Butane Hash Oil, or BHO, is one of the most popular cannabis extracts on the market today. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the different types of hash oil made from butane, BHO extraction, and the hydrocarbon extractors used to make them.
What is BHO?
BHO stands for Butane Hash Oil. It is a concentrated marijuana extract made by pushing liquid butane through a tube or column packed with cannabis plant material. The acronym BHO refers to any concentrate that is extracted using butane. There are many products that are made using this technique, including Badder, Diamonds, Live Resin, Sauce, Shatter, Sugar, Wax and more.
Types of BHO Extracts
There are several different types of hash oil made from butane that can be used for various purposes. Each product is extracted the same general way, using butane to extract the cannabinoids, terpenes and other compounds out of the plant material, but different consistencies can be achieved by performing different techniques to the extract after extraction.
Badder – Badder has a soft, smooth consistency. Badder is a more malleable extract and can have a texture from butter to frosting, depending on how the extract was made. *For softer consistency extracts like badder, sometimes Propane is used in place of butane, to preserve terpenes and give a more viscous finish.
THC Diamonds – THC Diamonds are made by preserving the acidic form of THC in the extraction. In its pure form THCA can form crystals, or Diamonds and are some of the most potent forms of BHO.
Live Resin – Live Resin is made by extracting fresh flower that are newly harvested and flash-frozen. This freezing process traps terpenes that would typically be lost during the drying stage, creating an extremely aromatic BHO extract.
Sauce – Sauce is made in a similar fashion as THC Diamonds. A small amount of butane (usually about 10%) used to make the extract is left in the extract. The solution is then stored in a pressurized vessel to allow the cannabinoids to start forming into small crystals.
Shatter – Shatter is perhaps the most common BHO concentrate, but has lost popularity in recent years as more tech has come out to produce more connoisseur concentrates. Shatter has a hard, sticky consistency and is referred to as shatter as it can be broken like glass. Shatter is made simply by applying heat and vacuum to the solution after it has been extracted, and is one of the simpler products to produce.
Sugar – Sugar is a BHO extract that has a grainy, wet consistency. Many extracts can end up looking like sugar over time if not winterized as the fats coagulate, but BHO sugar is intentionally made to be of this consistency.
Wax – Wax has a similar consistency as Sugar, but is typically less “wet” and resembles ear wax.
BHO Extraction
As we mentioned, BHO extracts are made by flushing liquid butane over the cannabis plant material. BHO extraction can be dangerous, and it’s important to always perform the extraction on a certified system, in a controlled environment.
Closed loop systems are the safest way to extract BHO. Closed loop refers to an extractor that contains the process and gases within the extraction system. This means no butane will escape. Butane leaks can cause serious risks of fires or explosions, that is why it is important to always perform butane extraction in a C1D1 explosion proof room. C1D1’s circulate air to avoid the build up of gases, and have gas sensors, emergency shut offs, and other safety features.
As the butane is flushed over the plant material, it pulls out cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds from the plant material. This solution is then heated up to separate the majority of the solvent from the extract. The butane when heated will evaporate and can be reused to extract more cannabis plant material.
The extract is then ejected from the extractor and is ready to be finished into whatever BHO extract the processor is trying to produce. The remaining solvent will need to be removed from the extract, typically using a vacuum oven to apply heat and vacuum to evaporate off any residual solvent. Once the extract has been purged, the concentrates are ready for consumption!
Conclusion
BHO offer an incredibly potent experience when compared to traditional flower marijuana strains due to their high concentration levels of THC and other cannabinoids. They come in various forms such as shatter, wax, budder – each offering unique effects when consumed properly.
To produce these concentrates safely and efficiently, you will need to use professionally engineered, peer reviewed hydrocarbon extractors which flush pressurized hydrocarbons like butane or propane through cannabis plant material to produce pure concentrates free from any contaminants or solvents. If you’re interested in starting a butane extraction lab, reach out to us today!
