Hello Nexians. I'm looking for some advice on my extractions. I am very much an amateur with no scientific background, and have recently completed my 3rd extraction using a standard STB tek.
My most recent extraction used a different solvent (naptha found on a popular online auction site, due to lower cost). My previous two used lab grade Petroleum Ether 40/60 as solvent. I was pleased to find that the new solvent pulled significantly better than the previous ones using the Ether, producing a yield (after re-extraction) of around 900mg from 100g of MHRB. This compared favourably to the previous yeilds of 300 - 400g.
What was less favourable though was the smoking experience (I vaporise my spice in a Lotus pipe, which is a GVG analogue). The vapor was harsher to smoke and, whilst the actual experience was the same, it caused me to cough a lot which took me out of the moment somewhat. This did not occur with the previous batches.
The same batch of bark was used on all occasions, and the Tek remained otherwise unchanged. I should also add that I did an evaporation test on the new naptha and it seemed OK.
Can anyone more knowledgeable than me lend any assistance as to what is going on here? And, is there anything I can do to clean up my latest batch? Whether by an additional re-extraction or something else?
Naturally I would prefer a lower quantity of a better product, and have acquired more of the tried and tested petroleum ether to use on my next extraction. Even so, i'd like to try and salvage my current batch if I can.
Your input appreciated as always, and I will of course feed back how I get on for potential help to others in my position. Thanks!
My most recent extraction used a different solvent (naptha found on a popular online auction site, due to lower cost). My previous two used lab grade Petroleum Ether 40/60 as solvent. I was pleased to find that the new solvent pulled significantly better than the previous ones using the Ether, producing a yield (after re-extraction) of around 900mg from 100g of MHRB. This compared favourably to the previous yeilds of 300 - 400g.
What was less favourable though was the smoking experience (I vaporise my spice in a Lotus pipe, which is a GVG analogue). The vapor was harsher to smoke and, whilst the actual experience was the same, it caused me to cough a lot which took me out of the moment somewhat. This did not occur with the previous batches.
The same batch of bark was used on all occasions, and the Tek remained otherwise unchanged. I should also add that I did an evaporation test on the new naptha and it seemed OK.
Can anyone more knowledgeable than me lend any assistance as to what is going on here? And, is there anything I can do to clean up my latest batch? Whether by an additional re-extraction or something else?
Naturally I would prefer a lower quantity of a better product, and have acquired more of the tried and tested petroleum ether to use on my next extraction. Even so, i'd like to try and salvage my current batch if I can.
Your input appreciated as always, and I will of course feed back how I get on for potential help to others in my position. Thanks!