Do you grind buds for closed column extraction

WingAK

Well-Known Member
i have a 90 gram closed column extraction tube just wondering if I grind the buds up or leave them whole and lightly pack the tube?

Also after the extraction I put it in a vacuum chamber on a silicon heat pad at 90 degrees and purge for 2 days do I keep the heat on for the 2 days and the pump running or do I purge until no more reaction is Occurring then keep it under vacuum with the pump off? I can’t find these answers anywhere so any input would be much appreciated! Thank you for your time and knowledge!
 

Vegs

Well-Known Member
You will want to grind up your flower (preferably by hand) and slightly pack with a packing/tamping rod of sorts. I use the end of a broom that has been cut down and bristle end removed.
 

GBAUTO

Well-Known Member
I find that when I purge, it'll muffin and then form a sheet. Some small bubbles form but if I go back in and run a spatula across the sheet and then revac, it muffins again. I do this until it doesn't muffin.
 
Last edited:

Fadedawg

Well-Known Member
Your choice on grinding. It will give you a higher yield, but of lesser quality due to all the ruptured plant cells exposed. I grind to 10 mesh for highest yield, but break the buds up by hand to about 1/2" for highest quality.

I pack firm, so that the flow through the column is uniform. Otherwise the flow can find the easy way through and leave material behind.

I run hotter and for less time. I heat the concentrate until it just melts, usually around 110F/115F, and then pull the -29.5" Hg vacuum. That allows the bubbles to readily escape, so that it doesn't take as long under vacuum to purge the residual solvent.
 
Top