Why is a solid recrystallized with the minimum of hot solvent?

Recrystallization refers to the method used for purifying chemical compounds. In this method, the chemical compound along with the impurities is dissolved in an appropriate hot solvent, to separate the chemical compound and the impurity.

The pure chemical compound that separates after the recrystallization process exists in the form of crystals.

Generally, the impure chemical compound is fully dissolved in the minimum amount of the solvent, thus forming a saturated solution. This is because if large amount of solvent is used, then a large amount of the chemical compound will remain dissolved in the solvent, even after cooling.

Therefore, all of the chemical compound will not get recrystallized.