The Ultimate Guide To Using The IcePharmer Filter Bags

The Ultimate Guide to Using a 5-Tier Bubble Bag for Clean and Efficient Botanical Flower Processing

Looking for a natural, clean, and efficient way to process plant material? The 5-tier bubble bag system is your trusted companion. Once popular primarily in niche herbal circles, it’s now widely embraced by DIY herbalists, natural skincare creators, and home processors working with flowers, herbs, and roots.

Whether you're crafting teas, tinctures, oils, or botanical skincare products, this guide will walk you through how to get the most from your botanical flower process.

What is a 5-Tier Bubble Bag System?

A 5-tier bubble bag setup features five layered mesh filter bags, each with a different micron rating. Stacked inside a bucket like nesting bowls, they allow for gradual, size-specific filtration during a cold water process, gently separating plant material without heat or harsh inputs.

Common Micron Sizes & Their Roles:

220 Micron – Captures large debris (leaves, stems, fibers)
160 Micron – Filters mid-sized plant matter
120 Micron – Traps finer botanical sediment
73 Micron – Isolates high-quality flower material ideal for oils or tinctures
25 Micron – Collects the finest particles for your most refined botanical products

Why Choose a 5-Tier Bubble Bag System?

Clean Cold Water Processing – No chemicals or additives needed
Multi-Stage Filtration – Efficiently separates by particle size
Preserves Botanical Integrity – Protects delicate flower compounds like terpenes and essential oils
Versatile Applications – Great for calendula, lavender, rose petals, chamomile, mint, and more

Step-by-Step: How to Use a 5-Tier Bubble Bag

Step 1: Prep Your Flower Material
Lightly chop or grind dried flowers. Keep a coarse consistency—avoid powdering them.

Step 2: Layer the Bags
Place the 25 micron bag at the bottom of a clean bucket, stacking the others in ascending order (up to 220 micron on top).

Step 3: Add Ice & Water
Fill the bucket halfway with cold water and ice. This helps stiffen the plant material and encourages compound separation during mixing.

Step 4: Add Your Botanicals
Evenly distribute your flower material in the bucket. Gently stir for 15–20 minutes using a wooden spoon or stirring paddle.

Step 5: Drain & Filter
Slowly lift each bag, allowing water to drain thoroughly. Use a spoon or scraper to collect the filtered material from each layer.

Step 6: Dry the Material
Spread the collected plant material on parchment, drying screens, or a clean cloth. Allow it to air dry completely before storing.