Copper Alembic - bain marie

Was conceived especially for distilling botanicals or high sugar content fermented fruit mashes.

This system has a double chamber; water is placed in the external chamber and the raw product in the internal chamber.

The external chamber has a simple pressure release device for maintaining an even pressure and temperature, basically an escape tube with small holes at regular intervals that allows the slow release of pressure.

The bain marie concept is quite simple, heat generated at the source is transferred to the water in the external chamber which in turn heats up the internal chamber evenly and in a uniform manner along the base and sides.

These systems may operate at a slower rate but the benefits are improved quality and rectification of the distillate.Was especially conceived for the distillation of high quality essential oils, herb infusions, fruit brandies and schnapps.Fruit mashes have a tendency to burn when subjected to direct heat due to the high surface temperatures and the resultant distillates may have a bitter or burnt aftertaste.The same principles that applied to the distillation of alcoholic spirits may be used for the distillation of essential oils.

These Alembics are manufactured with a thicker gauge of copper sheeting to withstand the pressure generated in the external chamber of the alembic and the whole unit is welded together to reinforce the joints and soldered with brass solder where necessary.

This double chamber system keeps the organic material or sugar present in a mash from burning. The resultant high quality distillate is clean and pure with no burnt off-taste.

During distillation the temperature and level of both the water in the external chamber and product in the internal chamber should be monitored at all times and the alembic should never be left to run dry, water in the exterior chamber should be topped up approximately to ¾ capacity after each distillation run.Other features of the Bain Marie Alembic are the discharge pipe with brass screw-on plug, for the removal of spent loads and cleaning. A screw-on plug is also present on the topside of the alembic for filling up the external chamber with water.You don't need to insulate the closing with a mixture made of flour.

This kind of alembic is recommanded for the distillation of liquids or fruits.For the heating of the alembics, you can use wood, Calor gas, or electric element. If you use the fire, be careful the flames never stick out the bottom of the alembic.

 A word of caution: Care should be taken when using these units, they should never be left unattended and the temperature should be constantly monitored .