Just harvested my first-ever grow of GG4 and bc I have little patience, pressed freshly dried, uncured weed. Idk if I ever want to smoke any other concentrate again. The terps literally exploded in my mouth. What I tasted is only hinted at in commercially produced concentrates. My question is this: is it advised to press all the weed at once that you want from that harvest? Does it retain that amazing terp profile? Will silicone store it or dark glass? Any other advice? Oh yeah, and why is the fresh weed concentrate practically clear, but cured it's much darker...almost like the dried plant matter is desiccated so finely it's washed away in the oil. Thanks in advance- it's my first shot with my own grow. I had no idea of the lack of quality deemed acceptable, (or even "fire")at dispensaries. What a colossal ripoff and exactly what was expected with the legalization of weed. Shareholders. 😞

Howdy, so hash is a funny thing and flower and shake can be expensive especially if you’re doing larger runs and can break the pocket if you make the wrong move. Aside from the obvious of doing a test run, are there any subtle indicators of flower/shake quality that are a “make or break” for you when deciding what to run into bubble?

Is this okay to press? Using trim bin and after putting my trimmings and small nugs through the screen it’s super green.

some liquid gold. please don’t tell me i pressed too long or too hot or too hard or too anything. i know my flower:)

I feel like this should be a good thing, but I also know it's an election cycle.
Without going into presidential candidates, could anyone knowledgeable weigh in on the the implications this may have on cannabis in America, moving forward?

This is my little dish of 3 different rosins from different presses I've done lately.

The cakey almost hash looking rosin on the bottom started with the driest cured flower and is probably my favorite of the three.

The shiny ball to the right is from the super wet way too fresh that puked purple kool-aid that I posted here a few days ago. It was dried but not cured. Burns slow and quite smooth, but the taste isn't there. Maybe its in my head but I feel like it's the greenest and earthiest tasting. Probably least favorite.

And the brown glob up top is from the same cured flower as the first press, but WAY over hydrated with a banana peel.

Yes I learned my lesson. Please don't shout at me.

But it's surprisingly smooth and floral tasting. Overall I would stick to the hydration packs, but I was in a pinch.

Curious to know some of your thoughts

I want to share a helpful tip. If your hands or any other body part get covered and sticky from rosin while processesing or dabbing just take a little drop or so of olive oil, rub it in, then rinse with soap and water and you'll be like brand new. Definitely better for you than rubbing isopropyl alcohol on your skin like I've heard people doing.

Only takes a little bit and you'll immediately feel it working. And fyi Olive oil also easily removes grease from your skin as well.

I want to get a rosin press but i dont want to spend a lot of money. Who would have guessed.

First up. Ive made BHO one time in the past and I was pretty satisfied. So i dont care if im getting the best rosin or not, it gonna be better than BHO (atleast thats what seems to be the consens on reddit).

https://www.dabpress.com/collections/rosin-heat-presses-cannabis-marijuana-machine/products/small-rosin-heat-press-machine-starter-kits

Im aiming for something like the press above.
Just 4 threaded rods, 3 steel plates, a Jack and and the rosin plates.

Since im allready building a frame i wouldnt need to buy the expensive caged plates and could go for cheaper uncaged options.

https://dulytek.com/collections/retrofit-rosin-heat-presses/products/dulytek-retrofit-rosin-heat-plate-kit-3-x-4-inches-for-3-15-ton-shop-presses

Another option i found (i can only find it in german but the pictures should speak for themself).

https://www.ebay.de/itm/355613095299?chn=ps&_ul=DE&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1hv4XPZ8CSvCbl__M6DyTkg86&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=707-134425-41852-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=355613095299&targetid=1716911581119&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=9042873&poi=&campaignid=17943303986&mkgroupid=140642150118&rlsatarget=pla-1716911581119&abcId=9301060&merchantid=5311400007&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwuJ2xBhA3EiwAMVjkVBW-xv4874nlXKWn4HMu7OoN7FZItKnZcN2FGhKMhY_31Q7p8sfRIhoCFsUQAvD_BwE

It looks like cheap garbage but its half the price of the dulytek. The temperature would be adjusted with an external thermometer anyways so as long as the temperature is consitent I dont care. Its still just a heated Aluminium block.

Any opinions on this take?
Should i just go with plates from a known brand and avoid any headache that might occure?
I also dont like wasting money on cheap products only to upgrade them a year later.

The second part would be the Jack.
I can get a decent Jack with tüv for 25 bucks. So that seems like a nobrainer.
Swapping out the Jack later wouldnt be a problem with the frame design and its just 25 bucks.

A pressure gauge would be nice though but a cheap set of a hydraulic cylinder and a hand pump with pressure gauche cost at least 100€.
How important is a pressure gauge in your opinion?

My priorities would be:

1. Plates.
2. Frame.
3. Jack.

This should be a general discussion and maybe the start of a diy press thread for future builds.

So I know I could Google, but you guys seem to be pretty much in agreement about the right ways to do things. I promise, I value y'all's advice, experience and expertise.

So what the puck is left in the bag after the big smoosh? Is the remaining plant matter basically carbon? Could it be used for anything outside getting high/therapeutic benefits?

I'm curious like a cat, that's why my friends call me whiskers! Lol ;) iykyk

Cheers from Memphis!