winterising what is it and why?
- Thread starter Maina
- Start date
Winterizing is taking an oleoresin or concrete extracted using a non polar solvent, and redissolving it in a polar solvent, before dropping the temperature to below freezing for long enough for the non polar plant waxes to precipitate out, so that they can be removed by filtration.
We routinely dissolve BHO extracts in ethanol and freeze at -18C/0F for 48 hours before filtering out the waxes.
The product produced from a winterized oleoresin or concrete is called an Absolute by the essential oil and perfume industry.
It is to remove the non active waxes, which dilute potency and coat your lungs when you vaporize the oil.
What if i'm using a oil rig that is a bubbler? Do the non-active waxes stay in the water?
Some will be stopped by the water, just as it stops some of your oil vapor, but most will pass through to your lungs.
I have had a theory that dabbing out of rigs with water is not as good for your lungs as without. I noticed a long time ago that when dabbing translucent shatter (rawbho) without water the vaporized oil the collects in the rig(reclaim) remains clear, but when filtered threw water becomes opaqe and waxy. So whats happening is similiar to what happens when your raw bho "waxes" up or "budders" during less than ideal purging conditions.
I recently dabbed about two grams of raw bho threw a rig with no water and gram with water, the gram with water made me feel short of breath, but the two grams with out the water were much easier on the lungs with no noticable shortness of breath. The oil remaining clear without being complexed by water seem to be easy for our lungs well my lungs atleast to process.
On the note of winterizing, all my extracts are winterized if I plan to vaporize or eat, I do not consume raw bho anymore with exception of those 3 grams on vacation. Not only are removing the irratating inactive plant waxes, lipids and fats, but all residual butane will be replaced with residual ethanol which in my opinion is the lesser of the two evils. What you will be left with is pretty much just cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
I recently dabbed about two grams of raw bho threw a rig with no water and gram with water, the gram with water made me feel short of breath, but the two grams with out the water were much easier on the lungs with no noticable shortness of breath. The oil remaining clear without being complexed by water seem to be easy for our lungs well my lungs atleast to process.
On the note of winterizing, all my extracts are winterized if I plan to vaporize or eat, I do not consume raw bho anymore with exception of those 3 grams on vacation. Not only are removing the irratating inactive plant waxes, lipids and fats, but all residual butane will be replaced with residual ethanol which in my opinion is the lesser of the two evils. What you will be left with is pretty much just cannabinoids, terpenes and flavonoids.
well now I guess I gotta try it without water.
gunnaknow
Active member
The waxy appearance is most likely down to the oleoresin and water condensing as a colloid. Colloids appear opaque due to the suspended particles scattering the light (Tyndall effect). The heavier feeling in your lungs is most likely down to the increased volume and mass from the water vapor. You'd be forgiven for thinking that water vapor would make the smoking easier on the lungs but it's the water vapor in smoke from green and wet wood that makes it so thick and heavy. Not pleasant to breath in at all.
