March 08, 2022
Rosin is extracted from plants via heat and high pressures, more pressure than can be had via manpower. Thus, hydraulic or electric rosin press machines are required to produce high enough force to extract rosin, or live rosin if you are able to pre-freeze your plants.
But before we get into the best rosin press machines themselves (from hand-powered manual options to pneumatic to electric) let’s dig a little bit more into just what this sticky magic actually is.
Temperature plays a big role in determining the quality and yield and the ideal temperature is heavily dependent on the chemical makeup of the plants used.
If your flowers, dry sift, or hash is terpene-rich, a lower temperature is needed. This is because the terpenes squeezed out of the trichome glands during the initial press act as a natural solvent to facilitate the rosin process.
With fewer terpenes to play that role, you’ll need more pressure and heat to coax the cannabinoids out of the glands.
You may think that more heat will result in larger yields. This is not true! Using too much heat will burn off terpenes and other compounds that make rosin so sought after. You should stick to lower heat.
As soon as you finish your press, remove rosin from the plates as fast as possible. This will minimize any degradation of compounds like CBD and terpenes.
Dulytek DW4000 Handwheel Manual Rosin Press
Features:
The Dulytek rosin press achieves the desired pressure by turning a convenient handwheel on the side of the machine. The DW4000 has a 2.5-ton pressure for individual users, it features 2" x 4" solid aluminium panels, two independent microprocessor-controlled temperature and wood panels, and a sturdy handle that makes the machine easy to lift and move. Both plates are designed to heat up quickly and maintain a consistent temperature over their surface area throughout the extraction process. The press comes with a 3-conductor power cord, instruction manual, starter kit and rubber mallet for adhering the handwheel to the machine frame. This mallet can also be used with the hammer preload dies.
Features:
The Nugsmasher rosin press is a portable rosin press that’s just the right size to fit on any countertop or on the go. Two 2.5" platens are capable of withstanding 2 tons of pressure, making it an ideal extraction system for hashes of up to 5 grams or less. This means you can still do decent production even when away from the workplace. This Nugsmasher extractor can be easily operated manually via the pump arm and features a quick retract plate release. It also features dual heating elements and precise temperature control to ensure your product maintains exceptional quality. While many rosin presses require additional accessories, such as an air compressor, this is not the case with the NugSmasher Mini. Everything you need to start pressing is included in the box — just plug the device in, wait for it to heat up, and you can start extracting beautifully pressed rosin.
Remember, no two rosin presses will offer you the same quality. Each rosin press carries different properties and features that enable it to produce unique results.
So, before clicking that buy now button, you must research and figure out a few things to make a better decision.
First, identify the purpose of the purchase. Why are you investing in a rosin press? Will you use it for personal purposes or commercial production?
Next, estimate the hours that you will use the machine. However, do not forget to consider some rosin quality relevant factors too.
Depending on all of these, you will select an idealistic rosin press that suits your specific needs the best.
Here are some essential-most factors to consider when buying a rosin press:
Types of Rosin Press
Yes, rosin press has types too. Each rosin press uses a different technology to apply heat and pressure. Generally, there are five types of rosin press. These include:
Manual Rosin Press
As the title suggests, a manual rosin press requires a hand-crank or some twist-style instrument for pressure application. A manual version is the most affordable and portable rosin press you will ever find.
However, it produces a very minimal yield that is suitable for personal use but not commercial.
Pneumatic Rosin Press
The pneumatic rosin press is the latest and most advanced rosin press type that utilizes air to create pressure. Using it, you won’t have to do anything.
But, it will require an external air compressor for pressure application.
Overall, pneumatic rosin presses are easy to use and quieter in performance. They also provide a more even and efficient heat distribution.
Hydraulic Rosin Press
Hydraulic rosin presses use compressed fluids for pressure creation. It has a hand pump attached that you will need to move. But, the rosin press will do most of the work.
These hydraulic rosin presses produce considerable yields for both personal and commercial uses.
Electric Rosin Press
The electric rosin presses require no input from you. All you should do is plug the machine in the socket and let the press do all the work.
There is an integrated electrical pump that creates pressure when connected to an electric source. However, these rosin presses come at an incredibly hefty price.
DIY Rosin Press
Believe it or not but you can create a DIY rosin press all by yourself. If you have mechanical engineering skills and some high-quality tools, then building a rosin press is no difficult task.
However, you must be highly vigilant to ensure accurate heat, temperatures, and pressure.
Design & Build
The structure and construction of the rosin press matter a lot too. Aesthetics are something you would not evaluate in a rosin press. Instead, you would focus more on the hidden aspects.
For example, if you’ve limited space in your office, you need to consider the dimensions and measurements of the machine.
If you’re going to place the rosin press on a desk, then you need to consider its weight and the desk’s compatibility. Can the desk even support the weight, or you need to make separate arrangements?
Some people shift places a lot, or they simply prefer working in various places. In such cases, one should examine rosin presses with a more portable and easy-to-use build.
Heat Plate Quality
Heat and temperature play a very prominent role in quality rosin manufacturing. Poor heat can deteriorate the end-product quality and make results non-uniform.
So, to ensure the best only, you should be vigilant about heat plate quality. Heat plates conduct the heat across them. It is where you place the plants buds. The machine presses these heated plates, producing rosin.
Technically, rosin presses have either square plates or rectangular ones. Rectangle plates that are long and narrow produce idealistic results.
The maximized parameters and thinner profile lead to better yields. It also creates more potent and high-quality rosin.
Heat plates should also have uniform heat distribution so that the plants compounds melt to have lower viscosity.
A rosin press that allows you to have more control overheating and temperatures can help produce rosin with different viscosities.
Capacity & Yield
Different rosin presses have different capacities and yields. You must select one depending on the amount you want to produce.
Typically, a rosin press will produce rosin anywhere from a few grams to several pounds. If you manufacture rosin commercially, then opt for the highest capacity possible.
Also, purchase rosin presses that promise a minimum of 20-percent yield (with 35-percent being the ideal). Below this, your yield would practically be useless.
Break material down into 1/2” pieces, removing small sticks or stems. It is not advisable to grind material as it may adversely affect taste and color.
Yield is largely driven by the moisture content and the quality of the plants or plants concentrate being pressed. However, yield can also be improved by employing good pressing techniques, like creating a puck to focus the plate’s strike point, and taking 2 presses on each puck after the rosin has begun to flow.
Less press time and lower temperature produces less volume but better quality rosin.
If you do not get enough yield, try increasing the temperature.
You can do a second pressing of the same puck, but know that both volume and quality will suffer the second time around.
Be sure to use properly cured plants. Moisture is the enemy of good rosin.
Every plants strain is a little bit different, and this is where the art of rosin making comes in. Experiment first with a small amount to see how the strain you are using reacts. You are looking for a nice taffy-like consistency in your finished rosin.
Some people recommend pressing rosin on silicone mats but this is NOT good idea as silicone is not a good conductor of heat, which is essential to making quality rosin.
To make it easier to scrape up the rosin after pressing, place the parchment on a cold plate that has been chilled in the freezer for easiest scraping.
For best volume, put plants or concentrate on the parchment in the press and raise but don’t press to heat for a few seconds, then press for 30 seconds, lower it, then immediate press again. This allows the plant matter to redistribute to get a better press. Usually about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes will produce a good quality rosin.
If you are going to press for longer, use a lower temperature or your rosin could take on a toasty taste.
Use a lower temp for sift (hash or kief) of 150 to 180 degrees F.
Use higher temperatures when pressing hemp, up to 220 degrees F.
Gone are the days when you had to invest a fortune for bringing home an industrial-grade rosin press.
These affordable models can help you enjoy the fullest benefits of pressing plants.
You just need to make sure of the frame quality, safety features and resin quality for availing beautiful and tasty resins without going overboard with your budget.