Distilling essential oils

The distillation process itself

Distilling essential oils

Postby biopro » Wed Aug 01, 2012 5:19 pm

Ha sanyone used the airstill to collect essential oils. I have a good crop of lavender flowers and wondered if I just make a "soup" in the still and hopefully the oils will float to the top in the distillate.

Most of the online guides say steam distilling is best for Lavender, but I can't see how to do that in the airstill.

Thanks

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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby billmcc » Fri Aug 03, 2012 11:21 am

If you thread some copper wire through the condensor tube i think you could attach a small bag of lavender on the inside of the air still lid
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Jimmy » Fri Aug 03, 2012 1:24 pm

Yeah, or if you could find a metal sieve that you could snip the handle and prongs off and sit inside the still, you wouldn't have to fill it with liquid you could just put a litre or two. No idea if it'd work, just a thought.
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Admiral Toad » Fri Aug 03, 2012 8:15 pm

Only reason I bought this kit was essential oils and distilled water

Am I on the wrong site ??? ??? ;D :D ;D :D
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Capt-Cudellez » Sat Aug 04, 2012 8:43 pm

Can't give any advice on this subject, but if you want to use the still for anything other than dis stilling oils, I'd guess something strong like lavender would be tough to get rid of that flavour. Lavender vodka anyone?
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby chill » Sun Aug 05, 2012 5:38 pm

I've made lavender gin and did not have any problems with flavour carry over. Mind you, that was only 1 tablespoon of lavender.

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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby billmcc » Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:45 pm

biopro this might work
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/RSVP-Jumbo-I ... 3f18d9332f
and with juniper berries and wash
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Blissed » Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:30 pm

Has anyone done this? I just got mine today and am wondering about the best way to go about it?

Thanks
Donna.
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Capt-Cudellez » Thu Aug 23, 2012 10:38 pm

Hey Blissed, I can't help you I'm afraid, my interest is in other areas ;D . But welcome to the forums.

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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Almanac » Thu Aug 23, 2012 11:25 pm

OK, OK! Blissed said; "Has anyone done this?".....

Done What, Done What? For gods sake, what did I miss? who deleted the pictures?

WTF is going on....Jimmy, are you doing spymaster again? :D :D :D

I always miss the good stuff!!!!! ???

AM 8)
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Re: Distilling essential oils

Postby Jimmy » Fri Aug 31, 2012 3:52 pm

LOL, calm down, nothing has been deleted (not that I know of!) - I believe the question is 'Has anyone successfully distilled essential oils using an AirStill?' and all I can say is that I haven't!
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