Hello everyone, I hate to sound like a complete newb but I have a question. I'm trying to adjust ratios for bark and what I've read in the FAQ differs from what the tek calls for. I'm using the max ion tek and my intended rxn vessel is a 1L vodka bottle. The tek calls for 50g bark in a 1L bottle but I am using 150g. In the FAQ, it says to just adjust ratios according to the tek but in the tek it says not to do this. Iaccidentally put too much water so my volume is exceeding 1L. I'm wondering if I could just move my mix to a 1.75L bottle but then the ratios will be off from the tek. Or I can just boil the mix until it's under 500mL. I'm just wondering what is the correct answer? If I move the rxn mix into a 1.75 I have no idea how to adjust my ratios (according to what the tek says). Can I just use the pH to see how much chemicals I should use? Or does the amt of water make a difference? I'll attach what the FAQ vs tek says. And while I'm at it, what does TEK stand for? 😂

Also! Can anyone explain how these tek artists come up with the amount of chemicals they use? I'm pretty versed in organic chemistry so a complicated explanation is ok!

Thanks everyone!

This is what the FAQ says:
Which ratio of MHRB:Lye:Water is the best?

For STBs, 1g MHRB:1g Lye:15ml Water is generally accepted as a good ratio. People have had success with significantly less water, but 15ml per g bark is a recommended amount because less than that might make the whole mixture too thick and it can make the separation of the solvent more difficult. Also, one actually needs much less lye but this amount of lye helps prevent emulsions forming as well helps break down the plant material so that dmt is more exposed to the water.

Alternatively, one can just add enough lye for the solution to turn completely black, and go ahead and extract. If emulsions form, add more lye. One does not need to worry about over-basifying, there's no such thing. Excess lye will stay behind in the water layer once you separate the solvent in any case.
Can I scale down/up the amounts stated in a tek?

Yes, just scale the quantities proportionally according to your situation.

Yes you use multiple containers if necessary. But the more containers, more work and mess, so try to avoid using excessive amounts. Better to have all your main extraction in one or two containers max.

This is what the max ion tek says:

The ingredients shown are for a starting amount of 50-100g of bark but this
tek can be used for any size of initial plant material. {note: Do not just double
the ratios per ratio of bark)

The exact amount of water isn't very important. The one thing you have to worry about is whether there's enough water to keep the bark solution thin enough to mix well with the naphtha or other NPS.

You don't even need to measure the amounts of water or base you add, honestly. The viscocity tells you whether you need more liquid or you have enough and the dark black/red color of the bark solution tells you your pH is good enough.

Tek is short for technique. Most of the guys who created the original teks were chemists, and they presumably had done enough extractions to get a pretty good idea of what was necessary. Also, the way the teks are designed, it doesn't matter if you don't get the measurements exactly right, there are easy indicators for the key ingredients.

Thank you!! So the teks list amts of ingredients basically just to give people a nice recipe without needing experience