher end. Best results begin at 140 degrees Fahrenheit and top out at 220. More specific temperature targets depend on the type of starting material. 

Here are the recommended temperatures for pressing each type of starting material:

Flower: 160-220
Bubble Hash: 140-200
Dry Sift: 140-200

What Is Pressing Rosin at Low Temps?

Benefits of Pressing Rosin at Low Temps

It seems that most extractors generally prefer to press at the lowest temperatures possible that allow a full extraction to occur. There are multiple benefits to aiming for lower temperatures at the press. 

Benefits of pressing rosin at low temperatures include lighter color/better clarity, terpene preservation, and badder consistency.

That said, older starting material that’s been significantly oxidized will still lead to darker rosin, even if it’s pressed at lower temperatures. 

Another advantage to pressing at lower temperatures is terpene preservation. Terpenes are very volatile. The terpene content in cannabis trichomes is greatly diminished with exposure to heat, therefore the less heat the better for preserving terpenes. More terpenes leads to stronger flavor and enhanced effect, so it’s always a good idea to protect these valuable characteristics of the cannabis plant. 

Consistency is also impacted with lower temperatures during extraction. Many rosin consumers prefer a cake batter-like texture and consistency, something closer to a whipped butter than a hard sap or shatter-type consistency. This creamy texture is often referred to as badder or budder. Pressing at lower temperatures is more likely to yield a badder consistency. 

Drawbacks To Pressing at Lower Temperatures

The downside to pressing rosin at lower temperatures is a sacrifice in total yield. While overall quality is often better in rosin pressed at lower temperatures, yield can be slightly less than with temperatures at the higher end of the range. 

One way to compensate for the decreased yield is to press the same material twice. This second extraction can help squeeze out the last of the remaining rosin to give a slight bump to your yield. However, the second round of pressing will likely deliver rosin of a lesser overall quality than the first round. 

Note on Age and Quality of Starting Material

Age and quality of starting material affects temperature requirements to achieve full extraction. Lower temperatures can suffice for fresher and higher quality material, whereas higher temperatures may be needed to extract rosin from older or lower quality material. 

Experiment with small samples of starting material to narrow down to the most ideal temperature for your material and desired results. 

Conclusion

Pressing rosin requires careful control of key variables like time, temperature, and pressure during extraction. Temperature has an undeniable impact on the results of your extraction, and pressing at lower temperatures is the preference among many extractors. Lower temperatures provide clear advantages over pressing with higher temperatures. 

A scientific-like approach to extraction is helpful, but pressing rosin is more an art than a science. Try pressing at a variety of temperatures and see what works best for you. And take notes throughout the process, to help you track what’s working well and what needs adjustment. 

Also, read about some of the advantages to taking the higher temps approach to pressing rosin in Benefits to Pressing Rosin at Higher Temperatures. 

What temps do you normally use for pressing rosin? Let us know in the comments!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is considered low temp for pressing flower rosin?
180-200 degrees Fahrenheit is considered low temp for pressing flower rosin. 

What is considered low temp for pressing bubble hash rosin?
140-160 degrees Fahrenheit is considered low temp for pressing bubble hash rosin. 

What is considered low temp for pressing dry sift rosin?
140-160 degrees Fahrenheit is considered low temp for pressing dry sift rosin. 

Is it better to press rosin with lower temperatures?
There are several advantages to pressing rosin with lower temperatures, including lighter color/clarity, greater terpene preservation, and a badder-type consistency. 

What is the downside to pressing rosin with lower temperatures?
A slightly decreased yield is a potential downside to pressing rosin at lower temperatures.