A condensate recovery system for an ink jet printer includes an ink reservoir and a condenser. The condenser is in fluid communication with the ink reservoir and is adapted to receive exhaust from the ink reservoir and condense solvent from the exhaust. The condenser includes a fluid inlet for receiving the exhaust from the fluid reservoir, a condensing volume in fluid communication with the inlet, a vent in fluid communication with the condensing volume for venting air from the condenser and a fluid outlet for removing condensed solvent from the condenser and returning the condensed solvent to the ink reservoir. A valve is in fluid communication with the condenser fluid outlet and the fluid reservoir. The valve is operable to open and close to control flow of condensed fluid from the condenser to the fluid reservoir.