So SWIM is starting with the Lazyman's STB tek. Although SWIM does have the ideal flat glass plates on the way, SWIM wanted to know if regular ceramic would work for drying the extracted naphtha, (DMT) for now. SWIM was just going to do everything in a clear bowl and suck out the top naphtha layer at the end with a dropper or turkey baster. SWIM tried just doing it by letting it drip off the top once already, but there was far too much MHRB coming with the Naphtha. (SWIM does't know how big of a deal that is)

OK, well the main question SWIM had is can a ceramic plate be used instead of a glass one for drying/evaporating? If it has to be glass please say so and possibly explain why? (To be able to see the crystals better?)

Thank you. SWIM told me that SWIM appreciates all replies.


-SWIM

If there are any concerns with ceramic , it's probably going to be with any coating it may have and how it reacts with the nps.

Something to keep in mind: you do not want to get ANY of the mhrb soup in with your nps. If you do, plan to do an extra wash or recrystallization. There's probably lye in that purple goop.

Also, you should consider a bottle or jar rather than a bowl as your extraction vessel. Firstly because you're generally shaking this extraction vessel and it's good to have a tight lid. Secondly, you need to ask yourself what the diameter of this bowl will do to 50-100mL of nps.

Here's what I mean: a standard 1 quart Ball jar is 3.5 inches wide. This makes a 50mL layer of nps take up about 4-5 mm. Using a pipette is ezpz for the first 4 mm but getting that last mm is difficult to do without getting base goop. My next extract I used a bottle that gets smaller at the top, which led to a 10mm layer from the same 50mL of nps. Siphoning was much quicker and easier.

I imagine 50-100mL of solvent creating a VERY thin layer in a regular glass bowl. This will be very tedious to pull from. Know what I mean?

Good luck!

SWIM thought about being able to see the layers too which is why SWIM wanted to use a wide mouth clear glass jelly jar, but you're thinking a smaller say glass Snapple bottle would do the trick (so the top layer is even more visible thanks to the glass container being thinner at the top making it easier to see the naphtha layer and easier to pull from the layer as well.

Also, the STB vs ATB argument. If materials for each are accessible, for a first extraction, there mostly seems to be STB used, but is there any reason why ATB would be a more beneficial or an easier to accomplish extraction route?

Thanks for everything. Back to the original question, though....Ceramic is okay, just be aware that the drying may not be as clean because of the potential for ceramic chips to end up in the final product?

Right?

If you do the extraction correctly, there will not be any solvent left.

Do this after the freeze precipitation:

* Do NOT break loose the crystals from your container.
* Pour all of the solvent through a coffee filter. Put the solvent in a bottle for storage/future re-use.
* Take a knife and open the coffee filter and push out any crystals that got stuck in it, and put them on your plate.
* Take your freeze precipitation jar and break loose the crystals from the side; scoop them up and place them on your plate. They will almost be dry already, since you poured off the solvent earlier.

The only things that will happen:

You will have some ice (that is just water). And you will have some tiny droplets of solvent (almost nothing).

If you do this extraction as I've described, then you will only have a tiny amount of solvent on your plate, which means that even ceramic will be fine. Ceramic is actually covered in Silica (essentially glass). Real glass is better, though, because it is more durable, and clear glass lets you see all of the white crystals (which white ceramic doesn't show).

One more thing: Try to put all the crystal-goo and water in one corner of the plate, because if you let it dry over a large area it will create a long, runny streak of microscopic amounts of DMT which is tough as hell to scoop up. It's better if you try to let the water pool up in a small area instead.

As long as the ceramic is glazed properly it will be fine. Ceramic glaze is essentially glass with certain elements and minerals in it to give it color and texture. If your ceramic plate is smooth and glassy with no cracks in the glaze it should be good to go.

Thanks It's really smooth and probably from Ikea or the like. SWIM figured itd be good but wanted to be sure. That's cool to know that smooth ceramic almost has a layer of glass around it. Okay, well SWIM should have the glass plates, but I think SWIM will try the ceramic just to see that it works also. SWIM also finally got a dropper so no longer will dripping the solvent off the top of the mix be necessary, luckily. SWIM said that was making it difficult to have a clean solvent pull. Also a milk jug should help for the mulch. It has a plastic top tough, don't know if that's an issue. Is ATB suggested or should SWIM stick to STB? SWIM thought your guys' input would be beneficial as it has been very much so, so far.

SWIM thanks you all for your time and knowledge.

SWIM received a notification of a post this morning. SWIM assumes whoever did post, deleted their post. SWIM would like it if your contribution is reposted. Thank you.

ALSO, in regards to the ceramic...It isn't clear glass to be able to see the crystals....The ceramic that was going to be used IS relatively dark colored, so seeing the white or yellow dry material will be easy to see. SWIM assumes the color is not as issue. The ceramic is completely smooth and flat so it seems that it will work fine for now. SWIM has glass pie plates on the way. SWIM just wants some more feedback. Thanks you guys.

Stop using swim and wait for the glass to arrive.

Okay, true not talking about anything too SWIM necessary. SWIM doesn't know, but SWIM just assumes he can use the word "I" every now and then. I appreciate the feedback and directions everyone. Thanks 3rdI. I think that's a cool name. (So does SWIM, lol) Sorry I'll stop, haha

What I learned is that it is very important to get crystals and no goo, that your dishes are very clean and hand wasched, not with the machine. If you clean it in the machine there is a thin layer of the cleaning chemical and this stuff make problems for forming crystals in the freezer on it.

Amazon has 100mm lab zap crystalizing dishes with a spout to pour off excess solvent for <5$

Sep funnels are freaking awesome, You can pick one up on ebay for 20 bucks. If you quit being cheap and put a little into equipment you will get a MUCH nicer product.

There are cheaper alternatives but proper equipment can be had for pretty cheap and you'll see a huge difference. Learn how to use and vent your funnel though

Sep funnels are over rated and uneccassery , also I've done a lot of extractions with normal household equipment and it's never effected the out come !!

While I agree they're not fully necessary, how is a tool that is designed specifically for this job over-rated in contrast to a ball jar and turkey baster? Yes, you absolutely can.

Like it or not, regardless if you agree or disagree, you can pick up proper chemistry tools for proper chemistry procedures for the same cost as a pyrex dish and baster.

I'm not trying to sound elitest or anything, but it feels like suggesting meth lab substitutes over 2 pieces of cheap/trouble saving equipment is propagating misinformation. I'm not demanding everyone who reads this needs to run out into the world and buy a sep, simply stating it IS an option.

And 3.50 for crystalizing dishes was a DAMN good investment!

Where I live, a separation funnel is over $150 and they can only hold 1 liter and cannot contain any bark pieces or they get stuck in the funnel. It's expensive and a hassle!

A regular 25 milliliter chemistry pipette works extremely well and costs like $5.

Bonus: You can use a pipette to pull up some of the black water together with the solvent and let it separate inside the pipette and push out the black water from the bottom. Kind of like a cheap separation funnel.

Man that's horrible! I live in one of the most remote places on the planet and 150$ would buy me a pretty serious sep!

I use a filter flask to separate out the bark pieces, for larger extractions I just uses a pipette to transfer my solvent to the sep and I'll drain off my black liquid out of the sep.

I would love to hear more of your feedback, 1ce. I definitewly want to do everything in the most efficient proper way possible. I much rather not have to suck up a layer of naphtha from the top of a bowl or jar. If you'd like you could PM me as well. Thanks for your feedback, bud.

As a not full member I can only pm moderators. but I will get back to you today though!