Probably Stolen evaporator: empty output and stuck batches

Inspect the mixture that remains

A launch-week Steam thread describes exactly this symptom: charge falls overnight, but the distillate container stays empty. Players distinguish the remaining concentrate from recovered liquid and point to a module for alcohol recovery.

Before rerunning the machine, scan the original container. Write down whether its liquid ingredients changed. Looking only at the receiving bottle hides the most useful comparison; a smaller solvent reading and an unchanged reading suggest different next checks.

Run a small, documented setup check

The community chemistry reference specifies suitable input and receiving containers and identifies the Solvent Recovery module for alcohol. Its Performance and Quality notes distinguish processing from recovery, so do not treat the two readings as interchangeable.

1. Record the game build, installed modules, battery charge and input scan.
2. Check that both vessels are accepted by their slots and leave receiving space.
3. Run one small batch overnight, then compare input composition, recovered contents and charge.
4. If the input changed but recovery disappointed, inspect the module setup before buying another machine. If nothing changed, check power and container acceptance first.

Check the documented trace-water bug

Patch 1.0.0.5 fixed mixed-alcohol batches retaining 1 µl of water and being refused by the Chem Finisher; dry-input recipes also gained trace-moisture tolerance. Confirm the installed version before repeating an old workaround.

If the problem persists, capture the batch scan, recipe and module list. That evidence is more useful for a bug report than reporting only that the machine used another night's charge.

Separate drying from recipe readiness

The finisher still needs the selected recipe's volume, ingredients and wet/dry requirements. Compare those fields separately; drying does not certify the whole recipe.

Since 1.0.0.5, scanner volumes round down to hundredths. Read the current amount rather than relying on an older rounded display. Keep your preparation notes beside the recipe so that a rejected batch leads to one targeted correction.

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