Concentrates for Noobs - Q&A

NickDlow

Log Hog
Awesome I can't wait to see my results after the vac purge I'll put up a vid when it's all good to go
 
NickDlow,

tuk

Well-Known Member
I need tab test THC%s to make decisions like this, and preferably photographs. Demand lab#s!
Unfortunately, due to local laws, having access to that kind of pre-sale info is impossible, it's something of a miracle it's even being offered, no one around here knows what those things are...yet!
 
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tuk,

NickDlow

Log Hog
I just did another run with the new 10g glass extraction experts tube n my yield before vac purge was 2g's with 2 runs. Run one was 1.6 the second was .4g's. So overall that's 20%. Am I going to lose any weight after I vac purge?
 
NickDlow,

DieHard

Accessory supplier
Accessory Maker
Awesome I can't wait to see my results after the vac purge I'll put up a vid when it's all good to go
I think it would be cool to do a video of the whole several hour vac process then compress it down to 1 minute. You could watch the "evolution of shatter". That would be a great name for it.
My Jack Herer oil is in the vac right now. Yielded almost 5g from 14g flower (weight pre purge). :o
4QrizKs.jpg
 

NickDlow

Log Hog
Damn that's pretty nuts!! Is that average for u and if so how the hell u get that much?!?!? Teach me lol
 
NickDlow,
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DieHard

Accessory supplier
Accessory Maker
@NickDlow We will see what the weight after purge is. With good flowers I'm getting at least 20-25%. This is my first with these flowers. I'm getting ready to run a split mix of Sour Purple Diesel and Jack Herer. Only 7g to start. Will run that when done with purge.
@063_XOBX Here's a pic of starting material. This is the Jack half of my next run from the same bag.
8dHhh00.jpg
 

NickDlow

Log Hog
Just got an update from ups my vac chamber should be arriving by then end of the day today (Monday). I can't wait to purge the shit outta this wax lol ok best vac purge method for shatter? I'll be using a 2 gallon chamber with a 3cfm 2 stage pump, skillet, parchment paper, n my sweet sweet honey lol. So to my knowledge I'll be at full purge with my temp less than 115f. Flip 1/2 hour into purge and every hour after that. Any other input would be appreciated!!! Length of purge or any other info thanks guys I'm really excited ill post a vid when it's done
 
NickDlow,

bleak

Stoner Gear Peddler
Accessory Maker
Glad I found this thread! Was recently in Amsterdam and met a few 'dab monsters' from the states.

I demonstrated a Maud-Dib to them and they kind of laughed it off as a toy. I got the feeling these guys just liked playing with blowtorches and the spectacle of dabbing, more than getting high.

Side rant: TBH these guys were pretty arrogant, and after a few sessions I got tired of their bullshit. They acted like they knew best about everything weed-related, and they were "educating" Amsterdam. Yet they couldn't answer any of my questions about concentrates. Every question was met with 'there are different extraction processes, its very complicated dude' or something along those lines :rolleyes:

Side rant finished! Now I give these same questions to some real experts, as I know we have in abundance on FC.

- Why are some concentrates cloudy and some clear? Are the clear concentrates more 'pure', ie. less plant material? Or is this related to the solvent used?

- I noticed the cloudy concentrates have a sweeter flavor (for me). Is this because they are less 'worked', leaving more flavanoids intact?

- Around 6 months ago, there was a controversial discovery about traces of machine oil in ALL butane (even the 'safe' stuff). Apparently the cans themselves need lubrication for the nozzle mechanism. So unless your concentrate producer has access to industrial/scientific-grade butane, you're inhaling burned machine oil every single time you dab. My question is, what is the aftermath of this discovery? Are people now using better quality butane, or was this issue swept under the rug as I suspect? Does vacuum purging remove machine oil? I have my doubts, I don't see how a vacuum could seperate 2 kinds of oil (machine oil and cannabis oil)

- Is butane the most commonly used solvent these days? Or maybe split 50/50 butane/isopropyl?

- What do people generally mean when they say 'Isolator', 'Ice', 'Isohash' etc? Are they talking about isopropyl extraction? Or the old-school ice/water bag process? There seems to be a lot of confusion/overlap with naming...

Thats it for now, I may think of more unanswered questions!
 

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
Glad I found this thread! Was recently in Amsterdam and met a few 'dab monsters' from the states.

I demonstrated a Maud-Dib to them and they kind of laughed it off as a toy. I got the feeling these guys just liked playing with blowtorches and the spectacle of dabbing, more than getting high.

Side rant: TBH these guys were pretty arrogant, and after a few sessions I got tired of their bullshit. They acted like they knew best about everything weed-related, and they were "educating" Amsterdam. Yet they couldn't answer any of my questions about concentrates. Every question was met with 'there are different extraction processes, its very complicated dude' or something along those lines :rolleyes:

Side rant finished! Now I give these same questions to some real experts, as I know we have in abundance on FC.

- Why are some concentrates cloudy and some clear? Are the clear concentrates more 'pure', ie. less plant material? Or is this related to the solvent used?

- I noticed the cloudy concentrates have a sweeter flavor (for me). Is this because they are less 'worked', leaving more flavanoids intact?

- Around 6 months ago, there was a controversial discovery about traces of machine oil in ALL butane (even the 'safe' stuff). Apparently the cans themselves need lubrication for the nozzle mechanism. So unless your concentrate producer has access to industrial/scientific-grade butane, you're inhaling burned machine oil every single time you dab. My question is, what is the aftermath of this discovery? Are people now using better quality butane, or was this issue swept under the rug as I suspect? Does vacuum purging remove machine oil? I have my doubts, I don't see how a vacuum could seperate 2 kinds of oil (machine oil and cannabis oil)

- Is butane the most commonly used solvent these days? Or maybe split 50/50 butane/isopropyl?

- What do people generally mean when they say 'Isolator', 'Ice', 'Isohash' etc? Are they talking about isopropyl extraction? Or the old-school ice/water bag process? There seems to be a lot of confusion/overlap with naming...

Thats it for now, I may think of more unanswered questions!

Ice hash refers to a way of making traditional hash using ice to separate trichomes from the plant.

Isohash refers to hash oil made with ISO I believe, this does not refer to shatter/wax/crumble etc made with isopropyl.

Almost everyone uses butane, hence the prevalent BHO nomenclature. Cloudiness of concentrates can be related to a number of factors, I have produced cloudy concentrates due to excessive heat purge times, due to plant material getting into the extract and due to water getting into the extract in quite an amount one time. There may well be other causes of this too! IME clearer is better, but cloudy does not = bad at all!
 
herbivore21,

NickDlow

Log Hog
So my vac chamber is here I put my first run in around 315. I've flipped and burped already it doesn't look to active. How long should 3 grams purge for?
 
NickDlow,

Tommy Dukes

Live everyday like it's your last
Does anyone know some of the extraction tools that are used to get rid of the solvent during the BHO process. I went to the High Time Cannabis Cup in Sonoma this past June, and realized that everyone's shatter was much more pure due to the extraction machines that were being used. I was just wondering if anyone knew of any of the best brand names?
 
Tommy Dukes,

DieHard

Accessory supplier
Accessory Maker
So my results from yesterday's two runs. I got 6.4g out of a total of 21g flowers. Two different runs. First was 14g of Jack Herer, yield after purge 4.2g. Second was 50/50 mix 7g. Half was Sour Purple Diesel and the other half was Jack yield 2.2g. Full Jack run is a little cloudy. I had a small drop of water fall off of the tane can while running. I don't think I'm gonna process it further just for clarity because it tastes great.
cc7Et1J.jpg

ttHbops.jpg
 

215z

Well-Known Member
IMO its more about technique than equipment after you get to a point unless you need to process huge quantities while keeping quality up.
Would you consider a vac pump to be essential equipment for achieving these results, regardless of technique?
 
215z,

DieHard

Accessory supplier
Accessory Maker
Would you consider a vac pump to be essential equipment for achieving these results, regardless of technique?
For me the vac has taken my results from this to the pics I posted earlier. My oil would budder and turn to crumble after a few days. Now it is completely stable. So, for me, at
least it is essential!
PTCBZDK.jpg
 

herbivore21

Well-Known Member
Would you consider a vac pump to be essential equipment for achieving these results, regardless of technique?
For other solvents, no.

If you are using Butane, possibly. I am not experienced enough with that process.

I do think from my reading here and my understanding of how Butane purges, that you would be best to get a vac chamber for your concentrates if you make BHO and not IHO or EHO ;)
 

NickDlow

Log Hog
My vac purge came in and I had a couple runs to purge. 1st was I ran the same material (12g) 3 times in one batch came out dark but still good... Yield 3.1.
2nd I ran 10grams once that's is the golden one one the paper.
3rd was the same 10g's ran again dark little guy lol

Run 2 and 3 I didn't weigh for a final yield here's a quick let me know what u think for a first timer. Input is appreciated thanks guys!!

 
NickDlow,

215z

Well-Known Member
Noob Qs:

What is carb capping?

What is direct injection?

What is a banger?

Edit: I understand all these terms in the context of internal combustion engines, not vaping oil.
 
215z,

Caligula

Maximus
Noob Qs:

What is carb capping?

What is direct injection?

What is a banger?

Edit: I understand all these terms in the context of internal combustion engines, not vaping oil.

  • Using a cap with a "carb hole" over the nail in order to restrict airflow and reflect/capture heat/vapor.
  • Direct Inject is a joint type, AKA "male" joints. This is the opposite of what you see for most flower pieces, which have "female" joints. This has a "male" or "DI" joint:
    m5.jpg

  • A type of nail. Looks like this:
    hFUqwkBl.jpg
 
Caligula,
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macbill

Oh No! Mr macbill!!
Staff member
Does anyone know if there is a shelf-life for concentrates?
 
macbill,
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