If the ephedrine or pseudoephedrine isn't already in pure powder form, then it

must be separated from the tablets of cold medicine that contain it. To do this,
the cold medicine tablets are mixed with a solvent and the solution is then
filtered and exposed to low temperatures to separate and remove the inert material
of the tablet.
The pure pseudoephedrine is then mixed with red phosphorus and hydriodic acid.
The red phosphorus is then filtered out (and later reused), and the remaining
acid is neutralized by adding a lye solution.
A substance is added that will bind to the meth, and the liquid meth is then
drained out.
Hydrogen chloride gas is bubbled through the liquid meth, making it a
crystalline hydrochloride salt.
This is poured through a filter cloth, and the meth that is left on the filter
is then dried.
Once dry, the meth is "stepped on" (mixed down with inert filler in order to
maximize profits), weighed and packaged for shipment or sale.