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Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 11:39 am
by whatthejeez
Hi folks. I'm looking at these two machines and would love to hear from anyone who owns one. They're a couple hundred (edit: dollars) apart (both equipped with a VFD to increase speed). The Absolute claims a digital controller and superior heating element, while the Raw has a special cone to boost cleaning.
I appreciate any input. This is a substantial investment, and I'd like to make the right choice.
Thanks.
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:07 pm
by Jordan
I recommend Simple Centrifuge, In my opinion you don't want to operate the machine at lower speeds and when you spin your oil while cold it removes solidified fat particles that could be missed when heating. Simple centrifuge has completely redesigned their bowl to eliminate contamination due to oil splashing when being introduced into the bowl while WVO designs has added an afterthought 'feed cone' to address the problem and it looks like Absolute has ignored the problem completely. I haven't tried other brands but I have zero complaints going into my 3rd year with my simple centrifuge.
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 2:57 pm
by after oil
i got raw power without the cone and it works great. they go on sale once in a while
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 3:24 pm
by whatthejeez
Jordan wrote:I recommend Simple Centrifuge, In my opinion you don't want to operate the machine at lower speeds and when you spin your oil while cold it removes solidified fat particles that could be missed when heating. Simple centrifuge has completely redesigned their bowl to eliminate contamination due to oil splashing when being introduced into the bowl while WVO designs has added an afterthought 'feed cone' to address the problem and it looks like Absolute has ignored the problem completely. I haven't tried other brands but I have zero complaints going into my 3rd year with my simple centrifuge.
Thanks for the reply,
That's interesting...so you don't use a pre-heater to spin your oil? Can you finish your oil in one pass, and if so...what kind of rate do you get?
The VFD actually increases the rpm for better flow rate from what I gather.
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:38 pm
by Jordan
No heat, my setup can do multiple passes but one seems to be fine. I set it up and leave it overnight, I clean 40 gallons in 8-10ish hours. I was using a ball valve to regulate flow that would get clogged sometimes so I recently changed to a gate valve but haven't had a chance to test it to see if it works better.
I think the rotor is the most important component, on Simple Centrifuge the feed cone eliminates cross contamination and the larger bowl holds more oil. If you want more rpm I recommend getting a larger motor but still using the simple centrifuge bowl.

- simple.jpg (110.77 KiB) Viewed 12028 times
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 4:46 pm
by whatthejeez
The VFD option spools these things up over 5000 rpm, so speed isn't a concern.
You mentioned solidified fats getting missed with pre-heated oil...does this mean that under heat the fats will pass through with the clean oil?
I understand that tallow and fat isn't good for the engine...?
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 5:08 pm
by Jordan
whatthejeez wrote:The VFD option spools these things up over 5000 rpm, so speed isn't a concern.
You mentioned solidified fats getting missed with pre-heated oil...does this mean that under heat the fats will pass through with the clean oil?
I understand that tallow and fat isn't good for the engine...?
I have no experience with them but I think a VFD needs to be paired with a motor capable of those speeds, so you would still be upgrading the motor. In my opinion speed is irrelevant if your bowl is contaminating your oil.
If you process cold oil you're more likely to get the fats that are solidified vs. if you heat the oil and they can pass through easier. I get more gunk in my centrifuge rotor when I clean oil in the winter vs. summer.
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:50 pm
by dfnder
I have a RAW power centrifuge and I am happy with it, I did notice I was getting some splashing so I came

- centrifuge fix.JPG (21.18 KiB) Viewed 12005 times
up with an easy fix after looking at their upgrade. Attached see a simple drawing of the RAW Power bowl, I added a small plastic tube onto the small nipple which delivers the oil. This forces the oil to the bottom of the bowl and in my mind greatly improves the efficiency of the centrifuge without the expensive upgrade.
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 6:52 pm
by after oil
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 6:56 pm
by whatthejeez
Groovy. So now I need to decide if I want to 'fuge the oil hot to get rid of water...or run it cold to remove the solidified fat.
I guess I could run it thru twice...once hot and once cold...
profister told me of a friend's uplift pump becoming clogged with fat not long after his veg conversion. This information would seem to negate the argument that solidified fats will melt in the vegetherm before injection...
Can anyone tell me if the solidified fat is natually occurring in canola oil or from meat being cooked in it...?
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 7:54 pm
by dfnder
Water is heavier than oil so that is sort of why you let it settle in the cubes, also chunkies usually fall to the bottom as well :)
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:40 pm
by after oil
whatthejeez wrote:Can anyone tell me if the solidified fat is natually occurring in canola oil or from meat being cooked in it...?
i have observed that to be true.
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:33 pm
by whatthejeez
after oil wrote:whatthejeez wrote:Can anyone tell me if the solidified fat is natually occurring in canola oil or from meat being cooked in it...?
i have observed that to be true.
Which one have you observed to be true?
naturally occurring?
or the result of meat being cooked in it?
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 10:33 pm
by after oil
ah yes, that was unclear sorry,
Im not a scientist, but i think that the solidified fat you find in canola is animal fat, often from the grill. ask your source to keep the grill fat and wash water separate
Re: Centrifuges: Raw Power vs Absolute?
Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2012 4:47 pm
by BCDelica
More from the experience of as a restaurant owner, than as a chemist, cooking adds plenty of animal fats to the deep fryer oil.
Unheated delivery of animal fats, and thin fuel lines, can clog before the veggietherm. For the those running there vehicles on pure lard, a heated tank or pickup, is a must. No heated lines, or heating in the WVO tank, your Deli better be full vegan...