{"id":9563,"date":"2022-11-27T23:45:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T07:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mobiustrimmer.com\/en-ca\/?p=9563"},"modified":"2025-04-16T14:57:36","modified_gmt":"2025-04-16T21:57:36","slug":"how-to-grind-your-cannabis-and-hemp-for-extraction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mobiustrimmer.com\/en-ca\/how-to-grind-your-cannabis-and-hemp-for-extraction\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grind Cannabis for Extraction: A Comprehensive Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The cannabis extract sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the evolving landscape, estimated to reach a value of $56.61 billion by 2032<\/a>. Unfortunately, with great opportunity comes great competition. To stand out in this landscape, cultivators and manufacturers must produce the highest quality extracts, combining flavor and potency for perfect concentrates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure a high-quality extract, most companies grind their flower into smaller pieces. However, it\u2019s crucial to attain the right particle size in preparation for the extraction process depending on your method. Grinding plant material too small can result in a low-quality extract with less flavor or potency. However, particles that are too large can significantly reduce the total cannabinoid content in the finished product. Research has revealed<\/a> that smaller particle sizes generally lead to higher retention of terpenes and cannabinoids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finding the right balance requires careful consideration of multiple factors, from the properties of your cannabis flower to your extraction process. Here, we\u2019ll take a closer look at the steps involved in grinding cannabis for top-quality extracts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Importance of Proper Grinding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grinding cannabis for extraction is distinctly different from using a grinder to prepare plant material for use in a joint or bowl. The right particle size for your pre-roll won\u2019t necessarily be ideal for your extraction method. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you grind cannabis with an industrial mill or cannabis grinder in preparation for extraction, you increase the surface area, helping the solvent access the terpenes and cannabinoids quickly. If you are extracting using a solventless method, grinding can be helpful for using certain micron bags or filters. An effective grinding process before extraction helps to preserve potency, while reducing the presence of undesirable residue in your extract, such as chlorophyll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various pieces of research suggest that smaller particle sizes of ground cannabis often equate to a higher total yield<\/a>. However, when using solvents for extraction, grinding your cannabis buds too small may decrease the selectivity of the solvent. In some cases, this can be a good thing, depending on the solvent type. A smaller grind size speeds up the action of CO2, but for a powerful solvent like ethanol, grinding too fine can lead to the contamination of the product with additional plant material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A coarse grind, or no grind, on the other hand, will require more time to achieve the same extraction results. Again, depending on the solvent, this can be a good thing, reducing the risk of pulling out too much wax or chlorophyll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For solventless extraction, the particle size plays a crucial role in the quality and yield of the final product. When using specific micron filters or bag sizes, tailored particle size allows for capturing the most trichomes while preventing contamination with plant material, which can affect both taste and potency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Extraction Process and Its Impact on Particle Size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With all cannabis extraction methods, grinding your cannabis plant material to the ideal particle size is crucial to producing a high-quality extract, combining flavor and potency, and reducing the number of undesirable compounds<\/a> such as plant waxes and chlorophyll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each extraction method has its own advantages and drawbacks, which can influence your decision to use a coarser or finer grind. Here\u2019s a guide to the most common extraction methods and how they may influence your grind choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ethanol Extraction and Particle Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cannabis and hemp should be milled to a particle size of 5\/64\u201d \u2013 1\/4\u201d for ethanol extractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ethanol is a powerful and efficient solvent for cannabis and hemp extraction. It is a food-grade solvent, effective at separating terpenes and cannabinoids from cannabis plants at high volumes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Extraction is quick, occurring in as little as 15 minutes. The process is best performed at lower temperatures, so there is less co-extraction of undesirable compounds from the ground flower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ethanol extraction, a coarse grind is often best. Some producers may choose not to grind plant material at all. This is because a larger grind size combined with lower temperatures helps retain the cellular structure of the plant material, improves cannabinoid extract, and reduces the need for post-processing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, since ethanol\u2019s boiling point is higher than that of hydrocarbons, this may expose your plant mass to more heat. Too much heat reduces the concentration of terpenes in your final product, particularly if your grind is extremely fine. It can also produce cruder extracts with higher numbers of unwanted components, such as plant wax and chlorophyll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the main benefits of ethanol extraction is that it can significantly increase production capacity. The proper particle size can help decrease the solvent necessary per pound of ground cannabis. When plant material is ground into smaller pieces, more material can fit in the extraction vessel per run, ultimately increasing production speed and reducing the ethanol that needs to be distilled in post-processing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CO2 Extraction and Particle Sizes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cannabis and hemp should be milled to a particle size of 1\/16\u201d \u2013 3\/16\u201d for CO2 extractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supercritical CO2 or carbon dioxide extraction is often considered one of the most environmentally friendly and non-toxic solvent solutions for cannabis extraction. It generally doesn\u2019t leave behind residual compounds and is commonly used in food and beverage manufacturing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the CO2 extraction method, supercritical CO2 is washed over cannabis buds, allowing it to seep through the biomass and separate specific cannabinoids and other desirable components. Subcritical CO2 extraction offers a similar result but requires lower temperature and pressure parameters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Grinding cannabis to a smaller particle size when using a CO2 extractor helps to pull out beneficial cannabinoids and terpenes at lower pressures without the need for terpene-compromising high temperatures. Since CO2 extractors run at extremely high pressures (approximately 2,000 PSI), the movement of the solvent through the material column can create channeling when the grind isn\u2019t consistent or the particle size is too large. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When this happens, the solvent cuts channels through the material, leaving some areas of the plant material or cannabis bud untouched and under-extracted. The solution to the problem is a smaller, more consistent grind. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Notably, one of the reasons there\u2019s such a narrow range of ideal particle sizes for CO2 extraction is that it\u2019s a highly versatile solvent. Additionally, it\u2019s worth noting that as objectives vary from producer to producer, so does the plant material. Some strains may require smaller pieces and longer runs, while other high-potency strains may do better with a larger size and shorter runs because they extract more easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another reason is the desired purity of the extract itself. Shorter runs with a larger particle size yield a better extract\u2014but less of it. On the other hand, smaller particle sizes have been shown to increase overall yield. That said, particle size will affect the overall yield depending upon what solvent is implemented in extraction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrocarbon Extraction and Particle Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cannabis and hemp should be milled to a particle size of 5\/64\u201d \u2013 1\/8\u201d for hydrocarbon extractors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrocarbon extraction is among the most popular and effective solvent-based extraction methods. Hydrocarbons such as propane and butane are solvents made from decayed organic materials, and they are often used in the food processing industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrocarbons like propane and butane feature a low boiling point, which allows extractors to use lower temperatures throughout the extraction process. This increases the chances of a full-spectrum extract. Hydrocarbon yields can also be significantly higher<\/a> than supercritical CO2 extraction methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hydrocarbons like butane and propane are powerful solvents, but because the solvent flows through the ground cannabis under pressure, channeling can occur the same way it does during CO2 extraction. While this channeling problem is less severe with hydrocarbon extraction, it\u2019s still best to avoid large particle sizes or unground material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Notably, the perfect particle size to grind cannabis and hemp for a hydrocarbon extractor can be a bit larger or smaller, depending on the strain. However, the sweet spot for hydrocarbon extraction is a fine grind of 5\/64\u201d \u2013 1\/8\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solventless Extraction and Particle Size<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Solventless extraction is an alternative method for separating trichomes, however, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all guide for the ideal particle size for it. Your grinding process will depend on the extraction method you\u2019re using, and the size of the bags and filters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solventless cannabis products are becoming increasingly popular. This category grew in value between June 2021 and June 2022 at an average of 132% per month<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solventless extraction methods replace solvents with agitation or low heat and pressure to separate trichomes from the plant material. Agitation methods like ice water extraction are particularly popular in the evolving solventless extract space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For an in-depth look at ice water extraction, see our related article<\/a> explaining the finer details of making bubble hash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, heat and pressure extraction, used to create rosin, can be ideal for companies creating edibles, tinctures, and topical products. However, these methods can require additional equipment, such as a rosin press. These methods may also require a finer grind, to help improve the separation of terpenes and trichomes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other Factors to Consider When Grinding Cannabis for Extraction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The extraction method you choose for your cannabis product will have a direct impact on whether you should choose a finer grind or a larger grind. However, there are other factors to consider too. Before placing your flower into a grinding chamber or mill, think about:<\/p>\n\n\n

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