By Aimee O'Driscoll, 18 April 2018
A rotary evaporation system is a complex set of apparatus. Find out about the separate components involved and the role each plays in the overall setup. We cover the rotary evaporator itself, glassware, chillers, vacuum pumps and controllers, and more.By Aimee O'Driscoll, 17 April 2018
A Woulff bottle can be a useful component in a rotary evaporator setup. Find out exactly what Woulff bottles are and how they're useful in rotary evaporator application.By Aimee O'Driscoll, 05 April 2018
Creating the most efficient distillation process using your rotatory evaporator doesn't always mean cranking up the speed. We explain the factors involved in choosing the optimal rotation speed for your evaporator to help you set up an efficient system.By Aimee O'Driscoll, 16 March 2018
Many rotary evaporators come with a choice of coated or standard glassware. We explain some of the benefits of safety coated glassware, address some common concerns associated with its use, and suggest when it should not be used.By Carlton Hoyt, 12 January 2018
Vacuum is an important component of a rotary evaporation system. We explain why a system may not hold vacuum, how to check it for yourself, and what to do if you discover there are issues.By Harmen Zijlstra, 19 September 2017
We explore the importance of having a controllable vacuum source as part of your rotary evaporation system. We discuss the practical and safety benefits of evaporating under vacuum versus using heat alone.By Harmen Zijlstra, 27 July 2017
When deciding which chiller pump to use with your rotary evaporation system, internal pressure is an important consideration. We explain the need to factor in the maximum pressure of your pump to help ensure you don't end up with broken glassware.By Harmen Zijlstra, 26 June 2017
Bumping or foaming of a sample can lead to lower yields and contamination of glassware. We explain why bumping and foaming occur and what you can do to prevent or mitigate these issues.By Harmen Zijlstra, 19 June 2017
It is important to cool the cooling liquid running through your rotary evaporator's condenser. We explain why this is crucial and what you can do to avoid problems and maintain a safe environment.By Harmen Zijlstra, 02 June 2017
If you're worried that the rotary evaporator you're thinking of buying doesn't fit your existing glassware, you don't need to be. We explain how you can convert one glass size to another and use evaporation flasks with a glass size dissimilar to that of your rotovap's joints.By Harmen Zijlstra, 17 May 2017
Over-filling your rotary evaporation flask can cause issues such as spillage and sample loss. We explain why it's important to use the right size flask for your solvent volume and offer tips to help you mitigate the risk of wasting your product.By Harmen Zijlstra, 04 May 2017
When using a rotary evaporator, greasing the ground glass joint holding your flask is generally not recommended. We explain why and also discuss situations when it might be beneficial to use grease or an alternative.By Joshua Delos Reyes, 11 April 2017
Knowing what other scientists look out for when buying an evaporator can help you with your own purchasing decision. In this post we reveal which factors others deem most important and explore some of the top-ranked features in a bit more detail.By Carlton Hoyt, 07 May 2016
A vacuum controller can be a very expensive part of your overall setup. To avoid this cost, juryrigging a vacuum controller might be an option. We explain how you can run a system at your desired pressure without having to fork out for a controller.By Carlton Hoyt, 11 April 2016
The appropriate liquid to use in your coiled condenser will depend on what temperature you are working at. We explore which liquids are suitable for each temperature range and some of the pros and cons of working with each.