Shatter vs wax, do you want to know the difference? Need help with what to choose between them? You have come to the right page! Your Elements will help you answer all of your questions and queries. We will also share tips on using and storing wax and shatter, so sit back, relax and read more!
What Is Dabbing?
Among different methods, dabbing with wax and shatter is the most common.
Dabbing is a method of consuming cannabis concentrates that involves heating the concentrate on a hot surface and inhaling the resulting vapour.
This method of consumption has become increasingly popular due to its potency and efficiency. It can contain up to 90% THC content, much higher than traditional cannabis flowers.
The growing popularity of dabbing among young adults involves consuming intense high concentrations of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical found in cannabis concentrates and butane hash oil.
Consumption of these products beyond your tolerance poses dangers. Even if dabs are taken in trace amounts, they can have adverse effects. Always consult a healthcare professional in your dabbing journey.
What Is The Difference Between Shatter and Wax?
A cannabis concentrate is approximately 60% higher than marijuana plants (i.e., high THC content). When we say “wax vs shatter,” what comes to mind? You might probably think they are the same, but NO! The significant difference between them lies in their appearance, texture and consistency.
Moreover, there are also other cannabis concentrate forms. Our primary focus of this article is to differentiate wax vs shatter, along with a few other cannabis concentrates.
The physical characteristics of (wax vs shatter) options determine their names.
Wax
Marijuana wax, sometimes called “ear wax” or simply wax is a cannabis concentrate from plant material. It is a sticky, amber-coloured, easy-to-handle opaque substance with a waxy texture.
Wax consistency resembles butter or, more like, the appearance of coconut oil. The final product of this coconut oil-type wax appears yellowy-brown, just like a piece of ear wax taken out from your ear canal, so it gets its name from ear wax.
Moreover, it is an amber liquid with high potency due to its high THC content. It is prepared by heating the THC oil; after it has been spread into a thin layer, the molecules are stirred and agitated, resulting in its opaque waxy texture. In the Purging process, solvents and other impurities are removed from the product.
Shatter
Shatter from plant material has a hard, glass-like texture. Its consistency is similar to that of rock candy. Often, it is in colour, gold or amber. The tightly packed molecules present in shatter make it transparent rock candy material.
Furthermore, the final product is a more pure form of the amber liquid as compared to wax. It is a highly potent drug.
When making shatter, a thin layer of concentrate is spread onto a surface and then quickly cooled to create a glass-like texture. Manufacturers use butane or hydrocarbon solvents to separate the beneficial compound from cannabis flowers or plant material.
Then, the purging process results in an oily extract that is pure and free from other cannabinoids and any residual solvents. High temperatures are often used during the purging process to evaporate any remaining solvents from the concentrated form. Carbon dioxide extraction is also a popular method for producing high-quality CO2 shatter.
Moreover, when heated to an intense high temperature, the result is then taken through a cooling process, resulting in the formation of amber glass, a highly potent shatter.
Wax vs Shatter: WHAT’S MORE?
Both wax and shatter are created by agitating the concentrate at the molecular level to produce a desirable product. In reality, wax and shatter are nothing more than honey oil after being cooled and dried.
What is CBD shatter?
While wax and shatter are typically made from THC-rich cannabis strains, CBD shatters are also available. The cannabidiol (CBD) strains of CBD shatter are incredibly high, while the THC content is negligible. CBD shatter is a byproduct of hemp flower with over 90% content. Remember to only avail these products from a reputable website like yourelements.co to ensure their quality.
For making shatter, the production process involves using butane oil as a solvent to extract CBD with trace cannabinoids and terpenes.
The extraction method is commonly called BHO (butane hash oil) extraction. This production process is the best way to get the most significant yield. Be careful, though, as this method can be extremely dangerous, and accidents may happen.
Moreover, there’s cannabis oil, too, obtained from a similar extraction method of hashish for medicinal benefits. Many use cannabis oil in dabs, vaping and other different medicines.
How Do You Use Shatter?
Place a small amount of the substance on a heated surface to use shatter. The smoke inhaled may give you high psychoactive effects. Shatter is akin to that crack pipes. You may use shatter pens for this purpose. You may also add it to various marijuana-infused food products.
Wax vs Shatter Caution
To maximize your concentrate usage, dab at a lower temperature. Dabbing at higher temperatures can burn the product. To prevent any loss of potency when using a jar, use a silicone storage container.
Additionally, thoroughly clean your dab rig after each use to avoid buildup or residue. For more precise temperature control, consider using an e-rig. Remember that some of this concentrate can go a long way, so start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed.
The molecular level structure of wax and shatter can influence their effects and flavour profile.
Butane Hash Oil (BHO)
Butane hash oil (BHO) is a highly concentrated form of marijuana prepared by extracting tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other cannabinoids from the leaves and cannabis flowers of the cannabis plant.
The extraction process used to produce butane hash oil (BHO), a concentrated cannabis extract, utilizes butane, a combustible solvent.
Unlike dried marijuana flowers, which typically contain about 25% THC, BHO can have as much as 80% THC or more. The duration of a gram of hash varies based on the frequency of consumption, lasting anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks.
The process is called BHO extraction, which uses liquid butane to remove terpenes and cannabinoids from cannabis plant matter. The cannabis plant matter, after removal by liquid butane, results in shatter or wax. Some people prefer solvents like carbon dioxide or ethanol instead of butane for safety reasons.
Wax and shatter are both a form of BHO, which you can dab. When vaporized, you can smoke vape or dab it using weed pens. They should be consumed with caution and only by experienced cannabis users.
Cannabis Plant: Source of Concentrates
The marijuana or cannabis plant has over a hundred distinct cannabinoids present, including THC, CBD, and CBG.
The primary psychoactive compound in marijuana plants is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol).
The plant matter found in these plants produces myriad benefits for the body and often use both for medicinal and recreational purposes.
Cannabis Extracts vs Cannabis Concentrates
Individuals often interchange “extracts” and “concentrates” to describe marijuana plant concentrates.
Cannabis extracts are concentrates made using a chemical process such as butane extraction. However, some think of “extracts” as products made with solvents but not those taken from plants with non-solvent extraction methods.
The term concentrates generally refers to all extracted plant-based products. However, to produce cannabis concentrate, users should remove the plant matter from marijuana or cannabis flower and use solvent to extract the resin.
Cannabis concentrates are very potent and come in different forms, such as wax, shatter, and oil, to name a few.
Manipulating the molecular level of cannabis concentrate requires precise control over factors like temperature, pressure, and solvent type. Do things responsibly and with caution in mind.
Why does shatter turn into sugar, budder, or crumble?
Marijuana shatter is a concentrated form that has a solid and glass-like texture, and it is usually see-through. Exposure to changes in temperature, humidity, or pressure can initiate nucleation, during which the molecules in the marijuana shatter start to form crystals and solidify, thus losing their glass-like texture.
This transformation can result in shatter turning into other concentrated forms like sugar, budder, or crumble with different textures and consistencies and some other types.
Budder is a cannabis extract that undergoes a whipping process during extraction. This whipping introduces air into the mixture, creating a creamy, smooth texture.
On the other hand, manufacturers produce crumble by purging the solvent from the concentrate at low temperature and pressure, which causes it to dry and crumble. Leaving a concentrate at room temperature or exposing it to high humidity can cause nucleation, resulting in the creation of sugar concentrate.
Shatter vs Wax: Choose the Right Cannabis Dab for Dabbing
There are many other forms of concentrated marijuana, but the most common form is wax and shatter. Choosing between these two forms, shatter and wax, ultimately goes down to personal preference. While both share similarities, other factors can affect your dabbing experience, which is where the story plays its part!
When making a choice, the first thing to consider is the texture. Shatter has a brittle and hard texture, whereas wax is soft and easy to manipulate.
Some people prefer wax because it tends to have a higher terpene content. Heating shatter at high temperatures can destroy its terpenes. Other than this flavour distinction, there are no significant differences between them.
Among other factors, shelf life matters. Shatter has a longer shelf life than wax due to its hard and brittle texture, making it less likely to degrade or lose potency over time. This makes it a better option for those who dab sparingly. Wax is more prone to drying out and losing its intensity over time.
What Are the Side Effects of Shatter?
Similar to all weed products, shatter may result in adverse reactions. The nature of the effects can differ based on the individual, their tolerance, shatter potency, and the mode of consumption. Many reported cases of dry mouth, dry eyes, dizziness, and rapid heart rate as side effects of shatter use.
In addition, shatter use may trigger anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations, particularly in individuals who are highly responsive to THC or consumed large amounts of shatter. Consuming a higher dose is not suitable for your health. When you try it, you may become addicted and find it challenging to withdraw later.
How should I store shatter?
Proper storage is essential to maintain the quality and potency of shatter.
The best way to store shatter is in a sealed, airtight container. Glass or silicone works well in keeping shatter. Though shatter has a longer shelf life than wax, storing it in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and heat, is still necessary. Exposure to light and heat can cause the cannabinoids and terpenes in the shatter to break down and degrade, leading to a loss of potency and flavour.
How Do You Use Shatter And Wax?
Manufacturers design tools or vaporizers specifically for concentrates like shatter and wax. Here’re the general steps for using shatter and wax:
- Set up your tools according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use the dab instrument to pick up a small amount of shatter or wax.
- Heat the dab nail or bowl of your rig with a butane torch until it’s hot enough for dabbing. If using a vaporizer, set it to the appropriate temperature for concentrates.
- Wait a few seconds for the nail or bowl to cool down, then place the shatter or wax onto it using the rig.
- Inhale slowly and deeply while holding the flame or heat source to the nail or bowl. Be sure to exhale slowly to avoid coughing.
- Clean your dab rig or vaporizer after each use to maintain performance and prevent buildup.
Note that dabbing can be intense and may not be suitable for everyone. Start with a trace amount of shatter or wax and gradually work up to avoid overdoing it. Smoking the marijuana plant is completely different from smoking shatter or wax. In smoking marijuana, you don’t need a dab tool!
Conclusion
Do your research to determine which concentrates best suit your specific needs and preferences. Seek advice and recommendations from a reputable local dispensary close to you. Buy from a trusted company like yourelements.co! Our website offers a wide selection of wax and shatter products, including different strains and potency levels.
