Hydrocarbon extraction is a low-heat method for premium cannabis concentrates. We use it to protect the plant’s most fragile compounds. Specifically, we protect volatile terpenes that high heat can destroy.
Importantly, this process can produce Full Spectrum extract. That means we capture a wider range of cannabinoids and terpenes. Therefore, flavor and effect stay closer to the original strain.
We choose this method because it is gentle. Other methods often require high heat or harsh pressures that can cook off the delicate flavors (terpenes) of the cannabis. Hydrocarbon extraction creates a “Full Spectrum” product. It captures the plant’s profile exactly as nature intended—aroma, flavor, and effect—without damaging the goods.
Absolutely. We operate a Closed-Loop System. This means the solvent never touches the open air. It circulates through a sealed, stainless steel environment, washes the plants, and is then fully recovered and recycled. The final product is then purged in a vacuum oven to ensure zero residual solvent remains, resulting in an extract that is pure, potent, and clean.
This is the modern standard for premium concentrates. The cannabis is harvested and immediately flash-frozen at peak ripeness—skipping the drying and curing phase entirely.
The Process: By freezing the plant instantly, we preserve the delicate “monoterpenes” (volatile aroma compounds) that are usually lost during the drying process.
The Result: Live Resin. This extract captures the true, “living” essence of the plant. It is lighter in color, significantly more aromatic, and boasts a more complex terpene profile.
The Verdict: The most highly desired and premium option on the market, offering a “farm-to-table” freshness that cured resin cannot replicate.
This is the traditional method. The cannabis is harvested, hung to dry, and cured over several weeks before extraction.
The Process: The curing process allows moisture to leave the plant and chlorophyll to break down.
The Result: A robust, stable extract known as Cured Resin.2 It typically features a “heavier,” deeper flavor profile closer to the smell of dried flower.
The Verdict: An excellent, reliable product that offers a classic cannabis experience.
Formed through precise supersaturation, these large, faceted THCa crystals are submerged in their own native terpene sauce. This premium extract offers the ultimate balance of raw potency and exotic flavor.
A perfect balance of potency and flavor, this texture features micro THCa crystals suspended in a rich, full-spectrum terpene layer. Resembling wet sand or honey, Cannabis Sugar is easy to scoop and offers a gritty, sticky consistency that is packed with aromatic, strain-specific profiles.
Known for its smooth, creamy consistency, Badder ranges from doughy to a wet cake batter texture. This extract is whipped to capture high terpene content, delivering an intensely aromatic nose and a smooth hit.
For the flavor chaser, Slush is a loose, wet texture where liquid High Terpene Extract (HTFSE) saturates the micro-crystals. With a higher ratio of terpenes to cannabinoids than most textures, it delivers a massive “entourage effect” and an incredibly loud aroma, offering a juicy, slushy consistency.
A dried, honeycomb-like extract known for its versatility. Crumble has a lightweight, airy texture that breaks apart effortlessly, making it the easiest concentrate to handle by hand. It is perfect for precise dabbing or easily crumbling over a bowl of flower to add a punch of potency.
The classic standard of hydrocarbon extracts. Shatter is defined by its solid, glass-like transparency and amber hue. While the terpene profile is often more subtle than wetter textures, it offers exceptional stability and a clean, potent high. High-quality shatter is known for its ability to “snap” cleanly at room temperature.
At the heart of our lab is a precision-engineered, fully jacketed hydrocarbon extraction system. Unlike standard passive extractors that rely on ambient temperatures, every square inch of our machine—from the solvent tank to the material columns and collection vessel—is double-walled (jacketed).
This “thermal armor” allows us to circulate fluid from a massive industrial chiller directly around the steel components, giving us absolute command over the process temperature.
The Deep Freeze (Industrial Cooling): The industrial chiller pumps sub-zero fluid through the jackets, locking the system into a deep freeze. This allows us to perform “dewaxing in-line”—freezing fats and lipids instantly so they never enter the final product—without needing secondary filtration.
Precision Heating (Phase Change): When it’s time to recover solvent, we don’t rely on guessing. We can instantly switch the jacket temperature to introduce precise, gentle heat. This triggers the necessary phase change (liquid to vapor) for recovery while ensuring the valuable terpenes are never exposed to degradation.
Before a run begins, preparation is everything. We chill our solvent tank to extreme sub-zero temperatures.
This “Deep Chill” is critical: by keeping the solvent incredibly cold, we prevent it from dissolving undesirable fats, waxes, and lipids from the plant material. This ensures that the final product is pure, potent, and free of harsh impurities right from the start.
Once the system is primed, the chilled solvent is released into the Material Columns.
Solvent washes over the cured cannabis biomass, instantly dissolving the trichomes—the tiny crystals containing cannabinoids and terpenes. This creates a “full spectrum” solution, capturing the complete profile of the plant in a liquid form without damaging delicate volatile compounds.
The solvent, now carrying the dissolved resin (the solution), moves into the Collection Column.
As the solution pools at the bottom of the collection vessel, our extractors monitor the flow through the integrated sight glass. This specialized vessel acts as a staging ground where the oil is separated from the plant material, readying it for the crucial recovery phase.
This is where physics takes over. We apply gentle heat to the Collection Column while keeping the Solvent Tank freezing cold forcing the solvent to evaporate and move out of collection.
The temperature difference between the warmed collection and chilled solvent tank creates a pressure vacuum that naturally drives the solvent to evaporate, rise, and travel back to the cold tank. This “passive recovery” protects the extract from heat stress and recycles our solvent for future runs.
With the solvent recovered and returned to the solvent tank, what remains in the collection column is a concentrated, golden cannabis oil that we collect for post processing.
We open the bottom valve to pour the extract directly into a collection vessel. At this stage, the oil is rich, aromatic, and ready for post-processing into finished products like badder, diamonds, or sauce.
To create crystalline diamonds, we start with a “supersaturated” solution—a potent mix of THCa-rich extract and solvent.
This solution is kept in a liquid state, holding a massive amount of dissolved cannabinoids that are just waiting for the right conditions to organize into crystal structures.
The solution is sealed inside a jacketed stainless steel vessel known as a “Diamond Miner.” By applying precise pressure and very subtle heat over time, we encourage the THCa molecules to crash out of the solution and bond together.
Slowly, faceted crystals (Diamonds) begin to grow at the bottom, while the terpenes separate into a viscous “High Terpene Extract” (HTE) layer on top.
Once the diamonds have grown to the desired size, the vessel is opened. We carefully pour the mixture—now a slurry of heavy crystals and aromatic high terpene full spectrum extract – call it sauce—into a glass jar.
his step requires a steady hand to ensure the delicate crystal formations are transferred without breaking, preserving their aesthetic appeal.
The final step is safety and purity. The jar is placed into a vacuum oven, where it undergoes a controlled purge of any remaining solvents.
By applying a deep vacuum and low heat, we evaporate any microscopic traces of residual solvent trapped. The result is a clean, compliant, and potent product that is safe for consumption.
Our process begins with a jar of fully matured diamonds and sauce. We carefully pour the mixture through a stainless steel filter.
The large, faceted THCa diamonds are caught in the mesh, while the golden, viscous High Terpene Full Spectrum Extract (HTFSE)—the “sauce”—flows through into a beaker below. This separates our two premium products for individual finishing.
For our connoisseur customers, we create the ultimate dab. We hand-select large, faceted diamonds from our bulk supply and place them into a single-serving glass “puck” jar.
A small amount of the aromatic sauce is left on the crystals to enhance flavor and aroma, creating a perfectly portioned, top-tier concentrate ready for sale.
The collected HTFSE is a flavorful, potent nectar perfect for vaping.
We use a precision filling gun to draw up the golden liquid and inject it directly into premium ceramic-coil cartridges. This ensures a clean, consistent fill, capturing the true essence of the live plant in a convenient format.
Yes. At Pharmers Quality, safety is our absolute priority. We perform all extractions inside a C1D1 (Class 1, Division 1) certified laboratory—a room engineered to be explosion-proof with massive air ventilation. We utilize a professional Closed-Loop System, which creates a sealed, stainless steel environment where the solvent is contained, circulated, and recovered without ever being exposed to the open air or the operator. illegal in many jurisdictions.
No. Absolutely not. Hydrocarbon extraction involves highly flammable, pressurized gases that require a specialized industrial environment to handle safely. Our lab operates under C1D1 (Class 1, Division 1) protocols with explosion-proof electrical systems, spark-free floors, and massive ventilation. Attempting this process at home—often called "open blasting"—is extremely dangerous and poses a severe risk of fire, explosion, and serious injury. This is a strict industrial science that must only be performed by licensed professionals in a certified facility.
No. We adhere to strict state limits regarding residual solvents, often testing at "non-detectable" levels. After extraction, every batch is placed in a vacuum oven where we apply gentle heat and deep negative pressure. This "purge" process evaporates any remaining solvent traces. We validate this purity with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) from a third-party lab for every single batch.
We use instrument-grade N-Butane. This is a high-purity, food-grade hydrocarbons commonly used in the food industry for extracting flavorings and essential oils. We never use toxic industrial solvents like naphtha, benzene, or hexane.
"Open blasting" is an unregulated, dangerous method where solvent is sprayed through a tube and vented into the atmosphere. A Closed-Loop System is a precision-engineered machine. It allows us to control pressure and temperature to capture the oil safely, and crucially, it allows us to recover and recycle 99% of the solvent back into a storage tank. This creates a sustainable, safe, and controlled process.
No, you can’t make this safely at home! Hydrocarbon extraction is dangerous and illegal in many jurisdictions.
Our facility is built to rigorous industrial standards. We utilize continuous gas detection monitoring systems that will instantly sound an alarm and engage emergency ventilation if even a trace amount of gas is detected in the air. Our technicians are rigorously trained on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and wear appropriate PPE at all times.
Both methods produce premium products, but they excel in different areas. Solventless extraction (like Rosin) uses heat and pressure to squeeze oil from the plant. Hydrocarbon extraction is a chemical process that is incredibly efficient at "washing" the plant to capture the complete profile. It often results in higher yields and is uniquely capable of capturing the lighter, more volatile terpenes that give certain strains their "loud" aroma.
Distillation and CO2 extraction often fractionate (separate) the oil into individual parts, stripping away flavor to isolate THC. Hydrocarbon extraction produces a "Full Spectrum" product. It keeps the cannabinoids and terpenes together in their natural ratios, preserving the "Entourage Effect"—where the components work together to create a more robust and specific high.
Slush: A loose, wet texture with high terpene content (HTFSE) and micro-crystals.Crumble: A dry, honeycomb-like texture that is easy to handle and break apart.
Shatter: A solid, glass-like sheet that is stable and snaps when bent.
Versatility. Hydrocarbon extraction is the only method that gives us the control needed to manipulate crystallization and texture. By adjusting pressure and temperature during the process, we can craft a wide range of specific consistencies—from liquid Sauce and creamy Badder to solid Diamonds and Shatter—allowing you to choose the exact experience you prefer.
It comes down to the starting material.
Live Resin is made from cannabis that was flash-frozen immediately after harvest. This preserves the delicate "living" aroma of the plant.
Cured Resin is made from cannabis that was dried and cured traditionally. This results in a deeper, more robust, and classic flavor profile.
Diamonds: Large, potent THCa crystals submerged in a terpene-rich sauce.
Sugar: Micro-crystals suspended in terpenes, resembling wet sand or honey.
Badder: A whipped, creamy, cake-batter consistency known for smooth flavor.
Slush: A loose, wet texture with high terpene content (HTFSE) and micro-crystals.Crumble: A dry, honeycomb-like texture that is easy to handle and break apart.
Shatter: A solid, glass-like sheet that is stable and snaps when bent.
To preserve the terpenes (flavor), we recommend storing your concentrates in a cool, dark place. For "wet" textures like Live Resin, Badder, or Sauce, keeping them in the refrigerator away from access to children or pets. Conventional refrigerators can generate alot of condensation of moisture, so consider moisture controlled refrigerator. Otherwise, keep your product containers tightly sealed. Keeping these extracts cold is ideal to prevent the terpenes from evaporating. Shatter and Crumble can be stored at stable room temperatures. Always keep the lid tightly sealed.
For the best flavor, we recommend "low-temperature" dabbing (between 450°F - 550°F). High heat can scorch the delicate terpenes and ruin the flavor. Our extracts can also be vaporized in electronic rigs or dab pens, and solid textures like Crumble can be easily topped onto a bowl of flower.
We operate with 100% transparency. Every batch is sent to a state-licensed, independent third-party laboratory. They test for Potency (THC/CBD levels), Terpene profile, Residual Solvents, Pesticides, Heavy Metals, Mycotoxins, and Microbials to ensure the product is clean and safe.
We strictly adhere to all State Cannabis Regulation laws, ensuring full compliance from seed to sale. Our facility meets strict local building codes, NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards for hazardous materials, and OSHA safety guidelines.
Slush: A loose, wet texture with high terpene content (HTFSE) and micro-crystals.Crumble: A dry, honeycomb-like texture that is easy to handle and break apart.
Shatter: A solid, glass-like sheet that is stable and snaps when bent.
We apply the same pharmaceutical-grade standards to every gram we produce, whether it is destined for the medical or recreational market. We believe every consumer deserves a clean, potent, and accurately labeled product.
