need some clarity

[sadie33]

I have the 5 gal Vevor, which I know is not great, the thumper is useless and the condenser is too small.(so I have read) It's what I have to work with so I try to make it work. (Christmas present from hubby).

I want to make sure I am clear on my condenser.

I read things like-"if the condenser can't handle it". This means that the condenser doesn't cool the vapor enough to COMPLETELY turn the vapor to liquid so vapor AND liquid escape. BUT if your condenser CAN "handle it" then the vapor will be pure liquid? Am I correct on that?

When I did my first stripping run, I put ice water in a pot, put my pump and both hoses in there to circulate cold water in and out of my condenser. I also put ice in my condenser.

Then I read a thread where they were talking about ice in the condenser, but most people said it wasn't needed, just use cold water. So I figured on my next run, I would NOT put ice in the condenser (just the bucket with the pump) and try it.

I just finished my 2nd stripping run. I put a shovel full of snow in my sink (we had 6" fall last night), then the bucket with ice water in the snow to keep it cold and added ice/snow to the bucket with the pump.

It started running, but then a bunch of vapor came out. I shut off my stove, opened the windows and waited a bit. I turned the stove back on, but this time I added ice/snow to my condenser and this time, no vapor.

Does this mean that my condenser can't "handle" it unless I put ice in the condenser?

thanks