Hi,
I just started a new extraction using vovin's tek a couple of days ago. I am currently at step 3, "reducing and decanting". I let it sit in the fridge overnight and then filtered it twice and now I am supposed to reduce the volume down to around 500 ml. My Seperatory funnel is 1000ml, so getting the acidic solution down to 500ml is perfect. However, I followed the directions he gave but the solution doesn't seem to be reducing. It is in a glass tray, uncovered, and in the oven at its lowest temperature, 170f.
The tek says it should take between 1 to 2 hours. I have had mine in the over for 4 to 5 hours now, but it doesn't look like it has reduced as all. I did not measure it though, just eying it, but it is not even close. I started with around 1300ml.
What am I doing wrong? Do I just need to let it stay in the oven even longer? Should I increase the temperature? I was checking the temperature of the liquid using a handheld laser temperature reader and I didn't see it go above 140f though. I've suspected my oven is not accurate for awhile now. He does say to keep the temp as low as you can, so I was hesitant to raise it.
Any advice would be great. If there is a better way to reduce it, please let me know. I would like to get it down to 500ml if possible. If you need any additional info about my stuff, please let me know. I am heading to bed now, so I took it out of the oven, covered it, and left it on the countertop.
Thanks
Jibbs