Heat is one of the key ingredients that makes pressing rosin possible. While pressure is needed to amplify the flow of rosin between heated rosin plates, it’s the heat generated between your rosin plates that allow cannabis trichomes to liquefy in a way that we can isolate them for collection. An understanding of ideal temperature ranges, and the ability to control the temperature within those ranges during extraction, are must-haves in the extractor’s toolkit.  

The right amount of heat needed to press quality rosin depends largely on the type of source material being pressed. By experimenting within broad temperature ranges we get a sense of how our source material performs under certain specific temperatures. 

The amount of heat used during extraction impacts the final quality of rosin in several ways. We need heat to transform the state of the cannabis trichomes from a solid to a liquid, but too much or too little can have negative effects. 

Temperature Guidelines for Rosin

The following are our temperature guidelines for rosin, measured in degrees Fahrenheit:

Flower: 180-220 Fahrenheit
Bubble Hash: 140-200 Fahrenheit
Dry Sift: 140-200 Fahrenheit

With bubble hash, we’ve already separated the trichome heads from the rest of the plant material, so less heat is needed to create rosin. The same is true with dry sift. Pressing cannabis flower requires more heat, in order to allow the trichome heads to separate and flow out of the source material. 

Digital thermometers are great for measuring the temperatures during extraction with accuracy. Use a digital thermometer to get a true reading of your temperatures at the rosin plates by placing a piece of tape on the plates where you aim the laser. Point the laser from the digital thermometer onto the tape, which helps to minimize diffusion from the shiny aluminum of the rosin plates and provides a more accurate reading with the digital thermometer. 

Experimenting with Temperatures for Rosin Extraction

Solventless extraction relies on the interplay of heat and pressure, and both inputs work together rather than independently of each other. Therefore, consider adjusting only one variable at a time, to get a clearer sense of how that single variable is impacting extraction. Sometimes, greater levels of heat allow you to use lesser amounts of pressure, and visa versa. 

Many outcomes in solventless extraction are the result of the source material’s genetics, so experimenting with the different inputs as you press different strains of cannabis is key. Some strains will need either higher or lower temperatures to produce rosin that has the qualities most important to you. 

Taste
Hot Press: High temps cause greater terpene loss, which has a negative effect on flavor. Using higher temperatures can diminish some of the floral profile in rosin’s taste
Cold Press: Because lower temps can preserve more terpenes, this generally leads to better tasting rosin

Yield
Hot Press: Higher temperatures can help increase yield
Cold Press: Lower temperatures are great for optimizing for flavor and consistency 

Conclusion

Temperature is one of the main variables and possibly the most important to really control during rosin extraction. Temperature can make or break your outcome at the press, and developing a thorough feel for how different degrees of heat influence the final product will make you a skilled extractor. 

The sweet spot for us between overall quality and yield for flower rosin is between 200°F and 210°F. If terpene preservation and quality is your #1 goal, you should probably start colder and evaluate your results, however we have observed very little terpene loss in that range. Anything above 210°F can bolster yields, however you may notice reduction in terpenes.

Measure your results at various temperatures, continue to experiment, and see what works best for you. What are your favorite temperatures to use?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best temperature for pressing rosin?
It depends on the source material you're using. Flower is pressed at higher temperatures, all the way up to about 210-220 degrees Fahrenheit. Bubble hash is pressed at lower temperatures, around 150-160 degrees Fahrenheit. Experiment within ranges to find out which is best for your specific material. 

Is it better to press rosin with lower temperatures?
If the goal is terpene preservation and maintaining a light color in your rosin, it's better to press at lower temperatures. 

What if you press rosin with temperatures above the suggested ranges?
Pressing at temperatures too low can result in insufficient yield, which temperatures too high can lead to excessive terpene loss and a darker color in your rosin. 

How can you test the accuracy of your temperature?
Using an infrared thermometer is a great way to get an accurate reading of temperature at your rosin plates. Place a piece of tape on the rosin plates and shine the infrared onto the tape. Without a piece of tape, the infrared light will reflect and diffuse off of the aluminum rosin plates, resulting in an incorrect reading. 

What's the best way to find the right temperature for my starting material?
Experimenting with temperature adjustments is the best way to find the ideal temperature for the specific material you're working with. Be sure to keep good notes to help you hone in quickly on the right temperature. Read more in our article How To Take Notes To Improve Your Rosin Production.