Do you grind buds for closed column extraction

i have a 90 gram closed column extraction tube just wondering if I grind the buds up or leave them whole and lightly pack the tube?

Also after the extraction I put it in a vacuum chamber on a silicon heat pad at 90 degrees and purge for 2 days do I keep the heat on for the 2 days and the pump running or do I purge until no more reaction is Occurring then keep it under vacuum with the pump off? I can’t find these answers anywhere so any input would be much appreciated! Thank you for your time and knowledge!

You will want to grind up your flower (preferably by hand) and slightly pack with a packing/tamping rod of sorts. I use the end of a broom that has been cut down and bristle end removed.

I find that when I purge, it'll muffin and then form a sheet. Some small bubbles form but if I go back in and run a spatula across the sheet and then revac, it muffins again. I do this until it doesn't muffin.

Your choice on grinding. It will give you a higher yield, but of lesser quality due to all the ruptured plant cells exposed. I grind to 10 mesh for highest yield, but break the buds up by hand to about 1/2" for highest quality.

I pack firm, so that the flow through the column is uniform. Otherwise the flow can find the easy way through and leave material behind.

I run hotter and for less time. I heat the concentrate until it just melts, usually around 110F/115F, and then pull the -29.5" Hg vacuum. That allows the bubbles to readily escape, so that it doesn't take as long under vacuum to purge the residual solvent.