In the world of solventless concentrates, not all hash is created equal. From full-melt dabs to bowl-toppers and edibles, the quality and use of hash can vary widely—and that’s where grading comes in. Whether you're shopping for bubble hash, dry sift, or live rosin, understanding hash grades will help you choose the right product for your ritual.

In this blog, we’ll break down what hash grades mean, how they’re determined, and why they matter. We’ll also dive into micron sizes, melt quality, and where middle-tier hash (like 3- and 4-star) fits into the picture.

What Is Hash Grading?

Hash grading is a way to assess the purity, meltability, and overall quality of solventless hash. The system most often used today ranges from 1-star to 6-star, with 6-star being the cleanest, most potent, and best-suited for dabbing. Lower star ratings tend to be better for smoking, blending with flower, or making edibles.

These grades aren’t officially standardized, but they’re widely used by hashmakers and connoisseurs to communicate what you’re getting in terms of performance and purity.

The 6-Star Scale: What Each Grade Means

6-Star Hash (Full Melt)

This is the gold standard of bubble hash—pure, unpressed trichome heads with virtually no plant material. When dabbed, it bubbles vigorously and melts into a clear oil with little to no residue. 6-star hash is typically made from the 90–120 micron range, where the ripest, most resin-rich trichomes are found.

• Ideal for: Dabbing
• Texture: Gritty or sandy, often sticks together from oil content
• Use case: Top-tier solventless product, often pressed into live rosin

5-Star Hash

Slightly less pure than 6-star but still dab-worthy. May contain minor plant particulates or slightly smaller trichomes. It melts well, though it might leave a bit of residue.

• Ideal for: Dabbing or high-end prerolls
• Texture: Similar to 6-star, slightly darker or more varied in grain
• Use case: Dabbers on a budget, or press into premium rosin

4-Star Hash

A middle-ground product that doesn’t melt cleanly enough for dabs but still offers flavorful smoke. It contains more trichome stalks and microscopic plant debris. You’ll see bubbling, but also some charring.

• Ideal for: Bowls, joints, or blending with flower
• Texture: Grainier, with more visible contamination
• Use case: People who want a flavorful smoke, not a clean dab

3-Star Hash

More plant material, fewer intact resin heads. 3-star hash won’t bubble much and burns more than it melts, making it unsuitable for dabbing.

• Ideal for: Flower enhancement, edibles
• Texture: Sandy to crumbly, often green-tinged
• Use case: Smoking or cooking; not for rosin production

1–2 Star Hash

This is food-grade hash, made from trim or lower-quality material. It contains lots of plant matter, broken stalks, and may have been processed with less care. Not suitable for dabbing or smoking.

• Ideal for: Infusions, capsules, or tinctures
• Texture: Coarse and dry
• Use case: High-potency edibles

Micron Size: Why It Matters

Hash is typically made using ice water extraction, which filters plant material through a series of mesh screens called micron bags. The micron number refers to the width of the screen openings in micrometers (μ).

Trichome heads—the tiny resin glands where cannabinoids and terpenes live—usually fall in the 70μ to 120μ range. The 90–120μ band is known for containing the ripest, most resin-dense heads, which is why it’s commonly used for full melt and rosin pressing.

Lower micron grades (like 25μ–70μ) and higher ones (120μ–160μ) may still contain cannabinoids but often include smaller heads, stalks, or contaminants. These are more likely to be graded 3- or 4-star, suitable for combustion but not dabbing.

How Is Hash Graded in Practice?

Most grading is done visually and through melt tests. Here’s what hashmakers typically look for:

• Bubble Test: Does it melt fully into oil (6-star), or leave char?
• Residue: Clean melt = high grade. Ashy or burnt = lower grade.
• Color: Golden to pale = better. Green = more plant matter.
• Texture: Oily and sandy = good. Dry and crumbly = lower grade.

Some labs and extractors also use microscopy to check for contaminant levels, but most grading is still done with a trained eye and a dab tool.

Why 3- and 4-Star Hash Still Has a Place

Not everyone needs full melt—or the price tag that comes with it. While 6-star is beautiful, 3- and 4-star hash is still valuable, especially when made from good genetics.

4-star hash is great for adding a flavorful kick to a joint or bowl. It may not vaporize perfectly, but it still offers terps and potency. 3-star hash is often more accessible and can be infused into edibles or smoked in flower for an extra boost.

Plus, these mid-grade hashes often come from the same starting material as higher grades—they’re just collected from different screens or post-run refinement.

Rosin Starts With Good Hash

For brands like Lucky Elk, quality rosin begins with high-grade bubble hash. We use fresh frozen flower, ice water extraction, and careful micron separation to collect only the best trichome heads—usually from the 90μ–120μ range. These are then freeze-dried, pressed at low temperatures, and cold-cured to preserve flavor and potency.

It all starts with the hash. And understanding the grade is how you know what you're getting.

Final Thoughts

Hash grading can seem complex, but it’s ultimately about how cleanly the product melts, and how much of the pure resin makes it through the extraction process. From the top-tier 6-star full melt to the humble but useful 3-star bowl topper, every grade has its place.

If you're shopping for hash or rosin, always ask:

• What micron range was used?
• Was it made from fresh frozen or cured material?
• Is it dab-friendly or better for smoking?

These clues will help you align your product with your purpose—and get the most out of the plant. Because when it comes to solventless, purity is everything.

Want to explore Lucky Elk’s small-batch solventless lineup? Shop Hash & Rosin.