Traditional vs AluBall?
- Thread starter Atticus
- Start date
Aluball is fantastic for on the go, and for people with disabilities, however the only part that's slightly lacking is the ability to do a final squeeze. Due to this you end up giving up some of the kavalactones you would otherwise have gotten from traditional prep.
the_wilderness
Kava Enthusiast
I go the hybrid model; shake a bag tied up in a jar, few squeezes after. maximum payoff for minimum effort 
JohnMichael
Kava Synchronized
When I use the aluball, I pour out all the liquid and then do a one shake "thump" of the ball on the bottom of the container and then pour out the liquid ( a lot); and then I repeat this about five more times until even a hard shake does not produce any liquid. When I dump out the maka from the ball, it is very dry appearing and difficult to get out. And it does not seem to be hard on the screen mesh at all.
I see a lot of people complaining about the weakness of their Aluball brew. I normally weigh out my prep, and normally use 15 grams per Aluball, and my grog is anything but weak. Recently I decided to try to make a stronger brew and packed it in the Aluball without weighing. It absolutely did not work. I got a weak looking, semi transparent brew, and when I opened up the Aluball, instead of it looking like soup, the inside of the pack was barely even wet. I then weighed out 15 grams, and all was very well.
The upshot is that the Aluball may not work if you pack the Kava in it too tightly. This happened for a second time just yesterday, but this time I know it was because I put too much Kava in the Aluball. Sometimes less is literally more.
The upshot is that the Aluball may not work if you pack the Kava in it too tightly. This happened for a second time just yesterday, but this time I know it was because I put too much Kava in the Aluball. Sometimes less is literally more.
Lenticels
AluNaw
I think the method described below is likely superior to that of an AluBall:
You can also use a Mason quart or half-gallon jar, as I've seen KrunkieMcKrunkFace use in his most recent YouTube video.
bogmonkey
Kava? Yes please!
I *only* use an Aluball and never have an potency issues.
Sure, I'm not getting every last molecule of Kavaloactones (and of course the traditional method is a nominally "better" extraction mode).
To maximize the Aluball extraction I shake for 3 full minutes vigorously rather than the recommended 30 seconds. Them little buggers break free for daddy.
My Aluball gets rinsed right afterwards. I've never washed an Aluball in 7 years. The cleanup is 1 minute.
Total process is about 4-5 minutes from bag to shell.
I'm not worried about any lost kavalactones or doing a second shake but certainly don't fault anyone for chasing those lost bits. My kava sessions are far more potent than anything I can get in a Kava Bar by a long margin. I only drink kava on the weekends, and only 2 tablespoons per 8-10 ounce shell.
Sure, I'm not getting every last molecule of Kavaloactones (and of course the traditional method is a nominally "better" extraction mode).
To maximize the Aluball extraction I shake for 3 full minutes vigorously rather than the recommended 30 seconds. Them little buggers break free for daddy.
My Aluball gets rinsed right afterwards. I've never washed an Aluball in 7 years. The cleanup is 1 minute.
Total process is about 4-5 minutes from bag to shell.
I'm not worried about any lost kavalactones or doing a second shake but certainly don't fault anyone for chasing those lost bits. My kava sessions are far more potent than anything I can get in a Kava Bar by a long margin. I only drink kava on the weekends, and only 2 tablespoons per 8-10 ounce shell.