How Is Kief Made?

Kiеf has gained popularity among cannabis fans due to its composition. These trichomes, which are rich in terpene flavonoids and cannabinoids, take the enjoyment of smoking to a new level. But how is kief made, and what steps should you take to experience its rich taste?

In this article, we will talk about kiеf as a great option for cannabis enthusiasts and its preparation for consumption. Let’s start!

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How Is Kief Made?

Kief is dried resinous trichomes on the plant's surface. Such trichomes contain high concentrations of terpenes, cannabinoids, and other compounds that are responsible for the aroma and effect of cannabis.

The reason why kief is so popular lies in its high potency. So, how much THC in kief is present? For example, the average marijuana flower contains 12-25% THC, while kief has 50-80% THC.

The Process of Making Kief

How is kief extracted? The kief can be obtained by several methods, such as dry sifting, kief catcher, or specialized extraction equipment. Before deciding on any of these methods, you should pay attention to the quality of the cannabis, its storage, and whether they have that distinctive, powdery, shiny appearance.

On the other hand, if you want a high-potency kief, we suggest an automated method. Using a kief maker gives you a unique experience and maximum utilization of cannabinoids and terpenes.

Methods of collecting kief

Although there are several methods of obtaining kief, we decided to point out to you those techniques that are the most effective and most used among cannabis lovers. They are the following ones:

Dry sifting

Dry sifting works on the same principle as the second chamber of the three-chamber grinder. This method uses multiple screens or stages to filter the content to obtain a quality kief. Such dry sifters can be found in many shapes. Some are in the form of solid boxes and bags, but there are also sifters that have multiple screens for sifting.

After the contents are placed in the top of the box, with constant shaking, the kief is filtered through screens. This results in a high-quality kief that remains at the bottom.

The bottom of the sifting box can also be made of different materials, such as wood and dark glass. We recommend getting a sifting box with a dark, smooth base for this method, as it will allow you to notice and handle the kief more easily.

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Using a grinder with a kief catcher

If you are a cannabis enthusiast, you probably own a grinder to make your work easier when preparing weed. However, when buying grinders, you should know they come in multiple stages or chambers.

The simplest and most popular grinder is the "two-stage" grinder. This grinder is composed of two components with a closed upper and lower component. But to extract the kief from the plant, you need to invest in a three-chamber grinder.

A grinder with three or more chambers is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get kief without wasting a lot. Three-chamber grinders contain the following:

• A tееth chamber

• A bud collection chamber is located in the middle

• A kief collection chamber in the bottom chamber

So, how does the whole process go? After you leave the marijuana in the upper chamber, it grinds and falls into the middle chamber. Then, it passes through the mesh screen to the kief chamber at the bottom.

Although this method is the easiest, some kief may get stuck in the grinder's corners, grooves, and crevasses. Therefore, if you want a cleaner method of extracting kief, you should consider another method.

Source: shutterstock.com / Photo Contributor: Dmytro Tyshchenko

Dry ice method

In addition to grader extraction and dry sifting, the dry ice method is an effective way to obtain high-quality kief. This method uses cold to help separate the trichomes from the plant. Namely, the dry ice method consists of placing the dry and unground cannabis in a bucket containing dry ice. 

A sieve is placed on the opening of the bucket to filter the trichomes. The sieve can be of different granulation, but a sieve with 160-micron is usually used. The process starts with shaking the bucket's contents, which filters out the trichomes that fall to the surface.

Before performing this method, consider the surface where you spread the trichomes; it should be smooth to pick up the kief more easily. Moreover, you can use sieves with different granulations to get a more potent and pure kief. After shaking, pick up the kief from the surface with a card.

Factors Affecting Kief’s Quality and Yield

The quality and potency of kief depend on several factors, such as the strain, environmental factors, and the age of the plant. We explain the in a more detailed way here:

• The strain of the plant: The strain is one of the most important factors determining kief's potency. Each strain contains a different amount of terpenes and cannabinoids that determine the potency of the kief. Therefore, before choosing which extraction method to use, learn more about the composition of the plant.

• Environmental factors: Temperature, humidity, and air quality are also key factors that determine the quality of kief.

• Age of the plant: You need to know when the plant is at its peak to get the best out of it. Namely, the trichomes are strongest when the plant is fully ripe, so that's the best time to extract the kief.

Uses of Kief

The kief can be used in many ways. We highlighted a few well-liked ways for you to take advantage of kief's great potency:

Smoking or vaping kief

If you are looking for a quick and effective effect, then vaping and smoking are some of the most used methods. Simply fill your pipe or bong with the desired amount of kief and enjoy the unique experience that cannabinoids offer. You can also vape if you want to possibly obtain all the benefits from the kief.

Adding kief to cannabis flower

If you are still a traditional lover of hemp products, you can add an extra kick to your cannabis. Sprinkle the flower with kief before rolling or packing. You might get an enriched taste and a new smoking experience.

Using kief in edibles and concentrates

Another way to enjoy the potency of kief is if you add it to your favorite dish. Before adding it, you must decarboxylate the kief at a low temperature to activate the cannabinoids. Then, mix it in fat for even distribution, and you are ready to prepare your favorite dish.

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Conclusion

How is kief made, and which method is best for you? The kief extraction methods, like using grinder, dry sifting, and ice method, allow you to get the potency of turpentine and cannabinoids from the plant more easily and efficiently. 

Regardless of which method you decide on, pay attention to factors related to the potency of the kief. Choosing the right strain and careful storage will help you get the plant's full potential.