Key Components

I found what is supposed to be the key components to a Steam Distiller.

1. The heat source or furnace, which is used to boil the water. Direct fire, a fire built under the retort is the oldest method for heating the still. Today, we can also use gas, such as propane or butane, and electricity. Fuel costs are a major factor when considering a heat source for you distiller;

2. The holding tank or retort (I believe a retort looks like this: http://unitednuclear.com/images/retort.jpg), which holds both the water and, just above the water on a grate or false bottom - picture a vegetable steamer - the plant material to be distilled;

3. The condenser, which collects the steam and cools it, usually by piping it through a tube immersed in cold water, and...

The separator, which separates the essential oil from the water vapor. The separator, or Essencier, is one of the most important pieces of apparatus a distiller can have. This enables the distiller to separate the essential oils from the distillate in a passive manner.

I found that an Essencier looks like this . It looks complicated.