I went to their website.
Anyone who makes BD knows you must Titrate EVERY batch since the composition of FFA (Free Fatty Acids) vary by each lot. They do NOT say to do this in there process. How can they know what concentration/quantity of Methanol and Lye to add? They assume high and hope they wash out the residual later?
I agree every batch should be titrated and I do that (which is why I suggested it takes more than 20 minutes to complete a batch with the pickiness of my own process).
However, as long as your oil titrates at 9 or less, and is relatively water free, you can use the predetermined amount of chemicals they recommend and be fine. Yes you will be using more than necessary much of the time, but their wash process is very thorough and cleans/dries the Bio very well.
Personally, I add an additional process that they don't even advertise on their website called glycerin stripping (or glycerin washing) which lowers the titration levels and virtually insures water free oil before processing.
As well the published processing times are 48 hours, 21.5 hours and 12.5 hours. The 48 hours is the same as the Appleseed. Once you add the methoxide (methanol/lye solution) you turn the pump on and come back later.
Yes, 48 hours is the same for the appleseed, but there are many differences. With the BioPro everything is contained in one single unit. No moving fluids from one container to another to process/wash/dry. Also it is made from 304 SS, and uses all explosion proof pumps and motors. Much safer than a home built appleseed.
$7000 for these units? Really? I thought $4000 was excessive. Someone is GOUGING people with this pricing. HUGE profit margin built into this product.
No question they are making a profit. Springboard is not in business as a non profit. However, take into consideration they are chemists and engineers who designed this unit. Not hobbyists. The R&D, plus manufacturing for the unit had significant upfront costs. You don't think it costs Pfizer $15 per pill to make their medicine, right? Their upfront costs are recouped over time in the higher margin of the product. While the BioPro pricing isn't cheap, if you can find a good condition used one it is well worth the investment for the ease of use, higher safety of the product, and reduced mess and time involvement. Also a smaller footprint in your garage since it only requires one container for the entire process - soup to nuts.
To be clear neither of you work for, are associated with BioPro, a dealer or will benefit in anyway from pushing these products, right? I can clearly state I am NOT affiliated in anyway with any BD company or entity, just a regular consumer.
I do not work for Springboard, nor do I make a single penny for advocating for them directly or indirectly. I just strongly believe in what they build. Interestingly, I have never bought a brand new unit from them so as much as I espouse their products, I have always bought mine second hand due to the ruggedness of what they build. No need to buy it brand new when these things are built rock solid.