CBD Wax vs CBD Crumble: 5 CBD Concentrates You Need to Know About

CBD Wax vs. CBD Crumble

Do you know your CBD wax from your CBD crumble? Would you like to learn more about how to take CBD shatter or CBD isolate?

Stick with us, as in this article we’re going to explain the differences and similarities between the different types of wax dabs on the market, helping you browse and shop with confidence.

An Introduction to CBD Concentrates

I seem to remember a time when oils and tinctures were by far the most popular products in the world of CBD, but as demand grew, more and more products emerged. Deciding you wanted to introduce CBD into your life is one thing, but these days deciding how you want to take it is another beast entirely.

Tinctures, capsules, gummies, creams, chewing gum, coffee, chocolate, smokable flower, moon rocks, vapes, patches… Yes, the list goes on! And now more and more companies also have CBD wax for sale, but before you buy CBD wax (or shatter, crumble, rosin. and/or isolate), what are they and what do you do with them?

What are CBD Concentrates?

CBD concentrates are exactly what they sound like, which are products that contain very high levels of CBD. High CBD concentrates allow you to consume a much higher dose of fast-acting CBD, in a short amount of time. CBD wax, shatter, crumble, rosin, and isolate, are all types of CBD concentrates.

Sometimes people also use the term “wax” as the parent name for all concentrates so you may also hear about and see terms like shatter wax (shatter) and crumble wax (crumble).

Concentrates like this are usually smoked through a dab rig and have been popular among high-THC cannabis smokers for years.

How Are CBD Concentrates Made?

The CBD, along with many other cannabinoids, can be extracted from hemp in a variety of ways, either using a solvent, like butane, or using solventless CO₂ and heat/pressure extraction methods. It’s what happens during post-extraction processing that affects the texture of the end product, which ultimately defines whether it’s shatter, wax, or crumble.

Most Common Extraction Methods

The two most common extraction methods used to create CBD concentrates are butane hash oil extraction and CO₂ extraction.

Butane Hash Oil Extraction (BHO)

This extraction method uses butane to draw out all of the cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids from the hemp plant, before being left to evaporate. It is a very popular extraction method that results in highly concentrated extractions.

However, it does have a couple of drawbacks. Not only is butane highly flammable, meaning there is a risk of explosion during production, but butane is also toxic to humans. It’s very important that all residual butane is removed from the final product, so you should always make sure that any products that are manufactured using BHO extraction are lab-tested by third parties to ensure they are solvent free.

Despite these dangers, BHO extraction continues to be a very popular extraction method as it’s highly efficient and takes just one hour to complete a cycle, meaning manufacturers can sell their concentrates at a more affordable price..

CO₂ Extraction

Also known as supercritical CO₂ extraction, this method of making extractions has slowly but surely become one of the preferred methods employed when producing concentrates.

High pressure and heat turn the carbon dioxide supercritical (turning it into a liquid and a gas simultaneously) and it’s used like a solvent, to pull out of the precious plant’s compounds.

Any remaining CO₂ simply turns back into gas and evaporates after the extraction process, resulting in a completely clean product. Temperature and pressure can also be altered to change the composition of the extract, reducing the extraction of less-desirable compounds, such as chlorophyll.

CO₂ extraction costs a lot more than other methods and it takes around 8-10 hours to complete one extraction cycle, which is usually reflected in the price of the products.

The lower temperatures used in this process are thought to be better for preserving the integrity of the plant’s compounds, but some argue that the length and aggressiveness of the procedure may cause damage to them in the long run.

5 CBD Concentrates You Should Know About

There are five different types of concentrates that you may come across when shopping for CBD. CBD shatter, wax, crumble, rosin, and isolate powder. Keep reading to find out what the main differences are between each product.

1. CBD Shatter – What is CBD Shatter?

Also known as CBD shatter wax, CBD shatter is a concentrate that can possess CBD percentages as high as 99%. It is stiff, brittle, and glossy, like cooled-down molten glass, and is distinguished by how the concentrate is cooled after it has been extracted.

Unlike other forms of concentrates, the creation of shatter involves a lengthy (at least 48 hours) repetitive process of purging, heating, and cooling, that transforms the sticky oil into the hard, shiny shatter.

How to Use CBD Shatter

So, how do you use CBD shatter? Like other concentrates, most people smoke shatter using a special dab rig which vaporizes the product for you to inhale. But as shatter is very stiff, you’ll need to break it up first.

We recommend that you use a piece of parchment paper and a spoon. Fold the paper in half and place the shatter in the middle and then give it a hard tap with the back of the spoon to break it up into serving size pieces. If the concentrate doesn’t shatter like it should, then it’s probably just a little too soft and warm, so pop it in the freezer for half an hour and then try again.

Where to Buy CBD Shatter

Sourcing CBD shatter from a reputable supplier is essential, especially if it’s been butane extracted. You should always make sure that the product has been lab-tested by third parties to verify its potency and safety, checking that there is no residue solvent left behind.

Although it is possible to find tasteless, pure CBD shatter, the best CBD shatter, in our opinion, is broad or full spectrum CBD shatter that not only offers more enhanced effects (due to the entourage effect), but also a much tastier and more enjoyable user experience.

All of the companies below have CBD shatter for sale:

• Diesel Hemp (read our Diesel Hemp CBD shatter review – get 20% off with code CBDINCUBATOR20)
• Plain Jane (CBD, CBG, and CBN)
• CBD Crystal (CBD and CBG concentrates)

What is the entourage effect? A guide to CBD synergy and how to benefit from it

2. CBD Wax / Budder – What is CBD Wax?

Not to be confused with CBD wax melts (which are actually more like candles), CBD wax and CBD budder are more malleable concentrated products than shatter, which is a result of the process that occurs when evaporating the solvent from the extraction.

These types of concentrates are whipped during the evaporation process, which incorporates air into the product. CBD waxes are more aggressively whipped, which offers them a drier and more crumbly texture, while CBD budders are whipped less intensely, lending itself to a more creamy, butter-like texture.

A full spectrum CBD wax can have the same potency and terpene profile as a shatter, but its moldable texture sets it apart, making it more prone to degradation and therefore has to be used up more quickly.

How to Use CBD Wax

You may hear people refer to CBD wax as CBD wax dabs and that’s because they’re mainly smoked through a dab rig. Due to their more malleable textures, they’re more easily manipulated onto your dabbing tool, making for easier dosing.

CBD wax and CBD budder will melt quickly, so make sure your dabbing tool is cool before attempting to load it, otherwise it’ll just melt straight away and slide off.

Where to Buy CBD Wax

Like any form of CBD, be cautious about any product that seems too cheap. You should be wary of cheap CBD wax as, just like with CBD shatter, solvent residue can be left beyond in the final product.

The best CBD will always be tested by third parties to prove it’s cannabinoid content and to verify that it’s free from any toxins, including residue from solvent extraction methods.

• Tweedle Farms (for high-quality, strain specific wax dabs – get 20% off with code CBDINCUBATOR20)

3. CBD Crumble – What is CBD Crumble?

Also known as CBD wax crumble, or honeycomb, CBD crumble has an aerated, fragmented, and (predictably) crumbly texture. The production of crumble requires processing at low temperatures for a longer time than other types of concentrate.

Some people prefer full spectrum CBD crumble over other types of concentrate because this unique solvent purging technique can leave behind a high percentage of natural, original terpenes and other compounds.

How to Use CBD Crumble

CBD crumble is one of the drier concentrate types on the market and because it can fall apart and crumble so easily, it can be more difficult to handle than other types. If you want to dab crumble, you’ll most likely need a spoon-shaped dabbing tool instead of a flat-tipped one.

However, its crumbly nature does also make the product more versatile as you’re not limited to smoking crumble in a dab rig. It can also easily be crumbled into joints, blunts, and spliffs. You can also sprinkle it over the top of some CBD buds in your pipe or bong bowl.

The viscosity can vary from one manufacturer to another, which means that the aerated honeycomb structure may be more similar to shatter (tight and brittle) or budder (soft and malleable).

Where to Buy CBD Crumble

We’re starting to see CBD crumble for sale in more and more places online. We’ve tried five or six different brands and while we’re not yet in a position to name the best CBD crumble of all time, we can tell you our two favorites right now.

Both Diesel Hemp and Plain Jane CBD crumble is pretty awesome. Potent, tasty, and effective, just how we like it.

• Plain Jane (CBD, CBG, and CBN)
• Diesel Hemp (get 20% off with code CBDINCUBATOR20)

4. CBD Rosin (aka CBD Live Resin) – What is CBD Rosin?

Also known as CBD live resin, CBD rosin is usually golden in color and has the texture of thick, cold honey. Only pressure and heat are used to produce this type of concentrate, with no post-extraction processing or solvents involved.

The essential oils and compounds are quite literally just squeezed out of fresh or dried hemp flowers using a hydraulic press, making them perfect for customers looking for the most natural concentrate.

All of the plant’s naturally-occurring terpenes and compounds are left intact, but the less-sophisticated process usually means that the final product isn’t as potent as other CBD concentrates.

How to Use CBD Rosin

The gooey, gluey texture of CBD rosin makes it perfect for dabbing as you can easily manipulate the amount you want onto your dab tool.

I have also seen people spread this stuff onto the inside of a rolling paper and then use the paper for a joint. It looked like a fairly messy job, but if you don’t have a dab rig, then you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do, right?

Where Can I Find CBD Rosin for Sale?

Out of all the concentrates, CBD rosin is usually the most expensive as it’s the most labor-intensive. It’s also typically produced in artisanal-style, small batches.

• Foothills CBD

5. CBD Isolate Powder – What is CBD Isolate Powder?

As the name suggests, CBD isolate is an extremely pure form of CBD, which should contain almost nothing but pure CBD. Also known as CBD crystals, you can usually find CBD isolate powder that tests at 99% CBD, with no trace amounts of THC whatsoever.

How to Use CBD Powder

To use powder in a dab rig, you’re better off using a spoon shaped dabbing tool, but you can also sprinkle this type of concentrate on top of your bowl or even inside a joint.

If you’re wondering how much CBD isolate powder to use, then as with all recommended CBD dosing, start low and go slow. The best CBD powder will often have concentrations of around 99%, so it’s almost completely pure CBD powder. This means that even a very small amount will go a long way, so always start off with a small amount and see how you feel.

Where Can I Find CBD Isolate Powder for Sale?

CBD powder is quite widely available and it’s relatively inexpensive. As with all concentrates, you need to watch out for massive differences in potency and quality. Our favorite for quality, price, and choice is 3Chi.

• 3Chi (CBD, CBG, CBN, CBC, delta 8, THCv)

How to Smoke CBD Wax Without a Rig

Dab rigs aren’t cheap, so it’s understandable that not everyone is lucky enough to have one at their disposal, so how do you smoke CBD wax, shatter, or crumble, without a rig? You have lots of options when it comes to CBD crumble as it breaks apart so easily and can be added to joints, spliffs, and blunts, as well as bong or pipe bowls.

You can do the same with wax and shatter, but because they are harder it’s more tricky to break the product up as finely as you’d ideally like. If you’re making a joint with wax or shatter, beware of fiery, falling boulders that will burn through your sweater or shirt (and then your skin) in a matter of seconds.

When handling more brittle concentrates like these, we’d recommend that you stick to using a bong or pipe, so you don’t get burned. Pack the bowl with your favorite CBD flower first and then sprinkle the little ground up nugs with your concentrate before lighting up.

Use a Dab Pen

You can also use a CBD wax pen, which is considerably more affordable than a dab rig. They do vary in quality, however, so you’ll have to choose between a really good one like this Dr Dabber Steller Vaporizer, which ’s high quality, durable, and features variable temperature control. Or, if you’re just experimenting, maybe start out with a more budget one like this terp pen from Boundless, which is less than $30.

Or how about a nifty little device that allows you to vape both CBD flower and concentrates, either on their own or together? With this kind of versatility, you get tons of use out the one device! Read my honest AirVape Legacy Pro review here to find out more.