…… Steam Distilling

[kyrsyan]

I have wanted/needed a steam distilling set up for a while. I grow a lot of my own herbs and medicinals and would like to extract them myself rather than continuing to buy them. Since fed gov is seeing fit to throw more money our way, I was looking into filling that last gap in my preps for that area.
I can get the lab glassware but I'd prefer something sturdier. I've seen the smaller copper and stainless steel stills at good prices. Has anyone used them for herbs? Is it feasible to add a stainless steel sieve/colander to the center of the large container so that the herbs are above the water and not in direct contact with the heat? I'm looking at a 3 gallon still.

 

[cowboy]

Here is just a flute that you can pack full, they have a complete 8gal unit.

https://milehidistilling.com/product/3-inch-column-with-condenser-and-8l-large-essential-oil-basket-includes-lid-clamp-and-lid-gasket/+

 

[kyrsyan]

Here is just a flute that you can pack full, they have a complete 8gal unit.

https://milehidistilling.com/product/3-inch-column-with-condenser-and-8l-large-essential-oil-basket-includes-lid-clamp-and-lid-gasket/+

Okay that's an add on but that helps. Thank you.

 

[cowboy]

There are other companies like Hillbilly Still that I think are building these in house not Chinese knock offs. I have no idea how much of what it take to make how much but I would want something proportional in size. I would hate to reload more than four or five times to get a 1/4 cup.

 

[kyrsyan]

Any of the steel ones are larger than the glass ones that I was looking at. And sturdier.

 

[nomifyle]

I got a stainless steel one several months ago on walmart.com for about $100.

God is good all the time

Judy

 

[summerthyme]

There are other companies like Hillbilly Still that I think are building these in house not Chinese knock offs. I have no idea how much of what it take to make how much but I would want something proportional in size. I would hate to reload more than four or five times to get a 1/4 cup.

Don't ever make rose essential oil! It requires 22# of petals (they're light! Thats a lot of volume) to make ONE TEASPOON of oil!

Material and energy intensive process.

Summerthyme

 

[cowboy]

Whow! Do you dry and cure plants before processioning. I ask because I've wondered about some things being milled and pressed into like bullion cubes rather than extraction.

 

[kyrsyan]

Some plants can be dried. But some are delicate, as is the oil, so they literally must be picked and immediately processed.
And, yeah, not trying for rose oil. Although rose water might be obtainable. If I get new rose bushes in.

 

[kyrsyan]

I got a stainless steel one several months ago on walmart.com for about $100.

God is good all the time

Judy

Do you have a link?

 

[Millwright]

Do you have a link?

I got curious too.

Maybe it was this one?

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

 

[kyrsyan]

I got curious too.

Maybe it was this one?

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

That's one of the ones I am looking at. I watched a video where a woman opened one of the veggies steamers in the bottom so she could steam distill rosemary.
And almost all the videos show steam distilling rosemary at full boil which makes me wince because rosemary oil is an easy extract that will evaporate off without a hard boil.
I'm debating a full stainless steel model though.

 

[Fairwillows]

I got curious too.

Maybe it was this one?

Robot or human?

www.walmart.com

I've been an herbalist all of my adult life. And there is always something new to learn. I started researching hydrosols, when God directed me to this information. I had never heard of hydrosols!!! I used to dry all my herbs and flowers, but upon researching, hydrosols are an amazing lost form of medicine! I have a lot of Lemon Balm that arrived via a load of manure one time. It moves around my yard and grows where it feels comfortable. I made 2 quarts of tincture this year, but wanted to find a way to be able to give it to the littles's in my family, without the alcohol. And that's how I was handed the information on hydrosols. Their benefits are amazing and I'm still researching and taking down the info for each medicinal plant I have access to. Hydrosols have a shelf life of one year, that's pretty dang good. They can be used internally and externally for everything from antibacterial disinfecting to beauty concoctions! So I purchased that Vevor moonshine/water distiller, it's on the way. I am so excited to start this new venture! You can extract oils, but I'm not interested in that. The Hydrosols contain more benefits and are easily and safely ingestible. You can distill water, even salt water, make CBD's, and although I don't drink much alcohol, I will probably attempt to make some Brandy or Vodka.