DESTILLIERMEISTER E10-55 iPremium-Plus24/i - all inclusive

Manufacturing optimised stills since 2006

DESTILLIERMEISTER E10-55 Premium-Plus24 - with everything you need

No more silicone seals required

You save around €60 with this bundle

A legal, high-capacity stainless-steel still, optimised for the distillation of essential oils from flowers and leaves

The DESTILLIERMEISTER E10-55 Premium-Plus24 is an enhanced version of the E10-55 Premium 2022 model, featuring a water/steam boiler with a capacity of over 10 litres. As the water supply is generally sufficient for several distillations, the plant tube has been designed to be screwed onto the water boiler so that it can be removed separately to be refilled with new plants or herbs. The key difference is that the distillation bridge is fully supported by an adjustable tripod, meaning that the boiler and plant tube can be removed for refilling whilst the rest of the system remains in place. This significantly speeds up the process. This is documented further below.

The pre-condenser, which ensures a pressure-loss-free transition to the liquefaction of the vapour in the cooler, has been generously dimensioned with a cooling length of over 1 m. To keep the system compact, it has been designed in a curved configuration. The riser pipe and pre-condenser are manufactured to be screw-connected to one another, making the system easier to handle and more versatile. The distillate cooler is also designed in a coiled form and can therefore be made longer without the system becoming bulky. In total, the pre-condenser and main cooler provide a cooling length of over 2 m, meaning that only a relatively small amount of cooling water is consumed.

The riser pipe on the Premium-Plus model is insulated to minimise condensate loss. Overall, the Premium-Plus model is optimised for the extraction of essential oils and hydrolates. In the pre-condenser, the steam is liquefied without the cross-sectional area being reduced during this first stage as the steam passes from the riser pipe into the cooling section. Consequently, the steam does not have to flow against a pressure peak here – which would lead to oil losses – and the temperature at the plants is therefore lower than it would be without a pre-condenser. The cross-sectional area is only reduced upon transition to the final cooler, but this no longer creates any flow resistance because the steam has by then been liquefied.

Note: Pressure losses in the pipework system result in increased pressure within the plant tube; the steam must therefore work against a pressure peak. This damages the essential oils and reduces their quality.

From previous trials with the DESTILLIERMEISTER E2-55 Premium, we know that the optimal ratio of plant tube height to plant tube diameter has a positive effect on efficiency. Due to the larger evaporation surface area of the water boiler, the distillation rate is significantly increased, which shortens the distillation time and reduces the duration for which the essential oils are exposed to a hot environment. This therefore also affects the quality of the distillates.

For the vast majority of plants and flowers, the water supply is sufficient for 6 to 7 distillations when 1 litre of distillate is collected per distillation. However, if collecting one litre of hydrolat per distillation is not sufficient – as we have found to be the case, for example, when distilling fennel seeds – the water supply is still sufficient for at least 2 distillations.

This results in a significant time saving compared with the 2-litre steam boiler. The use of a large boiler for hydrolate extraction is also entirely legal in Germany. You must, however, declare a boiler with a capacity of over 2 litres to customs; you may then use it without restriction, including for private use.

The insulated riser tube already reduces condensate losses. These losses can be further reduced by insulating the plant tube as well, for example with a blanket. This should then result in a higher oil yield.

With 5.5 litres of plant chamber capacity, you have ample space to process larger quantities of plant material or drugs. By raising the aroma basket, however, you can also experiment with smaller quantities; in this case, you should operate at a reduced heat setting to ensure the steam does not simply pass through the plant material without having any effect. As the steam is generated in a separate boiler beneath the herb chamber, there is no risk of coming into contact with boiling water. However, you should only fill the boiler with a maximum of 9 litres to allow the steam to build up inside it and to prevent hot water from being drawn up in the event of delayed boiling.
Easy to use:

• In the new model, optimised clamping mechanisms mean that seals are no longer required between the 1st and 2nd stages, or between the 3rd and 4th stages. The sealing is achieved by metal-to-metal contact. Consequently, there are no longer any ongoing costs associated with this model.
• Fill the water/steam boiler with a maximum of 8 litres of water – either demineralised or distilled water, or tap water, provided that after a few distillations, any limescale build-up is removed from the bottom of the boiler using heated citric or acetic acid.
• Fit the lid with the 3/4" screw connection and secure it with the clamping fasteners.
• Place the aroma basket into the plant tube and open it out. Now fill the plant tube, press down gently and connect it to the 3/4‘ screw connection.
• Fit the small lid with the thermometer and secure it with the clamping fasteners.
• Connect the insulated riser pipe with the 3/4’ thread to the screw connection on the lid.
• Screw on the pre-condenser as shown in the pictures below and insert support 9 through the cross-sleeve 10 until it touches the floor and supports the system.
• Screw on the final cooler and rotate it so that there is a gradient throughout.
• The water inlet starts at the final cooler at 7.3. Here, you will need a 1/2" hose fitting on the hose. The cooling water then flows upwards between the tube core and the tube jacket towards the pre-condenser. From 7.4 to 6.3 (pre-condenser cooling water inlet), the cooling water is routed via the supplied hose 8 into the cooling water area between the pre-condenser core and the pre-condenser jacket. The outlet for the hot cooling water is at 6.4. A hose with a 3/4" screw fitting must be connected here. The cooling water therefore always flows in counter-current to the distillate line, from bottom to top.
• Switch on the heat source and collect the hydrolate with oil at 7.5. The supplied distillate hose 11 has a female connector and is fitted onto the end at 7.5. The distillate hose is shortened so that it just reaches into the collection vessel (receiver) being used. Under no circumstances should the hose be submerged in the distillate; it must be able to flow freely.
• When the plant tube is full, distil for a maximum of 30 minutes at high power (induction hob from 2000 watts, preferably 3000 watts) for most plants. For small quantities of plant material and with the aroma basket raised, use 1200 to 1500 watts. It is best to start by collecting two batches of 500 ml each in a sterile bottle. If the pH value of the second batch does not differ significantly from that of the first and is below 6, further batches may be collected.

The water/steam container and the plant/herb tube, as well as all distillate-carrying pipes, are made of high-quality stainless steel.

Constuction

1. Water/steam boiler, 10.5 litres. Approximately 8 litres of water are added.
   1. 4 clamps.
      
2. Lid for sealing the water tank,
   1. 3/4" screw connection for the plant pipe.
      
3. Plant/herbal distillation flask, 5.5-litre capacity,
   1. 4 clamping fasteners.
   2. 3/4‘ nipple for the screw connection.
4. Lid with screw connection for the 6-tube distillation column.
   1. 3/4’ screw connection
   2. Stainless steel analogue thermometer, accuracy class 1
      
          
      
5. Insulated riser pipe.
   1. 3/4‘ threaded nipple for connecting to 5.1.
   2. Riser pipe with insulation.
   3. 3/4’ threaded connection for the pre-condenser. The red marking on the threaded connection continues onto the threaded nipple 7.1, so that the correct direction of rotation for the pre-condenser is indicated during initial assembly.
      
      
6. Pre-condenser
   1. 3/4‘ threaded nipple for connection to 5.2
   2. Counter-flow double-pipe condenser (outer jacket, inner core)
   3. Cooling water inlet.
   4. Hot water outlet.
   5. 1/2’ screw connection for the final cooler.
      
      
                
7. Final cooler
   1. 1/2‘ screw nipple for connection to 6.5,
   2. double-walled tube in counter-current configuration (outer jacket, inner core).
   3. Cooling water inlet – cold, 1/2’ nipple.
   4. Cooling water outlet; screw hose 8 onto this.
   5. Distillate outlet. Fit distillate hose 11 onto this.
      
      
8. Cooling water connecting hose for connection to 9.4 and 7.3.
   
9. Tripod, consisting of 4 tubes for supporting the distillation column, without the need for the kettle and plant tube to provide support. This allows water and plant material to be topped up without having to dismantle the entire assembly. The tripod tubes are numbered from 9.1 to 9.4 in the direction of distillate flow.
10. 5 cross-joints: 2 for connecting the support to the pre-condenser and 3 further ones for connecting the final cooler to the 3 stand tubes 9.2 to 9.4. The tubes can be adjusted by loosening the wing screws.
11. Distillate hose to be fitted onto 7.5. If necessary, shorten this as described above. The hose can be unscrewed and a water hose with a 1/2" thread can be screwed on to clean the pipework systems.
    
    
12. Aroma basket for insertion into the steam pipe. This is positioned at a minimum distance of approximately 3 cm from the base and can be adjusted upwards for smaller quantities. It has a closed compartment in the centre, so that, when in the lower position, the rising steam jet does not flow directly through the plant material and create a tunnel due to the jet effect, which would result in significant losses. Due to the baffle, the steam initially flows radially and then rises due to its own thermal convection. The plant tube has a height-to-diameter ratio greater than 1, so that an effective chimney effect promotes the entrainment effect.
    
    
    
13. Cooling water supply kit including the following accessories
    1. 20-litre plastic bucket to serve as a cooling water reservoir.
    2. High-performance 230-volt cooling water pump with fittings for various hose diameters, suitable for all our stainless steel stills up to approximately 20 litres.
    3. Various 2-metre PVC hoses, including 2 hoses with hose fittings for the distillate cooler, one of which is pre-fitted for connection to the pump. In addition, 3 hoses of different thicknesses for various applications, e.g. hose extensions or decanting hydrolates, etc.
    4. Plastic tap for regulating cooling water, suitable for the counter-current cooler.
    5. Graduated 100 ml measuring cylinder with base, for taking distillate samples, e.g. to measure the pH value.
    6. Cleaning brush.
    7. Floating thermometer for monitoring the cooling water, in case the hot waste water is allowed to flow back into the bucket. From 40°C onwards, the water should either be cooled with ice or replaced.
    8. A roll of Teflon tape for sealing, e.g. in case a seal fails during distillation.
       
       
14. Oil separation apparatus, consisting of the following components
    1. The separation funnel. This initially collects the hydrolate.
    2. PTFE stopcock. In the picture, this is set to maximum flow. When rotated by 90°, it closes completely. It is closed at the start of distillation. Once approximately 60 to 70 ml has been collected, open it slowly and allow the hydrolate to drain off. Ideally, the hydrolate should flow into the collecting flask at the same rate as it flows into the separation funnel. The oil collects on the surface of the hydrolate in the separation funnel.
    3. Stopper for the collecting flask with a passage. In the newly supplied kits, this stopper is replaced by a rubber stopper, as this is more stable. Pressure equalisation must be achieved here so that the hydrolate can flow out without bubbles. To do this, a notch is carved from top to bottom into the rim of the stopper. This is sufficient for pressure equalisation.
          
    4. Collector flask (Erlenmeyer flask). You should definitely distil 500 ml; the water-insoluble essential oil has now been almost completely distilled off. If you wish to continue collecting the hydrolate, you should switch off the heat source briefly, decant the hydrolate or place a new flask underneath. Don’t forget to close the 9.2 tap whilst doing this.
    5. Stopper for the separating funnel. This is not required during distillation.
       
       
15. A 2 ml syringe and cannula for working with essential oils.
     
16. Amber glass set, sealable with original caps, including droppers, for storing the extracted essential oil.
    1. 2 x 10 ml vials,
    2. 2 x 20 ml vials,
    3. 2 x 50 ml vials,
    4. 6 x original caps with removable dropper inserts. The original caps are ideal for closing and sealing gift or retail vials.
       
       
       

Important note:

Under the new German Alcohol Tax Act, which came into force on 1 January 2018, this still may also be legally sold in Germany, subject to registration with the relevant authorities. Please note that, as a retailer, we are obliged to point out that this still may only be used for the distillation of distilled water, hydrolates, essential oils, flavourings, fragrances, perfumes, foodstuffs, for alchemical experiments, etc., or as a collector’s item. If you distil alcohol privately and are caught doing so, you may face a fine and the confiscation of the distillation equipment. For commercial use, this unit is also ideal for producing spirits from primary spirit.

GPSR notes and manufacturer’s specifications