Rosin extraction has taken the cannabis world by storm, offering a pure, solvent-free way to enjoy your favourite herb. But let’s be real—pressing those frosty, top-shelf nugs can feel like a crime against your stash. So, what about shake? Can you squeeze some liquid gold out of those scrappy leftovers? Absolutely! But should you? Well, that depends.
This guide will take you through the ups and downs of pressing shake—because sometimes, it might just be better to roll a scud zoot and call it a day.
So…What is Shake?
Shake is like the crumbs at the bottom of a Doritos bag—leftovers, but sometimes still delicious. It’s made up of:
- Small broken pieces of cannabis buds
- Loose trichomes and kief (if you’re lucky)
- Tiny leaves and plant material
- The occasional, unwanted stem (nobody invited you, buddy)
Shake isn’t as potent as whole buds, but don’t write it off just yet—it still has some magic left in it.
Pros and Cons of Pressing Rosin from Shake
Pros
✅ Budget-Friendly – Shake is cheaper than premium buds, leaving you more money for snacks.
✅ No Waste, No Worries – Instead of tossing it, press it! Or, you know, roll a baseball bat-sized joint instead.
✅ Decent Yield (Sometimes) – If your shake is trichome-rich, you might just get a respectable return.
✅ No Chemicals, No Problem – Solvent-free extraction means you’re keeping things clean and green.
Cons
❌ Low Potency Potential – If your shake is mostly stems and sad little leaves, you might get more disappointment than rosin.
❌ Plant Matter Problems – Shake loves to bring along unwanted guests like leaf bits and debris, which can make your rosin less pure.
❌ Mediocre Yields – More plant matter = less rosin. A full bag of shake might get you a dab or two, so manage those expectations.
How to Press Rosin from Shake Without Ruining Your Day
If you’re going to do it, do it right. Here’s how to squeeze the best out of your shake.
Pick the Good Stuff
Not all shake is created equal. If it looks like the bottom of a lawnmower bag, pressing might not be your best bet. Go for shake that actually came from high-quality buds—extra trichomes mean extra rosin.
Use the Right Rosin Bags
Nobody wants a hot mess of plant matter in their dab rig, so use a filter bag. (as shown above)
- 90-120 micron bags – Good balance between yield and purity.
- Lower micron bags (25-75 microns) – Maximum purity, but you might squeeze out nothing but disappointment.
- Double-bagging – Helps prevent the dreaded blowout.
Pre-Press That Mess
Loose shake is a nightmare to press, so shape it up before the squeeze.
- Pack your shake into a rosin bag.
- Use a pre-press mould (or just squish it really hard with something heavy) to form a nice little puck.
- Less air = better extraction. Science.
Dial in the Heat & Pressure
This isn’t a George Foreman grill, so don’t crank the heat up to the max.
- Temperature: 180-200°F (82-93°C) – Just right for keeping those terps intact.
- Pressure: 600-1,500 PSI – Start slow, don’t Hulk-smash it immediately.
- Press Time: 90-120 seconds – Be patient. If you press too long, you might end up with dark, sad rosin.
Squeeze Gently, My Friend
Too much pressure too fast = rosin bag explosion. Go slow, apply pressure gradually, and keep things even.
- Light pressure for the first 30 seconds.
- Gradually increase pressure over the next 60-90 seconds.
- Hold steady pressure until the juice stops flowing. Like a Zen master, be one with the press.
Upgrade with Kief
Shake not cutting it? Sprinkle in some kief before pressing. It’s like adding bacon to a burger—just makes everything better.
- Higher yield – More resinous material = more rosin.
- Better potency – Extra trichomes boost strength.
- Smoother consistency – No more weird, sappy textures.
Collect & Store Like a Pro
Rosin fresh off the press is sticky AF, so use a dab tool to collect it.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Keep in a cool, dark place.
- Use silicone or glass jars to avoid a tragic sticky mess.
What Kind of Yield Can You Expect?
The million-dollar question.
- Whole buds: 15-25% yield (because they’re packed with trichomes).
- Shake: 5-15% yield (sometimes closer to 5% if you’re unlucky).
- Kief: 40-70% yield (because kief is basically cannabis fairy dust).
If your shake is on the lower end of the quality spectrum, you might end up with more parchment paper than rosin. Fair warning.
Rookie Mistakes to Avoid
- Pressing Trash Shake – If it’s mostly stems and fan leaves, just roll it up and smoke it instead.
- Skipping the Pre-Press – Loose shake = bad press = sad you.
- Overloading the Bag – More material ≠ more rosin. It just makes a mess.
- Cranking Up the Heat – High temps = burnt terpenes = rosin that smells like a tire fire.
- Forgetting the Filter Bag – You’ll end up with rosin full of green bits and regret.
Final Verdict: Worth It or Not?
Pressing shake can be a fun science experiment, but don’t expect to strike gold. If you have quality shake, it’s worth a shot. If your shake looks like dried lawn clippings, you’re probably better off rolling it into a scud zoot and calling it a day.
If you want top-tier rosin, stick to pressing whole buds or hash. But if you’re balling on a budget and feeling experimental, go ahead—squeeze the shake and see what happens. Worst case scenario, you’ve still got a joint’s worth left over.
Conclusion
Pressing rosin from shake is a low-risk, medium-reward endeavor. If you do it right—picking decent shake, using the right bags, pressing at the right temp—you can get a usable, tasty dab. If not? Well, there’s always rolling papers.
Time to get pressing—or rolling! Your call.