1st Extraction Imminent: Some Last Concerns

[Portals2Eternity]

Hello fellow psychonauts! I've got good quality bark, the last of my supplies are trickling in, and I'm just about ready to get into Nomans tek. One thing (I'm sure more than 1, but...) still eludes me: when I'm pulling the dmt/solvent with my baster, if I happen to suck up a bit of the lye water mimosa soup (at the end of pulling I envision this happening [as willy myco demonstrated, if any have seen his extraction video]), I plan to put that naphtha/ lye water mix into a smaller beaker in order to make it easier to pull the final bit of naphtha off to put in my primary beaker. If this indeed does happen, will I need to wash the baster prior to sucking up the remaining naphtha to put with the majority of naphtha in my primary beaker? If not, it seems like I'd contaminate my pull...

As always, any advice is IMMENSELY appreciated! :thumb_up:

 

[sendokon]

Get a baby medicine dropper, and or a pipette. The baster is a bit ruff to handle when trying to pull smaller amounts. Youll be a bit more accurate, i havnt used a baster since

 

[AcidShard]

Yeah, you don't want lye in with your pulls, I use a different pipette if I think it will get contaminated with base soup.
A good rinse with fresh naphtha is probably fine, but you should always recrystallize or do a sodium carbonate wash to be sure there is no lye left in the spice. These processes are on the wiki as well as the forum.

Reading up on a few more teks is always good, even if you don't plan on using them. They explain things different ways and you get a better feel for the whole process. It helped me out a lot before my first extraction.
All of this info is available in existing posts already though, use google to search the site, it works better than the Nexus search function.

Hope your extraction goes well!

 

[Norsern_vind]

Easiest but most expensive: seperatory funnel.

Balanced cost and ease of use: glass pipette w/ pipette pump (not bulb)

Cheapest but hardest to work with: glass medicine dropper



I would stay away from anything plastic. Personally, i feel its worth investing in a seperatory funnel, but I would not do any less than a glass pipette w/ pipette pump. This will help your extraction so much easier, and save you a lot of grief.

 

[Portals2Eternity]

Thank you everyone who took the time to respond! A separatory funnel is DEFINITELY something I want to invest in, once I have 1 or 2 extractions under my belt. Im feeling fairly confident in my methodology after weeks and weeks of in-depth research on the nexus and elsewhere.

I've got a glass baster + a glass pipette on the way, though they have the rubber bulbs on the end which I'm not too keen on. I really like the idea of using the pipette with pump... it's something I was unaware of b4 this thread but, along with the sep. funnel, it's something I will be undoubtedly be investing in.

By the end of June, possibly as early as the 20th-ish, I'll have the green light to proceed, so to all of you: what do you know now that you wish you would've known prior to, and for, your 1st extraction?

 

[Norsern_vind]

Thank you everyone who took the time to respond! A separatory funnel is What do you know now that you wish you would've known prior to, and for, your 1st extraction?

- about investing in glassware, seperatory funnels and pipette pumps; makes life so much easier.

- about the benefits of a magnetic stirrer hotplate

- hotter temps are not always better

- patience is the ultimate virtue; no need to rush any step

 

[Portals2Eternity]

Thank you everyone who took the time to respond! A separatory funnel is What do you know now that you wish you would've known prior to, and for, your 1st extraction?

- about investing in glassware, seperatory funnels and pipette pumps; makes life so much easier.

- about the benefits of a magnetic stirrer hotplate

- hotter temps are not always better

- patience is the ultimate virtue; no need to rush any step

Very cool. Definitely need to hear about the importance of patience again and again, as it isn't 1 of my inherent virtues.

A seperation funnel seems to be so essential, I think that'll be my first "big" purchase. Might be a stupud question, if there is such a thing, but is the magnetic stirrer/hot plate employed during the naphtha stage strictly or throughout the extraction process?

Lastly, what kind of glassware IYE is best for mixing: beakers, flasks, etc.? And is borosilicate, in your opinion, the way to go? For now, I'm using 3.3 borosilicate glass beakers for mixing the lye water, and for the freeze precipitation (also for re-x if that part is deemed necessary after seeing final product)...

 

[Norsern_vind]

Thank you everyone who took the time to respond! A separatory funnel is What do you know now that you wish you would've known prior to, and for, your 1st extraction?

- about investing in glassware, seperatory funnels and pipette pumps; makes life so much easier.

- about the benefits of a magnetic stirrer hotplate

- hotter temps are not always better

- patience is the ultimate virtue; no need to rush any step

Very cool. Definitely need to hear about the importance of patience again and again, as it isn't 1 of my inherent virtues.

A seperation funnel seems to be so essential, I think that'll be my first "big" purchase. Might be a stupud question, if there is such a thing, but is the magnetic stirrer/hot plate employed during the naphtha stage strictly or throughout the extraction process?

Lastly, what kind of glassware IYE is best for mixing: beakers, flasks, etc.? And is borosilicate, in your opinion, the way to go? For now, I'm using 3.3 borosilicate glass beakers for mixing the lye water, and for the freeze precipitation (also for re-x if that part is deemed necessary after seeing final product)...

- seperatory funnel isn't necessarily essential, but makes everything far easier.

- only use the stir function while making the soup, at a very low speed. This eliminates the need to constantly stir the soup by hand while it cooks, and prevents the rb from caking at the bottom. Also, Keep watch on the Temperature, as some Stirrers can get extremely hot on even low settings.Don't use the stirrer for b following steps because it increases the chance of creating an emulsion.

- all you really need for glassware is a set of beakers (50ml - 500ml), an erlenmeyer for the soup, and another erlenmeyer that is one size smaller for the final wash and pulls. If you can't get a seperatory funnel, you should get a narrow profile column, such as a graduated cylinder.

- yes, use borosilicate. Some people use things like mason jars. Normal glass jars have a greater chance to rupture and/or explode from exothermic reations

- just Remember that for freeze precip, a larger surface area makes it easier, so something like a large pyrex baking dish really helps a lot. The important thing to do is make sure the dish has a good seal, which can be achieved with plastic wrap. Stay away from jars unless you absolutely have no choice

 

[AcidShard]

what do you know now that you wish you would've known prior to, and for, your 1st extraction?

Patience, and having more Pyrex on hand.
I think that the investment in glassware is unnecessary unless you are doing other experiments or doing a lot of extractions.
But that's just me, and I don't have that kind of cash to shell out on that stuff. I got pipettes from work, precipitation dish and extraction vessel from second-hand store, and bought a Pyrex graduated cylinder with millilitre markings on it.

It's extremely hard to be patient on your first extraction, if you've never tried DMT, and are as excited about it as I was.

I totally agree with Norsen_vind about not using mason jars and avoiding excessive heat, you pull out too much fats.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[downwardsfromzero]

If you can bake a cake, you can extract DMT.

If can't bake a cake, why the heck are you trying to extract DMT? :lol:


Sep funnels are of more utility when using heavier-than-water solvents, although they're still a handy thing to have (hard to disguise as kitchen equipment though!)

 

[Portals2Eternity]

- all you really need for glassware is a set of beakers (50ml - 500ml), an erlenmeyer for the soup, and another erlenmeyer that is one size smaller for the final wash and pulls. If you can't get a seperatory funnel, you should get a narrow profile column, such as a graduated cylinder.

Ok, so the flask I'd be using for the pulls, do you just stick that in the freezer for the freeze precip? If so, how would I go about scraping that, isn't it a really narrow top?

Also, do you happen to have any experience with karter scientific? I ordered 3.3 borosolicate beakers from them, 50ml to 1000ml, but they are missing the '3.3 boro' marking. In the pic, it had the marking. So I contacted them and they said they just pulled them from inventory, but not to worry, they're borosilicate. Thoughts?

 

[Portals2Eternity]

...and bought a Pyrex graduated cylinder with millilitre markings on it.

You use this for the pulls, crudely then finely in the cylinder?

It's extremely hard to be patient on your first extraction, if you've never tried DMT, and are as excited about it as I was.

Nailed it! Lol Im naturally impatient, so this has been/is unbearable, yet virtue-building, I suppose!

I totally agree with Norsen_vind about not using mason jars and avoiding excessive heat, you pull out too much fats.

After mixing the lye in water, I can use the mason jar for adding the naphtha + pulls though?

Let us know how it goes.

I absolutely will. Thx for your help!

 

[Portals2Eternity]

If you can bake a cake, you can extract DMT.

If can't bake a cake, why the heck are you trying to extract DMT? :lol:

I wouldn't say can't, as much as don't. :lol:

I'm extremely confident in what I'm doing, a bit less so in my equipment. Is a ball wide mouth mason jar ok for after I mix the lye into water, to hold the soup, IYE? I've just about exhausted my resources for this 1st extraction. In the future, I'll definitely be investing in a more advanced/quality setup!

 

[downwardsfromzero]

To be fair, I leave the cake baking to the missus but would rather extract the alkaloids myself.

All you really need is a spoon, a couple of pyrex jugs and a baking dish. The one piece of lab equipment to start with is a pipette. All other things are extras, some of which make life easier.

 

[Norsern_vind]

- all you really need for glassware is a set of beakers (50ml - 500ml), an erlenmeyer for the soup, and another erlenmeyer that is one size smaller for the final wash and pulls. If you can't get a seperatory funnel, you should get a narrow profile column, such as a graduated cylinder.

Ok, so the flask I'd be using for the pulls, do you just stick that in the freezer for the freeze precip? If so, how would I go about scraping that, isn't it a really narrow top?

Also, do you happen to have any experience with karter scientific? I ordered 3.3 borosolicate beakers from them, 50ml to 1000ml, but they are missing the '3.3 boro' marking. In the pic, it had the marking. So I contacted them and they said they just pulled them from inventory, but not to worry, they're borosilicate. Thoughts?

- no. The erlenmeyers (or whatever vessel you use) facilitate the extraction; the extract goes into a CLEAN vessel, then into the freezer.

- karter is absolutely fine, though a little on the thin side; avoid rough handling

 

[Portals2Eternity]

To be fair, I leave the cake baking to the missus but would rather extract the alkaloids myself.

All you really need is a spoon, a couple of pyrex jugs and a baking dish. The one piece of lab equipment to start with is a pipette. All other things are extras, some of which make life easier.

Yes me too. Any fondness for baking cakes has never been present, but the alkaloids...quite a different story!

I've got a baster and a pipette on the way. I have a set of 5 borosillicate glass beakers, 50 to 1000ml. A wide mouth half gallon mason jar for holding the soup, and rooto brand 100% lye and vm&p naphtha. Plus a stainless steel spoon for stirring, heavy duty ziplocks with ties to cover my soup. Am planning to freeze precipitate in beakers with ziplock over the top for preservation of naphtha and so the rubber under the jar lid doesnt corrode and fall into my dmt!

U see any flaws in my methodology? I know I can improve, but I just want to be sure what I'm doing is sufficient.

Thanks for all your help! The vastness of the knowledge base in the nexus never ceases to amaze me!

 

[Portals2Eternity]

- all you really need for glassware is a set of beakers (50ml - 500ml), an erlenmeyer for the soup, and another erlenmeyer that is one size smaller for the final wash and pulls. If you can't get a seperatory funnel, you should get a narrow profile column, such as a graduated cylinder.

Ok, so the flask I'd be using for the pulls, do you just stick that in the freezer for the freeze precip? If so, how would I go about scraping that, isn't it a really narrow top?

Also, do you happen to have any experience with karter scientific? I ordered 3.3 borosolicate beakers from them, 50ml to 1000ml, but they are missing the '3.3 boro' marking. In the pic, it had the marking. So I contacted them and they said they just pulled them from inventory, but not to worry, they're borosilicate. Thoughts?

- no. The erlenmeyers (or whatever vessel you use) facilitate the extraction; the extract goes into a CLEAN vessel, then into the freezer.

- karter is absolutely fine, though a little on the thin side; avoid rough handling

Ahh, I see what you were saying. I thought you meant put my pulls INTO the second smaller flask.

Have u had any experience with tall form beakers? How do you feel those stack up against flasks?

- - - - -

Thanks everyone! :thumb_up: Extremely informative; beyond helpful.

I am so psyched for this substance... now I'm just trying to get my internal "substrate" in order to maximize my preparedness and potential for growth...

 

[Norsern_vind]

- all you really need for glassware is a set of beakers (50ml - 500ml), an erlenmeyer for the soup, and another erlenmeyer that is one size smaller for the final wash and pulls. If you can't get a seperatory funnel, you should get a narrow profile column, such as a graduated cylinder.

Ok, so the flask I'd be using for the pulls, do you just stick that in the freezer for the freeze precip? If so, how would I go about scraping that, isn't it a really narrow top?

Also, do you happen to have any experience with karter scientific? I ordered 3.3 borosolicate beakers from them, 50ml to 1000ml, but they are missing the '3.3 boro' marking. In the pic, it had the marking. So I contacted them and they said they just pulled them from inventory, but not to worry, they're borosilicate. Thoughts?

- no. The erlenmeyers (or whatever vessel you use) facilitate the extraction; the extract goes into a CLEAN vessel, then into the freezer.

- karter is absolutely fine, though a little on the thin side; avoid rough handling

Ahh, I see what you were saying. I thought you meant put my pulls INTO the second smaller flask.

Have u had any experience with tall form beakers? How do you feel those stack up against flasks?

- - - - -

Thanks everyone! :thumb_up: Extremely informative; beyond helpful.

I am so psyched for this substance... now I'm just trying to get my internal "substrate" in order to maximize my preparedness and potential for growth...

Haven't personally dealt with TFBs, but they seem vastly superior to mason jars or jars in general; especially during the extraction phases.

The reason the erlenmeyer is preferred is because of the taper nature of the flask. This greatly helps not only by distributing fluids ave solids over a larger surface area at the base and thus greatly increasing the ability to properly mix its contents, but also makes the extraction easier due to the narrow neck. However, you must have the correct size flask or it can become a pain dealing with a flask that is too small or too big.

 

[Portals2Eternity]

The reason the erlenmeyer is preferred is because of the taper nature of the flask. This greatly helps not only by distributing fluids ave solids over a larger surface area at the base and thus greatly increasing the ability to properly mix its contents, but also makes the extraction easier due to the narrow neck. However, you must have the correct size flask or it can become a pain dealing with a flask that is too small or too big.

Right. Ok, so say 50g bark. 750ml water. 50ml pulls. What would the ideal flask size be, 1L? or closer to 800ml?

 

[Norsern_vind]

The reason the erlenmeyer is preferred is because of the taper nature of the flask. This greatly helps not only by distributing fluids ave solids over a larger surface area at the base and thus greatly increasing the ability to properly mix its contents, but also makes the extraction easier due to the narrow neck. However, you must have the correct size flask or it can become a pain dealing with a flask that is too small or too big.

Right. Ok, so say 50g bark. 750ml water. 50ml pulls. What would the ideal flask size be, 1L? or closer to 800ml?

1L would be best.

This is also where you can prefect your home chemist skills. If the recipe's initial solution isnt enough, you can play around adjusting the volume and amonts/concentration of ingredients That would allow the solution to end up in the correct position once you add the naptha, which is in the top portion of the neck, and gives it the same effect a graduated cylinder/ colomn would. Correct ph through the different steps seems to Have the most drastic effect on end results. Its a pain to do initially, but will alleviate potential screw ups in the future, until you can dial in your own recipe or the recipe you use.

The seperatory funne eliminates essentially all the headache associated with this though, which is why its highly recommended