How to perfect the process of extraction at home

[Moshmen]

Nice thread fellas...

I make my extraction the old school way with the everclear wash, strain etc...then reduce until I get to the approx. milligrams I want for cooking/dosing using the online calcs. As always with this is that my THC content is my best guess. Apparently I'm quite consistant with this my folks tell me as their edibles (caramels) are right on the money every time. I don't do this on a big scale but prob 4 times per year when needed.

I would be interested in a tutorial that shows how to get things going with this type of extraction for people without spending a boatload of money I don't have. Is there a basic roto vap for reasonable money that WORKS lol (yes I'm cheap) so I could take things up to a bit higher quality.

Watched Moe's roto vap vid but that's way outta my league with all that equipment. Looking for the next level up from the basic old school extraction.

OR

Just forget all that and continue doin what I've been doin, seems like its all pretty much hands on at all times anyways eh!

Next up would be the source turbo speeds things up and recovers alcohol- only dies small batches though

 

[Moe.Red]

Yes, I agree that the source is a good first stop. It has limitations, but it's not bad for the price.

 

[sportyridr]

Next up would be the source turbo speeds things up and recovers alcohol- only dies small batches though

Thanks man...I am going to talk with my oldest lad that I do edibles for, maybe he will buy it lol. Maybe split the cost. I may have to sell some drum stuff

Yes, I agree that the source is a good first stop. It has limitations, but it's not bad for the price.

I'll take this as a recommendation lol. If it does things as shown in the two vids so far I'd be tickled I think. Thanks

 

[Moe.Red]

I'll take this as a recommendation lol. If it does things as shown in the two vids so far I'd be tickled I think. Thanks

Soft recommendation. Limitations are slow / small batches, and temp control is not tight. Meaning you will lose terps in the process. Some folks don't care about that.

 

[sportyridr]

Soft recommendation. Limitations are slow / small batches, and temp control is not tight. Meaning you will lose terps in the process. Some folks don't care about that.

slow is also having to do it old school and have a decent day...no rain or strong wind or snowstorms, set up stuff outside on porch, constantly go in n out to monitor...I guess there's always a trade off of good n bads to deal with...I've been doing just rec edibles, nothing really medical at this juncture but who knows in future...I'll keep reading up later after the ball game...Go Blue!

 

[Moshmen]

Soft recommendation. Limitations are slow / small batches, and temp control is not tight. Meaning you will lose terps in the process. Some folks don't care about that.

I try think he was making oil for edibles ? But yes not much on terps it’s just super easy to use I think anyone can it

 

[cronicoldguy]

Can't wait to see what you do with the reaction chamber.

I gave away my source turbo because it was too damn slow and you had to keep adding ice. But it's how we started too.

- You mentioned Ethanol etho:water ratio changes with solvent usage. Can I not just simply distill Everclear back to 95% with a rotovap or fractional still?

To a point, you can take water out. but it is way more efficient when taking a lot of water out than just a little. A molecular sieve is what you really need to remove water from ETOH.

I'm gonna rename the thread then come back and see what other things I missed.

So far I have used the reactor for soaking and for remediation. It works great because it keeps it agitated during extraction and remediation. It is even possible to winterize the solution in the reactor with a decent chiller.

I plan to source some glassware to allow me to configure a Soxhlet Extractor with the kettle lid. I think it will make a great large batch Soxhlet Extractor. Glassware for a large Soxhlet doesnt come cheap. 1K+ for a 1L capacity.

I am going to pursue and experiment with the Soxhlet method. Its seems to be the most efficient extraction process I have found. Nothing left behind. With that said, it will pull all the undesirables as well. So unless a person is planning on aggressively refining the crude, this isnt the process for everyone. With the thorough extraction, the crude will be diluted somewhat more . Though, with some medical conditions , it maybe beneficial to leave all constituents in the crude. Just filter out particulates and call it good.

Thanks man...I am going to talk with my oldest lad that I do edibles for, maybe he will buy it lol. Maybe split the cost. I may have to sell some drum stuff



I'll take this as a recommendation lol. If it does things as shown in the two vids so far I'd be tickled I think. Thanks

As @Moe.Red mentioned, small batches. 1oz-2oz. Still waiting on rotovap to arrive. So yesterday, I decided to evap approx. 1700ml of solution thru the Source Turbo. Ya......... it is meant for small batches! Took well over 12 hrs to cycle the entire amount.

But for small batches, it works very well.

 

[Moe.Red]

Cool, I'll follow along and learn with you. I've not looked into it at all really. Could be interesting.

 

[sportyridr]

As @Moe.Red mentioned, small batches. 1oz-2oz. Still waiting on rotovap to arrive. So yesterday, I decided to evap approx. 1700ml of solution thru the Source Turbo. Ya......... it is meant for small batches! Took well over 12 hrs to cycle the entire amount.

But for small batches, it works very well.

Excellent, thanks for your input on the Turbo. I wouldn't be doing any more than about that amount at one time so that would be in line with our needs.

We'll see if my future holds one

 

[ritoMox]

Reason being is that I want my concentrate as clean and natural as possible.

​

Ice Water Hash? Link: The History of Ice Water Hash

​

 

[cronicoldguy]

Constant Pressure Funnel
(This experiment was done as proof of concept more than anything)

So last night I did a bit of experimenting. Not a proper setup. I had to ghetto this together as I dont have a proper Soxhlet Funnel......yet.

I used a Constant Pressure Funnel (will refer to as CPF). To do this extraction process proper, one should have a Soxhlet Extractor (will refer as SE) funnel and suitable chiller.

I started with making a filter out of cotton so the plant matter doesnt clog the CPF valve. Also to keep particulate out of boiling flask.

- Dried 0.5oz Black Diamond Kush in oven and then ground it coarsely. Added it to the CPF thru top.
- Closed valve on CPV funnel and filled it with Ethanol about 1/4" above biomass.
- Start vacuum and begin heating. I didnt have a proper boiling flask, so I couldnt monitor solution temperature in boiling flask. Important. That is the whole point of doing this under vacuum....to maintain as low temps as possible. Given this was done under vacuum, I dont think I reached that threshold. At atmospheric pressure, temp monitoring and control will be critical.
- Once the solvent started to boil, vaporize, and condense, I opened the valve on the CPV. I adjusted the drip rate back to boiling flask to match the rate the ethanol was condensing at.
- This worked well until I ran out of ice! Once chiller water reached =>8C, the ethanol wasnt condensing well. This was the end of the experiment.
Proof of concept proven.
Colour of solution in CPF at end. You can see just a faint hue. Second pic is of boiling flask at end. Virtually stripped everything available:

A video of the process and rigging. Dont laugh. My lab isnt near as elaborate as @Moe.Red 's, but it is a work in progress. It was formerly my PC lab.

My conclusion:
Although the Constant Pressure Funnel worked, a proper Soxhlet Extractor is much better. The vapor tube should be larger to allow higher condensing rate. I will be purchasing a proper Soxhlet Extractor in the future. I just broke the bank buying a recirculating chiller last night. F**K using ice. Soxhlet gonna have to wait. I need the chiller more at the moment.

Cheers!

 

[pilto]

Gosh. I just make bubble hash, press it into rosin and infuse coconut oil with rosin chips for gummy bears. Keep it simple. HAHA.

 

[cronicoldguy]

Gosh. I just make bubble hash, press it into rosin and infuse coconut oil with rosin chips for gummy bears. Keep it simple. HAHA.

MMMMM, bubble hash. Still havent tried it! If I had large quantities, I would give making bubble hash a go. It is as time consuming. Cheaper to do, but whole different product. To refine it further you have to put it into solution anyways. Thats were you are going to spend some loot.

Ethanol is my preferred method of extraction for now. So I am going to concentrate on mastering it. Then move on to other methods.

 

[cronicoldguy]

So, having major issues with vacuum. Cant seem to get vacuum deep enough. Lowest pressure I can get is 411 Torr. Using a 1L fractional still. Has 7-8 glass joints. I greased the living shit out all joints, rotating male/female connections for clear and see-thur glass. I even used teflon tape to no avail.
Tried running 2 pumps in tandem. No go. Has got me fucked trying to figure out issue. I think either pump alone should be able to pull a deep enough vacuum.

I am hoping @Moe.Red will chime in. Anyone with suggestions?

These are the 2 pumps I have:

Specification: Material Stainless Steel, Copper, ABS Plastic Input 110V Single-Tap Sucking Rate 10L/min Max. Vacuum Degree 0.098Mpa Flow 60L/min Tank Volume 15L Motor Power 180W​

Specification: Free Air Displacement(FAD) 5CFM, Stage Two, Power 1/2 HP, Voltage/Frequency 110V / 60HZ , Ultimate Vacuum 0.3 PA, 25 microns​

 

[RootsRuler]

 

[Moe.Red]

So, having major issues with vacuum. Cant seem to get vacuum deep enough. Lowest pressure I can get is 411 Torr. Using a 1L fractional still. Has 7-8 glass joints. I greased the living shit out all joints, rotating male/female connections for clear and see-thur glass. I even used teflon tape to no avail.
Tried running 2 pumps in tandem. No go. Has got me fucked trying to figure out issue. I think either pump alone should be able to pull a deep enough vacuum.

I am hoping @Moe.Red will chime in. Anyone with suggestions?

These are the 2 pumps I have:
View attachment 1291731

Specification: Material Stainless Steel, Copper, ABS Plastic Input 110V Single-Tap Sucking Rate 10L/min Max. Vacuum Degree 0.098Mpa Flow 60L/min Tank Volume 15L Motor Power 180W​

View attachment 1291732​

​

Specification: Free Air Displacement(FAD) 5CFM, Stage Two, Power 1/2 HP, Voltage/Frequency 110V / 60HZ , Ultimate Vacuum 0.3 PA, 25 microns​

I can get down below 25 Torr on my water pump.

I tied the 2 outputs together with a tee. If you have not, that will double the vacuum because there are 2 separate piston assemblies inside.

If the water gets hot, the performance tanks. I start with ice water in the bucket.

If neither of these things helps, you have a leak somewhere.

 

[cronicoldguy]

View attachment 1291748

That is almost pr0n. I would work there for free just to learn. Very nice. What do we have going on in the picture? Is that a reactor or wiped film? Hard for me to tell by picture. Likely obvious to others. Oh, can you spare one of those pumps and cold traps? LOL Ball park figure. How much money sitting on that rack? 60K?

I can get down below 25 Torr on my water pump.

I tied the 2 outputs together with a tee. If you have not, that will double the vacuum because there are 2 separate piston assemblies inside.

If the water gets hot, the performance tanks. I start with ice water in the bucket.

If neither of these things helps, you have a leak somewhere.

Thanks Moe.

I had the two lines T'd from the get-go. Both gauges read the same. I did as you did in your video. I had a full ice bath as well.

What is really making me wonder is that I did a pressure test on my 5L reactor. With all the joints dry, I was able to max out the gauges. That is why pulling down this dinky little still has me stumped. This was prior to getting the J-Kem DVR-200 so not sure exactly what pressure I had it down to. How can I be certain I dont have a leak somewhere?

Furthermore, heat regulation is an issue at the moment as well. I am using a double boiler on a hotplate for now. The heating mantle I had ordered finally showed up............with no magnetic stirrer in it. The description on Amazon clearly stated it had a magnetic stirrer. It didnt. Now the seller expects me to pay return shipping. This is after they suggested 'I get over it and just keep it'. The descriptions are intentionally deceiving. I should have known just looking at the picture. Disputing with Amazon.


Can somebody recommend a cold trap that wont break the bank? @RootsRuler ? I need one when running the rotary vain pump.

I am also rotovapless at the moment. Had 2 different units on order. Waited 2 months only to find out the didnt get shipped and never will. Again, scammed by online 3rd party vendor. I hate to say it, but all 3 instances I have been scammed by online retailers, have been 3rd party Chinese sellers. Twice at Walmart, twice at Newegg, and now Amazon.
With that said and as I type, I am evaping 4L of solution thru the Source Turbo. LOLOLOL! Gonna be a while boys. Dont want to use the still until I get my vacuum issue sorted. I could use it at atmospheric, but oil would taste like dogshit because of the high temp used. This shit has been in solution in the freezer for over a week. I want to process it before it is no good. Hey, there is another question.

How long can cannabis extract be left in solution before properties begin to deteriorate?

 

[RootsRuler]

That is almost pr0n. I would work there for free just to learn. Very nice. What do we have going on in the picture? Is that a reactor or wiped film? Hard for me to tell by picture. Likely obvious to others. Oh, can you spare one of those pumps and cold traps? LOL Ball park figure. How much money sitting on that rack? 60K?

It's from a buddy of mines lab out in Cali. He was selling it and asked me if I knew anyone that was in the market for extraction equipment. I sold it to my other buddy that works for a big weed corp in Cali. Rack sold for $110,000. I'm not even sure what it does other than I know it's used in the extraction process.

Had another buddy with a lab doing Nano CBD in water soluble powder form. I was helping him sell it to industries that were interested in putting CBD into their products like Shampoos and stuff. He had roto vapes and other lab gear going. I told him the first time I visited him it looked like a meth lab!!!!

 

[Blastfact]

I ordered a Source Turbo and STX Kit. Kind of a side ways move for me in some ways, upgrade and down grade in others. I don't need big batch's anymore. And I'm sick of the setup, clean up and take down of my old system.

 

[Observationist]

ok see

OK. If this is allowed, I will post what I have found in my quest for Affordable Extraction and refinement Equipment. Items will be posted as I find them, not in order they would be utilized. The majority of the equipment can be found at Vevor. Prices are good, very fast shipping, and what I have received from them to date has been very acceptable. Some items listed I have not personally purchased or tested. I will indicate this. If and when I do purchase these items, I will update as required. I will include prices at time of writing.

I will start with a Reaction Chamber as it is versatile and you can actually do extractions with it. With the right setup, it could almost be turn-key.

Reaction Chamber

VEVOR Jacketed Reactor 5L Laboratory Glass Reactor $1044.99CAD - Purchased

View attachment 1273459

- Extractions, Homogenize, Infuse, Winterize, Colour/Pestiside Remediation, Distillation/Solvent Recovery, Decarboxylation



Biomass Press

VEVOR Wine Presser, 0.5Gal/2L Grape Press $99.99CAD - Purchased / Tested

View attachment 1273460

- Press and squeeze biomass to recover as much solution as possible.



EVAPORATION / SOLVENT RECOVERY

Source Turbo $735CAD - Purchased / Tested
View attachment 1273458


- Evaporation and solvent recovery. Vacuum filtering. Possibly decarboxylation (i havent confirmed)

Great machine. The first actual piece of equipment I have purchased. Works great and as advertised. You can evaporate and recover the solvent. You can use it as a Vacuum Pump and utilize a Buchner Funnel to Vacuum Filter the solution prior to evaporation.

Small batches and takes approx. two hours for one cycle. Several cycles maybe required to fully evaporate the batch solution.

Rotary Evaporators

Lumana Rotary Evaporator 5L ($351.00) - Purchased

Ordered but still on boat from China. @Moe.Red noticed there is no Bump Trap. That might be an issue. I believe a trap can be found for it. Will have to be very careful in the mean time.

View attachment 1273461

- Evaporation and Solvent Recovery



Bmatwk 1L Roary Evaporator ($51.00CAD) - Purchased

This is almost laughable in pricing. Ordered but still on boat from China.

View attachment 1273462

- Evaporation and Solvent Recovery



Vacuum Pump / Chiller / Cold Trap

Circulating Water Vacuum Pump Air 60L/min Stainless 180W Lab Chemistry Equipment ($221.99) - Purchased

View attachment 1273463

This unit acts as a Vacuum Pump, Water Circulating Chiller, and Cold Trap. All required to operate a rotovap, reaction chamber*, or fractional/short path still.

*Depending on process



This is just what I have found and purchased. Please feel free to post better options or deals. I will continue to update as I find goods.

ok this is the shit i wanted to get into, this is straight up lab-chem at this point


dont have the space right now or the time or the money but one day...