Evaporation Technology Proliferation: Centrifan-PE
- Monday, June 13, 2011 |
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Evaporation technology presents a lot of interesting possibilities for flavor extraction, separation and reduction. Recently while searching the internet for ideas I came across an interesting device called the CENTRIFAN PE manufactured by MODULAR SFC. To be clear this is laboratory equipment designed for far more serious uses however the intellectually curious cook should not pass up an opportunity to see what the possibilities are.
The machine is relatively easy to set up and uses a self generating blow-down technology to evaporate samples without a vacuum pump within a closed system. It accepts a variety of rotors and vessels while centrifugal forces protect the samples from loss and cross contamination. Obviously size is an issue and the options of 6x 20mL scintillation vials or 4x 40mL vials would work best. The engineering of this machine while detailed seems pretty straight forward to make a larger unit that holds 4x 250mL bottles and I suspect voluminous production of some pretty neat things for the enterprising mixologist-bartender.
Lab equipment is certainly not cheap but then again this is $900 more than a brand new PACOJET which very many restaurants have. Certainly the most interesting product in this category is the GENEVAC Rocket however it is gigantic in comparison, needs an attached water chilling circulator the size of a computer server, de-ionized water and costs slightly more than 2 brand new mini coopers. Ask your wife.....honey his and hers mini coopers or a Genevac rocket for christmas.
There is an interesting video HERE where Mr. H. separates the flavor of jalapeno peppers from the heat. While one can certainly go out there to buy essential oils and extracts, there are lots of interesting flavors out there that are simply not commercially available. Galanga, Kaffir Lime, Mineola Tangerine, Thai Basil. As someone who lived in tropical countries for a good while, I have always contended that the flavor (actual aroma) of the habanero pepper would be lovely in a sweet context but sadly capsaicin is the mother in law of sweet-hot pepper flavor combinations. I wonder if this would work with the intrinsic spicy properties of ginger or mustard seeds.
Let the games begin.
Posted in Studiokitchen
The machine is relatively easy to set up and uses a self generating blow-down technology to evaporate samples without a vacuum pump within a closed system. It accepts a variety of rotors and vessels while centrifugal forces protect the samples from loss and cross contamination. Obviously size is an issue and the options of 6x 20mL scintillation vials or 4x 40mL vials would work best. The engineering of this machine while detailed seems pretty straight forward to make a larger unit that holds 4x 250mL bottles and I suspect voluminous production of some pretty neat things for the enterprising mixologist-bartender.
Lab equipment is certainly not cheap but then again this is $900 more than a brand new PACOJET which very many restaurants have. Certainly the most interesting product in this category is the GENEVAC Rocket however it is gigantic in comparison, needs an attached water chilling circulator the size of a computer server, de-ionized water and costs slightly more than 2 brand new mini coopers. Ask your wife.....honey his and hers mini coopers or a Genevac rocket for christmas.
There is an interesting video HERE where Mr. H. separates the flavor of jalapeno peppers from the heat. While one can certainly go out there to buy essential oils and extracts, there are lots of interesting flavors out there that are simply not commercially available. Galanga, Kaffir Lime, Mineola Tangerine, Thai Basil. As someone who lived in tropical countries for a good while, I have always contended that the flavor (actual aroma) of the habanero pepper would be lovely in a sweet context but sadly capsaicin is the mother in law of sweet-hot pepper flavor combinations. I wonder if this would work with the intrinsic spicy properties of ginger or mustard seeds.
Let the games begin.
