- Evaporator: The Probably Stolen evaporator removes water or alcohol from heated mixtures overnight, concentrating your extract.
- Power cells: It runs on power cells, so always keep charged spares stocked.
- Placement: It sits between the heating plate and the chem finisher in the lab chain.
- Purity matters: Rescan mixtures after evaporation to confirm purity before finishing.
- Security: Store finished products safely so rivals cannot steal your chems.
What the Evaporator Does in Your Chem Lab
The evaporator is the fourth station in the Probably Stolen chemistry production line. It takes the liquid container you processed through the blender and heating plate and slowly removes the solvent, whether water or alcohol, leaving behind a concentrated extract ready for filtering and finishing.
Video Highlights:
- Full walkthrough of blender, heating plate, evaporator, and chem finisher
- Solvent ratios of roughly 3-6x pulp volume with alcohol
- Why power cells are essential for overnight evaporation runs
- Purity rescanning after every stage to maximize sale price
Pair your evaporator with a composition spectrometer. After each evaporation cycle, scan the container again to see exactly what remains inside before moving to the finisher.
The Full Chemistry Chain: Where the Evaporator Fits
The evaporator only pays off when the rest of the lab is set up correctly. Here is how the full pipeline flows from raw ingredients to finished pills.
| Stage | Machine | Purpose | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blender | Turns solid ingredients into pulp | Upgrade for better extraction yield |
| 2 | Heating Plate | Extracts compounds using solvent | Use 3-6x pulp volume of alcohol |
| 3 | Evaporator | Removes water or alcohol | Runs on power cells overnight |
| 4 | Filter (optional) | Strains contaminants | Cotton fabric works |
| 5 | Chem Finisher | Converts extract into pills | Upgrade to cut impurities |
Heating the mix at the wrong temperature can destroy active compounds before the evaporator ever sees the container. Upgrade the heating plate for temperature control and speed before investing elsewhere.
Evaporator Operation: Step-by-Step
Prepare the Mixture
Blend your solid ingredients into pulp, add alcohol at roughly 3-6x the pulp volume, and heat the mix on the heating plate to the correct temperature for clean extraction.
Scan Before Loading
Use the composition spectrometer to confirm what compounds and impurities are in the container before committing it to an evaporation run.
Load the Evaporator
Move the container to the evaporator and start the cycle. The machine runs on power, so verify your power cell is charged before starting.
Wait Overnight
Evaporation takes time and typically completes overnight. Plan your production schedule so the cycle finishes while you handle other business.
Rescan and Finish
Rescan the concentrated extract with the spectrometer, optionally filter through cotton fabric, then run it through the chem finisher into pills or finished product.
Keep multiple spare power cells charged at all times. A dead cell mid-run stalls your entire production line and wastes a night of processing time.
Upgrade Priority and Purity Economics
Purity grades decide your selling price, so every credit you spend should push purity higher or yield larger. The upgrade order below reflects where each investment pays back fastest.
| Upgrade | Effect | Priority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blender | Better extraction yield | ★★★★ | More product from same ingredients |
| Heating Plate | Temperature control, speed | ★★★★★ | Prevents destroying active compounds |
| Evaporator | Reliable solvent removal | ★★★ | Power cell dependent |
| Chem Finisher | Cuts impurities | ★★★★★ | Directly raises purity grade |
High-Yield Route
- Blender upgrades first
- More pulp per ingredient batch
- Best for volume sellers
High-Purity Route
- Finisher upgrades first
- Cleaner pills, higher grade
- Best for premium customers
Balanced Route
- Even upgrades across stations
- Steady purity and yield growth
- Safest for newer labs
Watch for customers who buy fanta pills and other chems. Once your line runs clean, profits can be excellent, but only if you match production to actual buyer demand.
Security and Lab Access Checklist
Finished chems are prime theft targets in Probably Stolen, and your lab investment is only as safe as your storage. Run through this checklist before your first overnight evaporation cycle.
Before Every Overnight Run:
- Confirm power cells are charged and spares are stocked
- Rescan every container with the spectrometer
- Verify heating plate temperature settings
- Store finished products in secure storage
- Check customer demand for your target product
If you did not start as a chemist, buy the retired chemist upgrade from Joe Wild to unlock the lab and its equipment.
FAQ
Q: What does the evaporator remove from my mixture?
The evaporator removes water or alcohol solvents from your heated mixture, concentrating the active compounds into an extract that the chem finisher can turn into pills or finished product.
Q: Does the evaporator need power?
Yes. The evaporator runs on power and consumes power cells, especially during overnight cycles. Keep charged spares on hand so a dead cell never stalls your production line.
Q: Where do I get lab access if I did not start as a chemist?
You can start as a chemist to receive the gear immediately, or purchase the retired chemist upgrade from Joe Wild later to unlock the lab and its machines.
Q: How do I know the purity of my evaporated extract?
Scan the container with a composition spectrometer after evaporation. Purity grades directly determine selling price, so rescan after every stage of the process.