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Equipment List (Patreon)
Content
If you plan on getting into making flavours and soda, good equipment will help. Using coffee filters will just cause frustration and low yields. The percolator (dropping funnel) is the way to go. A stirring plate and a separatory funnel can help get better extraction of your essential oils when making essences. These items do make your life simple and your product better, plus anything is more fun when you have the right equipment.
hBarSci
I do not have any relationship with hBarSci, they just happen to be the only convenient supplier of open-top dropping funnels (percolators), and their customer service is pretty good. They also sell to individuals, unlike most scientific supply companies.
If you are outside of North America, you can contact the glassware manufacturer, Eisco, directly, and they can point you to a local reseller. They sell lab glassware in 110 countries, so chances are they'll be able to get what you need.
You can order some of this equipment on Amazon or other marketplace sites, but often if the price is really low, the quality will be suspect. When it comes to lab glassware, you get what you pay for, and if treated well, it can last decades.
Note: Prices are at the time of this post (Jan 2023) and are subject to change at the whims of the supplier.
Retort Stand
A good lab stand with a large base will keep things stable. The retort stand that holds glassware should have a large base, 8"x5" is as small as I would go.
Rectangular Retort Base & Rod Set
3.75 lbs - Base: 8"x5" SKU STDRD1
Clamp
This clamp will hold the 500 mL dropping funnel as well as the smaller ones. If you need the 1000 mL dropping funnel, contact hBarSci to get the proper clamp.
3 Finger Extension Clamp on Swivel Bosshead
3.4" Max Opening SKU PRCMP01BH
Dropping Funnels (Eisco Labs)
In the soda fountain world, these were known as percolators and they are a game changer when it comes to making extracts. The size will depend on how much extract you are making, but if you plan on making 100 ml of extract, buy a 250 ml dropping funnel, and if you want to make 250 ml of extract, get the 500 ml funnel. I've found the 250 mL funnel to be the best size.
Dropping Funnel, 100mL
Cylindrical - With Open Top
SKU CH0470B $26.99
Dropping Funnel, 250mL
Cylindrical - With Open Top
SKU CH0470C $38.49
Dropping Funnel, 500mL
Cylindrical - With Open Top
SKU CH0470D $29.99
Dropping Funnel, 1000mL
Cylindrical - With Open Top
SKU CH0470E $45.39
Separatory Funnel
If you want to remove insoluble material from an essence, like terpenes, a separatory funnel is a good investment, though if you are on a budget, you can use a dropping funnel to do the job, a dropping funnel and separatory funnel are effectively the same with a couple of exceptions.
The benefits of a separatory funnel are that they come with a closure/cap, which allows you to shake the content, improving extraction and they have a tapered body which improves identification of the two layers as they approach the stopcock. But you can do this in a bottle as well and then when you want to separate the mixture, pour it into the dropping funnel and let it form two layers.
If you buy a tapered separatory funnel, you will need a closed ring clamp, like the example below. Still, it is best to contact the supplier can get the diameter of the separatory funnel and ask them to size the appropriate ring clamp. Too small, and the funnel will tip and too large it will just fall through.
Magnetic Stir Plate
Available for around $30US ($50CDN) on Amazon. I have one from LABFISH but they are all probably made in the same factory in China, so don't worry about the name or details, just know that they are simple devices. Pick up a pack of magnetic stir bars because they are easy to lose, and most stir plates only come with one stir bar.
Beakers
You don't need beakers, but they make measuring and pouring much easier. If you are on a budget, kitchen measuring cups will do the job.
Filtration
These are handy for removing particulate (magnesium carbonate) from essences or "polishing" an extract. The equipment below is my exact setup, but other options exist, just make sure that your filter paper is the correct size for your filter funnel and if you see 24/40, that is the neck size on the flask and the funnel and it ensures they work together.
Buchner Filtering Funnel 250ml, 76mm 24/40
Erlenmeyer Flask, Borosilicate Glass, 24/40, 500 ml
pH Meter
Milwaukee MW102-FOOD PRO+ 2-in-1 pH and Temperature Meter for Food
Extra Stuff
Though not necessary, disposable pipettes are handy and cheap. They keep things clean, make sampling much easier, and help avoid cross-contamination.
