When you need more OJ concentrate...

Normally I use the rotovap and my flasks, but I needed a lot of orange concentrate and orange water for cocktails.

Its a 4L filtering flask on a hotplate, not the most efficient way of heating, so I'm curious on thoughts about "next time."

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JasonWirth_68226

You need concentrate? Why not just use the frozen cans of concentrate?

Eric_So_267001

That covers the concentrate part, but not the orange bitter water part. I've tried using orange infused wster and orange blossom water in the past, but the aroma isn't as fresh or strong as the rotovap distillate.

brian_martin2001

Perhaps using a centrifuge? Once you have the various parts of the orange (juice?) stratified, you could separate then and do further processing: either use your rotovap or a freeze drier to concentrate it.

Eric_So_267001

That would work great if I had a centrifuge.

I could do agar clarification, but I want to hold onto the pulp too.

matthewmicahhall

A semi-practical solution might be to use a pre-heated sand bath -- it's basically a solid state version of your water bath that can be cheaply set up in any appropriately sized vessel. It would require a bit of fiddling (placing the glass flask on a bed of pre-heated sand in a bowl and then back filling with more pre-heated sand to surround the flask), but it should provide efficient heating from all sides. You would also lose some ability to see the contents of the flask depending on how much sand is used.

brian_martin2001

Of course this will most likely void the warranty, but I've had decent results using my washing machine: stabilizing and cushioning with towels. I'm in the process of sourcing materials to make a rigid bracket to hold the jar. Do let us know if you do come up with a solution to your dilemma.

FrankM_3301

Whaaa? The washing machine hack? Have not heard of this....do explain.

Eric_So_267001

Yes, do tell about the washing machine hack.

brian_martin2001

@FrankM_3301 well, it looks like that particular thread has reached it's comment reply limit. I've done too much blantatly stupid and dangerous stuff to be all that concerned with a washing machine. As I said in my disclaimer, "Doing anything in the coming description can result in..." I'm one of those jerks who actually paid attention in physics, did the calculations, and researched the drum material of the washing machine to be reasonably unconcerned. The only thing that really worries me is the potential shifting of the jars, hence the brackets i'm working on. and, it's not like i do this frequently. besides, what's life without a bit of a thrill?

brian_martin2001

@John_Fisher_218893well, it looks like that particular thread has reached it's comment reply limit. it already went: " I got 4 distinct strata of material from fermented butter that I made: some milk solids, water, butter fat, and proteins on top". I did this sunday. or do you mean with the bracket I'm working on? I've been speaking with our plastics fabricator where I work about getting me the materials I need.

Eric_So_267001

Alas, my washer doesn't have a spindle and is one of the front loading ones. It's alright... I've got my eye on one of the blood centrifuges, an old Jouan KR model, downstairs. It's due for replacement or service later this month.

brian_martin2001

Good luck bud.

fisher23

Both, I am very interested. I weld and was thinking of building multiple buckets (for lack of a better term) so I could balance the load.

JasonWirth_68226

You only need a 30 minute - 1 hour nap to rebalance your load.

** Sorry. I've been reading too much Reddit lately.

brian_martin2001

I do not understand.

brian_martin2001

You could do so if you're so inclined. As long as you, hypothetically speaking, can see in a straight line, you should be good to go. just have 2 jars 180° from each other, it'll work. I don't worry so much about being 100% accurate, because there will be some settling, but so far so good. If you disregard my warning and survive, let me know how you make out.

fisher23

I was thinking of four jars, 90°, 180°, 270° and 360°. In swiveling buckets. I'll have to think about it and do some engineering. Maybe I can find a cheap donor washer. Hypothetically speaking of course, because this definitely is something you shouldn't try at home.

Eric_So_267001

I'm hunting down a good heater and container, but I might use this next time.

Eric_So_267001

Turns out they're going to service it like usual and keep using it. Alas..

brian_martin2001

@Brian_Douglas_35255 we all have our hobbies. If you don't mind a high risk to life a and limb, it's actually quite effective