One more query.
I have just reloaded my plant with oil from 20 litre containers. I have strained out the solids but the oil at the bottom of the containers is really grotty and I am fairly sure it has been contaminated with some (but not a lot) of water.
To be on the safe side I left a good litre in each drum and I will dispose of it.
Should I be trying to "boil off any water" or will it be disposed of in the separation process?
Thanks
Drover

Drover,
Congratulations on your successes.
You need to check the oil for water. Take a well mixed sample and smear a little on a frypan.
Heat the frypan until that oil smokes.
Add a teaspoon of the oil to be tested
If it splatters you need to dry the oil,it is very wet.
If it sizzles you should dry the oil it is wet,
If it barely has any bubbles it is not quite dry but you can still use it to make biodiesel
If it has no bubbles in it, then it is as dry as you or I can get it without a lot of work or power input.

to dry the oil, heat it to about 5- 10°C above ambient and bubble air up thru it while blowing air across the top of the container to promiote evaporation of water from the oil.

See how you go.

Regards,
Tony

You should always dry your oil before you attempt conversion.

I usually heat the mix to 60 degrees and pump dry for at least an hour.

I have a "dry nossel" I use that sprays the mix onto the side of the tank and causes good air flow for evaporation.