Still Spirits VORTEX Reflux Equipment Kit – Air Cooled Reflux Still Column

Everything above the boiler for a reflux still that uses no cooling water. The kit pairs two VORTEX Air Cooled Condenser modules with Create+ 2" modular components, tri-clamps and gaskets.

A reflux still is the one you want for clean, neutral spirit — the base for vodka, gin and flavoured spirits. Normally that means running water through the column the whole time. Here the fans do the cooling, and you set the reflux by turning a dial instead of fiddling with a water tap.

It's a 2-in-1 kit: the same parts can be reconfigured into a water-free alembic (pot still) setup when you want to keep flavour rather than strip it.

What's included

• 2 x Still Spirits VORTEX Air Cooled Condenser modules
• Create+ 2" modular column components
• Connecting 2" tri-clamps and gaskets

What you'll need

• A boiler with a 2" tri-clamp connection — the Create+ 25L Boiler fits directly. Want it in one box? See the VORTEX Reflux Still with Create+ 25L Boiler.
• Mains power for the fans

How it works

Vapour or liquid runs through two internal tubes wrapped in aluminium fins. The fins pull the heat out, and three built-in fans blow it away. Turning the dial changes fan speed, which changes how hard the unit cools — the same job the tap does on a water-cooled condenser, without the hose, the tap adaptor or the hundreds of litres of water going down the drain each run.

Care and cleaning

Vacuum the fan grills and fins every so often to clear dust. To clean the vapour path, run a distillation of equal parts white vinegar and drinking water. The fin edges are sharp — handle the unit by its body, not the fins, when assembling, cleaning or storing it.

Laws on distilling alcohol vary. In Australia, producing spirits requires a licence — check the rules that apply to you before distilling alcohol.