How to Create a Liquid Concentrate

Assuming one is taking a liquid and further concentrating it, a good idea would be to isolate the desired compound and eliminate the remaining components. In most cases, a potent liquid concentrate can be achieved by removing much or all of the water in a liquid. Consider the desired compound's chemical composition and boiling point.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic milk jug
• Freezer
• Pot
• Stove
• Thermometer

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Instructions

Deep Freeze

• 1

  Know what you are concentrating. If your compound has a lower freezing point than water (such as alcohol or fruit juices), you can concentrate a liquid by the removal of water by freezing.

• 2

  Fill a plastic milk jug about three-quarters full with the liquid, cap it, and put it in the freezer. Give it time for the water to completely freeze; this should take about four hours.

• 3

  Remove the jug from the freezer and look at what you've got. Most freezers are programmed to be around zero degrees Fahrenheit, and water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. If your compound has a freezing point lower than zero, it should remain in its liquid state, which you can then pour into another container.

• 4

  Look closely: What's this? No liquid at all? That's OK, assuming you did your homework and the compound does in fact have a freezing point that is lower than that of water, the compound will melt faster than the water. Place the jug upside down over another container and allow the liquid to melt. If you're concentrating a colorful liquid, just melt the colorful ice, but if the liquid is clear, use your best judgment and stop the process when you think the compound has been completely melted, leaving only water behind.

Evaporate the Water

• 5

  Know what you are concentrating. The boiling point of water is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. If the compound you are concentrating has a higher boiling point than this, boil the water until it evaporates.

• 6

  Turn on the stove and pour the liquid into a pot. Bring it to a boil and put the thermometer in the liquid.

• 7

  Boil the liquid at a temperature higher than 212 degrees Fahrenheit, but lower than the boiling point of the compound to be concentrated.

• 8

  Allow the liquid to reduce; this may take a couple of hours.

• 9

  Pour the concentrate into a separate container and cool it in the refrigerator.