When it comes to producing hash, there are two primary methods: machine washing and hand washing. In this blog, we’ll explore both approaches — highlighting their benefits and providing a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one suits your solventless needs. For all you data-driven decision-makers, we’ve also got numbers on machine-washed vs. hand-washed yields from our friends over at RosinTech Labs!
The Basics Of Machine Washing Hash
What is Machine Washing?
Machine washing hash is a process that leverages automation to extract resin from fresh frozen cannabis flowers. This method involves the use of specialized vessels designed to agitate the plant material in ice water, which separates the trichome heads and stalks. While there’s often a debate about machine-washed vs. hand-washed hash, there can be numerous advantages to adding automation in your lab…
Benefits of Machine Washing
- Efficiency and scale. Machine washing is more efficient for larger batches, making it a preferred method for commercial production. It allows for higher throughput and is ideal for those looking to produce hash in bulk.
- Consistency. Machines offer consistent agitation, ensuring that the same process is repeated every time. This helps maintain the quality and flavor profile of the hash across batches, which can lead to a more uniform product.
- Reduced labor. Machine washing minimizes the physical effort required to produce hash, which can be incredibly taxing on the body. This results in lower production costs and frees up employees to focus on other high-value tasks.
- Controlled environment. Machines provide a controlled environment with precise temperature and agitation settings, which can help preserve terpenes and cannabinoids.
The Basics Of Hand Washing Hash
What is Hand Washing?
Hand washing, on the other hand, is a more traditional approach to hash production. The plant material is manually agitated in ice water, which is typically done with a paddle in a bucket-like container. Hand-washing is time and labor-intensive but also has its own set of advantages…
Benefits of Hand Washing
- Artisanal appeal and price. Hand washing allows for a more artisanal approach to hash production that is often appreciated by connoisseurs, which can garner a higher price on the market. This method relies heavily on the skill and experience of the hash maker, who can finesse the process to achieve unique flavor profiles and consistency.
- Craft customization. Hand washing is ideal for small-batch producers focusing on quality over quantity. Each wash can be tailored to different genetics or desired qualities.
- Gentleness on trichomes. Hand washing is gentler and known for its ability to preserve terpenes, resulting in hash with a more complex and aromatic flavor profile.
- Sustainability. Hand washing consumes fewer resources and is often considered a more sustainable and eco-friendly option, as it reduces the need for large-scale machinery and power.
Machine Washing vs. Hand Washing Hash: A Comprehensive Comparison
While both have their benefits, here’s a head-to-head comparison of machine-washed vs. hand-washed hash based on several key factors:
- Quality: While both methods can produce high-quality hash, hand washing allows for more nuanced control and complexity in flavor. However, with the right equipment and expertise, machine washing can also produce excellent results at scale.
- Yield: Machine washing generally results in higher yields due to its efficiency, ability to process larger quantities of fresh frozen material, and reduction of human error.
- Resources: Hand washing is more labor-intensive and time-consuming, making it better suited for smaller batches and craft-style producers while machine washing is more efficient for large-scale production.
- Consistency: Machine washing offers more consistency across different batches which is often valued at commercial scale in the recreational market, while hand washing might result in slight variations that have artisanal appeal to connoisseur consumers.
- Skill level: Hand washing requires skill and experience to achieve the best results, whereas machine washing is more straightforward to standardize.
- Cost: Machine-washed hash tends to have lower production costs due to reduced labor, while hand-washed hash may require more labor but can command higher prices in the market.
Machine Washing vs. Hand Washing Hash: Data From RosinTech Labs
About RosinTech Labs x Hashtek
RosinTech started creating state-of-the-art solventless extraction supplies back in 2015. In 2018 they moved into a production facility, outfitted it with award-winning equipment (including Hashtek machines!), and started crafting their own hash under the name RosinTech Labs. The team tells us why they chose Hashtek machinery all those years ago and never looked back:
“Through the licensing process, we set up our facility and equipped it with the award-winning equipment we have developed and curated. We selected Hashtek for our ice water extraction equipment because of their dedication to gentle and effective top-down trichome extraction. The core principle has always been to make the type of high-quality hash that we would smoke.”
They’ve since won numerous awards including 1st Place Rosin at Emerald Cup in 2022 for Poochie’s Papaya by Luma Farms and 1st Place Pre-Roll Deluxe at the 2023 Emerald Cup for their newer hash holes, featuring a flower mixture of Roswell 41 and Cali-O from Decibel Gardens paired with that award-winning Papaya rosin.
Machine-Washed vs. Hand-Washed Hash Yields at RosinTech Labs
The team over at RosinTech Labs provided us with some data on yields from recent washes. Washes under the “handwash” category were done in the Hashtek Hand-Wash unit, a stainless steel vessel designed for craft producers who still want to hand wash but without the use of plastic vessels. Washes under the “Hashtek” category were done in an A-Series unit.
Out of 16 test washes, 13 of them had a better yield with the Hashtek while only 3 had better yields from hand-washing in the ever-important 73u-159u category. The A-Series is performing so well for them that they’re adding two more units to their lab in the coming months!
Machine Washing vs. Hand Washing Hash: Which is Right For You?
In conclusion, the choice between machine-washed and hand-washed hash ultimately depends on your priorities and production goals as both methods have their unique advantages and potential drawbacks.
Here at Hashtek, we can help you get set up on either path! Our automated solventless extraction equipment leverages top-down agitation, allowing you to maximize yields with “free flow” runs as opposed to washing machine-style agitators that shear trichome heads and plant matter. We also offer a Hand-Wash Bundle with a 50-gallon agitation vessel and a 50-gallon collection vessel. The bundle is fully compatible with the A-series agitator allowing you to upgrade to fully automated washing if and when you are ready to do so.
Or, like RosinTech Labs and fellow Hashtek user TerpWizard, some makers will choose to run both machine-washed and hand-washed batches simultaneously. At the next Hashtek Solventless Seminar in LA on March 2nd and 3rd, you can learn both machine-washing and hand-washing techniques from the experts at RosinTech Labs. Sign up for our mailing list for first access to event info.