Bubble time..

[Uncle Ron]

Let me ask you bubble experts out there a deep, philosophical question - what's the difference between the trichomes from a first wash and a second wash?
I've read (too) many times about how the first wash provides a better quality result than a second wash. I would argue that this is BS and I'll explain my theory, in the form of an analogy.
I have a blade from a cannabis leaf. This blade is processed and all of the trichomes are removed after the first wash. This is labeled as top quality full melt and all that...
I have a blade from a cannabis leaf. This blade is processed but not all trichomes were removed after the first wash. The reasons can be many, from the blade wasn't fully immersed in the water, the water wasn't cold enough, trichomes were trapped in plant matter, or whatever. So, a second wash if performed and the trichomes that are extracted are labeled as being inferior to the trichomes in the first wash. Huh?
Now, can/will someone explain to me how this can be? Using science goes a long way, conjecture will be flushed... just saying.

I for one don't judge the quality of trichome based on how easy or difficult it may be to separate it from plant matter. Just doesn't make sense, none at all...
Enlighten me...
Happy trails...

[Kermit]

First i am no expert just time served before i get shot down, i dont read books and rarely the internet regarding anything to do with weed/hash production, so anything i know is from getting stuck in and having a go.

I would say it is slightly important to have a decent trich to start with but not major, the difference between first and second wash for me is just the amount of green material you get in it. After doing your first run where most trichs would have been removed there is going to be a break down of the trim material so the second wash is going to start taking very small green bits on board from beating the leaf material. This results in a lighter end product to the first run and also no where near as strong mainly due to the green material being taken on board (EXAMPLE OF 2nd wash for me is PARADOX ICEO)

Hope this makes sense, but short is your freeking right but forgot to take into account the material breakdown in the ice water which affects the 2nd runs quality.

[Uncle Ron]

First i am no expert just time served before i get shot down, i dont read books and rarely the internet regarding anything to do with weed/hash production, so anything i know is from getting stuck in and having a go.

I would say it is slightly important to have a decent trich to start with but not major, the difference between first and second wash for me is just the amount of green material you get in it. After doing your first run where most trichs would have been removed there is going to be a break down of the trim material so the second wash is going to start taking very small green bits on board from beating the leaf material. This results in a lighter end product to the first run and also no where near as strong mainly due to the green material being taken on board (EXAMPLE OF 2nd wash for me is PARADOX ICEO)

Hope this makes sense, but short is your freeking right but forgot to take into account the material breakdown in the ice water which affects the 2nd runs quality.

Thank you Kermit for taking the time.
So my theory isn't necessarily off, it has to do with contaminants and not the trich itself.
With 5, 6, 8, or even 12 bags, one would think that these contaminants would be screened out long before they get to the supposed sweet spot of 73-120mics.
So an important lesson to be learned is to get all of the trichs the first time around... but how would one know for sure? a paradox...
Happy bubbling...

[SloWhite]

IMO there is no need for a 2nd run if you get a proper run the 1st time. I never got anything worth while from a 2nd run, waste of time..

If your going to buy bags Ron, def get the 8bag kit...

[Uncle Ron]

Hey Slo, thanks for the recommendation, always welcomed...
A couple of years ago I was thinking about using bubble bags, so as any good stoner would do, I did my research.
I found many different combinations of bags, quite puzzling to be honest.
Here are the eight most popular sizes - 220/190/160/120/90/73/45/25.
The 220, 190, and 160 are used primarily as trash collectors, filtering out plant matter and the like. From what I gather, the material that is captured in these three bags is still very potent. I for one would be enjoying their loveliness.
From mentioned research, I found that many consider the sweet spot to be between 120 and 73. If I were to take this literally, I would only need 160, 120, 90, 73 (and 25). Why bother with the rest if the sweet spot is between 120 and 73? Personal choice is a rational and acceptable explanation... The only reason I would choose a 25 bag is quite simple - I've seen many pictures of trichomes that would've been wasted if the screening were stopped at 73. Waste not, want not...
Five or eight, I suppose it comes down to how much money I'm willing/able to spend. Maybe I'll start at a five bag system and go from there...
Happy bubbling, bub...

[Slip & Sal]

do you chill or freeze the weed first?

[SloWhite]

Hey Slo, thanks for the recommendation, always welcomed...
A couple of years ago I was thinking about using bubble bags, so as any good stoner would do, I did my research.
I found many different combinations of bags, quite puzzling to be honest.
Here are the eight most popular sizes - 220/190/160/120/90/73/45/25.
The 220, 190, and 160 are used primarily as trash collectors, filtering out plant matter and the like. From what I gather, the material that is captured in these three bags is still very potent. I for one would be enjoying their loveliness.
From mentioned research, I found that many consider the sweet spot to be between 120 and 73. If I were to take this literally, I would only need 160, 120, 90, 73 (and 25). Why bother with the rest if the sweet spot is between 120 and 73? Personal choice is a rational and acceptable explanation... The only reason I would choose a 25 bag is quite simple - I've seen many pictures of trichomes that would've been wasted if the screening were stopped at 73. Waste not, want not...
Five or eight, I suppose it comes down to how much money I'm willing/able to spend. Maybe I'll start at a five bag system and go from there...
Happy bubbling, bub...

I hear ya on the money part!

Check this out so you have a idea..

small light = 120
large light = 73
large dark = 45
small dark = 25
* notice that the 45mc ball is the largest, 45 bag is one of my most used..*
The first run i had the 90 in there, the 120 was nice, the 90 was REALLY nice and the 73 stright goo. Pull the 90 out on the 2nd run to combine my 2 best bags and get a awesome pull. (the 73mc)

[SloWhite]

do you chill or freeze the weed first?

Yes right from the plant to the freezer..

[Uncle Ron]

Nice pic Slo. Those are very tasty looking. What would you call them - balls of destruction?
I still ask myself if the investment in buying these bags is worth it, even in the long run?
Seeing your results makes for a great argument in favor, however access to trim is sporadic at best and pretty much nullifies the purchase.
I suppose I could always borrow a set of bags if I ever have enough trim for a wash.
In the mean time, I'll continue to make BHO and QWISO (grain alcohol).
Keep posting the bubble porn Slo, makes for a good slideshow.

Happy bubbling ya bunch of bubble heads...

[ZBeebs]

That's some nice looking stuff you got there. I'm thinking a set of bags is in my future.

What's the consistency and texture? It looks like hard rocks, but looks can be decieving. Is it sticky, does it melt just by touching it? How do you smoke it?

Have you made bubble and BHO from the same starting material? I'd love to know how the smoke compares.

[SloWhite]

That's some nice looking stuff you got there. I'm thinking a set of bags is in my future.

What's the consistency and texture? It looks like hard rocks, but looks can be decieving. Is it sticky, does it melt just by touching it? How do you smoke it?

Have you made bubble and BHO from the same starting material? I'd love to know how the smoke compares.

All those are soft, the lighter the softer. The lighter the more sticky also, so sticky that it will go from pretty much dry to stuck all over your hand in 20-30sec..

[treetop]

do you chill or freeze the weed first?

Yes right from the plant to the freezer..

Thanks for the posts slo. I'm looking to something with some trim one of these days. I heard it was vital to dry the trim before freezing it tho.

Or is that for a different kind of product?

[Cisco]

It's advised to freeze your trim fresh rather than dry

[SloWhite]

do you chill or freeze the weed first?

Yes right from the plant to the freezer..

Thanks for the posts slo. I'm looking to something with some trim one of these days. I heard it was vital to dry the trim before freezing it tho.

Or is that for a different kind of product?

You want dry trim for BHO, as far as bubble fresh is the way to go. I have done it both wet and dry and the wet works much better..

[Prestoned]

IMO there is no need for a 2nd run if you get a proper run the 1st time. I never got anything worth while from a 2nd run, waste of time..

Is that due to quality or quantity, or both? I used a big spoon for the first mix, then the drill and mixing bit from the second, which looks about just over half as much as the first by hand. Im ages away from having some fresh trim to use. I just hope someone brings me some fresh trim and doesnt dry it for me first.

I take it you dont chop those balls up when drying them?