Cold Maceration Extraction Increase Methods ?

[instrument6]

Greetings Vapers !

Been scrolling this site for a while now and finally set up an account...

I began cold maceration of several tobaccos 4+ months back.

Last night, I started filtering one of the batches and, after filtering to 2 microns with vaccuum, I had a nice looking liquid (100% PG) with a lovely dark amber color. However, when I mixed it up to a 70/30 p/v ratio, the outcome was decidedly much lighter in color than what I am going for.

So, I have two ideas here for increasing the depth of absorption, extracting more flavor concentrated in a darker end base product for final mixing with VG and nic :

1.) I read somewhere that prior to start of cold maceration process, there is a way to "open the leaf cells". I have done some searching but am struggling to find a method for doing this that is NATURAL... any ideas on this? What about just putting the leaves through a shredder? Would that break up the epidermal layer allowing for better results from cold maceration?

2.) What about REPEATED cold macerations? So, after 3 months first maceration, filter off liquid into NEW jar with fresh tobacco for 2x, and even repeat once more for 3x?

If anyone could provide some feedback or insights on this that would be so great!

Thanks and nice to meet you all - happy to be in a place full of people passionate for a worthwhile hobby!

Peace.

 

[Infinium]

I don't know if you've read the books by Alkemico Svapo. They are in Italian, but I imagine it's possible to translate the PDF. https://www.alkemikosvapo.com/category/pubblicazioni/,
this is the foundation for economical maceration https://www.alkemikosvapo.com/2018/01/28/macerazione-facile-dei-tabacchi-per-novizi-ed-esperti/ , it specifically recommends putting the leaves in a blender in addition to moistening it with food-grade alcohol for liqueurs.

It says to start with a 1 tobacco : 5 glycol ratio, but you can definitely go up to 1:4 or 1:3 if you want to achieve darker colors.

Maceration is a very mild technique, and after trying it for a while, I also abandoned it, relating to what you wrote. I've always intended to start with the extraction technique, but being Italian, I've been lucky enough to buy commercial tobacco extracts since 2019 that undergo laboratory analysis and are 100% safe.

Even when buying macerates made by skilled producers, there's no comparison when compared to extracts.

The only other tip I can give you is not to judge by color and to wait a good amount of time before vaping after preparing the final liquid with your macerate, PG, and VG. The best macerates in Italy (Vapor Cave / The Vaping Gentleman Club) need up to three months to reach their aromatic peak, after being mixed. Some don’t have much flavor at all before a month or two.

 

[instrument6]

Hi and thanks that's very helpful info!

I wonder if using alcohol even as a moisturizer is "safe" with vapes as opposed to liqueurs? Interesting he has tobacco in there AND that liqueurs use glycol maceration I had no idea... is tobacco in there because its used in a liqueur?

Sounds like Italy is the tobacco extract mecca... is that right? Planning extended travel in the mid-term and Italy is on the list...

Thanks for the info about steeping after final mix as well... I just made a little mix with the 1x non-blended cold macerate that i did.

And I just bought a bunch more Bright Leaf intending to do the "triple extraction"/maceration - i mean I am assuming that the glycol won't reach flavor "saturation" or something ... :/

In the end I intend to use the 3x extract in bulk storage to make a 70/30-ish p/v blend as needed...

 

[Infinium]

Sounds like Italy is the tobacco extract mecca

It used to be. In the past few months, several producers have stopped, while others had to remove their entire catalog and reformulate it, since by law, nicotine cannot be sold online. A tobacco extract or macerate has a very low nicotine percentage (less than 1%, which is then diluted), but still too much to be sold online.
I haven't tried a new "reformulated" tobacco yet since we stocked up for years, but they’ve probably lost some intensity.

Italy is on the list

If you want to try something, go for Tabacchificio 3.0, which can be found online in Europe. Forget about Tabaccheria—once the best brand on the market, its quality has declined terribly. Black Note/Vaporificio extracts are very mild and require extremely long steeping times; the only one worth trying is their Latakia, which is said to be the only one on the market made from Syrian seed, sourced from Syria rather than Cyprus.

It depends on where you live, but you can look for a Facebook group called Vapor Cave and ask if they can ship the aromas to you. Orders are placed via email—it's an agricultural company that produces for The Vaping Gentleman Club, which is quite well known for collaborating with Ambition Mods.

"safe" with vapes as opposed to liqueurs?

Food-grade alcohol refers to the one with 95 or 96 proof. When it evaporates, it leaves no residue. Alcohol is also used for extraction through the concrete method.
Do not use vodka, gin, or any other alcoholic beverage.