A Helpful Guide to Shatter Concentrates

Butane or CO2 extraction may be utilized in the creation of cannabis concentrates such as shatter. It is typically available in a range of colors, including clear, amber, dark amber, honeycomb, light green, and transparent, and contains more THC than wax. This blog post explains everything you need to know about it and how to acquire some.

What is Shatter?

Shattered cannabis extract is recognized for its spectacular look. This beautiful concentration resembles stained glass in that it is neither fully opaque nor fully transparent. It derives its name from the fact that it is brittle and can shatter like glass. It fluctuates in color from dark amber to pale yellow, like vegetable oil. Shatter, commonly known as shatter wax, is created from a cannabis plant essential oil extract including cannabinoids, terpenes, and other chemical compounds.

Concentrated Cannabis: What Are They?

During the manufacturing of shatter and other concentrates, cannabis plant material and solvents are combined. Cannabis concentrates are produced by passing a solvent, such as butane, hexane, isopropyl, or carbon dioxide, over finely ground cannabis material. Cannabinoids and terpenes, which give cannabis flowers their distinctive aroma, are both present in the extracted oils (THC and CBD). The procedure produces a thick cannabis oil that is frequently golden or amber in color and contains the chemically active components of the plant.

However, alternative solvents such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or ethanol can also be used to make concentrations. Other cannabis concentrates, such as wax and honey oil, are made via CO2 extraction, but shatter's characteristic texture would be lost when the plant material's moisture content is removed.

After heating and vacuuming the oil to remove the solvent, it is chilled. This process yields a cannabis concentrate that can be turned into shatter, wax, crumble, honeycomb, sap, budder, and live resin, among others.

The cannabinoid content of cannabis extracts may exceed 90 percent.

What Distinguishes Shatter?

Shatter is the sole solid form of concentrate, although other than its solidity, there are little differences between shatter and other forms of concentrate. In terms of recreation, they all perform the mission.

Due to the molecules in cannabis oil, marijuana shatter concentration is opaque. Shatter is formed from an extract with molecules stacked in neat, vertical rows one on top of the other. This molecular arrangement lets light pass through and refract within shatter, giving it a glassy appearance.

It is essential to remember that heat, moisture, and a high terpene concentration can alter the extract used to create shatter, causing the concentrate to become runnier and resemble sap while preserving its translucent qualities.

Other concentrations, such as wax, are created via mixing, whipping, or other agitation techniques. In addition, by doing so, the molecules in the concentrate are agitated, which contributes to its cloudy or opaque look.

Terpenes and Cannabinoids

Shatter is one of the best marijuana concentrates for preserving the cannabinoids and terpenes of the original plant material due to the fact that it is hardly processed. In comparison to other concentrates, shatter is notoriously potent.

For those who believe that less is more when it comes to getting high, shatter is the preferred alternative.

How to Make Use of Shatter

Cannabis concentrates are a rapid, effective, and smoke-free method of cannabis consumption. As with other cannabis concentrates, cannabis shatter is frequently vaporized or "dabbed" in a pipe, vaporizer, or other device.

Using shatter in a vape pen requires a device designed to operate with marijuana extracts such as wax or shatter. These vaporizers utilize an atomizer or heating element that rapidly heats and vaporizes shatter. Similar to other marijuana concentrates, shatter should be introduced into the chamber of your vaporizer. When the atomizer heats your shatter, it will swiftly melt and transform into vapor, which you will then inhale through the mouthpiece of the vape.

Dabbing is the most common method for consuming marijuana shatter. Pieces of shatter are placed or "dabbed" on a heated object, such as a titanium, ceramic, or quartz bucket, when dabbing. When it comes into touch with a hot surface, cannabis shatter evaporates rapidly. When you push shatter against a hot surface, you inhale the vapor through the water chamber of the dab rig.

The Advantages of Shatter

A significant advantage of shatter is that it is a cannabis extract that can be maintained in the freezer for a lengthy amount of time and still perform effectively for dabbing or vaporizing after removal. Nonetheless, shatter must be used within two years of melting.

Unlike other concentrates, which must be cooled and used immediately because they deteriorate when exposed to high temperatures for an extended period, this one must be used immediately since it degrades when exposed to high temperatures for an extended period.

Because it lacks water, shatter cannabis concentrate is less susceptible to oxidation than other marijuana concentrates. As a result, the active ingredients in cannabis shatter concentrate will remain longer. Shatter is considered a stable cannabis extract since its consistency remains unchanged throughout the cannabis concentrate's entire shelf life.

The Origins of Cannabis Shatter 

Shatter can be traced back to the traditional method of hashish production. BudderKing, a Canadian cannabis company, marketed shatter concentrate for the first time in the late 1990s, but it wasn't until around 2003 that it began to appear often at dispensaries.

In the 2010s, the product had established itself as a staple in concentrates. It was formerly a status symbol among dabbers and concentrated users, with many stating, "If it doesn't shatter, it doesn't matter."

Final Reflections

Shatter cannabis is an excellent alternative if you're looking for a cannabis concentrate with a high THC content. This potent cannabis extract can be kept in the freezer indefinitely after being removed from storage and is still appropriate for dabbing or vaping. Due to its decreased water content, it is less susceptible to oxidation than other concentrates, meaning that its active ingredients will not degrade as quickly, making it more durable than other marijuana concentrates over time.

If you're looking for more ideas about shatter concentrates, feel free to check this blog from Helping Hands Cannabis.