Items Needed for Ice Bath Tek
- Cambro Polycarbonate Container – 22 Quart – Clear so you can see the hash and contaminants
- Clean ice – Use as little as possible to reduce the need for excessive rinsing.
- Distilled water – Ensure it’s pre-chilled by stirring to achieve the coldest and cleanest water possible.
- Ice Scooper – Essential for scooping ice and reducing contaminants.
What Is Ice Bath Tek?
Ice Bath Tek involves collecting your hash into a chilled ice water bath instead of going straight to your trays. At the end of the process, the slurry of trichomes and water is poured into collection bags. The final steps—separation and sieving—are then performed as the hash is transferred to your freeze dryer trays.
This technique is gaining traction in the solventless community due to its ability to enhance both efficiency and consistency.
Advantages of Ice Bath Tek
- Homogenization of Pulls
- By combining different pulls, such as the first and third, into the same ice bath, this method ensures a more consistent end product. This is particularly valuable if you do not separate pulls into distinct SKUs. Much better than having to homogenize the hash when it is dry, likely to become airborne and more brittle.
- Extra Rinsing Capabilities
- Some hashmakers, like George Green Thumb, incorporate pumps with 25-micron socks to extract water during the rinse. This additional step can help remove residual contaminants, which is especially beneficial for field-grown or outdoor material.
- Others use air bubblers in the bath, which create foam that pushes lighter contaminants to the surface, making them easy to skim off.
- You have a number of options once you have the hash in an ice water bath. Do not be afraid to experiment.
Key Tips for Success
- Use the cleanest, coldest water you can find for your ice bath. Pre-chill the water by stirring it thoroughly before adding trichomes.
- Avoid overloading with ice—too much ice requires excessive rinsing, which can complicate the process.
Potential Drawbacks
- Terpene Loss
- A potential downside of Ice Bath Tek is the potential for terpene loss. Since terpenes are miscible in water, prolonged exposure during the process could impact the final aroma and flavor of the product. This makes the method less appealing for hashmakers working with clean indoor material where terpene retention is critical and extra rinsing may not be required.
Is Ice Bath Tek Right for You?
Ice Bath Tek is a versatile technique that offers clear benefits for certain applications. If you’re working with field-grown material or aiming to create a more uniform product, this method is worth exploring. However, for those prioritizing terpene retention, particularly with indoor-grown crops, a direct-to-tray approach may still be preferable.
Final Thoughts
As with any hash production technique, Ice Bath Tek is not one-size-fits-all. Its strengths lie in homogenization and cleanliness, but it’s essential to weigh these against the potential for terpene loss. Experiment with this method to see how it fits into your workflow and product goals.
What do you think of Ice Bath Tek? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below!
Watch on YouTube
