The NugSmasher Mini is just the right size for commercial or personal use. With easy operation and a simple design, the Mini makes it easy to make cannabis concentrate for yourself or your customers.
The NugSmasher brand is a holding of Advantis Corporation, which specializes in the development of marijuana-related products. Advantis’s other products include the Rosin6 press as well as Gino’s Roasters and several vape companies.
NugSmasher Mini Reviews
Some say the NugSmasher Mini is the best small personal use rosin press on the market.
It’s easy to travel with, and it’s built to last. All Minis are produced by Premiere Manufacturing’s factory in Corona, California. The company says its 40,000 square-foot facility is staffed with fabricators, engineers, builders and designers.
Features
- Solid steel design
- 2 tons of pressure
- 5” smash plates
- Suited for 3.5 grams of material or less
- Dual heating elements for quick heating
- Precise digital temperature control
- Circuit protection
- Manual pump arm
- Fast retract plate release
The NugSmasher Mini is guaranteed for life. The company’s lifetime warranty applies to all components of the system. The company also offers top-notch customer service via phone, person or online.
Here’s the cool thing about the Mini. It was designed for travel. You can’t legally travel with marijuana, but you can bring your press and use it in a state where cannabis is legal (medical or recreational). The design of the machine is already compact, but the handle – which can make it difficult to pack the machine – can actually be removed and stowed away on the top of the machine.
How to Use the Mini NugSmasher
Many people are intimidated by rosin presses. They automatically assume that they’re difficult to use, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The NugSmasher Mini has a relatively simple design that’s straightforward to use.
Setting Up the Machine
The Mini is made for travel, so you can set it up in minutes wherever you are – trade shows, your house, etc. When you first receive the machine, you’ll need to insert the handle.
The handle must be inserted properly, or the press pump won’t work. The handle should sit on the lower end when inserted.
Temperature and Auto Tune
If the factory settings aren’t holding temperatures properly, you can use the Auto Tune setting. Here’s how:
- Hold down the “<</AT” button for 3 seconds until the green AT light comes on. This will start the auto tune process.
- The auto tune process will heat up and cool down around the set temperature three times. With each pass, the unit will adjust its settings to fine-tune itself.
- The auto tune process is complete when the AT lamp turns off.
If you want to adjust the plate’s set temperature, simply hit the “<</AT” button (don’t hold it down) once. The first row of digits should start flashing. Each time you press the “<</AT” button, it will move to the next number. When you want to change a number, just press the green up or down arrows. Once you’ve set your desired temperature, press the set button once to lock the temperature.
NugSmasher recommends setting the temperature to 220 degrees for flowers. The unit will come preset at this temperature, but you can adjust as necessary to your liking.
Power Up and Load Up
Once you’re ready to use the press, just set the power switch to “on.” It should take 5-7 minutes for the unit to heat up, depending on your location.
NugSmasher recommends using their extraction bags for optimal yield. Like the press itself, the bags are made in the U.S. They’re designed to work with the weight of fresh flower, and they come in a range of sizes:
- 5g – Yields 1.5”-1.6” puck
- 7g – Yields 2”-2.2” puck
- 14g – Yields 2.4”-2.7” puck
You can also press without bags (more on that soon).
Start Pressing
Once the unit has reached the desired temperature, you’re ready to start pressing.
- Place the material between parchment paper and in between the plates.
- Use the pumping handle to raise the plates slowly. Moving slowly is the key to building heat in the material.
- The pressing process should be between 90 and 120 seconds, depending on the strain.
Don’t worry about over-pressing – it’s virtually impossible. Give the material one full final press before removing your material.
If you’re more of a visual learner, I recommend watching this YouTube video from the company’s official channel. The video demonstrates how to use the press without bags.
Pros and Cons of the NugSmasher Mini
The NugSmasher Mini has a lot going for it, but this press may not be for everyone.
Pros
- Portable
- Easy to use
- Precise digital temperature control
- Even heating
- Large plates
- Durable design
- Made in the U.S.
The Mini is already preset to the ideal temperature for flower, but it’s great that you can fine-tune the settings and even adjust the temperature manually if you want.
Because the Mini is made out of solid steel, you can be sure that it will give you years of use (if you care for it properly).
And the travel-friendly design with the removable handle makes this model a great option for traveling to trade shows or from shop to shop.
Cons
- May not be suited for beginners
When I say “may not be suitable for beginners,” what I really mean is that the price point may be high for someone who is just getting started.
With that said, the Mini is simple to use and it’s great for personal users, too.