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First time Changa - Questions about Solvents and Mullein

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GobblinTorch

GobblinTorch

Rising Star
SWIM is thinking about creating some Changa, but can't get his hands on acetone or anything higher than 50% Ethanol (vodka).

Is 99% IPA really not going to leave any nasty residues that aren't good for one's lungs? Something about it just worries him .. He wishes he could buy 99% grain alcohol, but the government of British Columbia prefers to maintain a monopoly on safe drinking alcohol .. at the expense of alchemists.

Would using glacial acetic acid in solution would just make the herb smell nasty? is acetone/IPA/99% Ethanol really the only options?


SWIM has located a local herb shop with Mullein in stock; however, he was asked if he would prefer flowers or leaves? What is better for smoking? SWIM usually smokes flowers (cannabis), but maybe this herb has different properties.

Thanks!
 
vodka works just fine
IPA is kind of shit. It dries slowly and smells weird.
Ethanol is the best, but if you can't get it, go get some liquor!
 
chocobeastie said:
vodka works just fine
IPA is kind of shit. It dries slowly and smells weird.
Ethanol is the best, but if you can't get it, go get some liquor!
Click to expand...



IPA works perfectly, in my opinion. Even better if you can get 99%.
The only reason it would "dry slowly" would be less then pure IPA (50%, 70%, 91%), difference is actually water, and water takes ages to evaporate.

Also, ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol), would be your liquor. This may only come in 50% or 75% concentrations, but using a liquor makes the process 'food safe'.



If you can't get high percentage alcohol's, try acetone.
Just remember to do an evaporation test, to see if it evaps cleanly.
 
SWIM lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. His only available chemical supplier is a) expensive and b) lists Acetone as a "has restrictions" when he tries to order.

I don't want to use like nail polish remover, or etc (technical grade chemicals). I could do an evap test, but I'd almost rather just pay more/wait for food-safe. I have drinking alcohol, d-limonene, and glacial acetic acid at my disposal "solvent-wise"

I use 99% IPA to clean my bong/pipe, but I was it extensively afterwards cause I hate the smell of IPA and it just seems suspicious or something.

50% is the only vodka SWIM could use. That or 75% rum. Could using Rum work to make Pirate's Changa? I like the taste of Rum, and 25% is probably significantly better time-wise than 50%?
 
Swim really doesn't like acetone or IPA. You know... Seriously... Making a little still from common house hold appliances is so freakin easy. It really is rediculous how easy it is to take cheap 80 proof vodka and make it 180 proof. Check out the home distiller forum. Swim takes a bottle of vodka and turns it into gold. Impatience and improper Prep makes low quality medicine. Don't jump the gun, make something you can be proud of.
 
SWIM doesn't think making a still is very practical. He lives with roomates who don't like huge contraptions going on in the kitchen.

He basically could use 75% rum or 50% vodka. or vinegar, but I bet that'd be flammable/weird tasting.
 
GobblinTorch said:
SWIM lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. His only available chemical supplier is a) expensive and b) lists Acetone as a "has restrictions" when he tries to order.

I don't want to use like nail polish remover, or etc (technical grade chemicals). I could do an evap test, but I'd almost rather just pay more/wait for food-safe. I have drinking alcohol, d-limonene, and glacial acetic acid at my disposal "solvent-wise"

I use 99% IPA to clean my bong/pipe, but I was it extensively afterwards cause I hate the smell of IPA and it just seems suspicious or something.

50% is the only vodka SWIM could use. That or 75% rum. Could using Rum work to make Pirate's Changa? I like the taste of Rum, and 25% is probably significantly better time-wise than 50%?
Click to expand...

I live in vancouver and acetone is not hard to get..I dont know why it would be hard to get on the island..though I always just use 99% iso..it is cheap, so easy to get and evaporates completely. There is absolutily no need to worry about iso leaving residue..it does not. It smells bad while it evaporates but once it has evaporated it is fine.
 
Hey goblin torch

I understand your concerns with contaminants remaining in your changa.

and I may be wrong and hope not to offend you, but to me it seems you may not fully understand the process. the reason these alcohols and solvents are used it because they evap with nothing left behind.

99% IPA seems like a perfect choice doesnt it?
its used as a topical medicine, and unless you drink it, or light it on fire, it is very safe.
you can buy it at any drug store/grocery store (I also live in canada)
and compared to acetone, I think, the smell is more tolerable and less toxic during evap.

unless you are very impatient and try to smoke your changa before it has completely evapped, there wont be any smell :)
 
@fractal: I don't know, but I know acetone is a precursor chemical under the Canadian controlled substances act.

When you say not hard to get are you referring to some type of off label use of an acetone-containing product that just happens to be devoid of impurities?

@closet-chemist: Not offended, I get what you're saying. I think you're probably right .. do an evap test on 99% iso and it should be all gravy. I think what has really worried me recently is just the amount of random shit which evaporates out of common 5% white vinegar vs. 5% solution of acetic acid. But I guess you're right IPA is made to evap clean and is VERY available (could have it in 3 minutes if I ran to the store) and quite cheap as well. Not to mention has 20 uses other than making Changa.


Thanks for everyone's help.
 
You can get really small copper stills that you can use ontop of your bed room dresser. Look up copper alembics. It's worth it... And they are amazing fun.
 
Awesome Dorge. Very helpful!

Copper is expensive, but once I can afford one, it's happening. Then gone will be the days of 40% alcohol tinctures! I guess I'll probably use IPA for my first batch though (make small batches) seems the simplest and I think my safety concerns were alleviated.

THANKS!
 
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