I swear it's like xmas freaking morning here on FC sometimes!
All your posts let me firm up what I want to do. And I love when I am subtly reminded that, after I gather all the info that I can, it IS okay to think for myself, too. (Thanks
@Puffers ).
My 3 projects are actually concurrent, comparitive tests. I needed to have an even playing field to start.
So... here is what I have decided on.
I will be running 4 zips each towards "ND Sap", "standard ethanol extraction method", and "Uber-Heat Method" and comparing the results.
I've decided no darn sug leaf trimming - colas will have fan leaves, stems, and all smaller fan leaves growing out of the buds all removed. But the white widow strain I am working with is trike-crazed on the sug leaves, and I am old. My call, and it still keeps the all the tests "even".
I will dry for approx 14 days on branches until bone-mf'ing-dry. Then trim the buds off the branches.
Starting with frozen alcohol and frozen buds, I will use 750ml Everclear 191 per each 4-zip run with a 5-minute wash (first-wash only for the tests - second wash I will throw in the rest of the trim, and make topicals).
I'll strain using my usual method - grade 90 cheesecloth for a "tea bag" for the starting material, another grade 90 cheesecloth strain of the ethanol/cannabis mash when I pour the mash into three separate food-grade SS containers.
I am NOT going to freeze it afterwards. I do not actually want to lock up the water again here for some other sub-tests I am interested in. Oil is only for me, anyway.
Then air-evaporate off the EC at room temperature with a fan on low on the other side of a dark room.
1. The ND Sap I will let naturally decarb for 90-120 days (part of the testing is to enumerate the time needed from scratch, as well as the "burps" needed, etc.).
2. The "regular oil" I will finish in a 250F oil bath until both solvent bubbles finish appearing, and then until visual drop-off of CO2 bubble production occurs.
3. The "Uber-Heat Method"...I am working on that rig. Basically a "Pyrex high-school chemistry distillation set" seems to be needed, so that the oil reaches 300-400F until it vaporizes and reconstitutes. I will use the same fondue pot I use now for oil decarb, except use high-heat saffron oil for the Pyrex beaker holding the oil to sit in and set the fondue pot heat to 400F. (Again, part of the reason for my interest in this testing? This process of Uber-heating is poorly described, if at all, by those who say they have moved beyond theory into actual finished oil).
4. Finishing - All three versions of oil will be "finished" by mixing with my personal ratios of skunk pharm's "Holy Anointing Oil" recipe in a hot tap-water bath. I use the oil primarily sublingually, and now I always use that recipe, and so I decided that sublingual HAO is the going to be the best way for me to compare the three results. (I know what to expect).
I will rely on a blacklight both before and after the process to check for mold. Not too concerned in the final analysis (except for fear of public opinion, the "chronic scourge of my peace"), since the drying environment is 15-20% RH and 70-75F. Colas are checked before harvesting with a blacklight. I will check all "finished" oil a second time with a blacklight as well.
So, I am going to hold off on my vacuum chamber purchase for a month or so. I realized that I really need to spend that money on purchasing/developing the "Uber-Heat" distillation setup. (I am sort of flying blind with it, will let everyone know what the final setup looks like - opinions for creating it are *always* welcome).
Thanks everyone, I mean that.
Peace and healing to all!
), I came to realize, is still to process dried colas that...the stork brought me...the same way that I did back when I wanted it for combusting.
. I don't see myself personally wanting to go through the .2 micron syringe filtration unless I was worried about mold spores or something of the sort.
