On NETs 2

kinabaloo;11793267 said:

Suggested simple improvent to the cold ethanol method

The idea is to mix some sodium carbonate powder (USP / made from food-grade sodium bicarbonate by heating the powder in an oven) with the tobacco before adding the alcohol (immediately after - no need to wait); this should free-base the alkaloids (say, two rounded teaspoons per 100g tobacco). The carbonate is relatively insoluble in ethanol and any left can be precipitated by 'freezing'.

This seems a reasonable way to increase yield and get the alkaloids in their most active form. The carbonate would basify the water content of the tobacco. The free-base alkaloids should dissolve better in ethanol than the salts. Just an idea. This will give more of an instant 'hit' when vaped.

Sodium bi-carbonate is 'baking soda'. Use 100% alcohol (190 'degree proof'), not say Vodka.

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In case it is not clear to passers by - an ethanol extract cannot be vaped directly. So the idea is to let most of the ethanol evaporate, till say there's 10% of the original volume. At this point the alkaloids could be ~ 50 mg / ml but you don't need to do anything more then than add PG / VG. I'd suggest to half the original ethanol volume - this would be ~ 5 - 9 mg / ml, but will seem stronger.

You need never even touch the concentrated alkaloid container; simply pour in the PG / VG. Obviously, keep in well away from children and pets, as one would any e-liquid.

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The sodium carbonate should also work with PG extractions (the ethanol approach, though requiring the evaporation step, should work better though). 1/2 day maximum suggested steep time. Freeze at the end for a few hours to precipitate any dissolved carbonate.

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