Kava Preparation Aluball - how are people getting that thick brew??

[ElKavallero]

Hi Folks--

So I picked up an Aluball yesterday, and I'm having trouble seeing how you can get a good thick brew out of this without wasting a lot of Kava. The result is just no where near as slick and hearty as what I get from a double strained squeeze.

Also, quite a bit of water gets trapped in the ball. While this may amount to just a table spoon, we all know that wringing out those last tsp. of juice from a traditional prep usually drops some nice cloudy resin into the kava bowl, and leaving waterlogged Kava un-squeezed seems like a no-no.

I do like the thing, in fact I see it's potential so much that I already ordered another ball. I just don't want to blow through a bunch of pricey Kava before learning there was a better way to do this.

So, for anyone who Aluballs AND likes a thick strong batch, is the reality simply that I'm going to end up using more Kava to obtain that same result through Aluball than I would otherwise? Is there just a learning curve? From some of the reviews I've read, folks are finding this accessory helps them conserve Kava...I'm not sure see how yet..

 

[Groggy]

For me I learned two things with the Aluball;
1. Less is more, instead of packing the aluball with kava, I use less.
2. Use 2 of them, that's how I get a thick, frothy grog. Also letting it soak a little while between shaking works quite well.

 

[Kimmer]

Agree with Krunky. I actually use three balls with less kava. I get some nice sludge

 

[Kojo Douglas]

Triple AluBall!?

#KavaGodsMustBeCrazy

 

[Squanch72]

Like Krunky said, too full and I make mud or cement as I call it. Then I have to clean it out and start over. Less is more. Bums me out when I still occasionally do it wrong, take a sip with barely any kava taste. Then I yell at myself, like I am Fred G.Sanford yelling at his son. You Big Dummy, you did it again, when will you learn, don't overfill an Aluball.
Do do do do, do do do do do do do

 

[HeadHodge]

THE SECRET:

 

[ElKavallero]

Thanks, I'm sticking with it for sure, the clean up alone is worth it. I'll try 2 balling with the leveled 2 tbsp. I definitely didn't use any more than 2 'heaping' tbsps., but I suppose that could end up being closer to 3 which may be too much. I KNOW it can get good and groggy, I've seen it done!!

 

[Rick.Sanchez]

The nice thing about alluballing is that it's so easy that I can easily do 2-3 washes with the same kava in the time it would normally take me to make one traditional preparation. After a couple washes I feel pretty confident that I've gotten as much as I can from the root without doing a more tedious prep.

 

[ElKavallero]

Ok, I just ran a modest 2 tbsp. of Loa Waka shook with 300ml (although I was hesitant, the paperwork warns that less than 1/2 full may break my balls). This was not an viscous brew, but it IS potent. Perhaps I have to accept that the viscosity of my traditional prep didn't necessary carry all the potency.

 

[Squanch72]

I like how the new version has the fill line on the bottom half. I still try and stay a little below that. Maybe we should post some pics of the max fill level we use.

 

[Groggy]

I like how the new version has the fill line on the bottom half. I still try and stay a little below that. Maybe we should post some pics of the max fill level we use.

That would be useful specially since many of us still use the first version.

 

[Squanch72]

I try and remember to snap a pic before and after. Especially if I jazz it up, like yep that was too much in this pic.

That would be useful specially since many of us still use the first version.

This is where I usually fill to. Gives me a reason to post Kava O'Puss photos again, it is Friday after all

 

[IloveKava23]

I try and remember to snap a pic before and after. Especially if I jazz it up, like yep that was too much in this pic.

This is where I usually fill to. Gives me a reason to post Kava O'Puss photos again, it is Friday after all View attachment 7292 View attachment 7293 View attachment 7294

What's the brown stuff on top of the kava in the balls?

 

[Squanch72]

What's the brown stuff on top of the kava in the balls?

The brown Kava is Waka and the white Kava is Lawena. I made those pics a while back to show the color difference between Waka and Lawena.

 

[Edward]

Hi Folks--

So I picked up an Aluball yesterday, and I'm having trouble seeing how you can get a good thick brew out of this without wasting a lot of Kava. The result is just no where near as slick and hearty as what I get from a double strained squeeze.

Also, quite a bit of water gets trapped in the ball. While this may amount to just a table spoon, we all know that wringing out those last tsp. of juice from a traditional prep usually drops some nice cloudy resin into the kava bowl, and leaving waterlogged Kava un-squeezed seems like a no-no.

I do like the thing, in fact I see it's potential so much that I already ordered another ball. I just don't want to blow through a bunch of pricey Kava before learning there was a better way to do this.

So, for anyone who Aluballs AND likes a thick strong batch, is the reality simply that I'm going to end up using more Kava to obtain that same result through Aluball than I would otherwise? Is there just a learning curve? From some of the reviews I've read, folks are finding this accessory helps them conserve Kava...I'm not sure see how yet..

I've been aluballing all week in the truck and I got some pretty thick brews out of it. I didn't put a lot of thought into it either so it can't be difficult. Here's my routine...

I'm a triple aluballer as well as @Kimmer . Depending on how strong a batch I'm after I'll fill 3 aluballs with 1.5 or maybe a fraction more tbsps of root for a 4.5 to 5 total, put milk in the bottom half, top up with water. That's my first shake. Then I'll pour that out through a strainer into another jug (I find the sediment too much, especially with certain kavas but once it's removed it's fine). Then I fill the aluball jug with water again, probably 3/4 full, give that a shake and add it to the first mix. This gives a pretty good brew, 3 shells worth and pretty thick.

The key to getting as much water out of the root as possible is circular motions that won't break the bottom of the jug, go centrifugal! That gets most of it out, when I open the balls up to discard the root it's all damp so I know it's been used but not retaining a load of water. Experimentation is key to work out what is right for you.