Cold maceration of tobacco

[boomerdude]

I have pondered using 3 micron filters in the Aeropress. I just didn't think it would be worth the trouble of cutting the 7cm filter down to 6.5 cm only to find that I couldn't get the concentrate through the filter using the Aeropress. Is it harder to plunge with the 2.5 mi filter?

Although I don't have much experience with other filtering, I do like the Aeropress. In case you haven't seen the tips, make sure that you run some PG/VG around the rubber plunger before pressing. I actually use two stacked Aeropress filters in my stage one and then use a 2.5 micron in the Aeropress for the final filtering. Pretty good system and results.

 

[patioclark]

Yep Boomer it is. I found that if I make sure to get some PG/VG around the rubber plunger and then press for about a minute to get some pressure built up it all begins. Then I place it all next to a wall and balance a brick (or something suitably heavy) on top of the plunger so I could walk away. About 3 hours for 60-70 mls when done. I just used one of the Aeropress coffee filters for a template and cut the lab filter slightly larger than that. No leaking that I can see and good results. But again, this has been my only process so I cannot compare. Works for me.

 

[Nick N]

So I made my first 15ml finished product with 25% flavor. It reminds me of the "Honey tobacco" flavor that my Brother in-law got with his nicotine kit from Nude Nicotine a while back. Is that what I should expect after 4 weeks from RYO cigarette tobacco? Will the profile change after allowing the filtered concentrate to steep longer? He has some real pipe and cigar mixes going now, but they need a few more weeks in the jars.

 

[billherbst]

So I made my first 15ml finished product with 25% flavor. It reminds me of the "Honey Tobacco" flavor that my Brother in-law got with his nicotine kit from Nude Nicotine a while back. Is that what I should expect after 4 weeks from RYO cigarette tobacco? Will the profile change after allowing the filtered concentrate to steep longer? He has some real pipe and cigar mixes going now, but they need a few more weeks in the jars.

Answers to all the "what will happen if/when" questions are iffy at best. The pretense to authority with extractions is often a mere pose. If you asked me what, if anything, changed after a month of steeping for all of my 50 homemade extracts, my responses would be all over the map and would necessarily include, "I don't remember" and "I don't know."

As a very general guideline, my overall experience suggests that steeping diminishes sweetness and brings out a stronger tobacco presence. Even that isn't a fixed rule, but rather a maybe that varies from one extract to another. Certain of my extracts continued to develop for six months; others were "finished" the minute I extracted them. Some got better with time, others lost luster to my palate.

Wait and see. Then tell us.

 

[regal55]

Yep Boomer it is. I found that if I make sure to get some PG/VG around the rubber plunger and then press for about a minute to get some pressure built up it all begins. Then I place it all next to a wall and balance a brick (or something suitably heavy) on top of the plunger so I could walk away. About 3 hours for 60-70 mls when done. I just used one of the Aeropress coffee filters for a template and cut the lab filter slightly larger than that. No leaking that I can see and good results. But again, this has been my only process so I cannot compare. Works for me.

pics? Also which aeropress or are they all the same?

 

[patioclark]

pics? Also which aeropress or are they all the same?

Hi regal:

Sorry, I don't have pictures and I'm about two weeks out from my next filtering. As far as I know, there's only one Aeropress and I purchased it on Amazon.

So I do a double coffee filter extraction first (two stacked of the 100 or so that come with the unit). The first filtering can be done with a manual press. I then take a 2.5um LabExact 9cm filter and trim it about 1/8 larger than the Aeropress filter using it as a template. Place the container, Aeropress, and a brick on top of the plunger right up against a wall and balance it so it won't tip over. Again, about three hours after walking away. It sounds a little wonky but it works. It will be obvious if you pursue this method.

Let me know if you still need pics but it'll be a couple of weeks.

 

[Str8vision]

Sequential PGA, PG maceration process.

Purpose: To obtain/combine the higher "brighter" flavor notes extracted by PGA with the deeper earthy flavor nuances provided by PG extracts.

Place tobacco in a clean glass container, add PGA until tobacco is covered and enough extra to allow for absorption (10-15%). Seal container to prevent evaporation and soak at room temperature for 100 - 110 hours. Gently swirl the maceration once or twice a day to circulate the solvent.

Place a funnel in another clean glass container and insert a coffee filter into the funnel. Pour the PGA/tobacco maceration into the filter. Once the loose solvent has filtered through, fold the edges of the filter together encasing the tobacco. Gently squeeze the filter encased tobacco over the funnel to express excess PGA. Seal the container of PGA and set aside. Dump tobacco back into the original glass container, dispose of the used filter. Add enough PG to just cover the tobacco but no extra. Seal the container and heat to 140F for 12 hours. Gently swirl the container occasionally to stir the mix.

Open the container of PGA extract and insert funnel. Place a coffee filter into funnel and dump the PG/tobacco into the filter. Once the loose PG has filtered through, fold the edges of the filter together encasing the tobacco. Squeeze the filter encased tobacco over the funnel to express PG from the saturated tobacco. Dispose of the filter and tobacco. Mix the PG and PGA solvents well (for several minutes), and heat unsealed container to 140F, stirring every now and then until the PGA has evaporated out (approximately 50% of the total solvent volume). You can leave some of the PGA in the extract is so desired. Filter remaining extract using your preferred method. I use filter felt for the first pass followed by two passes through 2 micron lab paper.

Enjoy.

 

[usr/]

Hey, Str8 this sounds like a very effective extracting process. After looking over the process I started thinking that this may be a way to sparge say a 30 day 100% pg maceration, kind of in reverse order. I've noticed after separating tobacco from extract that the rough still has a lot of extract that could be gotten out. But a pga soak after the separation would probably really get to the rest that I have usually been just discarding. I did sparge one extraction I did with additional pg that I warmed and poured back through the rough and it did yield quite a bit more of very rich extract. But it seemed a little more diluted. But I was thinking with the pga sparge that the addition amount, being the pga and the remainder of the pg left in the extract rough, could be evaporated off. without diluting the extract any farther than necessary. Just a thought. Anyway thanks for that, going to look into this process.

Sequential PGA, PG maceration process.

Purpose: To obtain/combine the higher "brighter" flavor notes extracted by PGA with the deeper earthy flavor nuances provided by PG extracts.

Place tobacco in a clean glass container, add PGA until tobacco is covered and enough extra to allow for absorption (10-15%). Seal container to prevent evaporation and soak at room temperature for 100 - 110 hours. Gently swirl the maceration once or twice a day to circulate the solvent.

Place a funnel in another clean glass container and insert a coffee filter into the funnel. Pour the PGA/tobacco maceration into the filter. Once the loose solvent has filtered through, fold the edges of the filter together encasing the tobacco. Gently squeeze the filter encased tobacco over the funnel to express excess PGA. Seal the container of PGA and set aside. Dump tobacco back into the original glass container, dispose of the used filter. Add enough PG to just cover the tobacco but no extra. Seal the container and heat to 140F for 12 hours. Gently swirl the container occasionally to stir the mix.

Open the container of PGA extract and insert funnel. Place a coffee filter into funnel and dump the PG/tobacco into the filter. Once the loose PG has filtered through, fold the edges of the filter together encasing the tobacco. Squeeze the filter encased tobacco over the funnel to express PG from the saturated tobacco. Dispose of the filter and tobacco. Mix the PG and PGA solvents well (for several minutes), and heat unsealed container to 140F, stirring every now and then until the PGA has evaporated out (approximately 50% of the total solvent volume). You can leave some of the PGA in the extract is so desired. Filter remaining extract using your preferred method. I use filter felt for the first pass followed by two passes through 2 micron lab paper.

Enjoy.

 

[Str8vision]

FINALLY found 1 micron "absolute" rated glass filters that will fit my holder (5.5cm), for a price I was willing to pay, 100 for $27. Should arrive late next week. Normally priced at over $100 I won't be buying any more (unless marked down again), but at least will be able to determine if higher levels of filtration are advantageous for flavor/cleanliness. While 2 micron absolute rated filters provided considerable improvement over the 5 micron nominal filters I had been using, I'm not at all confident that dropping to 1 micron retention will improve cleanliness without also sacrificing flavor/intensity.

 

[Miracles]

Str8vision, can I ask WHERE you found the 1 micron "absolute" filters?

 

[Str8vision]

Str8vision, can I ask WHERE you found the 1 micron "absolute" filters?

Amazon Whatman 1821-055 Glass Microfiber Binder Free Filter, 1 Micron, 12 s/100mL Flow Rate, Grade GF/B, 5.5cm Diameter (Pack of 100): Science Lab Glass Fiber Filters: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

 

[Miracles]

Thank You Str8...

 

[Str8vision]

Thank You Str8...

The linked filters are only 5.5cm (2 1/8"), in diameter which is what my mechanical filter holder accepts. They are a tad bit too small for fold/pour funnel filtering. When using a folded cone filter in a funnel I would get >11cm filter paper. Also, I'm not sure gravity flow would work when using filters with retention ratings below 2 microns, I plan on using vacuum equipment with these 1 micron filters.

 

[Miracles]

Thanks again Str8! I went ahead and purchased the 55 mm buchner funnel to fit the filters. I had been contemplating a smaller set-up for a while now so I picked up a smaller (250 ml) filtering flask too.

 

[Smocian257]

The linked filters are only 5.5cm (2 1/8"), in diameter which is what my mechanical filter holder accepts. They are a tad bit too small for fold/pour funnel filtering. When using a folded cone filter in a funnel I would get >11cm filter paper. Also, I'm not sure gravity flow would work when using filters with retention ratings below 2 microns, I plan on using vacuum equipment with these 1 micron filters.

Do let us know if it effects flavor or does anything to gunkiness past 2.5 microns

 

[Str8vision]

Thanks again Str8! I went ahead and purchased the 55 mm buchner funnel to fit the filters. I had been contemplating a smaller set-up for a while now so I picked up a smaller (250 ml) filtering flask too.

I haven't filtered tobacco extract at 1 micron yet so am unsure of the results. As I continue experimenting with higher levels of filtration I anticipate flavor loss will occur at some point which would be unacceptable in my opinion. If 1 micron filtration proves advantageous I will experiment with 0.7 -0.8 micron retention levels. My goal is to establish what level of filtration provides the best combination of flavor intensity and coil/wick cleanliness. The challenge is to find the appropriate filters at an acceptable price point as venturing below 1.5 microns becomes expensive. I simply watch and wait until I find what I'm looking for at a price I'm willing to pay, took several months to find the 1 micron borosilicate glass filters on sale and I'm expecting them in later today. I have fresh batches of Sutliff's "Charlemagne" and Missouri Meerschaum's "Country Gentleman" waiting so Wednesday should be an interesting day.

 

[Str8vision]

Do let us know if it effects flavor or does anything to gunkiness past 2.5 microns

Will do. Judging Flavor should be quick and easy, but evaluating gunkiness (cleanliness) improvements (if any), will take several tanks and likely even a week or more before posting a definitive opinion.

 

[Miracles]

I haven't filtered tobacco extract at 1 micron yet so am unsure of the results. As I continue experimenting with higher levels of filtration I anticipate flavor loss will occur at some point which would be unacceptable in my opinion. If 1 micron filtration proves advantageous I will experiment with 0.7 -0.8 micron retention levels. My goal is to establish what level of filtration provides the best combination of flavor intensity and coil/wick cleanliness. The challenge is to find the appropriate filters at an acceptable price point as venturing below 1.5 microns becomes expensive. I simply watch and wait until I find what I'm looking for at a price I'm willing to pay, took several months to find the 1 micron borosilicate glass filters on sale and I'm expecting them in later today. I have fresh batches of Sutliff's "Charlemagne" and Missouri Meerschaum's "Country Gentleman" waiting so Wednesday should be an interesting day.

WOW... ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I too have Charlemagne and Country Gentleman waiting to be filtered! I REALLY like them both and have already reordered more of both from P&C.

 

[Str8vision]

WOW... ARE YOU SERIOUS?

I too have Charlemagne and Country Gentleman waiting to be filtered! I REALLY like them both and have already reordered more of both from P&C.

Ha, small world... what are the odds? Charlemagne is quite good, one of my current regulars in rotation. Haven't tried Country Gentleman before, but Johni mentioned he liked the Missouri Meerschaum line of tobacco blends, this will be the first of their blends I've tried.

 

[boomerdude]

I just decanted Charlemagne yesterday. Small world indeed.

Ha, small world... what are the odds? Charlemagne is quite good, one of my current regulars in rotation. Haven't tried Country Gentleman before, but Johni mentioned he liked the Missouri Meerschaum line of tobacco blends, this will be the first of their blends I've tried.