During the rose harvest, every minute counts. The faster a team can open, load and close a still, the more petals it processes before the scent fades. This photo shows the tops of our copper stills, each with a large quick opening manhole.

What you see in the photo

The copper stills stand in a row on a steel grid floor. On each cone, a big round cover sits on a red flange. Then purple hand wheels lock the cover in place. Also, a green hinge frame holds the cover, so it swings open without lifting.

How a quick opening manhole works

First, the operator turns the hand wheels to release the clamps. Then the cover swings open on its hinge. Next, the team loads fresh petals through the wide opening. Finally, the operator closes the cover and tightens the wheels, and the still is ready.

Why it matters

• Speed: opening and closing take seconds, not minutes.
• Safety: the hinge carries the weight, so nobody lifts a heavy lid.
• Tight seal: a good gasket keeps steam and aroma inside.

For example, in a plant with many stills, a few minutes saved per batch add up to hours each day.

Quick opening manhole design details

We size the opening to the still and the raw material. In addition, we place it at an angle, so the team loads petals easily from the platform. You can read more about the general idea of a manhole here.

In short, a quick opening manhole is a small detail that speeds up the whole plant. See our copper stills on the essential oil distillation units page.

Also, the same design works on stainless steel stills for lavender and other herbs.

FAQ

Which gasket do you use? A food grade gasket that handles steam and heat.

Can I fit it to an older still? Sometimes. However, we first check the still body and the flange.

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