Full Melt, Half Melt, 1-6 Star

What in the heck is full-melt??! All the rating systems for hash can be quite confusing, especially for someone new to the hash scene. In this article, we are going to create some order from the madness that is hash terminology. We will discuss full melt, half melt, the star rating system, and what makes each unique. For example, you may want to use full melt in a different way than you would half melt. We are going to lay it all out for you nice and simple so that the next time you talk about hash, you can sound like an expert!

How is Hash Made?

Hash is a pretty broad term that applies to a number of cannabis products. It can mean traditional hashish which is made with hand-rubbing cannabis flower to separate the trichomes and then form them into a sticky dark ball or brick. Hash can also refer to bubble hash which is made by mixing ice, water, and cannabis flower in a bucket to knock the trichomes loose. The trichome-filled water is then filtered through nylon mesh bags called "bubble bags.”

Hash has a sandy appearance and texture because it is literally a collection of the trichomes that cover the cannabis flower. Trichomes contain all the good stuff like terpenes (flavor) and cannabinoids (effects). It may also contain some plant matter and other impurities, but we will get to that a bit later when we discuss the different quality levels of hash. 

How to Smoke or Use Hash

Hash can be smoked via dabbing, joints or bowls. Lower quality hash might not be the best smoke so it can be used to make edibles. Only the best hash should be dabbed. If you try dabbing lower quality hash, you may not enjoy the flavor and your dab nail will become quite dirty very quickly. Traditional hashish is generally smoked in a bowl or other glass piece. It is a very concentrated form of cannabis so a little bit goes a long way. The lowest quality hash is probably not even good enough to smoke in a bowl so it is best used to make edibles.

What is Full Melt?

Full melt is hash that you should most definitely dab. As we discussed above, hash is a collection of trichomes and other plant matter. The best hash (known as full melt) will contain no or very, very little plant matter. When spread thin, it can appear translucent.

When you go to dab full melt, as the name implies, it will fully melt on your dab nail leaving behind no black specks (leftover plant matter which does not melt). This is the top tier of hash and is filled with flavor. Remember to dab it at low temperatures (about 475F) to get the most flavor from your dab.

What is Half Melt?

Half melt is a lesser quality hash than full melt. As the name implies, the hash will not fully melt on your dab nail because it contains some plant matter. The plant matter will not melt and will appear as black specks left behind on your dab nail. It can still be a flavor-filled experience, but depending on how much plant matter is in the half melt, you can consider smoking it via a joint or bowl rather than dabbing. 

What Does 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 Star Hash Even Mean?

The star system for rating hash starts at 1 (lowest quality) and goes up to 6 stars (best quality). Hash with a rating of 1-2 stars will contain quite a bit of plant matter and is best used to make edibles. If you try to smoke it, the flavor may be unpleasant. Definitely do not try to dab it or your dab nail will be covered in plant matter.

Hash with a rating of 3-4 stars is considered half melt. As discussed above, it can be smoked in a bowl or dabbed if you feel confident it is on the higher end of quality. The best hash has a rating of 5-6 stars and some of it can be considered full melt. This hash will contain very little or no plant matter which makes it great for dabbing. 

Summary

The hash rating system can be a bit confusing to the uninitiated. Terms like "full melt" and "6-star" overlap and can be interchangeable. Here is a quick breakdown to help you figure it out:

One star hash is the lowest quality and 6-star hash is the best quality. Rating hash 5-6 stars means that it qualifies as "full melt". When dabbed, the hash will fully melt on your dab nail and leave behind no or very little plant matter (black specks). Hash with a rating of 3-4 stars can be considered "half melt". It can be dabbed or smoked in a bowl. It contains some plant matter which will be left behind on your dab nail when you dab it. The lowest quality hash has a rating of 1-2 stars and is probably best used to make edibles. If you smoke 1-2 star hash, the flavor may be unpleasant.