Champagning in Live Resin & Rosin | Bubbles in Vape Carts

Why does Champagning occur in live resin and rosin solutions?
Champagning is a unique phenomenon that occurs primarily in premium cannabis resins, like live resin, rosin, and occasionally in CDT solutions that have not been properly degassed. Many times, the resin appears to be stable, but after warming or agitation, bubbles will start to appear in solution, like popping open a bottle of Champagne or Coca-Cola.

The fundamental reason champagning occurs is due to light aromatic hydrocarbons that are trapped in the resin matrix. Agitation and heat will weaken the matrix, allowing gases to escape. The hydrocarbons can be residual butane or propane, or in the case of rosin, light esters and gases from the breakdown of plant material.

Champagning in Live Resin
Champagning in Rosin
Mitigation of Champagning of Material Already in Vapes

Champagning in Live Resin

The vast majority of of champagning in live resin is caused by either a) residual butane or propane or b) light aromatics that evaporate at slightly above room temperature. Degassing is simple – either with a vacuum oven for a few hours or with a centrifuge to separate light compounds from the heavier molecules. Running both methods at room temperature will preserve a large fraction of terpenes.

Vacuum ovens lower the boiling point of light aromatics, and over the course of a few hours, the light gasses will separate from the live resin that has been decarbed. It is best to use a pan and spread the material out for the best results.

Using a centrifuge with a screen or filter, gases and light materials will rise to the top when under more centrifugal force. During the process, there will be a separation of solids and liquids, and the gas bubbles will dissipate using this highly efficient process.

Champagning in Rosin

Champagning in rosin is a much more difficult process to control. When rosin is pressed, the material contains a mixture of resin and additional organic matter from crushed cells to even waxes. This organic material along with the light aromatic terpenes star to degrade and off-gas the moment, rosin is pressed from flower.

In addition to the methods used above, because the rosin is in a constant process of decomposition, methods like raising the temperature to about 55 °C and using a high speed overhead stirrer with high amounts of agitation, accelerates the evaporation of light aromatics in rosin. This process is performed for only about 10 minutes and then the material is lowered back to room temperature to check for further champagning. Longer heat times will impact the coloration, as rosin tends to be more susceptible to browning due to the fat and waxes still present in the product.

Mitigation of Champagning of Material Already in Vapes

It is not uncommon to discover champagning in vape carts as you fill. Usually, the heat and agitation of the pumping mechanisms disturb the oil matrix in which the terpenes are tapped in. If vape carts are champagning, it is best to flip them upside down to attempt to degas the cart. It will take up to 24 hours for carts to fully degas based on temperature and terpene load.