Our lab has recently purchased a Ventana Renaissance tissue processor.  
We intend to use it for multiple block cases such as breast, colon, 
placentas, etc.  We are having trouble fine tuning the processing times for 
the alcohols. This type of processor has a stir bar in the bottom of the 
retort chamber.  Ventana recommends 45 minutes for each alcohol station.  
This is causing excessive drying of our test tissues.  We have since dropped 
the alcohol times to 30 minutes per station which still leaves the test 
blocks too dry.
     Does anyone have experience with one of these processors?  What routine 
processing schedule do you use?  We hate to have to re-invent the wheel if 
someone has some helpful hints.  Thanks!
     Jeff Robinson
     Sierra Pathology, Fresno, CA
     Histotoad@AOL.com