DIY Kitty Crack: ultra-potent catnip extract

Step 5: Start distilling

Heat the pot up until the water starts boiling. Did I mention that you might want to do this outside? The catnip vapors don't smell bad, in fact it's a pleasant minty smell, but it's pretty strong and is likely to linger for a while. At least open up all the doors and windows.

Once the steam starts to condense on the lid, cover it with some of the ice. This will help condense the vapors more efficiently. To put some hard numbers on it, my distiller was able to condense ~10 mL in 15 min when I had the lid just cooled by air. But with ice on top, it condensed ~100 mL in 15 min.

The ice will melt as the steam condenses, hopefully collecting in the glass in the center of the pot. This is good.

Comments

[w0ot!]

Are you suggesting we put a couple hand-fulls of frozen water on top of a GLASS lid that is really, really hot? I'm thinking I should use an expendable glass lid...

[aspir8or]

Most glass cooking ware is made from Pyrex, a thermal shock resistant glass. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrex

[w0ot!]

Wiki aside, have you ever quenched hot Pyrex? Like raja681 I too have had Pyrex beakers explode.

[raja681]

ya but pyrex dishes have explode on me i still have some glass in my arm lol but seriously be careful even if it is thermal shock resistant it can still explode (U WOULD SAY OUCH!!)

[echiarini]

not if you use them properly. ;-)

[w0ot!]

oh.

[justan]

i found twas easier, instead of pouring off melted ice, just to use a sponge. [totally enjoyed this btw]