Jesus I cant keep up with this, the preferred process seems to change every week. I am almost ready to do my first batch and am a bit lost and my head is spinning. The acid wash seemed to be an epiphany moment and now its out the window?
Could there be a sticky main thread that details the different types of process and what they are most suited to? eg time of year/feedstock type/catalyst type/water wash or not etc etc
Maybe a Wiki page from one of you intelligent people like a flow diagram or something?
And if someone says it depends on what you have and what you want to do I will implode 
Your last line is right though, even if you do implode!
You use the method that works for you, your oil and your processor, they're all different and not one single 'in vogue' process will be right for everyone, and it's a blinkered approach to even think 'Joe Bloggs is doing that then so must I'.
Try a method a few times, see how it works, then if you're not happy change something in the process so it goes right next time.
