Two Aluballs are better than one?
- Thread starter Atticus
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I'm interested in things
People use double the root with two aluballs. Each ball should be half full for maximum efficiency--if you over-pack them the extraction is not efficient. Also, I have found that using 2 balls at once can lead to the mesh in the balls being torn, because the ridges in one ball can bump into the mesh on the other and cause it to flex and stress, and eventually rip. You can prevent that by shaking the shaker sideways instead of vertically (if that makes any sense...in other words shake it from side to side instead of up and down), however I don't know if extraction would be as efficient that way, since the aluball is designed so that the high velocity water squeezes the root against the inside of the ball, and shaking sideways the water velocity would be lower.
Atticus
:)
Thanks so much. My first intuition would have been a quantity type of thing. But, I was also wondering if it changed the mechanics of the wash by creating a lower volume per ball by spreading the Kava out between the balls.. Looks like it's a quantity type of thing. A quantity spread to the half mark.
Kojo Douglas
The Kavasseur
Double AluBall or go home, I say!
Sam Handwich
Kava Enthusiast
I recently started doing this and have found it to be very effective. I use two balls and a little more water but not much more root. Probably around 500ml water and 3 tablespoons split between the two balls. What's interesting is that the first wash is definitely stronger but paradoxically I get a stronger 2nd wash too...win, win!
HeadHodge
Bula To Eternity
Finally someone with guts enough to show us their balls!!
kavamehameha
Magnum's 'awa drinking bird
Wow, @Squanch72 is ballsy to take two balls at once! Not everyone has the balls for that!
I've posted before about being a triple aluballer. 3 works best for me. For a medium strength session of 3 shells I will put 1.5 tbsps into each one which is about half full then fill the shaker with 1/2 milk and 1/2 water. Give it a 1 min shake and pour out (I put mine through a cactus kava strainer as I find the aluball itself lets through a fraction too much sediment) and then refill with another load of water. Pour the second wash on top of the first and then give it a good swirl around to mix the two. Make sure to shake as much liquid out of the balls as possible (don't say a word!!!). Circular movements of the shaker are better as up and down with an empty shaker can break the bottom of the shaker. It's a pretty quick way to make up 3 shells of reasonable strength kava.
Kojo Douglas
The Kavasseur
I'm going to try this! Sounds very interesting. I'll probably use coconut water instead of milk though. When you say "fill the shaker" how full do you get it?
I only tried kava with coconut water one time and it was gross. @Mrbinx69 recommended pineapple coconut water but I haven't been able to find it anywhere over here yet. Doug, seriously, you have to try it with some milk sometime.
I only leave about an inch or so at the top free but make sure to give it a good shake. I always find that no matter how well I shake the balls after you'll never get as much liquid out as you put in... similar to the "angels share" in sherry making, I see this as the kava god's share.
IloveKava23
Kava Curious
I usually use 2 aluballs but even the new version of the aluball seems to tear up pretty fast when I have two balls in there. If I use just one ball the mesh doesn't seem to get messed as fast. I really can't tell the difference between using 1 and 2 balls when it comes to potency of the brew
Myk
Kava Enthusiast
I use two balls and keep the vertical concussion to a minimum. I try to stay with the flow. No more concussion shells for the Myk. The Aluballs seem to drain well and I don't ever want to see grog on the kitchen floor again. Turns out heavy duty protein shaker really mean lightweight krunk poser. I haven't noticed any damage to my balls but like I said my Aluballin is in the horizontal position and I don't hammer on them like I did at first.
GussWest
Kava Enthusiast
2 half-filled aluballs to about 20oz water. Hold the shaker horizontally. Rapid supination and pronation of the wrist (ie. "swishing") the shaker bottle. I have had no damage to my balls using this method.
I've become convinced that the aluball is primarily a device for mechanical separation of starchy and woody root components of ground kava powder. (Forget all that "extraction" stuff, this is essentially an aqueous kava micronizer.) A primary graduated wash and a second was give me about 99% of the starchy sediment.
I have come to use a gradual dilution method: stopping the mechanical separation process early, pouring a shell, and topping off with water.
I get about 60 oz of fine grog from about 45 grams of medium grind powder.
I've become convinced that the aluball is primarily a device for mechanical separation of starchy and woody root components of ground kava powder. (Forget all that "extraction" stuff, this is essentially an aqueous kava micronizer.) A primary graduated wash and a second was give me about 99% of the starchy sediment.
I have come to use a gradual dilution method: stopping the mechanical separation process early, pouring a shell, and topping off with water.
I get about 60 oz of fine grog from about 45 grams of medium grind powder.
Kojo Douglas
The Kavasseur
I tried your method using about 1/4 milk instead of 1/2. I shook the hell out of it because the milk freaked me out and I wanted to make sure I had more of the Kava taste. It did seem to potentiate the Kava quite a bit, though I can't be sure because I was a bit extra vigorous. When cleaning out the AluBall after a second shake, I noticed an oily film on everything and am wondering if that was an increase in kavalactone extraction or just the milk. Anyway, it's a good mix though the milk tastes kind of odd with the Kava. I'm sure I'm just not used to it. Good recipe!
It's a long story about the milk thing but if I don't use it I can drink milk in the morning and get a residual kava rush. Has to be something to do with helping my body use the kava?!?! I only use 1/2 milk in the first mix and then all water in the second wash so that comes out at about 1/4 milk in the whole batch. I wouldn't be surprised if it was potentiation. I am so used to the funky taste of kava mixed with milk that it tastes odd without! I've never noticed a film as such although I am careful to wash well after because of the milk. I'm glad you liked it, I'm sure it's a new trend in the making ;-)
GussWest
Kava Enthusiast
When I mix kava with milk etc., I use the aluball with water only to get a standard kava drink. I then decant this into separate container where the kava and milk are mixed together and let that sit 30 minutes or more.
Best of both worlds. My aluballs don't get funky and the fatty beverage does help with absorption in the GI.
Best of both worlds. My aluballs don't get funky and the fatty beverage does help with absorption in the GI.
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