@cpurola, @Derelict999 @GNick55
Your filtering woes can be solved inexpensively. Use a perforated glass Buchner Funnel and filter paper. I filter down to 0.45um no problem.
A cheap pump such as this one:
lab Filter Vacuum Pump Portable Pressure Pump with Tubing and Connectors : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.ca
A funnel such as this. I use the perforated funnels rather than the fritted. I suggest a 500ml minimum.
Borosilicate Glass Buchner Filtering Funnel,Glass Plate Filter Funnel with 24/29 Standard Joint Perforated Glass Plate Filtering Funnel for Laboratory Use (500ML) : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.ca
Depending on batch size, pick the appropriately sized flask. I suggest a 2000ml minimum. But whatever works.
stonylab Glass 24/40 Erlenmeyer Flask, Borosilicate Glass Heavy Wall Flask with 24/40 Standard Taper Outer Joint, 50 ml : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.ca
Depending on how low you want to filter down to, buy the appropriately sized filter paper (90mm for a 500ml funnel) and micron size (um). To filter below 1.0um, you will need membrane. I buy 0.45um membrane in a roll and cut out whatever sized filter I need. Ensure the filter paper is compatible with the solvent used.
I use the 1.5um filter paper in tandem with DE to remove plant particulate and winterize the solution at -20C.
Labasics Fast Flow Qualitative Filter Paper with 25 Micron Pore Size, Cellulose Circles for Laboratory Analysis, 100 Pcs, 90 mm : Amazon.ca: Industrial & Scientific
www.amazon.ca
After the initial filtering and winterization, I allow the solution to warm back up to room temp. Then I add carbon directly to the solution at a 5:1 ratio (5g carbon to every OZ of bud used). Filtering thru a 1.5um filter paper used with a 10mm cake of DE will remove the carbon.
This might seem like overkill for what you want to do. But if you want a clean and presentable concentrate...........that is how.
The ceramic Buchner Funnels are cheaper in cost, but I like the glass funnels. With the ceramic funnels, you must attach a hose to the stem of the funnel so it is discharging below the vacuum port. Otherwise you will suck the solution into the vacuum. The glass funnels prevent this.
Prior to distillation, I filter down to 1.5um. Then reduce the solution in rotovap until very concentrated. I do this in a 1000ml boiling flask.
Once I have the solution concentrated, I remove the 1000ml boiling flask from rotovap. I then filter the concentrated solution thru 0.45um membrane, into a 500ml or 250ml boiling flask. Then continue reducing until almost all solvent purged.
Let flask cool. Then transfer to a silicone tub and throw it inside vacuum oven for 12 hrs. If nice quality bud, the end product is consistently wax or crumble. Very tastey and potent.
Now to step it up a notch, use filter mediums such as DE and carbon. Amazing results.
