Well, I have been lurking around the forums for a while now, and I decided (since I finally found something to post about) it was time to make an account. But I'll go straight to it. So I'm currently in the basification process of this tek here: http://www.erowid.org/ch..._extraction_guide1.shtml (I honestly have no idea what it is called). But I have a rather peculiar thing happening at the moment. So it has been about eight hours or so since I added NaOH + Water. I've been patiently expecting an emulsion, but yet one has not come. All I have is the naptha with some milky looking stuff contained within it. Everything below the naptha layer looks like black sludge. I'm not sure what the problem is this time around. I THINK it may be my water ratio, I used quite a bit of root bark (I had no valid way of measuring it, but I believe I used 50 - 70 g), but I used substantially less water than I was supposed to, apparently. Everything has gone well up to this point, though. And truthfully, I'm not even sure if this is a problem which is why I am asking.

Here are some pictures for reference.




Thanks in advance for any help.

Firstly, why are you using a tek that has a giant warning that you shouldnt use it on top ?

Secondly, I think maybe you dont understand the process you are doing well enough. Why are you waiting for an emulsion? Emulsion is not something you want, its something you DONT want.. Mix your two layers, let them separate, mix again, let them separate again, do this a few times, then pull out the top layer, and onto freeze or evap.

In any case do NOT use the tek you are using, pay attention to the warning on the top of that page. Check our wiki for more information on better teks, read a few teks and get the feeling for why you are doing each part of the process instead of following to the letter without understanding. Read the FAQ too.

Good luck

I realize that the warning is there. I also understand how the process works. I only asked because I have performed this process before and there was an emulsion but there was not one this time. Sorry to ask a stupid question, but thank you nonetheless.

You don't want the emulsion to form. I also wanted to use that tek when I did my first extraction, but fortunately I found more easy ways to do it (and safer for that matter). I went with this tek: https://www.dmt-nexus.me...aspx?g=posts&t=11797 and I can say it works very well, especially for a beginner such as myself. You might want to consider taking a look at the quantities of material used and the described procedures. You might have wasted a bit of mhrb, but no worries, you'll do better next time! I advise buying a scale, as well. Quantities do matter. That is, if you don't want to waste stuff.

I for one, do 3 pulls: the first and the second after mixing the jar contents for 2 minutes and letting sit. The 3rd I'm pulling after 8-12-18 hours (the next day, usually). This seems to pull pretty much everything in the plant. Letting the naptha stay around the plant material too long will cause emulsions to form, which give the yellow/brown color to the spice (brown if not extracted correctly - eg too much black stuff pulled - or left too long).

Alright, thanks a lot. Honestly, I wasn't aware there were so many different teks available to use. I'll certainly go with a different one the next time around. Your help is much appreciated!