Slow Cooker Extraction of Tobacco and Tea
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I've reused mine. To clean, I force water through the filter in reverse with a syringe. Be gentle with the force with which you put water through it...if you're too heavy-handed, it can damage the filter membrane. This gets most of the particulate matter out of the filter.
They press-fit to the outside of the luer-lock tip of they syringe. (no needle)
Thanks Face. Getting stuff together slowly. Just put in a large order of pg and vg, so should be set with that for quite awhile between DIY'ing and extracting flavors.
Lots of options for crock pots that are about 15 dollars. They only have a high/low setting but looks like scarf-ace suggested just low setting over night so the cheap ones should work I think.
Found a website for tobacco so may put in a small order of a few different kinds. Looking at the beginning of the thread scarf-ace used 15g of tobacco and the tins are 50g. So each tin should yeild a good amount.
Now just trying to settle on filtering. A lot of options between syringe/cotton, coffee filters, metal filters (for large particulates) and the syringe filters.
Lots of options for crock pots that are about 15 dollars. They only have a high/low setting but looks like scarf-ace suggested just low setting over night so the cheap ones should work I think.
Found a website for tobacco so may put in a small order of a few different kinds. Looking at the beginning of the thread scarf-ace used 15g of tobacco and the tins are 50g. So each tin should yeild a good amount.
Now just trying to settle on filtering. A lot of options between syringe/cotton, coffee filters, metal filters (for large particulates) and the syringe filters.
So I have 3 tobaccos coming, Sam Gawith Pipe Tobacco Chocolate Flake, Sam Gawith Pipe Tobacco Sams flake, and Borkim Riff Cherry Cavendish Pipe Tobacco.
The borkim riff was a little cheaper so that will be my first experiment. Overall, prices on the tobacco are pretty cheap especially seeing that others were getting maybe 30mls of concentrate out of 15g I thought I read.
Hopefully I can get this to work well and a good enough filtering process down. I really only vape 4 to 6 mls before I clean and dry burn anyway.
The borkim riff was a little cheaper so that will be my first experiment. Overall, prices on the tobacco are pretty cheap especially seeing that others were getting maybe 30mls of concentrate out of 15g I thought I read.
Hopefully I can get this to work well and a good enough filtering process down. I really only vape 4 to 6 mls before I clean and dry burn anyway.
Tonight I finished my second and third tobacco macerations. While Scarfy is justifiably famous for her extraordinary range of cigar and pipe NETs---from standards to exotics---my quest continues to be the creation of a really tasty cigarette NET.
My first extract, made earlier this year, used tobacco from Skydancer native American all-natural cigarettes. The extract came out sweet and smoky, and while not perfect as a stand-alone single flavoring for NET-based DIY juice, its a wonderful mixer for DIY blends and Frankenjuice hybrids.
This weeks two batches used a pack each of Nat Sherman MCD and American Spirit Organic cigarettes, both of which are all-natural tobaccos with no additives of any kind. Unlike my first extract, which was made from packs of cigs that had been sitting in my garage for two years, both these packs were fresh, with tobacco that was if not quite moist, at least clearly not dried out. Each batch used 20 grams of tobacco (one gram per cig) in a maceration with 150ml of solvent---a 75/25 blend of PG and VG.
Not having the patience for a month-long cold maceration, I chose a heat-assisted process. Using a large 16-quart pot to make a water bath for the two bottles, I started with cold water, then turned on my electric burner to the lowest setting, which heated the water bath very slowly and kept it well below a simmer, basically like a slow cooker, but not as hot as a sous vide. After six hours, I turned off the heat and let the macerations rest for another six hours. I repeated this six-hours-on/six-hours-off alternation four times over two days, during which the liquid in the bottles darkened quite nicely.
Filtering was a three-step process. First I used a French Press that has a nylon filter to separate the large solids from the extract liquid. That liquid was then poured through a very fine gold mesh coffee filter, which took about half an hour for each batch. For the final clarification, I used two layers of paper coffee filters in a Melitta cone, which took four hours to drip through for each batch.
Final yield was about 120mls of dark, fragrant liquid for each NET. The extracts smell like the cigarettes from which they were made, with the Nat Sherman NET being bolder and deeper than the American Spirit NET. Judging from scent alone, both seem more potent than my Skydancer NET, which I mix at 10-15%.
I havent yet made any DIY juice from these brand-new extracts. If my patience holds out, Ill let them steep for as long as I can (a week if I can manage to wait, but certainly a couple of days at a minimum) before making any juice. When I do, Ill post my first reactions to how they turned out.
My first extract, made earlier this year, used tobacco from Skydancer native American all-natural cigarettes. The extract came out sweet and smoky, and while not perfect as a stand-alone single flavoring for NET-based DIY juice, its a wonderful mixer for DIY blends and Frankenjuice hybrids.
This weeks two batches used a pack each of Nat Sherman MCD and American Spirit Organic cigarettes, both of which are all-natural tobaccos with no additives of any kind. Unlike my first extract, which was made from packs of cigs that had been sitting in my garage for two years, both these packs were fresh, with tobacco that was if not quite moist, at least clearly not dried out. Each batch used 20 grams of tobacco (one gram per cig) in a maceration with 150ml of solvent---a 75/25 blend of PG and VG.
Not having the patience for a month-long cold maceration, I chose a heat-assisted process. Using a large 16-quart pot to make a water bath for the two bottles, I started with cold water, then turned on my electric burner to the lowest setting, which heated the water bath very slowly and kept it well below a simmer, basically like a slow cooker, but not as hot as a sous vide. After six hours, I turned off the heat and let the macerations rest for another six hours. I repeated this six-hours-on/six-hours-off alternation four times over two days, during which the liquid in the bottles darkened quite nicely.
Filtering was a three-step process. First I used a French Press that has a nylon filter to separate the large solids from the extract liquid. That liquid was then poured through a very fine gold mesh coffee filter, which took about half an hour for each batch. For the final clarification, I used two layers of paper coffee filters in a Melitta cone, which took four hours to drip through for each batch.
Final yield was about 120mls of dark, fragrant liquid for each NET. The extracts smell like the cigarettes from which they were made, with the Nat Sherman NET being bolder and deeper than the American Spirit NET. Judging from scent alone, both seem more potent than my Skydancer NET, which I mix at 10-15%.
I havent yet made any DIY juice from these brand-new extracts. If my patience holds out, Ill let them steep for as long as I can (a week if I can manage to wait, but certainly a couple of days at a minimum) before making any juice. When I do, Ill post my first reactions to how they turned out.
This sounds awesome Bill! I was a big fan of both cigarettes back in the day. MCDs hold a special place in my heart. I loved going to the Nat Sherman store in NY and smoking them there. Hope the mix turns out splendidly!
PG and VG from Essential Depot are the industry standards for purity. Food grade USP Kosher.
Best deal: 1 gallon each of PG and VG from Essential Depot, $54.59 with free shipping. That's 0.7¢/ml.
Link: 1 gal. PG & VG
Hi everybody 
I have made one Black Cavendish NET but would like to know where you guys recommend getting tobacco from and what kinds seem to be the most popular .Im looking for good pipe and RYO tobaccos since I was never a big cigar smoker .I would like to make something that is sweet or maybe a good vanilla type blend .Thanks in advance !
I have made one Black Cavendish NET but would like to know where you guys recommend getting tobacco from and what kinds seem to be the most popular .Im looking for good pipe and RYO tobaccos since I was never a big cigar smoker .I would like to make something that is sweet or maybe a good vanilla type blend .Thanks in advance !
I am still waiting on my supplies, but I had seen Cigars, Pipes, Pipe Tobacco, and Smoking Accessories at PipesandCigars.com mentioned earlier in the thread. They have a big selection of pipe and cigar, and they shipped in about a day. Also, the price seemed good based on how much concentrate you should get from each tin/pouch.
Hi everybody
Curiosity got the best of me after two days, so I began the process of mixing up DIY liquids from my two new homebrewed cigarette extracts: Nat Sherman MCD NET, and American Spirit Organic NET.
I dont know how others approach this, but I start out with a new NET by making small batches of DIY juice, usually 3ml or 6ml bottles. Obviously, I'm discovering the flavor profile of the extracts, but---more important---Im learning the range of mix percentages for each extract to produce a stand-alone, single-flavor liquid, which I can then accurately pare down for mixing the extracts in blends using multiple flavorings.
The flavor profile of each extract falls into the middle of the tobacco bell curve. Theyre both mid-range tobacco in flavor (which is exactly what I expected and wanted), straightforward in taste, with no exotic notes, but definitely not nondescript. Because both Nat Shermans and American Spirits are manufactured from a blend of all-natural tobaccos, the taste is not one-dimensional, which is often the case with single-leaf extracts. On the other hand, I wouldnt call the flavor layered or especially complex. As I say, the flavor profile is straight-ahead, middle-of-the-road tobacco.
Both extracts have a surprising natural sweetness, which is also true of my first extract (made from Skydancer Native American-manufactured cigarettes). This is balanced in both of the new extracts by a subtle acrid note, which I like, not quite bitter or sour, but more of a sharp edge. In other words, both extracts are solid tobacco flavor, with a sharp and sweet tone. By contrast, my Skydancer extract is sweet and smoky. With the Nat Sherman and American Spirit NETs, the smokiness is less present, but compensated for by a more aggressive sharpness.
The Nat Sherman extract is a bit darker in color and deeper in flavor than the American Spirit extract by about 10% in both dimensions, appearance and taste. Theyre not wildly different, however. Instead, the two NETs are variations on a similar theme. Im guessing that they are more different when smoked than when extracted for vaping. Early in my smoking days, way back in the 1970s, I tried Nat Shermans and found them a bit too dark and potent for my taste. As an extract for vaping, though, that dark potency is terrific. I never tried American Spirits as a smoker, because they were so pricey as specialty boutique cigs (as were Nat Shermans). I did smoke various discount brands of Native American cigarettes exclusively over the final years of my smoking.
As far as mixing percentages, Ive tried four different strengths so far: 5%, 9%, 13%, and 20%. Personally, I found 20% to be way too much extract. Similarly on the other end of the scale, 5% was too little extract, producing more an aura of tobacco than distinct flavor-with-impact. Admittedly, my initial experimental bottles havent steeped yet, so that may change things, but here on Day One, 9% is the pick of the litter. A 9% mix produces a DIY NET liquid that is flavorful, with impact, but also smooth, and altogether delicious. 13% ups the intensity and might please some hard-core tobacco fans more, but so far I prefer both the flavor and the color of the leaner 9% mix. The 9% juice is a light golden color, and very transparent, which pleases me, while the 13% mix changes the gold shade to more of a tan.
Well see what steeping does to these new NET juices over time, but Im very happy with the initial results. For $15 in tobacco and about two bucks in base liquid, theyre a huge success! Now Ive got almost 400mls of three different NETs, enough to make 3-4 liters of wonderful liquid.
After awhile, Ill start using these new extracts to make blends, hybrids, and Frankenjuices. Ill have another report then.
I dont know how others approach this, but I start out with a new NET by making small batches of DIY juice, usually 3ml or 6ml bottles. Obviously, I'm discovering the flavor profile of the extracts, but---more important---Im learning the range of mix percentages for each extract to produce a stand-alone, single-flavor liquid, which I can then accurately pare down for mixing the extracts in blends using multiple flavorings.
The flavor profile of each extract falls into the middle of the tobacco bell curve. Theyre both mid-range tobacco in flavor (which is exactly what I expected and wanted), straightforward in taste, with no exotic notes, but definitely not nondescript. Because both Nat Shermans and American Spirits are manufactured from a blend of all-natural tobaccos, the taste is not one-dimensional, which is often the case with single-leaf extracts. On the other hand, I wouldnt call the flavor layered or especially complex. As I say, the flavor profile is straight-ahead, middle-of-the-road tobacco.
Both extracts have a surprising natural sweetness, which is also true of my first extract (made from Skydancer Native American-manufactured cigarettes). This is balanced in both of the new extracts by a subtle acrid note, which I like, not quite bitter or sour, but more of a sharp edge. In other words, both extracts are solid tobacco flavor, with a sharp and sweet tone. By contrast, my Skydancer extract is sweet and smoky. With the Nat Sherman and American Spirit NETs, the smokiness is less present, but compensated for by a more aggressive sharpness.
The Nat Sherman extract is a bit darker in color and deeper in flavor than the American Spirit extract by about 10% in both dimensions, appearance and taste. Theyre not wildly different, however. Instead, the two NETs are variations on a similar theme. Im guessing that they are more different when smoked than when extracted for vaping. Early in my smoking days, way back in the 1970s, I tried Nat Shermans and found them a bit too dark and potent for my taste. As an extract for vaping, though, that dark potency is terrific. I never tried American Spirits as a smoker, because they were so pricey as specialty boutique cigs (as were Nat Shermans). I did smoke various discount brands of Native American cigarettes exclusively over the final years of my smoking.
As far as mixing percentages, Ive tried four different strengths so far: 5%, 9%, 13%, and 20%. Personally, I found 20% to be way too much extract. Similarly on the other end of the scale, 5% was too little extract, producing more an aura of tobacco than distinct flavor-with-impact. Admittedly, my initial experimental bottles havent steeped yet, so that may change things, but here on Day One, 9% is the pick of the litter. A 9% mix produces a DIY NET liquid that is flavorful, with impact, but also smooth, and altogether delicious. 13% ups the intensity and might please some hard-core tobacco fans more, but so far I prefer both the flavor and the color of the leaner 9% mix. The 9% juice is a light golden color, and very transparent, which pleases me, while the 13% mix changes the gold shade to more of a tan.
Well see what steeping does to these new NET juices over time, but Im very happy with the initial results. For $15 in tobacco and about two bucks in base liquid, theyre a huge success! Now Ive got almost 400mls of three different NETs, enough to make 3-4 liters of wonderful liquid.
After awhile, Ill start using these new extracts to make blends, hybrids, and Frankenjuices. Ill have another report then.
LongDraw, Sam's Flake makes an AMAZING DIY at 30%. I call it "Exotica Pipe". It is slightly spicy with cocoa undertones. Bill, I believe I sent you some. Tez and Mr Mann have it as well.
That old Sherman store was GORGEOUS. What a work of old New York architectural art. When I was flush I'd buy either MCD Lights or Natural Lights. When I wasn't flush I'd buy cheap Merits and transplant them into Sherman boxes
So my tobaccos from pipesandcigars came in. Gonna go get some mason jars and a cheap crock pot this weekend.
Had a few questions for my notes.
If someone does a cold maceration, how long do people usually let this steep? I thought I saw one post have a week and another post say a month. Figure I would do one just to sit and see what it is like.
Second, do people measure exact amounts in their maceration, or just put tobacco in the jar/container and then fill with pg or vg? I don't have a scale or anything, I figured I would split one tin/pouch into close to 15 grams each and then start with that. Also, just to double check, I would only add enough pg to reach the top of the tobacco, regardless of how much tobacco I use correct?
Just wanted to double check the last questions I had.
Thanks again,
Had a few questions for my notes.
If someone does a cold maceration, how long do people usually let this steep? I thought I saw one post have a week and another post say a month. Figure I would do one just to sit and see what it is like.
Second, do people measure exact amounts in their maceration, or just put tobacco in the jar/container and then fill with pg or vg? I don't have a scale or anything, I figured I would split one tin/pouch into close to 15 grams each and then start with that. Also, just to double check, I would only add enough pg to reach the top of the tobacco, regardless of how much tobacco I use correct?
Just wanted to double check the last questions I had.
Thanks again,
Bill those Sherman blends sound terrific. With tobacco taxes in this country being what they are I shudder to think how much a pack of Shermans would set me back, assuming I could even find them, which I probably can't. A 20pack of Winfields or Peter Stuyvesants (average middle-of-the road Aussie cigarettes) was costing about $15 last I looked.
By comparison, the Cuban Montecristo and Ramon Allones cigars I macerated were roughly $25 each.
By comparison, the Cuban Montecristo and Ramon Allones cigars I macerated were roughly $25 each.
Thanks Scarf. I had seen you mention it earlier in the thread which is why I picked it up. Was thinking of first doing a test run on just the cherry cavendish, but maybe i will just do up a batch of each of the tobaccos.
scarf,
Yes, you did. I quite like Exotica Pipe (not surprising, given how big a fan I am of your extracts). I like it so much that it's found a place in the stable of 40 juices loaded-and-at-the-ready that sit on my bedside table. I vape your Exotica Pipe at least two or three times a week.
scarf,
The two packs of Nat Sherman MCD and American Spirit Organics cost me $7.80US and $7.15US respectively. I had no urge whatsoever to light up one of the 40 cigarettes to see how it tasted, or how I'd feel about inhaling smoke. Vaping has made me a confirmed and very happy non-smoker, something I couldn't have imagined ten years ago.
While I can distinguish my three cigarette extracts from each other, their flavor profiles are more similar than different, unlike the broad diversity of flavors in your aromatic cigar and pipe extracts. Having as I do now almost 500mls of those extracts---enough to make 4-5 liters of NET DIY juice at a 9-13% mix, which is the sweet spot for these particular extracts---I think I'm finished making cigarette NETs.
Florence's one and only liquor store does have a nice selection of cigars and pouched pipe tobaccos, so maybe I'll opt for a Black Cavendish pipe.
What a clear, concise, informative, beautifully explained post. Thank you.
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