Ultimate Guide to Consuming Cannabis Concentrates

Nowadays, there are seemingly endless ways to consume cannabis. Many swear by good old flower, while others prefer edibles or vapes. Concentrates are becoming more and more popular, with everything from hash to shatter available at dispensaries. But newcomers to extracts may wonder how to smoke hash. Fortunately, it’s a fairly simple process.

If you’re curious about the wide world of hash, this guide is for you. There are many hash products out there, and ways to consume them. Read on to find out more.

What is hash?

Hash, short for hashish, is a highly concentrated cannabis product. The term typically refers to a type of cannabis extract made by separating the trichomes (aka resin) from the plant and pressing them together. The trichomes contain active ingredients like THC, making hash extremely potent. 

Cannabis trichomes under magnification

Hash has been around for hundreds of years. The earliest versions, known as charas, were believed to originate in northern India and Nepal. Early cannabis growers would rub fresh plants by hand, resulting in resin sticking to their palms. The resin would then be removed to smoke. 

This method of production remains in some parts of the world. In other places, manufacturing cannabis concentrates has become more sophisticated. 

There is a divergence of opinion with regard to what constitutes “hash” on the modern marijuana market. Some argue only concentrates created with heat, water, and/or pressure are hash. Others may call any type of concentrate hash, including extracts made with solvents like butane. 

Types of hash

As previously mentioned, there are many different forms of hash available today. Here are some of the most prominent, from old-school to modern.

Charas

Dried cannabis for making charas in Himachal pradesh

Charas are one of the earliest forms of cannabis extract. It’s made by rubbing your hands against cannabis plants. The trichomes stick to your hands, which you then rub together to remove.

Hashish

Hashish is similar to charas in how it’s made, except it uses harvested cannabis plants or flower. You may rub the buds together or scrape them against a screen to collect the resin. There are many varieties of hashish, and it’s popular throughout the Middle East.

Hashish

Temple ball

Temple balls were one of the first hash innovations. By the 15th century, hashmakers started sifting the kief (aka the trichomes) from cannabis before rolling it into a shiny, dark brown ball. The product was purer and potent, and therefore, more desirable.

Dry sift

Speaking of kief, dry sift is kief made using special pollen-collecting boxes. Some producers use high-tech static-electricity machines to produce high-quality dry sift, but it can be made with just a screen.

Hash Mountain

Bubble hash

Also known as ice water hash, bubble hash is made with frozen cannabis material that is “washed” in ice water to separate the trichomes.

Ice water or bubble hash

The trichomes are then sent through fine screens to remove any residual plant material. The bubble hash is then dried for consumption or to make rosin.

Rosin

Rosin is created using heat and pressure. Cannabis flower or hash is placed between parchment paper and squeezed with a warm hydraulic press. The liquid is then cooled and dried to consume. Some people make their own rosin at home using a hair straightener.

Rosin dripping or squishing out of a rosin press for solventless extraction

Butane hash oil

Unlike the other forms of hash on the list, butane hash oil (BHO) is made using a solvent as opposed to water, heat, or pressure. Cannabis flower is placed into a machine where solvents strip away the trichomes and other active ingredients. Residual solvents are then removed, resulting in hash products that may resemble badder, wax, sauce, or other forms.

How to smoke hash

There are many ways to consume hash. Whether added to a joint or inside a dab rig, here’s a quick overview of how to smoke hash.

With flower

If you’re wondering how to smoke bubble hash or dry sift, this may be one of the easiest methods.

The concentrate can be flattened like a pancake and placed on a bowl or rolled like a snake and placed inside of a joint. If you’re working with dry sift, you may sprinkle it on top of the flower. Can substitute tobacco for cannabis if you wish to smoke a spliff.

Chillum

A chillum is a special pipe with a conical shape often used in traditional hash ceremonies. The bowl is often wide and may be smoked for a longer time than a simple dab.

Under glass

This is a rather old school way to smoke hash, where the concentrate is rolled into a small bowl and placed on the end of a pin. Light the ball then blow it out as if you were lighting incense. Then place a small jar over the smoldering hash and allow the area to fill with smoke. Lift one edge and use a straw to inhale. This method works best with hashish or bubble hash.

Hot knives

Another rather rudimentary consumption method is hot knives. Considered by some to be the original dab, the practice sees two butter knives heated on a stove. A small piece of hash is sandwiched between them, creating vapor which is inhaled. 

Dab rig

A dab rig is similar to a bong. It has a removable quartz bowl called a banger, which is heated to high temperatures using a blow torch or an electric heating element. The banger is submerged in isopropyl alcohol or wiped out after every “dab.” This is necessary since most forms of cannabis concentrates are very sticky and leave undesirable residue behind. This method is best for BHO or rosins.

E-rig

An e-rig, or electric dab rig, is an all-in-one device that features a heating element, integrated banger, and glass chamber for water. They have pre-set temperatures to choose from, although some offer customization. E-rigs are touted for their portability and convenience. 

Nectar collector

A nectar collector is an elaborate quartz straw used for consuming concentrates. One end is heated and pressed against hash, producing vapor that is inhaled at the other end. Much like dab rigs, electric versions of the dab straw have emerged.

Hash smoking accessories

If you’re going to dab with a rig or device, there are a number of handy accessories you may want to consider adding to your arsenal. Here are some of the top picks.

Dab tool

A dab tool is used to scoop hash from a container to place into a banger or e-rig. They are extremely helpful as they prevent you from getting burned or ending up with sticky fingers.

Dab mat

Smoking hash can be a messy business. Dab mats protect your table or countertop and provide a safe space to store tools, containers of oil, or iso.

Carb cap

While not required for dabbing, a carb cab will help concentrate air flow in a banger to provide a bigger hit.

Terp pearls

Terp pearls are tiny beads you place in a banger or e-rig chamber. They help distribute the oil for a more even hit.

Banger bucket

Perfect for a long sesh, a banger bucket is a double basket used for isopropyl alcohol. The inner basket acts like a strainer; when your banger is clean, you can easily lift the inner basket up to drain the liquid. The banger is then wiped dry and used again.

E-nail

An e-nail heats a banger using an electric source. They provide consistent heat at a set temperature and are safer than a blow torch.

Dab Rite

People who want the even heating of a torch but a consistent temperature use a Dab Rite, which reads the temp coming off of a banger. When the desired temperature is reached, the Dab Rite will alert the user.

The hash experience

Hash is beloved thanks to its cerebral, stoney effects. Master hashinin Frenchy Cannoli said smoking hash was like being wrapped in a warm blanket next to a cozy fire. It often provides a more terpene-forward flavor, capturing the pure essence of cannabis without the plant material.

Piatella hash

It’s important to note that hash is a concentrated form of cannabis and has higher concentrations of THC than flower. This can make it extremely potent with intense psychoactive effects, so always start low and go slow. Some people report side effects from hash, including elevated heart rate and perspiration (sometimes called dab sweats). Cannabis newbies should proceed with caution.

Final thought

Cannabis concentrates have existed for hundreds if not thousands of years. From ancient charas to live rosin, there are many different extracts in the world today. 

When researching how to smoke hash, there are almost as many consumption methods as there are forms to choose from. What you pick is mostly up to personal preference, although certain types of hash perform better in a chillum versus a dab. As you explore the wide world of hash, you’re certain to find the consumption method that works best for you!