Bubble Hash Micron Chart: What Every Bag Size Does (25–220 Micron)

If you've ever looked at a full set of bubble bags and wondered:

Which micron bag catches what?

You're not alone.

A complete bubble bag set can include several different mesh sizes, commonly ranging from 220 micron down to 25 micron. Each bag plays a different role in separating plant material, resin heads, and smaller particles during ice-water extraction.

But there's one important thing beginners should understand:

Micron size is not a quality rating.

A smaller number doesn't automatically mean better hash, and one particular micron isn't guaranteed to produce the best fraction every time.

This guide breaks down the common bubble hash micron sizes from 220µ to 25µ, explains what each bag does, and shows how to arrange a full BubbleBagDude 8-bag set.

Quick Bubble Hash Micron Chart

Here's the BubbleBagDude 8-bag micron sequence:

Micron Size	Typical Role
220µ	Work/filter bag for large plant material
190µ	Coarse filtration
160µ	Larger particle and resin separation
120µ	Larger resin fraction
90µ	Important resin collection fraction
73µ	Important finer resin collection fraction
45µ	Smaller resin/material fraction
25µ	Finest collection fraction in the set

The exact quality and amount collected in each bag will vary depending on your starting material.

What Does Micron Mean?

A micron, also called a micrometer and written as µm or µ, is one-thousandth of a millimeter.

The micron number on a bubble bag refers to the approximate size of the openings in its mesh.

For example:

220µ = larger mesh openings

25µ = much smaller mesh openings

As your ice-water mixture moves through progressively finer screens, particles are separated according to size.

This is what allows bubble bags to divide one extraction into multiple fractions.

Why Are There Different Bubble Bag Micron Sizes?

Cannabis resin glands and other particles aren't all identical in size.

A multi-bag filtration system helps separate them.

Instead of collecting everything in one screen, you can examine different fractions individually.

This can help you compare:

• Yield

• Color

• Texture

• Visible contamination

• Resin characteristics

• Melt behavior

That's one of the biggest advantages of using a complete bubble bag set.

220 Micron Bubble Bag

What is the 220 micron bag used for?

The 220µ bag has the largest mesh openings in a standard BubbleBagDude 8-bag set.

It generally acts as the first major filtration stage.

Its job is primarily to hold back larger material while allowing water, detached resin, and smaller particles to continue through the filtration system.

Think of the 220µ bag as your coarse work/filter bag.

220µ Role

Main purpose: Coarse filtration

Position: Largest micron in the set

Typically retained: Larger material and debris

Usually treated as premium collection? No

If you're using a washing machine, your workflow may differ depending on whether the plant material is contained separately during agitation.

190 Micron Bubble Bag

The 190µ bag provides another coarse filtration stage beneath the 220µ screen.

Material small enough to pass through 220µ but too large to pass through 190µ is retained here.

This fraction may contain larger particles and other material that you don't necessarily want mixed with finer resin fractions.

190µ Role

Main purpose: Secondary coarse separation

Position: Below 220µ

Mesh: Slightly finer than 220µ

The 190µ bag helps clean up what moves deeper into the filtration stack.

160 Micron Bubble Bag

At 160µ, the filtration becomes progressively finer.

The 160µ bag can collect larger resin structures along with other particles within this size range.

Depending on the cultivar and extraction, the material collected here may vary considerably.

160µ Role

Main purpose: Larger resin and particle separation

Position: Below 190µ

Quality: Depends heavily on starting material

Don't automatically discard a fraction based only on its micron number.

Inspect what you've actually collected.

120 Micron Bubble Bag

The 120µ bag is where things can become particularly interesting.

For some cultivars, the 120µ fraction can contain desirable resin.

For others, the strongest-looking material may appear farther down the stack.

120µ Role

Main purpose: Larger resin-size fraction

Position: Between 160µ and 90µ

Potential: Can contain high-quality resin depending on genetics

This is why using multiple screens is helpful.

The bags show you where your particular material is landing.

90 Micron Bubble Bag

The 90µ bag is one of the most talked-about sizes in bubble hash extraction.

Why?

Because some cultivars produce a significant amount of desirable mature resin within the size range captured around this part of the filtration stack.

However:

90 micron does NOT automatically mean full melt.

The bag only separates particles by size.

It doesn't determine the quality of the material entering it.

90µ Role

Main purpose: Resin fraction separation

Position: Between 120µ and 73µ

Potential: Often an important fraction worth evaluating separately

If you're processing a new cultivar, keep your 90µ material separate and see how it performs.

73 Micron Bubble Bag

The 73µ bag is another highly discussed bubble hash micron.

It sits directly below the 90µ bag in the BubbleBagDude 8-bag sequence.

Material that passes through the 90µ screen but is retained by the 73µ mesh collects here.

Depending on genetics, this fraction can contain excellent resin.

73µ Role

Main purpose: Finer resin separation

Position: Between 90µ and 45µ

Potential: Can produce an excellent fraction

So which is better, 73µ or 90µ?

There isn't a universal answer.

Different cultivars can produce different trichome-size distributions.

Related Guide: 73 vs. 90 Micron Bubble Hash: What's the Difference?

45 Micron Bubble Bag

The 45µ bag captures smaller material that passes through the 73µ screen.

Beginners sometimes assume that because 45µ is smaller, it must automatically be lower quality.

That's not necessarily how micron separation works.

The actual characteristics depend on the material collected.

45µ Role

Main purpose: Smaller resin and particle fraction

Position: Between 73µ and 25µ

Potential quality: Variable

Inspect the fraction instead of judging it only by the number printed on the bag.

25 Micron Bubble Bag

The 25µ bag is the finest collection screen in the standard BubbleBagDude 8-bag set.

Very small particles that pass through the larger screens can be retained here.

Because the mesh is extremely fine, drainage may naturally take longer than it does through larger screens.

25µ Role

Main purpose: Fine final collection

Position: Bottom/final collection bag

Mesh: Finest in the 8-bag set

Again, 25 micron does not mean "best."

It's simply the smallest mesh size in this particular filtration sequence.

Bubble Bag Order: Largest to Smallest

For understanding filtration, the BubbleBagDude 8-bag micron sequence is:

220µ → 190µ → 160µ → 120µ → 90µ → 73µ → 45µ → 25µ

Water and smaller particles progressively pass through increasingly fine mesh.

When arranging bags inside a collection bucket, think about where the water needs to travel:

coarse filtration first → increasingly fine filtration → finest collection last.

Does a Smaller Micron Mean Better Bubble Hash?

No.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about bubble bags.

It would be convenient if quality worked like this:

25µ = best

45µ = second best

73µ = third best

But that's not what micron ratings mean.

Micron size tells you about mesh opening size, not quality.

A 90µ fraction could outperform a 45µ fraction.

A 73µ fraction could be your favorite.

Another cultivar might produce interesting material at 120µ.

The plant determines the resin you're starting with.

The bags simply separate it.

What Is the Best Micron for Bubble Hash?

There is no single best micron for every batch.

Several factors influence where desirable resin ends up:

• Genetics

• Trichome head size

• Plant maturity

• Starting material quality

• Fresh frozen vs. dried material

• Agitation

• Water temperature

• Number of washes

• Contamination level

  
  

This is why experienced processors pay attention to the material rather than blindly choosing one micron.

Why Genetics Change Your Micron Results

Different cultivars don't necessarily produce identical trichomes.

Some may have larger glandular heads.

Others may have smaller ones.

Even plants of the same cultivar can vary based on growing conditions and maturity.

That's why someone online saying:

"90 micron is always the best."

shouldn't be treated as a universal rule.

Their material isn't necessarily your material.

Run the extraction.

Keep the fractions separate.

Evaluate your results.

Which Microns Should Beginners Use?

If you own a full 8-bag set and you're learning, using all of the bags can be educational.

Why?

Because you get to see where everything lands.

You'll begin recognizing:

• Where larger debris stops

• Which bags drain more slowly

• Where your highest yield appears

• Which fractions look cleanest

• How different cultivars behave
  

Once you understand your material and process better, you may decide that you don't need every screen for every wash.

But beginners can learn a lot from seeing the full separation.

Do You Need All 8 Bubble Bags Every Time?

Not necessarily.

Some experienced users simplify their filtration stack for particular workflows.

However, fewer bags mean fewer separated fractions.

For example, if you remove the 90µ bag, material that would normally stop there may continue into the next finer screen.

That's not automatically bad.

It simply means you're combining a wider particle-size range.

The full 8-bag system provides maximum separation within the available set.

4-Bag vs. 8-Bag Bubble Hash Sets

A smaller bag set offers simpler filtration.

An 8-bag system gives you more separation.

Fewer Bags

Advantages:

• Faster setup

• Fewer bags to pull

• Fewer screens to clean

• Simpler workflow

  
  

Full 8-Bag Set

Advantages:

• More precise separation

• Easier comparison between fractions

• Better for learning micron distribution

• More control over which fractions are combined

Neither approach is automatically right for everyone.

Choose based on how much separation you want.

Which Microns Produce the Highest Yield?

There's no guaranteed answer.

Your total resin distribution depends heavily on your starting material.

One batch might produce most heavily in:

90µ + 73µ

Another could distribute resin across:

120µ + 90µ + 73µ + 45µ

That's why tracking results can be useful.

Create a Micron Yield Chart for Every Batch

If you want to improve your extraction process, record what happens.

For example:

Micron	Dry Yield	Appearance	Notes
160µ	___ g	___	___
120µ	___ g	___	___
90µ	___ g	___	___
73µ	___ g	___	___
45µ	___ g	___	___
25µ	___ g	___	___

Do this across multiple cultivars and washes.

Eventually you'll build your own useful dataset.

Don't Forget Wash Number

Micron isn't the only variable.

You should also pay attention to which wash produced the material.

For example:

90µ - Wash #1

may be noticeably different from:

90µ - Wash #4

Later washes involve additional agitation and may produce a different balance of resin and plant material.

Consider tracking both:

Micron + Wash Number

This gives you much better information than micron size alone.

Bubble Hash Micron Size vs. Hash Grade

These are two different concepts.

Micron Size

Describes the size of the mesh openings used for filtration.

Hash Grade

Describes characteristics of the finished material, such as cleanliness and melt behavior.

A particular micron size doesn't automatically equal a particular grade.

For example:

90µ ≠ automatically full melt

and:

25µ ≠ automatically low quality

Evaluate the finished fraction itself.

Related Guide: How to Read Bubble Hash Grades: Full Melt to Cooking Grade

Why Your Micron Bags Need to Stay Clean

The accuracy of your filtration system depends on the condition of the mesh.

Residue can clog screen openings and slow drainage.

After use:

1. Remove collected material carefully.

2. Rinse residue from the mesh before it dries.

3. Inspect the screen.

4. Allow bags to dry completely.

5. Store them clean and dry.

Avoid scraping or aggressively damaging the mesh.

Related Guide: How Often Should You Replace Bubble Bags?

5-Gallon vs. 20-Gallon Micron Bags

BubbleBagDude offers different bag sizes for different processing volumes.

The basic concept remains the same:

Micron rating describes mesh size.

A 73µ screen remains a 73µ filtration screen whether you're using a 5-gallon or larger system.

The difference is primarily the physical size and processing capacity of the setup.

For smaller home batches, a 5-gallon system can be easier to manage.

For larger quantities, a 20-gallon system provides more working capacity.

Related Guide: 5-Gallon vs. 20-Gallon Bubble Hash Systems: Which One Should You Buy?

How to Choose the Right Bubble Bag Set

Ask yourself:

How much material will I process?

Smaller batches may be easier with a 5-gallon setup.

How much separation do I want?

More bags provide more individual micron fractions.

Am I experimenting with different cultivars?

A full set can help you understand where different cultivars concentrate their resin.

Do I want a simpler workflow?

Using fewer screens means fewer individual fractions to collect and clean.

There isn't one perfect configuration for everyone.

Bubble Hash Micron Cheat Sheet

If you want the simplest possible way to remember the system:

220µ → Coarse work/filter bag

190µ → Coarse separation

160µ → Larger particle/resin separation

120µ → Larger resin fraction

90µ → Key resin fraction to evaluate

73µ → Key finer resin fraction to evaluate

45µ → Smaller resin/material fraction

25µ → Finest collection screen

But remember:

The bag separates by size. Your starting material determines quality.

Final Thoughts: Understanding Bubble Hash Micron Sizes

You don't need to memorize which micron someone on the internet says is "best."

Instead, understand what the bags are doing.

Your BubbleBagDude filtration system progressively separates material through:

220µ → 190µ → 160µ → 120µ → 90µ → 73µ → 45µ → 25µ

Keep important fractions separate.

Compare them.

Record your yields.

Track different washes.

Pay attention to how different cultivars behave.

Over time, the micron numbers stop looking confusing and become useful information about your extraction.

Shop BubbleBagDude Bubble Bags

BubbleBagDude offers 5-gallon and 20-gallon bubble bag systems for beginners, home processors, and larger extraction setups.

Choose the system that matches your batch size and desired level of filtration.

And if you're learning the process from beginning to end, visit our Ultimate Bubble Hash Resource Hub for guides covering:

• Equipment

• Washing

• Micron selection

• Yield

• Troubleshooting

• Drying

• Storage

• Bubble bag maintenance

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

What micron bags are used for bubble hash?

Common bubble bag micron sizes include 220µ, 190µ, 160µ, 120µ, 90µ, 73µ, 45µ, and 25µ. Different sets may contain fewer filtration stages.

What is the best micron for bubble hash?

There isn't one universal best micron. The most desirable fraction depends on genetics, trichome size, maturity, starting material, and extraction technique.

Is 73 or 90 micron better?

Both can collect excellent resin. Some cultivars may perform particularly well around 90µ, while others may produce an excellent 73µ fraction.

What does a 220 micron bubble bag do?

The 220µ bag is commonly used as a coarse work/filter screen that retains larger material while allowing smaller particles and resin to continue through the filtration system.

What is the 25 micron bubble bag for?

The 25µ bag is the finest collection screen in the BubbleBagDude 8-bag set and captures very small material that passes through the larger micron screens.

Does lower micron mean better bubble hash?

No. Micron rating describes mesh opening size, not quality.

Do I need all eight bubble bags?

Not necessarily. A full 8-bag set provides more precise separation, while fewer bags create a simpler workflow with broader combined fractions.

What order do bubble bags go in?

The filtration sequence from largest to smallest micron is 220µ, 190µ, 160µ, 120µ, 90µ, 73µ, 45µ, and 25µ.