How to Make an Essential Oil Distiller

By CindyM

Lavender Fields. Lavender essential oil is used in a multitude of aromatherapy treatments. Lavender Fields. Lavender essential oil is used in a multitude of aromatherapy treatments.

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Essential oils have been used for centuries to aid in everything from stress to skin conditions. Of course, buying essential oils on a regular basis can get quite pricey. With a little bit of work and some easy to find materials, you can make your own essential oil distiller right in your own home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • 2 clean plastic milk jugs
  • ¾-inch copper piping
  • Metal tea kettle with no opening at the top
  • Rubber stopper
  • Ice
  • Liquid sealant
  • A drill and 3/4 (19mm) drill bit
  • Plant material
  • Tennis ball can
  • Meat thermometer
  • Glass container

Step1
Take the first milk jug and drill a hole in the lid large enough to just fit the copper tubing. Drill another hole near the bottom of the jug.
Step2
Cut the top off the second milk jug and drill a hole in the bottom large enough to fit the copper piping through.
Step3
Cut the copper tubing. You will need one piece long enough to run from the kettle stopper to the first milk jug. The second piece will run from the first milk jug to the second and coil through it.
Step4
Coil the one piece of copper piping seven or eight times around the tennis ball can. Leave one end long enough to travel from the first milk jug to the second. The other end should be straight and left just long enough to exit the second milk jug.
Step5
Put the stopper in the tea kettle and poke the meat thermometer through.
Step6
Get a 3/4-inch (19 mm) drill bit, to drill a hole in the stopper.
Step7
Fill your first milk jug with your plant material and screw on the lid.
Step8
Put one end of the straight copper pipe through the tea kettle and put the other end through the lid of the first milk jug.
Step9
Take the coiled piece of copper pipe and place the long straight end into the hole at the bottom of the first jug. Place the coiled portion of the copper pipe into the second milk jug. Run the other straight end out the drilled hole. Feed enough pipe through to reach your glass container which will hold the oils produced from your essential oil distiller.
Step10
Seal all the openings of your essential oil distiller with sealant.
Step11
Fill the second jug with ice water. This will cause the vapor to condense.
Step12
Place the glass container under the copper pipe running out of the bottom of the second milk jug. This container will capture the essential oil once the distillation process is complete.
Step13
Fill the kettle with water and place it on the stove on high heat.
Step14
The water will begin to boil and cause steam to penetrate the plant material. This steam will, in turn, capture the essential oils. The copper piping through the ice will cool the steam and separate the oils from the water.

Tips & Warnings

  • Drying your plants beforehand will increase the yield of each batch as you can fit more dried plants into the milk jug at one time.
  • Let plants dry naturally out of the direct sun.
  • Do not let the temperature of the water exceed 175 degrees F or your water will evaporate.

Comments

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on 6/6/2008 I can not find a picture of how this sould look. I really need help. Please I need a picture

PamD said

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on 5/27/2008 I went to the address at megauploadfiles and was unsuccessful at locating the photo - Please help.

Also, how long does it take to actually get the oils from the plant?

Saimon said

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on 5/17/2008 Download it from http://megauploadfiles.com/

AnnL said

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on 3/26/2008 Do you have a picture of the completed project? Can you post it on the instructions page? Thanks!

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on 2/13/2008 Picture please...

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eHow Article:  How to Make an Essential Oil Distiller

eHow Member: CindyM

CindyM

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