How Do You Smoke Shatter

Let’s start with a few buzzwords that you might hear in conversation at Fire & Flower when you’re shopping for a concentrate to purchase – shatter, wax, live resin, badder, and rosin. All of these are cannabis concentrates created through their own special extraction process. Enthusiasts and industry professionals have been producing these for several years. Shatter has been an all time cannabis consumer favourite for its texture, dabbing qualities, and effects.

We will be discussing shatter’s, otherwise known as Butane Hash Oil (BHO), production process and how to smoke it. Keep reading to learn more!

Shatter 101

Over the years, the cannabis scene has expanded and evolved. Artists and connoisseurs discovered new ways of producing and consuming their favourite flower. One new form of concentrate that developed was shatter.

Appearance-wise, shatter looks like glass made of honey with small holes distributed across the slab like swiss cheese. When consumers break off a piece to dab, it is not uncommon for it to shatter into a few pieces – hence its name. However, there are some varieties out there that provide a more taffy-like consistency. Shatter’s effects are potent because it is highly concentrated THC. Beginners should consume shatter slowly, and start with tiny pieces of the extracts to dab.

Shatter is usually a shade of brown like toffee to a golden-yellow amber. It depends on the strain, which also affects the aroma of the concentrate. If the colour seems off or inconsistent, there may have been a problem in the production process and should be avoided. 

Shatter is treated with higher heat, when extracted, so some of the terpenes will cook off. A freshly opened container of shatter might not provide you with the same initial smell you crave from flower or live rosin concentrates, but will still have a lingering cannabis aroma. Consumers note that when exhaling shatter smoke, the smell is considerably less funky and prefer the stealthy hit. 

How is Shatter Created?

The process of producing shatter is simple, but best left to the professionals.

Commercial grade shatter will be made by gathering dry cannabis that has been properly cured. A chamber in a medical-grade machine, called a closed-looped system, will be stuffed with the cannabis material. This column holds the cannabis product for the duration of the extraction. 

An ultra-chilled solvent (most commonly butane) is passed through the cannabis material slowly, which extracts its cannabinoids. These pulled cannabinoids make a solution that needs to then be purged. The “purging” process removes the solvents. Concentrate producers then cool the solvent tank to recapture and condense the solvent vapours.

To perform the purge, a vacuum oven is used at a very high temperature to evaporate the remaining butane, which leaves behind a thick, glass sheet of shatter. Shatter’s holes are created in this stage by bubbles forming during the evaporation process, popping, and leaving empty space from the once very cold extracted solution. This quick change in temperature creates a very brittle texture.

Commercial grows and cannabis companies are legally required to list their solvents on the packaging. The whole process is all very regulated for safety.

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The result? Take a look at our 8 Ball Kush for an amazing example of high-end shatter that has been perfected for excellent dabability. 

What is the Best Way to Smoke Shatter?

Given the consistency of this BHO, shatter must be smoked or dabbed at a higher temperature, between 199-260℃  (390-500℉). A dab rig will be a concentrate connoisseur’s first choice by nature. There are also dab pens for extracts as well. The neat thing about dab pens is that you can heat them to a selected temperature which is ideal for shatter. 

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That’s not to say it isn’t possible to smoke shatter in a joint of your favourite flower. It just might not provide you with the full potential of shatter’s effects. 

Tools for Smoking Shatter

Terp Pen 

This is one version of the original Nectar Collector, an e-straw for vaporizing shatter and other concentrates. It’s an easy to use brand that is low-key and uses isopropyl alcohol for cleaning. The only thing you’ll need is extra coils to replace once in a while which are fairly inexpensive. The price is comparatively cheap to $300 glass blown rigs. 

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The best part? The Terp Pen makes dabbing quicker. Take off the cap, point the coil toward your shatter, and inhale. Boom! That’s it. No waiting for the nail to heat up or cool down. No hiding your rig in a backpack because the pen is super low-key.

Glass Dab Rigs 

Glass rigs are popular with connoisseurs who are looking to taste all of those terpenes. With so many different types, you can dab from a donut rig, mini-sphere, or even a spool rig. When dabbing, make sure the nail is cooled down enough.

Puffco Vapes 

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Have you heard of the PuffCo brand, specifically the PuffCo vape?  This device takes away the difficulty for new users and experienced puffers alike. Simply load it with shatter and puff from the tip. 

PuffCo also offers a POPULAR option called the PuffCo Peak including pro edition. It’s an electronic rig that never burns and always gives you the absolute tastiest hits of terpenes.

How Do You Smoke Shatter?

Let’s explain how to smoke shatter from a rig:

Step 1 – Choose your shatter

Step 2 – Heat the nail (or e-nail) of the rig until red-hot in appearance 

Step 3 – DO NOT attempt to dab while at this temperature (426°C/800°F)

Step 4 – Start a timer for at least 30-60 seconds as the temperature will drop by half

Step 5 – Use a dab tool and place a SMALL piece of shatter into the nail

Step 6 – Place your mouth over the covering and inhale as you stir the shatter around with the dab tool

Step 7 – Finish the dab and clear the smoke from the chamber 

Step 8 – Pass it to your buddy!

Step 9 – When finished with each smoke session, be sure to always clean your rig with isopropyl alcohol

Conclusion

After reading, you should have the best answer as to, “how do you smoke shatter?” These same tips can be applied to other concentrates as well. Best of luck dabbing!