Single Bag / Double Bag / Triple Bag Presses & What Microns & Why
Todde Philips
🇺🇸 Retired veteran, father, rock-climbing expert & rosin connoisseur.
Rosin press bag layering, or wrapping your cannabis material in multiple bags, can increase both the quality of your rosin and the effectiveness of the extraction. By strategically wrapping loose resin in two or sometimes three rosin bags, extractors can significantly enhance the structural integrity of their starting material and improve the overall filtration process during rosin pressing.
Advantages of Multiple Bags for Pressing Rosin
The primary advantage of using two or three rosin bags is the additional structure and support they provide around the material during the intense pressurization of the rosin press. As pressure and heat transform bubble hash into golden, terpene-rich rosin, these nested bags act as a reinforced containment system, preventing material blowout and ensuring a more controlled, consistent extraction.
The two-bag method serves both preventive and protective functions. Preventively, it reinforces the overall structure, making seam failures less likely during high-volume production. As a protective measure, if the inner bag fails, the outer bag contains the material and maintains end-product quality.
As copious amounts of rosin flows out of the bubble hash and through the filter bags, lots of stress is put upon the seams of the bags. Even premium-quality bags like those from The Press Club, with its Zero Blowout Guarantee, can benefit from a couple of layers for added strength.
Another advantage of the multi-bag approach is that it minimizes the risk of unwanted plant material contamination but also allows for more precise filtration, resulting in a cleaner, more refined final product.
For commercial extractors, the multi-bag approach offers an additional benefit: consistency at scale. The added structural support and filtration allow for more aggressive pressing parameters while maintaining product quality, leading to more predictable and standardized output across multiple press cycles.
Remember to maintain detailed records of your multi-bag configurations, including micron sizes, pressing parameters, and yields. This documentation helps optimize your process over time and establish reliable standard operating procedures for your extraction workflow. Taking notes in your lab is always key!
The layered bag technique brings a new dimension of control over filtration micron sizes. By combining bags of different micron fineness—such as a 25-micron inner bag nested within a 37-micron outer bag—solventless extractors can create a sophisticated filtration cascade that more effectively separates desirable cannabis compounds from unwanted leftovers. This strategic approach transforms rosin bag usage from a simple containment method into a refined extraction optimization technique.
But what about pressing with just one single rosin bag?
We recommend pressing with one rosin bag only when pressing dry cannabis flower.
Anytime we’re pressing loose resin, or bubble hash, there’s so much oily rosin flowing out that it puts immense pressure on the rosin bags.
When you’re pressing bubble hash, double and even triple bagging is best. When pressing bubble hash, blowouts tend to happen when the rosin is getting squeezed out of the material faster than it can effectively pass through the filter and escape the bag. The pressure from the flow of rosin being created inside of the bag overwhelms the filter's ability to withstand, causing the rosin to escape through other means. This equates to breaking the seams of the bag and forcing its way out.
A Potential Downside of Layering Rosin Bags
The trade-off between filtration and yield is a real consideration. While multiple bags provide enhanced filtration, they can slightly reduce overall yield compared to single-bag methods. Some rosin is always lost to the press bags, and adding more bags to the process increases the total surface area of the filter which can capture and hold the rosin. However, this minimal sacrifice in yield typically results in a significantly cleaner, more refined product that commands higher market value and delivers superior user experience.
How To Press Rosin with Multiple Bags
When preparing your bags, ensure each layer is perfectly centered and aligned to prevent uneven pressure distribution. A good rule of thumb is that the innermost bag should have the smaller micron, followed by larger micron sizes at the outer bags. However, using two bags of the same micron is okay too.
Avoid using a larger micron bag inside of a smaller micron bag. The larger micron should be at the outside. For example, a 25u inside of a 120u bag is a common set up.
Proper extraction technique is crucial when using multiple rosin bags. Managing pressure application and rosin flow significantly reduces blowout risk. Start with a gentle preheating phase and gradually increase pressure throughout the extraction. This measured approach, combined with strategic parchment paper folding for directional flow, ensures smooth rosin movement through the filters and away from the heat plates.
Read more in The Directional Flow Method Tutorial.
Pressing with multiple bags requires a slower press, to allow more time for the rosin to pass through two or three layers of filtration instead of just one. Don’t rush the process!
For optimal double-bag setup:
1. Pack your target micron bag (e.g., 37μ) with properly measured material
2. Fold the top edge and pre-press the loose hash.
3. Insert this bag into a larger micron bag (120μ or 160μ), aligning the side seams
4. Position the folded ends in opposite directions
5. Trim excess material on the outer bag, leaving enough for a secure fold
6. Complete one final pre-press before extraction
This configuration maximizes bag strength while maintaining desired filtration levels, significantly reducing the risk of extraction failures and rosin loss.
Summary
Rosin extractors can significantly improve their rosin production by implementing a multi-bag technique during extraction. Using two or three nested rosin bags provides enhanced structural support, prevents material blowouts, and creates a superior filtration system for cleaner end products.
With careful attention to bag alignment, temperature control, pressing speed, and proper material preparation—this method offers both preventive protection against bag failures and corrective containment if inner bags rupture. While this technique may slightly reduce overall yields, it delivers more consistent, higher-quality rosin that justifies the minimal trade-off in quantity.
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.
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