✅ Updated 11/9/21 

Time is one of the main variables to consider when making the most of your rosin extractions. A couple of minutes is all that’s needed to fully extract rosin from cannabis source material, but even a 30 second swing can make a difference. Dialing in your extraction time depending on your specific preference is the only way to get optimal results. Understanding how time impacts rosin quality and yield can help you use these time variances to your advantage. 

The time of rosin extraction is measured from the start of pressure application between heated rosin press plates, after preheating, to the release of pressure and removal of rosin from the press for collection. Preheating is essential for any type of starting material before applying full pressure for extraction. 

Time, temperature, and pressure are interrelated in rosin extraction. There’s no way to isolate time in order to identify the exact extraction settings. The other variables always have to be taken into consideration, as adjusting one of the variables impacts the entire extraction. Recommended extraction time is a range to be taken into consideration within the context of the other extraction variables, and not an exact prescription. All inputs are interconnected and influence each other during extraction. 

That said, there is one rule of thumb that we can apply to most any standard rosin extraction, regardless of source material. That is, to aim for the bare minimum amount of time required to complete a thorough extraction from the source material. Unneeded time spent under heat and pressure can cost valuable terpenes, speed up cannabinoid degradation, and lead to excess contaminants (e.g. plant lipids) in our final product. 

An increase in heat and/or pressure is usually accompanied by a decrease in pressing time. Likewise, an increase in pressing time usually reflects a decrease in heat and/or pressure. 

What Factors Impact Time Requirements for Rosin Extraction?

In addition to temperature and pressure, there are other variables to consider when determining the right amount of time for extraction. The first is which type of cannabis source material you’re pressing.

Source Material

Taking into account cannabis starting material type, strain, moisture content, and the temperature plus pressure settings, you can experiment to find the winning combination for your desired outcome. 

How about the impacts of too little or too much time between the pressing plates?

Impacts of Too Little Time for Extraction

There are a few things that can happen if not enough time is given to the extraction process, or if the time is at the very low end of the range. The main consequence is a diminished yield. If too little time is given to the cannabis under heat and pressure, not all trichomes will have the chance to liquefy and flow out of the source material. 

While reduced yield is a negative, terpene preservation can be a positive. Less time exposed to heat and pressure means the resin glands maintain a higher percentage of terpenes, which are very volatile and can otherwise evaporate during a prolonged extraction. 

Another positive of using too little pressure could be that the purity of the rosin is enhanced. Less time in extraction can translate into less contaminants (e.g. unwanted plant oils and lipids) ending up in the rosin. Use caution not to offset this advantage with an excessive amount of heat or pressure. Too much heat and/or pressure can cause more contaminants in rosin. 

Too much time can also burn your source material and lead to extra contaminants in the rosin. While you may be able to squeeze some extra yield from a longer press, what you’re actually collecting may be of compromised quality. 

Keep in mind that the less time we expose cannabis to heat of any kind, the better. There are exceptions, such as when we’re using a warm curing process for our rosin or we’re decarboxylating cannabis. But overall, we want to keep temps as low as possible for terpene and cannabinoid preservation. 

Other Signals

In addition to watching the clock and counting seconds, there are other cues to look for when determining just the right amount of time for extraction. 

Visual cues include the flow of rosin from the source material and away from the heated plates. As long as rosin is flowing out from between the plates, you can press for longer. Once the flow stops, release pressure and remove the material. 

Another cue is smell. If the smell of your material explodes into the room during the end of extraction, it’s likely you’re starting to vaporize a lot of the therapeutic molecules right into the air. Stop extraction and reduce time for the next round of pressing, while also considering a reduction in temperature. 

Conclusion

Time is one of three main factors to control during extraction. Experimentation with the source material you’re using is key. There’s not one exact "correct" amount of time, it’s up to your preferences and how you want to optimize the process for the specific results you’re aiming for. Use this guide to identify ranges of time, and find which one works best for you. 

Thoughts? Let us know by joining our secret Facebook group. Hang out with a community of like-minded solventless heads like yourself. Ask our head extractor questions, share your latest press and learn from hobbyists and experts in the industry.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long do you press rosin?
It depends on the starting material (flower, bubble hash, dry sift), cultivar, and personal preference. After a 30-second pre heat, press anywhere from 1-2 minutes. Experimentation is key. 

What if you don't press long enough?
Not pressing long enough diminishes yields. 

What if you press for too long?
Pressing too long can lead to darker rosin, and potentially more contaminants. 

What's the best way to find the right time to press rosin?
Experimentation and taking notes. Learn more in How To Take Notes To Improve Your Rosin Production.

How can you tell when the time is up?
Once rosin stops flowing from the starting material, the time is up.