Well, I will chalk that batch up to experience. If I keep it frozen, it stays brittle, so its usable and according to the patient, better than he expected (lets say he has low expectations, this his first time too). I dont smoke myself, so I can only pass on his views.
Twitch, I believe, has it right, but I want to believe it being too old isnt the right part.
So, just to be clear, patient is responsible for source material and consumption, me, I do tech and methodology. This stuff was harvested, trimmed, double-bagged, and then forgotten in a freezer for 3 years. Since this stuff is free, hes suggested we use it to do these experiments.
First blast was 3 weeks ago, 18 x 1 tube with 4 filters (need more). 4 cans of 5x till it ran clear (didnt take measurement of source material, will in future.) Blasted onto PP (I know, dumb), had no griddle, so ended up heating in an oven (despite this, we are still alive!). Probably over-heated material at this point.
With no other tech at that time, folded up the PP and put it in the freezer. Patient tried some and was happy. I knew we werent even close at that point, but eh, wth.
After Xmas, Vac It Pro, griddle, silpat arrived. So I thought I would go ahead and try. Used a digital instant thermo probe, inside the vac chamber, to monitor
as I said, nvr went above 140F. That said, as SaybianTv pointed out, none of my bubbles have been anything but white, so clearly I am just reprocessing the new moisture/air I put back into the goo.
Ok, goo, boohoo, but we progress.
Today, got remaining tech. 2 x Pyrex, heat gun, IR thermo, razors, scrapers, plus all I had already received.
In prep for 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] blast, put remaining raw material into the dehydrator for 4 hours on 95F (using SaybianTv and Twitchs ideal number) just to make sure its good and dry.
Currently testing the temp on top of silpat, on a plate, in the chamber, on the griddle. Griddle thermo is at 135F. Griddle surface temp is fluctuating, but ~170F. Chamber temp outside bottom is ~130F, top of silpat is currently 89F. Lots of things being heated so its understandable theres so much difference. What I do like is because of so many things, fluctuations shouldnt be much on top of the silpat. Im testing to find out what I have to do to get silpat to 95F and keep it there (trying 150F griddle thermo now.)
2[SUP]nd[/SUP] blast tomorrow. 100g of material only (smaller tests). Blasting into pyro in pyro with slightly cooled boiling water in lowest pyro. Will do a 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] load of water outside till the bubbling calms down. Will constantly check oil temp to ensure it does not exceed 95F. Scrape, then onto the silpat, inside, and into the 95F chamber at full purge.
BTW, I havent seen this said before, but if you turn off the vac pump and close the chamber, the bubbling slows down on goo (which has very few bubbles to start with), which tells me clearly the vac pump must stay on to have an effect.)
This run there will be nothing higher than 95F.
My plan is to keep vacing for at least 48 hrs, if shatter doesnt appear before then. If it hasnt appeared by then, Ill be back here.
Looking forward to my first muffin
wish me luck.
