IF you have the capital, look into a Waters or Apeks super-fluid super-critical CO2 extractor. CO2 is cleaner for extractions (some states even allow you to stamp “Solvent-Free” on packaging when CO2 is utilized for extraction) and has a greater acceptance among users both recreational and medical as a preferred means of isolating cannabinoids for combustion and consumption. There is a long-standing belief among users (especially medical patients) that the extracts produced by CO2 are “cleaner” than those that use a solvent in the hydrocarbon extraction process. CO2 further allows you to isolate different components found in the cannabis plant into separate fractions. You are able to fraction the fats, luteins, lipids, chlorophyll and other plant waxes into one vessel, the essential oils and cannabinoids into a second vessel, and the terpenes into a third vessel. This process is done through precise scientific equipment at very specific pressures and temperatures to further increase the efficiency of the extraction process.
For decades, hops growers have been using super critical extraction to extract essential oils from hops for use in beer brewing. Fun fact: humulus lupus (hops genus and species) is in the cannabaceae family, the same family as cannabis sativa; so from a taxonomy standpoint, the hops and cannabis plants are actually very close cousins. Many of the same extraction methods incorporated in the brewing industry have been borrowed by the always-evolving cannabis industry.
Another benefit of CO2 versus solvent (i.e. BHO) extraction is the mitigation of fire/explosion risk. Unlike butane, CO2 is not volatile when exposed to heat sources. CO2 also does not have the same ventilation requirements as do BHO labs. Though not entirely risk-free (liquid CO2 is VERY cold and stored under pressure, so there is some inherent risk if not handled properly), CO2 is safer for people to use to extract in closed spaces.
It has often been argued that CO2 extracts do not possess the same taste/terp profile as BHO extracts. While I can agree with that particular issue (having dabbed way more than my fair share of both BHO and CO2 extracts!), I can say the sense of CO2 extracts being “better for the body” is ever-present. I look at buying CO2 kind of like buying “organic”: you know that “organic” is produced in a cleaner fashion, “organic” is better for your body, and, maybe most importantly, “organic” makes you feel good inside. Consumers will ultimately dictate their extract preference, but I think the industry will move in the direction of CO2 extracts. Also, in the future, governmental regulatory agencies may force the hand of the industry and require only solvent-free extractions. Time will tell on this issue…
I feel like I chimed in my two cents here on equipment. Oh yeah, physical footprint: a Waters lab with two four-pound material chambers will take up a whole 10 x 10 room when fully assembled, and that is just the extractor itself, you need you leave room for rotary evaporators, vacuum ovens, centrifuges, freezers, and stainless steel prep tables for packaging. Also I recommend you plan accordingly and leave yourself some additional space to scale in the future.
Good luck!
