Concentrates are becoming one of the fastest growing sectors of the cannabis industry, and crumble wax is among the most popular types. This unique cannabis product offers a number of benefits including a robust flavor profile and high potency. Read on to learn about what crumble wax is, how to use it, and why it's so well-loved by cannabis users.
What is Crumble Wax?
Also known as honeycomb wax or just crumble, crumble wax is a type of cannabis concentrate that differs greatly from other extract types. While concentrates like shatter have a sticky, stretchy consistency, crumble is as it sounds. It’s dry and it crumbles into a powder with very little effort. This is due to the unique purging method used in the manufacturing process. Crumble wax ranges in color between pale and deep yellow and can reach potency levels of up to 90%. Like all concentrates, a little goes a long way.
Benefits of Crumble
Preparation method: Crumble is purged at a lower heat using longer vacuum times which may preserve more terpenes compared to shatter and other types of concentrates. More terpenes can lead to a better flavor profile and may even offer additional wellness-promoting properties.
Efficiency: With concentrates like crumble wax, even consuming very small amounts can result in powerful effects. Compared to dry flower, you can consume much less product and still enjoy a strong high. As always, caution is advised for novices and even experienced smokers when using concentrates.
Highly versatile: When it comes to consuming crumble wax, you have a wide variety of options. It can be smoked, dabbed, vaped, and incorporated into edibles.
How is Crumble Made?
The process of making crumble wax is similar to that of other extracts like BHO. Cannabis is harvested then frozen or preserved with liquid nitrogen or dry ice to retain the freshness of the compounds. It is then loaded into a closed-loop system and extracted using a solvent, typically butane. This solvent separates the lipids, cannabinoids, and terpenes from the rest of the plant matter. While many manufacturers have begun to use supercritical CO2 rather than butane to produce a cleaner product, CO2 extraction will likely result in a stickier final product that doesn’t resemble crumble. The extracted material is then cooled to separate the waxes and fats from the cannabinoids and terpenes.
The final step in creating crumble wax is what results in its unique dry and crumbly properties. To remove any residual butane, also known as purging, the extract is poured out onto trays and placed in specially-designed vacuum ovens and heated at low temperatures (110° F-135° F/ 43.3° C to 57.2° C) for an extended period, usually 1 to 3 days. Other types of concentrate may be purged at higher temperatures for less time, which can impact the terpene and cannabinoid profile. For a texture that is lighter and more airy than shatter or other concentrates, crumble wax is also typically whipped at high speeds.
Can You Make Your Own Crumble?
Making most cannabis extracts at home is not advisable. Many amateur extractors have caused accidents that have resulted in property damage, injury, and even death due to improper handling and uncontrolled conditions. If you’re looking for a solvent-free extract to make at home, check out our post on how to make bubble hash.
The best cannabis concentrates come from reputable manufacturers who produce their product in a controlled laboratory setting. Using flammable solvents like butane carries a high risk and should be reserved for professionals only. Professional extractors also employ quality control methods including thorough lab testing to ensure their products are free from contaminants and residual solvents.
How to Use Crumble Wax
One of the many benefits of crumble wax is its versatility. There are a variety of ways to consume crumble including:
Dab it
The most popular way to use crumble is to dab it. Dabbing crumble wax employs the same process as other concentrates: Use your dabber to pick up a small portion of the wax, heat the nail to the proper temperature (lower temperatures help preserve the flavor of cannabis terpenes) and dab away! Keep in mind that crumble’s texture can make it difficult to adhere to the tip of a dabber. If you plan on dabbing crumble wax regularly, you may want to invest in a dabber with a spoon tip.
Alternatively, you can slightly heat your dabber before dipping it into your crumble stash. The crumble will melt slightly and stick to the tip so you can easily apply it to the nail. Keep in mind that dabbing typically promotes extremely strong effects. If this is your first time dabbing, exercise caution and moderation.
Smoke it
While crumble isn’t ideal for smoking on its own, it can be added to dry flower in a bong or bowl to pack a more potent punch into your smoke session. You can also add it to a blunt or joint to enjoy enhanced flavor and effects.
Vape it
If your vape is designed with the ability to add concentrates, simply add some crumble to the chamber and vape away. Vaping crumble tends to be more efficient than smoking it, and can bring about profound effects, similar to dabbing. Again, practice caution if you are new to using concentrates.
Eat it
Making edibles with cannabis concentrates is becoming more popular now than ever, and it’s easy to see why. The extraction process typically decarboxylates the cannabis in advance, meaning you don’t have to go through the lengthy process of decarbing, steeping, and straining plant matter when you create your edibles. All you have to do is heat up a fat like coconut or olive oil in a pan at low temperatures, sprinkle in your desired amount of crumble, and allow it to dissolve. Then simply incorporate your cannabis-infused oil into the dish of your choice!
Remember, precious terpenes and cannabinoids (all the good stuff) can be lost when heated at high temperatures. Consider incorporating your oil into a dish that is prepared using little to no heat, such as hummus, pesto, or even a smoothie.
Pick up some crumble wax on your next trip to the dispensary to experience the benefits of this unique cannabis product for yourself!