T500 vs Air Still Pro: Which Still is Right for You?
Table of Contents
- Quick Comparison Table
- The T500 Reflux Still Explained
- The Air Still Pro Explained
- When to Choose the T500
- When to Choose the Air Still Pro
- Can I Upgrade Later?
- Frequently Asked Questions
The T500 Reflux Still and Air Still Pro are both excellent home distilling options, but they serve different needs. The T500 produces 8L of 93% ABV spirit per batch using water cooling, making it ideal for serious hobbyists wanting maximum purity and volume. The Air Still Pro produces 700ml of 80% ABV using air cooling, perfect for beginners, apartment dwellers, and those making botanical spirits like gin.
Your choice comes down to three main factors: available space, water access, and production goals. This comprehensive comparison from Distillery King will help you decide which still is right for you.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | T500 Reflux Still | Air Still Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Boiler Capacity | 25 litres | 4 litres |
| Output per Run | 3.5L @ 93% ABV | 700ml @ 80% ABV |
| Output (diluted to 40%) | ~8 litres | ~1.4 litres |
| Cooling Method | Water (requires tap connection) | Air (no water needed) |
| Distillation Time | 4–5 hours | 2 hours |
| Space Required | Dedicated bench near water | Any countertop |
| Still Modes | Reflux only (add Alembic dome for pot) | Dual: Reflux + Pot Still |
| Best For | High-volume, purest neutral spirits | Beginners, small batches, gin |
| Complete Kit Price | ~$1,199–$1,349 | ~$1,098–$1,319 |
| Cost per Litre Produced | Lower (economies of scale) | Higher (smaller batches) |
The T500 Reflux Still Explained
The Still Spirits Turbo 500 (T500) is the gold standard for home neutral spirit production worldwide. It consists of a 25-litre stainless steel boiler paired with a reflux condenser column packed with ceramic saddles or stainless steel mesh.
How the T500 Works
The T500 uses a process called reflux distillation. As alcohol vapour rises through the column, it's partially condensed and falls back down, creating multiple redistillation cycles within a single run. This strips out impurities and produces exceptionally pure spirit—typically 93%+ ABV.
The column requires continuous cold water flow to maintain the right temperature differential. Water enters at the top, cools the condenser, and exits at the bottom. Most home distillers connect it to a laundry tap or garden hose connection.
T500 Output
From a 25-litre wash fermented to approximately 14% ABV, the T500 typically produces:
- Raw output: 3–3.5 litres at 93% ABV
- Diluted to 40%: 7–8 litres of drinking-strength spirit
- Equivalent bottles: 9–10 standard 750ml bottles
T500 Condenser Options
- Stainless Steel Condenser: Produces the purest neutral spirit, ideal for vodka and gin base
- Copper Condenser: Removes sulphur compounds, slightly softer spirit character
- Alembic Pot Still Dome: Converts your T500 to a pot still for whiskey and rum (sold separately)
The Air Still Pro Explained
The Still Spirits Air Still Pro is a revolutionary compact still that uses fan-forced air cooling instead of water. It's essentially a sophisticated kitchen appliance that happens to distil alcohol.
How the Air Still Pro Works
The Air Still Pro heats your wash in a sealed 4-litre chamber. Alcohol vapour rises into the condensing head, where fans force air across cooling fins to condense the vapour back to liquid. It drips out through a collection spout into your jar.
The Pro model offers dual-mode operation:
- Reflux Mode: Produces cleaner, higher-ABV spirit (up to 80%)
- Pot Still Mode: Retains more flavour compounds for botanical spirits and gin
Air Still Pro Output
From 4 litres of wash fermented to approximately 14% ABV, the Air Still Pro produces:
- Raw output: 700ml at 60–80% ABV (depending on mode)
- Diluted to 40%: 1–1.4 litres of drinking-strength spirit
- Equivalent bottles: 1–2 standard 750ml bottles
Air Still Pro Features
- Automatic foreshot collection: Diverts the first 30ml automatically
- No water connection required: Use it anywhere with a power point
- Quiet operation: Just the hum of the cooling fan
- Easy cleaning: Simple wipe-down maintenance
- Dual mode selection: Switch between reflux and pot still
When to Choose the T500
The T500 is the right choice if:
- ✅ You want the purest possible neutral spirit (93%+ ABV) for vodka, gin base, or adding essences
- ✅ You have a dedicated distilling space with easy water access (laundry, garage, shed)
- ✅ You want to produce enough spirit for regular consumption, gifting, or entertaining
- ✅ You value efficiency — one T500 run equals approximately 10 Air Still runs
- ✅ You're committed to the hobby and want room to grow
- ✅ You want the option to add the Alembic pot still dome later for whiskey and rum
- ✅ You're comfortable with a more hands-on distillation process
T500 Water Consumption
The T500 uses approximately 200–400 litres of water over a 4–5 hour run, depending on your incoming water temperature. Many distillers reduce this by:
- Recirculating water through an ice bath with a small pump
- Using the outflow water for garden irrigation
- Connecting to rainwater tanks
Recommended T500 Kits
T500 Pro Copper Condenser Complete Kit – Our most popular option, includes everything for your first batch plus copper condenser for superior spirit quality.
When to Choose the Air Still Pro
The Air Still Pro is the right choice if:
- ✅ You live in an apartment or unit with limited space
- ✅ You don't have easy access to running water during distillation
- ✅ You want to experiment and learn before investing in larger equipment
- ✅ You're primarily interested in making gin with botanicals (pot still mode is perfect)
- ✅ Convenience and simplicity are your priorities
- ✅ You want to make small batches of different spirits to experiment with flavours
- ✅ You prefer a set-and-forget distillation process
Air Still Pro for Gin Making
The Air Still Pro truly excels at making gin. Its pot still mode and compact size are perfect for:
- Small botanical experiments
- Testing new flavour combinations
- Using the optional botanical basket for vapour infusion
- Creating signature gins with Australian native botanicals
Recommended Air Still Pro Kits
Air Still Pro Complete Distilling Kit – Everything you need to start, including fermenter, yeast, essences, and all accessories.
Can I Upgrade Later?
Yes, absolutely! Many of our customers follow this progression:
- Start with Air Still Pro: Learn the fundamentals of fermentation, distillation, and making cuts
- Upgrade to T500: When you want larger volumes and higher purity
- Add Alembic Dome: Convert your T500 to pot still for whiskey and rum
- Keep the Air Still Pro: Use it for small botanical experiments and gin batches
The skills you learn on the Air Still Pro transfer directly to the T500. Fermentation is identical, and understanding cuts (heads, hearts, tails) applies to both stills. Many experienced distillers keep both — the T500 for volume production and the Air Still Pro for experiments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which still produces better quality spirit?
The T500 produces higher purity (93% vs 80% ABV) in reflux mode, which is better for vodka and neutral spirits. However, for flavoured spirits where you want to retain character (like gin), the Air Still Pro's pot still mode can actually be preferable as it preserves botanical flavours better.
How much water does the T500 actually use?
Approximately 200–400 litres over a 4–5 hour run depending on water temperature. A recirculation setup with a pump and ice bath can reduce this to near zero, with just the initial fill.
Can I make whiskey with the Air Still Pro?
Yes, using pot still mode. However, the small batch size (700ml output) means it takes many runs to build up enough spirit for proper aging. The T500 with an Alembic dome is better suited for whiskey production.
Is the Air Still Pro just for beginners?
Not at all! Many experienced distillers use it alongside larger stills for botanical experiments, small-batch gin production, and testing new recipes before scaling up. Its dual-mode capability makes it genuinely versatile.
Which is more cost-effective in the long run?
The T500 has a lower cost per litre of spirit produced due to economies of scale. However, the Air Still Pro's lower upfront cost and flexibility make it better value if you're unsure about your commitment to the hobby or primarily want to make gin.
Do I need any special electrical requirements?
Both stills run on standard Australian 240V household power. The T500 boiler draws approximately 2200W (similar to a kettle), and the Air Still Pro draws approximately 300W. No special wiring is required.
Which still is better for making essenced spirits (whiskey, rum, etc.)?
For spirits made by adding Still Spirits essences to neutral spirit, the T500 is superior. Its higher purity neutral provides a cleaner canvas for the essence flavours to shine.
Still Can't Decide?
If you're still unsure which still is right for you, contact our team. We're happy to discuss your specific situation, space, goals, and budget to recommend the best option.
Or explore our complete range:
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