A Distella still looks simple, and that is exactly the point. Eight parts work together to turn plants, water and heat into hydrosol and essential oil. Here is what each part does.
Copper boiler with thermometer. The boiler holds the water and sits on your heat source. The thermometer on the front lets you follow the temperature, so you know when the water is close to boiling and steam is about to rise.
Borosilicate glass column. Above the boiler sits a heat-resistant borosilicate glass column. This is what makes Distella different: you can watch your plants during the whole session, from the first wisps of steam to the moment the leaves have given their aroma.
Perforated copper plant basket. Inside the glass column, the plants rest in a perforated copper basket. The holes let the steam pass evenly through the plant material, while keeping the plants out of the boiling water. This is steam distillation, not boiling.
Copper dome and swan neck. The aromatic steam collects in the copper dome and travels through the curved swan neck towards the condenser.
Copper condenser. In the condenser, the steam meets a cold surface and turns back into liquid. What comes out is hydrosol, often with a thin layer of essential oil floating on top.
Cooling hose. The cooling hose keeps cold water flowing around the condenser, so the steam keeps condensing efficiently.
Tri-clamps and silicone seals. Quick-release tri-clamps and silicone seals hold the parts together and keep every connection tight.
Because everything comes apart with a few clamps, cleaning is easy: rinse the basket, the column and the copper parts after each session and let them dry.
Which part surprised you most? Questions are always welcome via our contact page.