Recovery of high purity aluminum chloride is achieved by use of a series of condensers wherein the first condenser is operated at a high temperature of 80.degree.-110.degree. C to insure minimum condensation of other metal chlorides such as titanium chloride, silicon chloride, or the like, while a second condenser operates at a much lower temperature of from 20.degree.-50.degree. C to trap all impurities while reducing the chloride losses to a minimum. The product of the first condenser may then be used as a feed for the electrolytic reduction of aluminum chloride to metallic aluminum.