Entries by Edgard Sayegh

Rotary Evaporators in Modern Culinary Labs: Bridging Precision Science and Gastronomic Innovation

Rotary evaporators are increasingly becoming common tools in avant-garde culinary environments. Designed for precise distillation and solvent recovery, they empower “culinary scientists” to meticulously control the extraction and concentration of flavors, textures, and aromas. In professional kitchens that operate with scientific rigor, rotary evaporators are redefining and pushing the boundaries of gastronomic creativity, transforming cooking […]

Rotavap Pet Peeves: How to Leak Test your Rotavap

Picture this: you’ve meticulously prepared your sample, carefully set up your rotavap, and are ready to evaporate your solvent. But instead of a smooth, efficient process, you’re met with abnormally fluctuating vacuum readings, erratic bumping, and the sinking feeling that something’s not right. Chances are, you’ve got a leak. Rotavap leaks are a common source […]

Back to Basics 2: Answering The Internet’s Most Common Rotavap Questions

In today’s blog post, we’re going back to basics (again): we’ll be answering the internet’s most commonly asked questions on rotary evaporators and rotary evaporation. Without further ado, let’s jump right into it: 1-What are rotary evaporators used for? 1. Concentration of Solutions Rotary evaporators are commonly used to concentrate solutions by removing excess solvent, […]

Level Up Your Rotavap: 4 Must-Have Accessories for your Setup

Whether you’re optimizing your workflow or looking to improve efficiency in the lab, having the right tools can make all the difference. For those using rotary evaporators, there are several key accessories that can significantly enhance performance and streamline processes. In this post, we’ll dive into four essential accessories that can take your rotary evaporation […]

The Bigger the Better: A Guide to Scaling Up your Rotovap Process

Embarking on the journey to scale up your rotary evaporator process? You’ve made it to the right blog post! While the transition might appear straightforward, there are subtle nuances and strategic considerations to ensure a seamless and efficient scaling-up experience. This blog post will delve into the essential factors and practical tips that will guide […]

The Spinning Flask: A Brief History of Rotary Evaporation

From Ancient Distillation to Modern Laboratory Staple The rotary evaporator has become a ubiquitous tool in modern laboratories. It represents the culmination of decades of innovation in distillation techniques. This seemingly simple device, with its rotating flask and efficient condensation system, has revolutionized the way chemists and scientists process their samples. To fully appreciate its […]

The Truth about Greasing Glass Joints in your Setup

Grease: It protects our bicycles from rust, keeps our doors from sounding like a horror movie soundtrack, and ensures smooth operation of countless machines. But when it comes to the world of rotary evaporators, the question of whether to grease ground glass joints remains a cause for debate. Unless you’re reading this blog post. So […]

Beyond the Muddle: Rotary Evaporation in Mixology

Jerry Thomas and Lyman C. Craig might seem like a really odd pairing: Jerry “The Professor” Thomas, considered the founding father of American mixology, belonged rigidly in the world of bartenders and craft cocktails, while Craig, the inventor of the rotary evaporator, was a respected chemical researcher. In recent years, the boundaries of rotary evaporation […]

How did Pumps with Condensers Become Common?

The Power of Reduced Pressure: Why Vacuum Pumps Matter Vacuum pumps create a low-pressure environment within the rotovap. This pressure reduction lowers the boiling point of the solvent, enabling faster and more efficient evaporation at lower temperatures. This becomes particularly advantageous when working with heat-sensitive samples, minimizing thermal degradation. (We have a whole separate blog […]

Should you Use a Woulff Bottle with your Rotary Evaporator?

The Woulff bottle, a seemingly simple piece of glassware, is a two-necked bottle (which also has a three-necked variant) first described by Peter Woulfe (1727-1803).  In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of Woulff bottles, exploring their design, applications, as well as both the advantages and disadvantages of using them in your lab […]