Anybody using an XL extraction tube?

[thirst4knwledge]

I picked up an X-tractor XL (extraction experts) at my local smoke shop because it was the only non-glass model they carried and I had already broken one glass extractor. After I got home I remembered reading in the BHO for dummies thread that the largest optimal size is 1.5" and the XL is about 2 and 3/8". I can't get a refund and it would take about two weeks for the shop to get another smaller x-tractor model. I don't really want to wait the two weeks...anyone else using a larger than normal x-tractor tube or the xl specifically? Do you have diminished yields? Anything to be done to curb the downsides of the tube diameter? I was thinking cotton balls on the injecting end so they soak up all the tane to the edge of the tube before reaching the material. Also GrayWolf suggested wadded up coffee filters on the injecting end to serve the same purpose. Would this work how I think it's going to and increase the efficiency? Or should I return it for a glass tube or wait the two weeks and get a smaller model x-tractor? Any help is much appreciated.

-t4k

 

[vertigo0007]

I use an okief xl, similar size, with no ill issues. I like to use a coffee filter doubled over and under the stainless screen. I would go w brown coffee filters over cotton balls if you go that route.

 

[OneTokeOver]

I have a twin Okief gathering dust since I discovered the thermos! Much easier and more product per can.

Freeze bud in thermos along with butane for 24 hrs. Spray butane to cover bud and wait 90 mins. Filter through #6 coffee filter, and the rest as usual.

Note: use stainless thermos and take all normal precautions.

 

[thirst4knwledge]

I use an okief xl, similar size, with no ill issues. I like to use a coffee filter doubled over and under the stainless screen. I would go w brown coffee filters over cotton balls if you go that route.

Thanks vertigo, glad to hear you're using a similar size with no issues. So you use a brown coffee filter over and under the stainless steel screen? Just for further filtering besides SS screen? You don't put anything in the injecting end to evenly distribute the butane and it still flows through all material? Also, I'm worried about the rubber stopper on the injecting end of the tube. Mine just has a stopper that you push in by hand, seems risky for blowback. Is yours constructed the same, and have you had issues with blowback?

 

[thirst4knwledge]

I have a twin Okief gathering dust since I discovered the thermos! Much easier and more product per can.

Freeze bud in thermos along with butane for 24 hrs. Spray butane to cover bud and wait 90 mins. Filter through #6 coffee filter, and the rest as usual.

Note: use stainless thermos and take all normal precautions.

Yeah I've read about that process and was actually looking for a thermos container at the store the other day to try but they didn't have any. If it's easier and produces a similar product (don't see why it wouldn't) then I might as well give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Gray Wolf]

I picked up an X-tractor XL (extraction experts) at my local smoke shop because it was the only non-glass model they carried and I had already broken one glass extractor. After I got home I remembered reading in the BHO for dummies thread that the largest optimal size is 1.5" and the XL is about 2 and 3/8". I can't get a refund and it would take about two weeks for the shop to get another smaller x-tractor model. I don't really want to wait the two weeks...anyone else using a larger than normal x-tractor tube or the xl specifically? Do you have diminished yields? Anything to be done to curb the downsides of the tube diameter? I was thinking cotton balls on the injecting end so they soak up all the tane to the edge of the tube before reaching the material. Also GrayWolf suggested wadded up coffee filters on the injecting end to serve the same purpose. Would this work how I think it's going to and increase the efficiency? Or should I return it for a glass tube or wait the two weeks and get a smaller model x-tractor? Any help is much appreciated.

-t4k

In my experience, an inch or less is the optimal size for a single pass column. We have our own 3/4 & 1" made, and the one I used most, before the Terpenator recycle system, was the 1" X 36".

The larger you go, the harder it is to pack evenly enough for the butane to not find the easy way through, and leave resin behind.

 

[vertigo0007]

Thanks vertigo, glad to hear you're using a similar size with no issues. So you use a brown coffee filter over and under the stainless steel screen? Just for further filtering besides SS screen? You don't put anything in the injecting end to evenly distribute the butane and it still flows through all material? Also, I'm worried about the rubber stopper on the injecting end of the tube. Mine just has a stopper that you push in by hand, seems risky for blowback. Is yours constructed the same, and have you had issues with blowback?

No just 2 plies of coffee filte under stainless screen. The stainless screen alone lets too much plant material thru, ime. I do put a single ply coffee filter disc in before packing the material. No mine is all cnc lathe stainless, including the stationary end cap. The man, GW, is correct. 1' is optimal. Unless youre grinding your material pretty fine, id suggest u unpack and repack the larger tubes with the same material for a second blast. Unless u have your tube packed so tight that no air can displace blowbacks are a rarity. But feel free to use percaution amd spray the butane in 5 sec on 5 sec off increments to allow for pressure release.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Yeah I've read about that process and was actually looking for a thermos container at the store the other day to try but they didn't have any. If it's easier and produces a similar product (don't see why it wouldn't) then I might as well give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

Try your local Goodwill store. I pick up the stainless ones regularly at $15.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Unless u have your tube packed so tight that no air can displace blowbacks are a rarity.

Sadly, at our packing density, it wasn't a rarity and takes only one event to contaminate a run of oil with pieces of plant material.

Moot with the wadded up filters under the injection port, which also helps the butane enter the material more evenly, without channeling. We used two coffee filters over the discharge end, with silk screen preventing a blowout.

 

[vertigo0007]

Try your local Goodwill store. I pick up the stainless ones regularly at $15.

Do you condone this method?

 

[vertigo0007]

Sadly, at our packing density, it wasn't a rarity and takes only one event to contaminate a run of oil with pieces of plant material.

Moot with the wadded up filters under the injection port, which also helps the butane enter the material more evenly, without channeling. We used two coffee filters over the discharge end, with silk screen preventing a blowout.

But were you using a tube that was his width? I should have specified that i was speaking solely from personal experience.

 

[Gray Wolf]

I used various sized tubes, including a 1 1/2", which is how I ended up using under 1".

 

[Gray Wolf]

Do you condone this method?

I condone all methods that work and the thermos extraction method does a good job. Especially for extracting fresh frozen material.

I prefer a method that recycles the butane, for ecconomic, safety, and environmental reasons.


I extracted most of my material before recycle, using a column however, because it is faster for processing quantities of material than a thermos and because most of the material that we extract is dry.

 

[vertigo0007]

Thanks for the speedy replies, GW.

Shit, i hit no instead of yes. My mistake.

 

[thirst4knwledge]

Wow guys thanks for the responses. I was hoping a couple reputable members with experience would chime in.

In my experience, an inch or less is the optimal size for a single pass column. We have our own 3/4 & 1" made, and the one I used most, before the Terpenator recycle system, was the 1" X 36".

The larger you go, the harder it is to pack evenly enough for the butane to not find the easy way through, and leave resin behind.

GW, I can't fight this logic, it's the same conclusion I come to when considering it. I wish I hadn't bought this on impulse and just ordered one online of a smaller size.

Do you trust store bought glass extractors? I just had one break on me, but I saw one at another store when I purchased the XL (so I can return it for store credit and get this one, slightly cheaper), and the wall was much thicker. It looked to be roughly 6mm thick and about 1" inner diameter. Perfect size but I'm wary of using store bought glass tubes after my last experience, though this one looks much nicer.

 

[krunchbubble]

I picked up an X-tractor XL (extraction experts) at my local smoke shop because it was the only non-glass model they carried and I had already broken one glass extractor. After I got home I remembered reading in the BHO for dummies thread that the largest optimal size is 1.5" and the XL is about 2 and 3/8". I can't get a refund and it would take about two weeks for the shop to get another smaller x-tractor model. I don't really want to wait the two weeks...anyone else using a larger than normal x-tractor tube or the xl specifically? Do you have diminished yields? Anything to be done to curb the downsides of the tube diameter? I was thinking cotton balls on the injecting end so they soak up all the tane to the edge of the tube before reaching the material. Also GrayWolf suggested wadded up coffee filters on the injecting end to serve the same purpose. Would this work how I think it's going to and increase the efficiency? Or should I return it for a glass tube or wait the two weeks and get a smaller model x-tractor? Any help is much appreciated.

-t4k

Ive had one for several years, with no issues, i love it....

I have not got above 20% yield, but im constantly at 18-19%...

 

[thirst4knwledge]

No just 2 plies of coffee filte under stainless screen. The stainless screen alone lets too much plant material thru, ime. I do put a single ply coffee filter disc in before packing the material. No mine is all cnc lathe stainless, including the stationary end cap. The man, GW, is correct. 1' is optimal. Unless youre grinding your material pretty fine, id suggest u unpack and repack the larger tubes with the same material for a second blast. Unless u have your tube packed so tight that no air can displace blowbacks are a rarity. But feel free to use percaution amd spray the butane in 5 sec on 5 sec off increments to allow for pressure release.

Okay I'll try that if I do end up using this tube. Though I've heard blowbacks are somewhat of common issue without a stationary or secured cap as GW said.

But were you using a tube that was his width? I should have specified that i was speaking solely from personal experience.

Yeah it seems some people never get blowbacks and others have experienced many. Obviously if a person is using a secured cap on both ends then they're pretty much in the clear. With a stopper on the injecting end and the width of this tube, it seems like something that should be guarded against.

 

[thirst4knwledge]

Sadly, at our packing density, it wasn't a rarity and takes only one event to contaminate a run of oil with pieces of plant material.

Moot with the wadded up filters under the injection port, which also helps the butane enter the material more evenly, without channeling. We used two coffee filters over the discharge end, with silk screen preventing a blowout.

So the wadded up filters on the injecting end distributed butane more evenly and prevented blowout? Without a secured cap on the injecting end I'm pretty worried about it.

I condone all methods that work and the thermos extraction method does a good job. Especially for extracting fresh frozen material.

I prefer a method that recycles the butane, for ecconomic, safety, and environmental reasons.


I extracted most of my material before recycle, using a column however, because it is faster for processing quantities of material than a thermos and because most of the material that we extract is dry.

Why does the thermos do a better job with fresh frozen material? I agree about recycling and intend on building a system that does just that. Is the thermos method still efficient for dry and smaller quantities of material?

Try your local Goodwill store. I pick up the stainless ones regularly at $15

Thanks for the tip.

 

[thirst4knwledge]

Ive had one for several years, with no issues, i love it....

I have not got above 20% yield, but im constantly at 18-19%...

Words of inspiration indeed!! Glad to hear that you've been using one for several years with no issues. A few questions if you don't mind...

Are you using the same XL as me? (extraction experts)
Is it just a push in stopper on the injecting end? Do you put anything in before the material on the injecting end to evenly distribute material? Do you use who buds, lightly broken up, ground bud, or trim? How tightly do you pack?

Thanks for the response and congrats on those yields, impressive. Hopefully you don't mind helping to put my mind at ease about doing a first run with this tube.

-t4k

 

[Gray Wolf]

Wow guys thanks for the responses. I was hoping a couple reputable members with experience would chime in.



GW, I can't fight this logic, it's the same conclusion I come to when considering it. I wish I hadn't bought this on impulse and just ordered one online of a smaller size.

Do you trust store bought glass extractors? I just had one break on me, but I saw one at another store when I purchased the XL (so I can return it for store credit and get this one, slightly cheaper), and the wall was much thicker. It looked to be roughly 6mm thick and about 1" inner diameter. Perfect size but I'm wary of using store bought glass tubes after my last experience, though this one looks much nicer.

We had our borosilicate columns made at the local scientific glass shop, and after we got the design down, they worked well.

Besides heavy wall borosilicate tubing, the trick we learned to stop freting chips out of the injection nozzle hole during cold weather, was to use a uniformly radiused dome, of uniform wall thickness, to better distrubute the stresses to sudden plunges in temperature.

It is also important that they be fully annealed after forming, and despite being assured that our first ones were, by an artistic shop, when we looked at them under a polarized light, you could see that they were not fully stress relieved.

Glass is nice from the stand point that it is easy to clean and you can see what you are doing, but I prefer stainless, as it is easier to empty without breaking while it is still cold, because you can beat on them with a mallet.