T500 vs Pot Still: Which One Should You Buy to Make Whiskey, Gin, Rum and Vodka?
Short answer: If you want to make vodka, gin, liqueurs and essence-based spirits, the Still Spirits Turbo 500 (T500) is the best all-rounder. If you also want to make whiskey and rum the traditional way — from grain and molasses — add the Alembic Dome Top and Condenser (and a Grainfather G30 if you're mashing grain). The T500 boiler works with both setups, so one boiler covers every style of home distilling.
If you want to do everything, every way possible, the Ultimate Distillery Kit bundles the lot.
Why This Question Comes Up So Often
It's the single most common question we get at Distillery King: "Should I get a T500 or a pot still?" Usually followed by: "I've heard the T500 has a pot still mode — is that true?"
The confusion is understandable. The T500 is a reflux still, but it can be converted into a pot still. So which one do you actually need? The answer depends entirely on what you want to make and how you want to make it.
Pot Still vs Reflux Still: What's the Difference?
Before you choose a kit, it helps to understand the two fundamental types of home still.
What is a pot still?
A pot still is the traditional distillation setup: a boiler, rising vapour, and a condenser. It's simple by design, and that simplicity is the point. A pot still preserves the flavour compounds (called congeners) from the wash, which is exactly what you want for whiskey, rum, brandy and other character-driven spirits.
What is a reflux still?
A reflux still adds a packed column between the boiler and the condenser. The column causes heavier, flavour-carrying compounds to condense and fall back into the boiler, while lighter, purer alcohol vapour continues to the top. The result is a much higher-purity spirit — typically 93–95% ABV in a single run — with most of the flavour stripped out. That's ideal for vodka and for neutral bases used in gin, liqueurs and essences.
Pot still vs reflux still at a glance
| Feature | Pot Still | Reflux Still (T500) |
|---|---|---|
| Final ABV | ~60–70% | ~93–95% |
| Flavour retention | High | Low (neutral) |
| Best for | Whiskey, rum, brandy | Vodka, gin, essence-based spirits |
| Complexity | Simple | More technical |
| Runs per batch | Usually 2+ | Single run |
What is the Still Spirits T500?
The Still Spirits Turbo 500 (T500) is the most popular home still in Australia and New Zealand. In its standard configuration, it's a reflux still — a boiler with a packed reflux column and a water-cooled condenser on top. It produces clean, high-purity neutral spirit in a single run.
But here's the important part: the T500 boiler is a platform. Swap the reflux column for the Alembic Dome Top and Condenser, and the same boiler becomes a traditional pot still. That's what people mean when they say "the T500 has a pot still mode" — it does, but via an accessory, not out of the box.
Does the T500 Have a Pot Still Mode?
Yes — kind of. The T500 boiler can run as either a reflux still or a pot still, but you need the right top attachment for each mode:
- Reflux mode (default T500 kit): T500 boiler + T500 reflux column + condenser → neutral spirit for vodka, gin (with a botanical basket) and essence-based spirits.
- Pot still mode: T500 boiler + Alembic Dome Top and Condenser → flavour-rich spirit for traditional whiskey, rum and brandy.
One boiler, two stills. This is why the T500 is such a good starting point — you're not locked into one style of distilling.
Which Setup Do You Need for Each Spirit?
Vodka
Setup: T500 in reflux mode. The T500 makes vodka straight out of the box. A good wash through a reflux column gets you clean, neutral, 93–95% ABV spirit that only needs dilution and filtering to become finished vodka.
Gin
Setup: T500 in reflux mode + gin basket, OR T500 + gin essence. Gin is neutral spirit flavoured with juniper and botanicals. Run the T500 in reflux mode, then redistill your neutral through a gin basket loaded with botanicals to create a genuine vapour-infused gin. Alternatively, a gin essence added to neutral spirit is the fastest route.
Liqueurs and Schnapps
Setup: T500 in reflux mode + essences. Neutral spirit + a liqueur essence = finished product. Our essence range covers everything from amaretto to sambuca to coffee liqueur.
Whiskey (essence method)
Setup: T500 in reflux mode + whisky essence. The easiest way to make whiskey at home. Run neutral spirit through the T500, add a quality whisky essence (or age on oak chips), and you've got a drinkable whiskey.
Whiskey (traditional grain method)
Setup: Grainfather G30 + T500 boiler + Alembic Dome Top and Condenser. This is the traditional route — mashing grain into a wort, fermenting it into a wash, then pot-distilling it twice. A standard T500 boiler can't mash grain, which is why you need the Grainfather G30 to convert starches into fermentable sugars first. After fermentation, the wash goes into the T500 boiler with the Alembic Dome Top fitted.
Rum (essence method)
Setup: T500 in reflux mode + rum essence. Same approach as essence whisky. Quick, reliable, good results.
Rum (traditional molasses method)
Setup: T500 boiler + Alembic Dome Top and Condenser. Ferment a molasses wash, then pot distill with the Alembic. Unlike whiskey, rum doesn't need grain mashing, so the Grainfather isn't required.
Which Kit Should You Buy?
If you want the simplest start (vodka, gin, liqueurs, essence-based whiskey and rum)
Go with a T500 kit. Pair it with our essence range and you can make pretty much every spirit on the shelf. This is where 90% of home distillers start.
If you want to do everything, every way possible
Go with the Ultimate Distillery Kit. It includes the T500 Pro Condenser + Boiler, the Alembic Dome Top and Condenser, and the Grainfather G30 — a full reflux still, a full pot still, and a grain mashing system. You can make anything, any way you want.
If you're starting with essences now but want to upgrade later
Start with a T500 kit. When you're ready to make traditional whiskey and rum, add the Alembic Dome Top and Condenser, then the Grainfather G30 when you want to mash grain. Nothing gets wasted — every upgrade builds on what you already own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the T500 make whiskey? Yes, two ways. Using an essence with neutral spirit from the reflux setup, or traditionally by pot-distilling a grain wash using the Alembic Dome Top and a Grainfather G30.
Can I use the T500 boiler as a pot still? Yes. Remove the reflux column and fit the Alembic Dome Top and Condenser. The boiler stays the same.
Do I need the Grainfather to make whiskey? Only for traditional grain whiskey. If you're using a whisky essence with neutral spirit, no grain mashing is needed.
What's better, the T500 or a traditional pot still? Neither is "better" — they're for different things. The T500 is better for vodka, gin and essence spirits. A pot still (like the Alembic) is better for traditional whiskey and rum. The T500 system lets you do both.
How pure is spirit from the T500? Typically 93–95% ABV in a single run, which is neutral-grade and suitable for vodka.
How much spirit does a T500 make per batch? A standard 25L wash produces roughly 2.5L of 40% ABV finished spirit, depending on the wash and technique.
Still Not Sure? We're Here to Help
If you're still weighing it up, the team at Distillery King has been doing this since 2014. Flick us a message with what you're hoping to make and we'll point you to the right kit. No upsell, no pressure — just the setup that matches what you actually want to drink.
