Concentrates are becoming one of the most popular cannabis products. Some experts predict that concentrates will take over flower within a few years. “What’s the difference between shatter and wax?” is a question that many people have when they first try concentrates. It’s critical to grasp what concentrates are before you can choose which type of cannabis concentrate is best. Looking to try something new? Check out this.
What Are Concentrates?
Cannabis concentrates are concentrated extracts derived from raw flower. THC levels in these concentrates are typically over 80%, making them considerably more powerful than even the world’s most potent cannabis flower. Instead of smoking a complete bowl or joint, a dab of these extracts will suffice to take you where you want to go. As a result, “dabbing” has become popular terminology for consuming cannabis concentrates.
How Are Concentrates Made?
There are several methods to extract cannabis concentrates. The most popular technique for extracting Butane Hash Oil (BHO) is by far the most widespread. To extract the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the cannabis plant matter, this method uses heat and butane. BHO is created by collecting the active components in a solvent such as alcohol or acetone while eliminating the butane from it. When compared to wax, where does this difference begin?
What Is Wax?
Wax is also difficult to detect in cannabis concentrates, but there are a few more concentrates that look similar. Wax has a shade somewhere between peanut or almond butter. The consistency is waxy, as the name implies, but less like peanut butter and more like solid-state coconut oil. Wax, like shatter, may be very powerful with an THC concentration of up to 80%.
How Wax Is Made
Wax is often referred to as BHO (butane hash oil) wax because it, too, is manufactured using solvents like butane. Essentially, cannabis THC oil is heated to a certain temperature and agitated in the process, resulting in that distinctive opaque appearance and waxy texture.
Shatter and Wax Dabs
The term “BHO” refers to any concentrates that have been created through butane extraction — it’s the umbrella term for shatter wax and all other sorts of extracts.
Cannabis concentrates, in particular wax and shatter, are two of the most popular. Both are made using similar procedures. The equipment and starting material are comparable, however minor variations in processing generate extracts with distinct textures, consistencies, and potency levels that we’ll go through next.
Characteristics of Shatter
This ultra-concentrated extract comes in a wide range of hues, ranging from light to dark amber, and has a high terpene content as well as excellent flavor and fragrance. In appearance it resembles thin and cracked glass; yet it is sturdy enough to be broken with very little effort. Shatter is created in a closed-loop system by blasting plant material with solvent, removing terpenes and cannabinoids. The removed solvents are then purged out of the final product, which should have a glass-like appearance after spending anywhere from 45 minutes to a full day heated at high temperature in a vacuum oven.
Shatter is not for the faint of heart. With a short period of time, it has a high THC concentration (80-90 percent). Look for shatter that’s light in color, clear in texture, and meaty in taste if you’re considering it. Avoid dark, discolored (or unevenly colored) shatter since this might indicate an error in the manufacturing process.
Wax is made in a closed-loop system like shatter, except it’s heated at a far lower temperature and whipped to form whipped topping or icing. The end result is typically light to medium golden brown in hue, has a milder flavor and aroma, and is dry and crumbly in texture. Wax’s tone becomes somewhat lighter owing to the whipping process, however it isn’t as durable as shatter. It won’t endure as long under the heat of a dab torch.
Shatter vs. Wax
In conclusion, shatter and wax are two types of cannabis concentrates that may help you achieve a stronger high. Shatter is generally the most powerful, but it needs considerable expertise. Is shatter more powerful than wax? Actually, when compared to wax, wax has similar THC concentrations with a different texture and color. So in the end, it’s just a matter of personal preference.