I don’t have any definitive answers as of yet on these questions. I’m still searching for all the info I can get about the NET process myself. Many vapers want to do NET , in part because of the wonderful tobacco flavor which is achieved through the NET process. Bottom line…it is tobacco and tobacco does have things included in its makeup which we don’t want in our systems. Our goal is to rid the extract of as much of those potentialy harmful things as possible.
That being said, with the use of PGA in the process of NET, the solution must be as free of water as possible. Using zeolite to remove excess water from PGA, prior to its contact with the tobacco, seems to be the ticket. Why?
“The reason we don’t want much water in our alcohol solution is because water catches tars and resins that the ethanol won’t. This is not a “clean” extraction, but anything we can do to avoid organic sludge being added to the extract is good. This is why a solvent such as Vodka, with a 60% water content, is a very poor choice for extraction.”
Found another blog post concerning using zeolite as a molecular sieve for the elimination of water in PGA. Looks like it’s the the 3a molecular sieve which will do the trick.
Was your extraction a cold pga filter process man I’ve forgotten from reading to much.
Did you just cold pour & let gravity do the trick? I’m courious how long it takes to filter.
I use a heated extraction with a combo of hot and cold filters… a total of 5 filters. It takes about 15 minutes to cold filter the pga with 1 micron filter paper.
I started my first yesterday as well Jim. Just one method though and not very scientific at all.
I bought this tin of tobacco…hell I don’t even remember when. More than a year ago but less than 5 I never opened it but it’s been sitting on a shelf ever since.
It’s one of the Virginia/Perique blends I mentioned before. I grabbed about half a tin worth and put into a jar. Poured in PG till it just reached a level higher than the tobacco, then screwed the lid down and put in my crockpot on low. That was about 5 pm yesterday. I left it overnight and checked this morning…
I turned it off this morning and let cool back down. Cranked it back up at 5 pm today to repeat the process. I plan on doing this maybe 4 or 5 days. Filter and try it.
Question - what would you recommend starting percentage for something like this? Oh yeah, and I plan to use the freezer method from @Pro_Vapes to separate some oils/solids as much as possible. Ok, all ears now.
From what I’ve gathered, with an extended heat extraction period, such as yours, you might only use 5 to 8% in your mix. For individuals who have a minimal heated extraction period, coupled with maybe a week or two of room temp extraction time, might need as much as 20 to 25% in a mix.
I’ll let you know about the minimal heat extraction method; this is one of the methods I chose. The tobacco I used is a fairly light Virginia blend; the tobacco I used to roll and smoke.
It’s all new to me. I’m still refining my process. Some say it requires some time to bond with the pg after the extraction. The flavor needs to develop for a while . I’m testing various percentages until I think it’s ready.
My first batch of NET via cold PGA extraction…success! The product came out crystal clear and quite tasty, even freshly mixed. Couple of pics; first up is the extract in pure form and the second is a 50PG/50VG mix w/20% extract. I’ll steep this a couple of weeks and see how it develops. Tobacco used: Peter Stokkebye London Export.
Guess it all depends on the tobacco you are using, the extraction methods, solutions and straining methods. My tobacco was a fairly light caramel colored type; mostly Virginia verietals. Don’t worry, my Latakia and Perique is gonna look like black strap molasses or darker… Just you wait and see!
I smoked pipes for years & have a stockpile of aged pipe tobacco.
That perique will melt your face off I bet.
This NET is such a interesting concept,keep us all posted please
I’m about to process my hybrid hot/cold extraction; it has steeped for roughly two weeks now in a room temp state. I’m guessing it will be a bit more potent than my (freezer) cold extraction.
I’m vaping a mix from my first cold extraction right now.
London Export net @20%
FA Joy @.75%
IDE Caramel @1%
Very enjoyable tobacco vape. Surprisingly enough, this mix was pretty much a shake and vape; I was fearing I’d have to wait through a steep time…not so much!
Side note: The IDE Caramel is, hands down, the best caramel flavoring I have experienced to date.
That’s good to hear. I’m not quite getting what I need from the 5 I have. I’ll give it a shot. Luckily IDE sent a full bottle. I just smelled it and did a finger taste. It smells and tastes true.
It really does taste good. And the best part is I now know what true Virginia tobacco tastes like in a vape; kinda now disappointed in all the other bottled versions of what is supposed to be Virginia tobacco.
…to be continued.
I never opened it but it’s been sitting on a shelf ever since.
Just you wait and see!
