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How to make a steam distiller from a teapot and some plumbing partsby fearofsquirrels on March 15, 2009

Table of Contents

How to make a steam distiller from a teapot and some plumbing parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   How to make a steam distiller from a teapot and some plumbing parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 2:   Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 3:   Modifying the teapot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Step 4:   Building the condenser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 5:   All together now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 6:   Distilling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 7:   What next? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

Intro:  How to make a steam distiller from a teapot and some plumbing partsThis doesn't work very well, feel free to try to improve or elaborate on the idea. I think I'm going to get started on a copper based model next weekend.

Why would you need a steam distiller?-Steam distillation is the main method of separating essential or volatile oils from plant material, however commercial steam distillers cost around $400 and essential oilscost a lot too. With this Instructable you can start producing essential oils for less than $40.

Image Notes1. Condenser2. Elbow Joint3. Neck pipe, loaded with yarrow.4. Teapot and weight

Step 1: IntroductionSteam distillation is a process that uses steam to distill essential oils from plant material.Basically steam goes through plant material, where it absorbs the essential oils, then is condensed and the oil is separated from the water.

Image Notes1. This would be the teapot2. This is the neck pipe3. The condenser4. And the collection vessel

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

Step 2: MaterialsTo build the distillation apparatus you will need,-A teapot (or any vessel that will generate steam)-A piece of pipe that will fit over the neck of the teapot.-An elbow joint (same width as the neck pipe).-Reducers (I'm not sure what the actual name for these is, they make the width smaller, these aren't necessary if the condenser pipe fits with the elbow joint).-Another wide tube or pipe (this will be the outside of the condenser and needs to be shorter than the condenser pipe)-A pipe that will fit inside the wide tube (this is the condenser pipe)-Lots of innertube or some cement (for sealing the condenser-Bronze wool (or some other filter material)-Thread tape (not necessary but helps)-A coat hanger and weightAll of these except the outside of the condenser should not leach in steam (use galvanized pipe),

To distill essential oils you will also need the material that contains the oil, this can easily be bought, found or grown. And something to collect the oil in.

(Sorry that there are no pics of the condenser stuff)

Image Notes1. A weight, this is the first time I've picked it up in a few years2. A jar'o yarrow3. The neck pipe4. The teapot5. Bronzewool6. Clothes hanger7. Thread tape8. Elbow joint with reducers

Image Notes1. Reducers

Step 3: Modifying the teapotTake off the whistle part of the teapot, (there should be some screws holding it in place) and put the piece of pipe over the neck of the teapot. (A mallet helps in this step).You should be able to take the pipe off with a little bit of tugging.Then attach the clothes hanger so that it will hook up with the weight in order to stabilize the teapot.

It should look like this,

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

Step 4: Building the condenserThis is probably the hardest part, and it takes a lot of patience. The idea behind the condenser is to cool down the steam and condense it (turn it back into a liquid). Inorder to cool down the steam we are going to force it through a pipe cooled by ice on the outside.-Take the condenser pipe and put it inside of the condenser tube-Seal one end with cement or inner tubes-Fill the condenser tube with water (This is the frustrating part, because there always seem to be some leaks.)-Stick it all in the freezer.

Image Notes1. sealed end2. open end

Image Notes1. Condenser pipe2. Outer Pipe

Image Notes1. all wrapped up, but still some links

Step 5: All together now-Put some bronze wool in the neck pipe (this is too keep the plant material from falling into the teapot)-Put the plant material into the neck pipe-Attach the elbow joint and reducers-Attach the condenser

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

Image Notes1. Condenser2. Elbow Joint3. Neck pipe, loaded with yarrow.4. Teapot and weight

Image Notes1. Don't add too much bronze wool.

Step 6: Distilling-Put the teapot on a stove or other heat source and turn it on-Wait for the distillate to drip into the vessel.

When I tried it the Condenser melted very fast and there were many leaks. (I think I'll rig up a copper coil condenser).The distillate didn't separate very easily and is supposed to be dark blue while my liquid is pale white.It should work fine for my purposes (I'm using it as a mosquito repellent) but it would be nice to get a pure essential oil.

Image Notes1. I repositioned the weight.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

Image Notes1. yarrow flowers2. White, not blue. Why?

Step 7: What next?Since the condenser didn't work very well I think that I'll build a copper coil condenser (and edit this instructable when done.)I might also try find a way to isolate the essential oil from the hydrosol (like in the kitty crack instructable)

Check out this instructable for something to do with catnip extract http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Kitty-Crack%3a--ultra-potent-catnip-extract/

Also a lot of herbs that can be distilled can be found growing in suburban areas, for example I've found pounds of yarrow and catnip in the middle of my town.

Related Instructables

Build Your OwnEssential OilExtractorDistiller byMadMan.inc

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Be a RomanticScientist: Distillyour ownperfume oil. byKiteman

DIY Kitty Crack:ultra-potentcatnip extract bytalbotron22 Homemade

Shampoo byscoochmaroo

How to makeperfume byChrysN

Comments

20 comments Add Comment

 PKM says:  Mar 16, 2009. 5:59 AM  REPLYIt looks like you might have melt from the condenser ending up in your final product. The traditional Liebig condenser doesn't try to contain the "cold" (water),it pipes it off and recirculates it. I would suggest you extend the narrow condensate pipe further out of the end of the condenser, so you can be sure all thatends up in your collection vessel is condensate; add another vessel to catch the water that comes out of the condenser, and pipe additional cold water intothe top. Ideally you want to pipe cold water into the bottom of the condenser and remove it from the top, but then you are getting into making seriousglassware- this should be a decent compromise.

 DakotaWisdom says:  Jul 26, 2009. 7:36 PM  REPLYThe problem that I see is the design of the aq condensor , you need water to flow though the outer tube. The second is try using wo pieces of pipe foryour steam area. using two pieces will allow for a screen to be put in that will put a clear passaqge to your material

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 16, 2009. 4:28 PM  REPLYI think that I'm going to make a copper coil condenser (maybe next weekend) and then update this instructable with it

 lemonie says:  Mar 15, 2009. 2:24 PM  REPLYWhat were you trying to extract that is supposed to be dark blue? Condensers a a bit of a pain, see mine?

L

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 15, 2009. 2:45 PM  REPLYI'm trying to extract yarrow flowers, for mosquito repellent. I'm going to build a copper coil condenser when I get the $$$ (I'm broke for now). How wereyou able to bend the copper without it kinking? I heard you have to fill it with water and freeze it first.

 ironsmiter says:  Mar 16, 2009. 12:18 AM  REPLYHow to bend copper tubing depends mainly on the type of tubing you have. If it comes already coiled, it's soft drawn tubing, and if done slowly andcarefully, you can just bend it by hand. Too sharp a bend and it will kink, but for a coil, you should be fine. They also make "bending springs".Literally, a coilspring that has an inside dia JUST larger than the outside dia of the pipe. Slip it on, and bend away. around $20 at most plumbingstores, but worth it for a kink free coil. The easiest method for bending HARD tubing(comes in straight pipes) is to fill the tubing with SAND, cap bothends, then bend it on a pipe bender. With hard tubing/pipe, you're still only gonna be able to get LARGE diameter bends. But just so you know, I'venever been able to get a tighter bend than a two foot diameter, without kinking at least once.

 lemonie says:  Mar 15, 2009. 3:12 PM  REPLYAt the diameter I used (8mm) you can bend it so far without significant flattening, step 2 shows how I did it (roughly).I wouldn't expect the Yarrow extract to be blue, but I think you may be able to extract with (cold) alcohol as an alternative.

L

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 15, 2009. 3:32 PM  REPLYI'm pretty sure that the yarrow essential oil should be blue http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoilspz/yarrow.asp .

And I want to get the essential oil, so I can't do a alcohol extraction (it would pull out other stuff and be hard to concentrate). And to do a solventextraction for essential oils uses a lot of costly solvents and could leave impurities.

-mitch

 lemonie says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:09 PM  REPLYHmm, it's a mixture - best wishes with the steam distillation. The only thing I've ever distilled that was coloured was diazomethane, so if I canfind any Yarrow I might have a go. L

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:48 PM  REPLYYarrow grows everywhere where I live (In Illinois, near Chicago) and It grows in a ton of other places, so does catnip which can also bedistilled. Find a site that lists some wild plants in your area and go huntin, who knows what you'll find. However Yarrow looks a little likeHemlock (So I've been told) so make sure you find Yarrow. Yarrow or Catnip make excellent mosquito repellents, but Catnip attracts catsand smells kind of funky, so I use Yarrow. -mitch

 ironsmiter says:  Mar 16, 2009. 12:36 AM  REPLYSide note, Don't use THIS setup for distilling your bug repellant. specifically since the catnip extract is probably destined forinjestion(by cat or person, either way).

An unfortunate side effect of running STEAM(or very hot water) through galvanized pipe is that Zinc Carbonate ends up dissolved inthe product. In old water pipes, it's not much of a problem specifically because it is so dilute... but you're distilling! It's not gonna killyou or anything, but might cause some irritant issues with your lungs/stomach/skin if any significant quantity isinhaled/ingested/applied.

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 16, 2009. 4:32 PM  REPLYThanks for the info, I guess I'll have to try an all copper setup, maybe use a glass jar for holding the material, attach it directly tothe kettle and then hook it up to a copper coil condenser. Would there be any problems with the lid on the mason jar? (You'resupposed to boil it so I don't think it would leach). I'll need to totally redo this instructable

 ironsmiter says:  Mar 17, 2009. 3:38 AM  REPLYmason jar lids should be no problem. Any NEW lids are "plain steel". Antique lids MAY be zinc coated however. Don't need toredo the 'ible. It's pretty nice for what it is and what it does. What I would advise is, when you go to make your new setup, writeanother ible on it! or, if it seems too similar to lemonie's ible, just post it as a slideshow, and add a link to the slideshow as step7.5 But that's just me.

 alex-sharetskiy says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:01 PM  REPLY(can't click on boxes inside boxes)

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:07 PM  REPLY? I don't think you're supposed to click them, just mouse-over them.

 alex-sharetskiy says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:20 PM  REPLYwell, i can't do that either

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-steam-distiller-from-a-teapot-and-so/

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:41 PM  REPLYWhat boxes are you talking about? The ones in the image? Can you do it on other instructables? I'm not really sure what you're trying to do. -mitch

 alex-sharetskiy says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:44 PM  REPLYstep 4 pic 2

 fearofsquirrels says:  Mar 15, 2009. 4:55 PM  REPLYOh, I'll fix that. Thanks, -mitch

 Tool Using Animal says:  Mar 15, 2009. 2:34 PM  REPLYNow this is a freaking Hack! I Love it.