Want to make alcohol at home? Which should you buy, the Air Still or T500?

If you are new to distilling, you will probably be confused over which still to buy. In this video I go over the differences and the Pros and Cons of both of the main devices.

[@NullaNulla]

In the pot still I have (same brand/model), the coil under the fan is made of copper. I only used the pot still once and HATED the flavour of the crap that came out. I then cracked the pools and went to the T500 and loved it. It's a PITA keeping temp at times but otherwise is great and where I've stayed. I'd love to see them do a UNO or arduino like project that manages the water off the temperature automatically using say a stepper motor. Given your other still is still using a T500 column, the PITA issue of keeping the temp in the column top still exists making it pointless for me. One of my runs did unfortunately get a cough spurt of crap wash come out toward the end (had a temp run for some reason) but that came out with the second run. It was the results of the outcome of the second distil run that got me doing double distil by default on ALL product now. I wash the packing every 5-8 uses and replace the copper saddles around every 20 uses as it's about knackered by then. 100% of my packing and the bits in the still are stainless saddles as they don't crack, wear etc and have been a great upgrade. One thing though a lot of videos fail to mention, that first 40-60ml they throw away, throw it in a metho bottle as it makes bloody brilliant window cleaner speaking from experience. The left over wash (including the solids in the fermentation barrel) make awesome food for the garden, the plants will go nuts off it. The only waste we have, literally is the water running through to cool the column and technically if we put the effort in we could redirect that to the garden as well with a gravity feed hose.

[@brewingadvice]

Hi @NullaNulla, I must admit I have not seen an Air Still that had a copper extraction tube. I wonder if it was a really early version. I wanted to create my own project where an ESP32 would monitor the temps, then control (as you suggest) two stepper motors to adjust the needle valves for the cooling water. It is still something that I want to do, but sadly I have other projects that are higher up in my priority list. Yes, to reduce the amount of waste is a very good thing. I pour my crud around my damson trees (I do the same with the coffee grind from my been to cup machine).

[@user-ui4wi8ef1h]

We run the Air Still Pro. I don't think it could be easier and I'm ok with the 4 litres at a time as it is genuinely set and forget. I filter from the first run x 3 and we are stoked with the results.

[@brewingadvice]

That is great. The Air Still and Air Still Pro are great products. It all depends on what you want to do, how long you want to take doing it and also what space and utilities you have access to (like water). I tend to only use my Air Still when I make a Gin. I use my Air Still Pro in reflux mode when I need to get some 90%+ spirit quickly. Otherwise I will use my Alembic Pot head and condenser for Stripping runs and the T500 for Spirit runs. It is a lot of equipment to have around and takes up a lot of space. That is what is good with the Air Still Pro, in that it can do everything for you for very little effort. The only reason I don't use it all of the time is the small 4 litres capacity. When I do a run (whatever type of run), I want to do it in one go. That is what is great about our hobby, we all have the option to do it our way, even if it doesn't make sense as there are simpler ways. Enjoy doing what you do.

[@JanVdV]

I use both of them. The T500 to produce a massive amount of neutral spirit, the Air Still for distilling gins, using that neutral alcohol.

[@brewingadvice]

I also use the T500 to produce a neutral spirit, then the Air Still to make gin in very low amounts.

[@northernwarrior7177]

I just bought an air still to learn but also great to know about the t500 for future reference!

[@brewingadvice]

I hope you enjoy your new Air Still. Take your time, learn and enjoy the Turbo Yeasts. Once you are ready, do try a sugar wash like a Kale or Tomatoe Paste Wash, but take your time, don't rush it.

[@NullaNulla]

Stepping up to the T500 is a learning curve but makes a MASSIVE difference to the output/product, ESPECIALLY if you start double distilling.

[@brewingadvice]

@NullaNulla, I do agree. I really like the Air Still, used mine for many years. But, seeing the improvement in spirit from the T500 is quite a shock.

[@MancunianStacker]

Thanks 🙏

[@brewingadvice]

You’re welcome 😊

[@storytelah5530]

Thanks

[@brewingadvice]

You are more than welcome. I hope you found it and my other videos helpful.

[@TheGreatest1974]

The best way to use the air still is to use a 6 bag sugar wash with still spirits pure yeast, and carbon in the wash, after 7-9 days check gravity, if it’s the same over two days, degass and clear with turbo clear and distill 4 litres at a time in the air still. But when you are getting the distillate out into the jug, collect the first 800ml then top up to 1ltr with water to dilute. It means you get 1 litre for every 4 litres distilled, but it’s really good quality vodka once filtered. I get well over a gallon every wash. And I use the still spirits filter system, but I put the same litre through the filter 3 times as the filters CAN be used multiple times and continue to filter. I get good results doing it this way. 👍🇬🇧

[@brewingadvice]

Hi @thegreatest3303, I agree with what you do and yes, it is the best way. There is a lot of different thoughts over filtering though as people seem to be split between running spirit through activated carbon just the once and running it multiple times. I was always told that you should never run it through multiple times, just run it once, and run it slowly if it comes out at 2 drops a second and the tubing used to hold the carbon is 2" wide or wider, then one run should be enough. It is though down to personal preference as end of the day if somebody likes doing it a certain way, as long as it isn't dangerous, there is no issue to continue doing it that way.

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@brewingadvice yes, I use the still spirits small carbon filter? In the plastic jug thing? So it’s just a 1200ml at a time so I run the same one through 3 times and I get great results. I think they just tell you to use 1 carbon cartridge per litre so they sell more carbon cartridges. 👍

[@brewingadvice]

@@TheGreatest1974 , there is a real debate over activated carbon polishing. Many say that it doesn't work. Those that do are split between weather you run it through once, or multiple times. Really, I think all that matters is that you somebody is happy with how they do it, continue. Listen to what others say, but if it works for you, carry on.

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@brewingadvice thanks!👍

[@MrROTD]

The air still doesnt work for me, I dont know if it's because Im in Canada and the laws are different but the airstill will not heat the wash to anywhere between 80 and 99C, it won't do anything until you set it to 100C and then mostly water comes out. Is there a way to reset the firmware maybe?

[@brewingadvice]

Hi @MrROTD, thank you for reaching out to me. The Air Still sold by Still Spirits in America and England does not have temperature control, it is in a permanent on state. It is possible that the model sold in Canada does have temperature control, or, are you using an Air Still from a different company? From the different Water Distillers that I have seen that have temperature control, the programming is hard-wired and can't be updated or altered by a firmware upgrade. So, if you do have something from somebody else, you are stuck with how it works now.

[@jeandelorme7407]

I own an Air Still, Air Still Pro and a Vevor Air Still. Only the Vevor has a temperature control. Set at 93C and be patient. Raise the temp as output decreases and when you hit tails turn it off.

[@Ajtega]

where can i buy love brewing still?

[@brewingadvice]

Hi @Ajtega, you can buy the boiler direct from Love Brewing in the UK. I believe though that they now only sell to the UK, so if you are not based in the UK you won't be able to get one. I am sorry for my late reply to you, KZbin never alerted me to your comment (or 30 others for different videos!) www.lovebrewing.co.uk/sw-boiler-lb