Alu ball experiences?

[IndelibleDotInk]

Anyone use an alu ball to make kava?

[DittonW]

yes, I had one and I thought it worked well. mainly just don't fill it too full and I made sure to shake it sideways because I read a couple of peoples experience that shaking it up and down eventually popped the bottom off the container. I just saw on their website that the new one has a rounded bottom to prevent that . I never made kava the traditional way, but the ball worked fine for me . I really like kava and I went through a couple of the 8 oz bags when I first quit drinking alcohol last year and then just never ordered more. But today I was cleaning my cupboards and found the bottle , but I don't know where the ball went . knocked underneath something by the cats maybe. I am thinking I might order another one with a couple more bags of kava if I don't find it when I finish cleaning tomorrow.

[Sassysquatch]

I’ve made kava the traditional way and I’ve also used my Alu Ball and I couldn’t tell the difference in the flavor or the strength of the Kava. However, it sure was a heck of a lot easier with the Alu Ball. I have the newer version with the rounded bottom and haven’t had any problems so far. I got mine from Amazon. They sell replacement balls on there too, DittonW. BTW congrats on quitting alcohol I’m celebrating one year this month.

[DittonW]

DittonW. BTW congrats on quitting alcohol I’m celebrating one year this month.

Thank you - and congratulation to you as well ! I am at exactly one year on the 27th this month .

[StringThing]

Alu Balls are a menace IMO. Cool concept but they are not effective.

You should be soaking and kneading your kratom over a period of hours (I'd say up to 24hrs), not just shaking it around. You want as much agitation and soaking as possible so that all of the kavalactones come out. Some people even use a blender after a soak. This is what I've seen all the long term kava users do, and after playing around I can see there's a clear difference.

You can also re-use your kava for a few washes. There are a lot of kavalactones in there. It's not 'used up' like regular tea might be. I've used it for as much as 3 re-washes and still had a strong cup. It feels like it just keeps releasing and releasing when you have good kava.

I really recommend trying it this way if you've only been using the Alu Ball or kneading briefly. Adding fats can help draw out more of the kavalactones as well. Kava is so expensive so I really try to get the most out of it that I can. I think the best thing to do with it is to use this method to make an entire pitcher at once, instead of just one cup like a lot of people do. This way its less prep.