Amber: Ethanol Extraction (Wash) Method
Disclaimer: The final product from this method is not of the highest quality, but many may find it interesting to try. Even a small amount can have a strong effect.
What You’ll Need
- Dry buds (I use small, underdeveloped buds; I can’t bring myself to use the top colas)
- Ethanol (ethyl alcohol)
- Glass jar
- Coffee filter or cotton pads
- Cheesecloth
- Double boiler (water bath)
- Timer
Preparation
Break up the raw material by hand or use a grinder, but don’t turn it into powder—just small pieces. For a standard yield, I use 20 grams of product.
Place everything in a jar and put it in the freezer for 24 hours. Also, put the ethanol container in the freezer. This step freezes any remaining moisture in the buds, preventing the alcohol from extracting water-soluble elements during the wash.
Extraction Process
- The next day, start the extraction. I usually do it in two steps: the first for 2 minutes, the second for 3 minutes.
- Pour ethanol into the jar until it’s about 1 cm above the chopped buds. Close the jar and shake it vigorously for 3 minutes, checking to make sure the solution doesn’t turn green. If it gets dark green, the alcohol is extracting unwanted material.
- After 3 minutes, strain the contents through cheesecloth and a coffee filter (or cotton pads).
- Repeat the process for 2 minutes to fully extract the desired substance.
You should end up with a clean, amber-colored solution.
Evaporation and Collection
Evaporate the liquid in a double boiler until all the alcohol is gone. Scrape the resin with a thin plastic or metal card. I use a deep bowl for convenience—it’s easier to collect the residue. Then, I put it in the freezer for storage, since it won’t harden at room temperature. After freezing, it’s easier to portion for smoking and doesn’t stick to your hands until it softens again. You should get about two grams of product.
Notes and Safety Tips
- Handle ethanol carefully—it is highly flammable.
- I do not recommend using acetone, even though it works. It ignited instantly when I carefully moved it from one burner to the smallest one, and boiled too violently. I almost set the kitchen on fire (luckily, the furniture was old and not mine!).