Tobacco extraction using heated Ethanol

[nostradadus]

I've never extracted Plumcake, in fact I don't believe I've extracted any of Mac Baren's tobaccos.

Me either... the extract was a gift from a NET buddy of mine in S.C. Bless his heart! For some odd reason, this maceration did not strike his fancy... but he did an excellent job in creating this extraction. I mixed it 20%, 50p/50v @9mg nic... just delightful!

Nicely done @SthrnMixer!

 

[nostradadus]

Excited to get back to doing Ethanol macerations. Just took some War Horse Green out of the pot... now, for the long wait! I figure I'd give this one 6 months or so before she's processed. Perhaps it'll be my after Turkey Day vape on the veranda with a hot cup of coffee!

 

[Str8vision]

This is my third large batch of ethanol based tobacco extractions. With what I already have on-hand, once this batch is finished I should have enough purified, condensed extracts to flavor around fourteen gallons of NET. I'm currently purchasing the tobacco that I'll use for the next, and final, large batch. Once it's finished I'll have an ample supply of all my favorite tobaccos, I'll be done. From that point on I'll be exclusively focused on sampling new tobaccos. Any that I find worthy will be extracted in quantity and added to the stockpile.

 

[Fredman1]

I'm new to NET. Very exited and thankful for discovering this thread. I almost gave up but then got hold of some NET liquid and it opened up a new world for me. I now want to start doing my own, because that's the way i'll get the best from vaping and stay off the stinkys.
I'm currently working my way through this(and other) threads, and that will take some time.
I do have a question and I apologise if it has been covered already...
I have some denatured ethanol. Can anybody tell me if it can be used for this extraction method?
Thanks.

 

[happy valley]

I have some denatured ethanol. Can anybody tell me if it can be used for this extraction method?

Hey there, hello and welcome. I'm far from the most experienced mixer of NETs but seeing your question I'm going to jump right right in with a resounding NO: Denatured alcohol, also called methylated spirits or denatured rectified spirit, is ethanol that has additives to make it poisonous, bad tasting, foul smelling or nauseating, to discourage recreational consumption.

The ethanol, as mentioned in the title and throughout this thread, is PGA or pure grain alcohol, rectified or neutral spirit, sometimes called 190 (or 151 if lower alcohol content) and sold for consumption commercially at liquor stores with names like Everclear among several others.

 

[Str8vision]

I'm new to NET. Very exited and thankful for discovering this thread. I almost gave up but then got hold of some NET liquid and it opened up a new world for me. I now want to start doing my own, because that's the way i'll get the best from vaping and stay off the stinkys.
I'm currently working my way through this(and other) threads, and that will take some time.
I do have a question and I apologise if it has been covered already...
I have some denatured ethanol. Can anybody tell me if it can be used for this extraction method?
Thanks.

Welcome Fredman 1. Denatured alcohol could possibly be used but it's -toxic- so I don't recommend it. If, after mixing, you failed to evaporate all of it off, the resulting NET could possibly be a health hazard. I strongly suggest using PG or ethanol (190 proof PGA) for the extraction solvent, both are suitable (safe) for consumption. This thread discusses the use of ethanol as the extraction solvent and here's a couple of links to threads that discuss using PG; Cold maceration of tobacco
Slow Cooker Extraction of Tobacco and Tea
My advice is to start by extracting a single small batch (1/2 ounce of tobacco). Once you're satisfied with your method/results/equipment you can move to multiple extractions or larger batch sizes. Feel free to post any questions you might have, several friendly, knowledgeable home extractors around here.

 

[TheWestPole]

This is my third large batch of ethanol based tobacco extractions. With what I already have on-hand, once this batch is finished I should have enough purified, condensed extracts to flavor around fourteen gallons of NET. I'm currently purchasing the tobacco that I'll use for the next, and final, large batch. Once it's finished I'll have an ample supply of all my favorite tobaccos, I'll be done. From that point on I'll be exclusively focused on sampling new tobaccos. Any that I find worthy will be extracted in quantity and added to the stockpile.

View attachment 658547

Wow!

 

[Fredman1]

Thanks for the responses. Very much appreciated. I'm in New Zealand and have quite a few different kinds of pipe tobaccos and cigars on the way from South Africa (my country of origin). I plan to do the cold and hot methods in time. I'm taking things slow to learn the right ways.
What I can find here in NZ (so far) is....
"high purity, natural food grade Ethyl Alcohol 96.2%"
Will that do the trick...?

 

[happy valley]

"high purity, natural food grade Ethyl Alcohol 96.2%"
Will that do the trick...?

Oh my yes, that should do nicely. Is that pricey?

 

[Fredman1]

Don't know yet. I've sent them a request. It's Sunday here so hopefully i'll hear from them tomorrow...
Ethyl Alcohol - High Purity, Natural Food Grade Alcohol 96.2% - Extra Neutral Potable Ethanol

 

[Fredman1]

Don't know yet. I've sent them a request. It's Sunday here so hopefully i'll hear from them tomorrow...
Ethyl Alcohol - High Purity, Natural Food Grade Alcohol 96.2% - Extra Neutral Potable Ethanol

 

[happy valley]

Don't know yet. I've sent them a request. It's Sunday here so hopefully i'll hear from them tomorrow...

Good to go, that is what I believe would be pharma grade ethanol.
For comparison, I use Everclear 190 and pay between $35 and 40 US for 1.75 Liters.

 

[aceswired]

If you're in New Zealand, home distillation is legal. Find a buddy with a still and have him save you some "heads," which is a very high percentage of ethanol that's often discarded or used as lighter fluid.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

 

[Fredman1]

Find a buddy with a still and have him save you some "heads,"

Nah I don't know any distillers, but i'll start asking around. Thanks for that.

 

[Fredman1]

Oh my yes, that should do nicely. Is that pricey?

Wow it turned out to be very pricey indeed. $127 per liter without freight....!!!
I need to be registered with customs and apply for a permit before it can be sold to me.
I know some people in the racing industry. Will racing ethanol do...?

 

[Str8vision]

...... I use Everclear 190 and pay between $35 and 40 US for 1.75 Liters.

Same here, I think I paid $38 for the last 1.75 liter jug I bought and it's only a 10 minute round trip to pick it up. When I started this thread, I took having legal access to affordable 96% ethanol totally for granted. I don't anymore. I actually feel a bit guilty for wasting as much of it as I do.

 

[Str8vision]

Wow it turned out to be very pricey indeed. $127 per liter without freight....!!!
I need to be registered with customs and apply for a permit before it can be sold to me.
I know some people in the racing industry. Will racing ethanol do...?

Chances are the ethanol used in motor sports has been denatured (deliberately made toxic) to prevent people from consuming it. $127 per liter is -way- too much $$$ to pay for an extraction solvent. What's the strongest (alcohol content) Vodka available to you? It could be that an alcohol based extraction isn't going to be economically feasible in your case. PG works quite well for flavor extractions, that's what most NET manufacturers use.

 

[happy valley]

What's the strongest (alcohol content) Vodka available to you?

That was my thought too Str8. And curiously, I just found out a little while ago that Barcardi has discontinued production of it's 151 rum, not that I ever tried it or can say it would be any good but now it's not even an option.

 

[Fredman1]

What's the strongest (alcohol content) Vodka available to you?

Oh dear i'll have to go check and see. Will come back to you on that. I'm going to do both the heat and cold methods, but for some season I like the heated one at this stage. Would like to find the best method for me to that when my tobaccos arrive.
Speaking of...we are taxed and dutied horrendously in this country. The government has committed itself to make NZ smokefree by 2025. Taxes are raised yearly on all tobacco. A 50g (1.7oz) pipe tobacco here, costs around the equivalent of 65 USD. Tax and duty included I can get it from SA for around 50 USD.... CRAZY !!!
Anyway I thank you for your help so far. If you have a good method for my situation in mind, I would very much appreciate if you could share it with me...

 

[Bunnykiller]

what you want to avoid is Methanol.... its a by product from distilling and is toxic... primarily used to "Denature" Ethanol ( make it undrinkable) and also is a main component of alcohol based racing fuel, paint thinner and other VOC cleaners. Pure Grain Alcohol is what you should be looking for... where I live, 750ml goes for 11 USD. ( Everclear)