A translucent glass-like Solid Cannabis extract Is known as shatter. It is named so because it looks like it can shatter like glass. There is a specific processing technique through which the Cannabis extract has to go through that includes different solvents like butane and some other hydrocarbons to achieve this appearance of a shatter. Only when this processing is complete will it achieve the glass-like look? This shatter is very brittle, and the name is given because of its brittle nature. Very easy to break and can snap into pieces with a very light force. People who are a fan of dabbing find shatter In their favorite Cannabis product. It needs to go through a slow and careful manufacturing process for the shatter to be properly cured. A thoroughly cured shatter is always preferred over cannabis concentrates by dabbing enthusiasts. Most CBD and THC concentrates are liked for the benefits of highly concentrated Cannabis in a compact form. They are easy to vaporize or dab, and the user will have a better chance of getting all the benefits of Cannabis. This is the reason shutter is preferred over other forms when it comes to getting the maximum benefit out of it.
First, let us understand what shatter is.
A cannabis concentrate is a hard glass-like consistency that is brittle and easy to crack or shatter when trying to break apart, and this property of this concentrate gives it the name shatter. The color of the shatter is in shades of Amber or Gold. People who love to use concentrates often prefer to use shatter over other concentrates. The fact that the potential of shatter is believed to be more pure than other forms of Cannabis extracts. However, there is no research to prove that this theory is completely word of mouth. Only the users have claimed that shatter is better. The less agitated molecules of the extract at the time of production give it the appearance it has.
A Dab rig is a specialized water pipe that is usually used for dabbing shatter. In this flash, vaporization off of the pipe method is used To consume it. The reputation of being more potent is because of the Glassy, highly concentrated solid extract it is. However, in reality, the range of potency can vary depending on the composition of the chemical present in the source plan and the equipment and extraction techniques used to get it. It is seen that a high watermark or a Cannabis flower is anywhere around 20 to 30% presence of THC, but when it comes to shutter, this might have a higher percentage which is around 80 to 90% of THC.
How is it made?
There are more than one methods that can be used for producing shatter, but the most common way of doing it is by use in hydrocarbon solvents like butane. Butane extracts are also known as butane hash oil or BHO in short. The desired compounds like the THC and CBD are stripped away while the process of pushing hydrocarbons and butane through a tube containing Cannabis is carried out. This is how BHO is made. The concentrated oil that comes out of the process is collected and refined further by adding additional steps and techniques. Techniques like purging are used, which is a method of removing the residual solvent that is excess in the outcome with the help of a vacuum chamber, and another technique known as winterization, where lipids and fats from the oil are separated. There are a number of techniques that the concentrated oil has to go through to get the desired results. Different types of BHU and Shatter should not be made at home as they are extremely dangerous. The butane fumes are highly flammable, which makes it dangerous for a DIY setup at home. It should always have a proper environment where everyone is ready with safety in case of an accident. Many have already tried making BHO inside their homes, and have resulted in highly explosive accidents. To avoid this, it is better not to attempt and create BHO at home. It is better to make use of a professional setup where the closed loop system is installed so that in case of fumes generation, It stays away from the ambient environment. This is how a professional grade shatter should be created.
What is the difference between wax and shatter?
The solid glassy, appearing Cannabis extract is known as shatter, while the softer and malleable form of the extract is known as wax. The main difference between them is the texture and looks that come from the difference in molecular agitation while making both these. The molecules in the extract remain undisturbed, which gives the glass-like consistency to shatter, while in the case of wax, these molecules are agitated.
The potential of extract does not depend on the transparency level achieved during the production process. This means that it is not necessary that the THC content in shatter will be more than wax or the other way around. If the chemical composition or potency of a certain extract needs to be found out, then only a lab result on the product will determine the correct results.
Read this article too: Vapes: Distillate vs Shatter vs Live Resin vs CBD
The bottom line-
We have seen what a shatter is and how it is prepared. The translucent glass-like nature is just because of the difference in molecular agitation. The transparency or the texture is not going to determine the potential of a shatter. The potency depends on the chemical composition of the plant from which the extract is taken. So now you know what shatter is in detail. So you know the claim of having higher potential is just based on the user’s claims.