[SkyHighLer]

Check out eBay or BVV,

https://www.bestvaluevacs.com/catego...-chambers.html

Add a temperature controlled heat mat,

https://www.bestvaluevacs.com/catego...-heatpads.html

[wvguerrilla]

Thanks alot for the info i sure appreciate it.

[WaterFarmFan]

Originally Posted by wvguerrilla

Whats the best vac chamber for the money anyone? Thanks in advance i'm new to the whole bho thing.

You definitely want a stainless steel chamber. Also, bigger is not necessarily better, as you are only heating the bottom of the chamber. Tall walls of a big chamber will reduce effectiveness of heating element. You probably want 3 gallon or less instead of 5 gallon.

The difference between a vacuum chamber and vacuum oven is that in an oven, heat is coming from all sides. In a chamber, the bottom of the bho patty will be hotter and then the top, so a tough film can form on the top that makes it more difficult to fully purge. I found you have to raise temps higher than you want to "pop' the trapped bubbles.

If you are serious about making solvents, whether it is butane or ethanol, a vacuum oven is one of the most essential tools that you can have. I bought a chamber and PID heating mat that are currently sitting in a box. But if you only want to make a small amount for personal use and really keep your costs, a heated chamber will absolutely serve your needs. A vacuum oven just makes things easier to control.

As sky pointed out, BVV is probably better than most of the generic stuff on ebay. The cheaper chambers can "creak" a little under strong vacuum, as the thinner stainless steel gets pulled in slightly. Not the most settling thing to hear...

[SkyHighLer]

Originally Posted by WaterFarmFan

You definitely want a stainless steel chamber. I have an aluminum stock pot vacuum chamber, the aluminum smoothly distributes the heat better than stainless steel. Also, bigger is not necessarily better, as you are only heating the bottom of the chamber. Tall walls of a big chamber will reduce effectiveness of heating element. You probably want 3 gallon or less instead of 5 gallon. I have a five gallon, no problem achieving or holding temperature, and the height provides room to spare when pulling the initial muffin.

The difference between a vacuum chamber and vacuum oven is that in an oven, heat is coming from all sides. There are individually heated shelf vacuum ovens. In a chamber, the bottom of the bho patty will be hotter and then the top, so a tough film can form on the top that makes it more difficult to fully purge. I found you have to raise temps higher than you want to "pop' the trapped bubbles. A thin film of oil under vacuum should have little difference in temperature between top and bottom whether heated by radiant energy from wall heaters, or direct contact with a heated shelf (or the bottom of a stock pot.) If you apply enough heat to keep the oil just barely liquid (~115F,) it will bubble nicely under vacuum, when the bubbling slows to a crawl, it's done, imo.

If you are serious about making solvents, whether it is butane or ethanol, a vacuum oven is one of the most essential tools that you can have. Purging ethanol in a radiant wall heated vacuum chamber may be preferable to individually heated shelves. I bought a chamber and PID heating mat that are currently sitting in a box. But if you only want to make a small amount for personal use and really keep your costs, a heated chamber will absolutely serve your needs. A vacuum oven just makes things easier to control.

As sky pointed out, BVV is probably better than most of the generic stuff on ebay. I'll take this opportunity to publicly remind BVV they need to get their sponsor banner back up. The cheaper chambers can "creak" a little under strong vacuum, as the thinner stainless steel gets pulled in slightly. Not the most settling thing to hear...

Tip, the dial gauge on your chamber will be off by 1" of Hg for every thousand feet you are above sea level, if your dial gauge reads -28.0" Hg, and you're at 2,000' of elevation, your chamber is actually at a 'full vac' of -29.9" Hg.

[~star~crash~]

Hey there Waterfarm Vac Ovens $ure are pricey ...can U recommend some good makes and models based on you experience? peace

[WaterFarmFan]

Originally Posted by ~star~crash~

Hey there Waterfarm Vac Ovens $ure are pricey ...can U recommend some good makes and models based on you experience? peace

Hey Star! I know that GW recommends the elite series, but I have a AI AT09.220 and absolutely love it. Built like a tank (and almost as heavy!) with very precise heating. $1k for 220 version on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Across-Intern...dp/B00HU8SMKU/

[WaterFarmFan]

Originally Posted by SkyHighLer

Tip, the dial gauge on your chamber will be off by 1" of Hg for every thousand feet you are above sea level, if your dial gauge reads -28.0" Hg, and you're at 2,000' of elevation, your chamber is actually at a 'full vac' of -29.9" Hg.

Good info Sky! It seems butane is a bit easier to purge than alcohol. Have you noticed any integrity issues on your Aluminum chamber? I wonder if the walls are thicker than the stainless chambers?

[wvguerrilla]

Thanks a million for all the info sure nice to find people willing to help a fella out.

[SkyHighLer]

Originally Posted by WaterFarmFan

Good info Sky! It seems butane is a bit easier to purge than alcohol. Have you noticed any integrity issues on your Aluminum chamber? I wonder if the walls are thicker than the stainless chambers?

Nearly every imploded stock pot chamber I've heard of was DIY with stainless steel walls that were too thin. I've had no problems or leaks with my aluminum chamber with riveted on handles.

My chamber has a 1/2" thick polycarbonate lid. GW's provided engineering data that if polycarbonate it should be thicker, but thicker is expensive and heavy, and mine has held up for years.

Something to keep in mind when heating a stock pot chamber, the outer bottom surface isn't flat, it's concave, put it on a griddle and only the outer circumference makes contact. The heat mats with PID controller like BVV sells work well and are reasonably priced.

[wvguerrilla]

Where is the best place to buy extraction tube also whats best glass , stainless steel? Thanks again for all the help.