StillSmart

Hi guys im looking to get into this distilling malarkey. currently im a all grain homebrewer whos has done a lot of reading up on distilling. I have decided im going to start with the air still. Where is cheapest place to buy or is any member looking to sell one as due a new bigger upgrade ?

Welcome! As an all grain brewer you are well positioned to take up whisky/whiskey making. What are you thinking that you will start with?

The cheapest place will depend on where you live. You do see them on the second hand market, but not often. Most keep them for small batch Gin after upgrading.

If you do find one second hand the good news is they are pretty indestructible and spares are available. The bad news is they do tend to fetch good money on ebay... Probably because they are rare.
They are often over £100

PS. Buy the stainless version.

I second the stainless comment. I've had mine for a few years past when I thought I would upgrade. That has more to do with renovation slowness than AirStill awesomeness. But properly used, you can produce a wide variety of quality spirits using this very simple device.

Thanks guys I'll look to get the stainless version. I think it will be mainly gin I will be looking to make. I seen the non stainless one just said water distiller on amazon and was only £59 I take it this would be no good ?

Get the version that is build to distill alcohol. You can alter the other one to work, but it is not worth the trouble IMO.

If you can afford it, get two. That will reduce the time it takes to process a 24L wash by half. Four litres at a time does make things a little slow. Disclosure: I have only one.

Welcome to the forum.

Air stills seem to be frowned upon or treated with derision if you read around some of the antipodean forums, but they really are a great place to start.

Lovebrewing.co.uk is a good place to look, and often offer a beginner's package which includes a spirit hydrometer etc.

But wherever you buy from, when you unpack it the most important thing is to not read and immediately throw away the manufacturer's instructions! And don't watch any YouTube videos. Download and read the Best Practice guide from this forum.

Right what do you guys think buy the air still from love brewing or I'm thinking now maybe the t500 with the copper condenser?

Copper column might not be worth the extra. Better to add some copper offcuts or old pennies to the boiler and ditch the ceramic saddles for £20 quid's worth of stainless saddles.

But don't try to run before you can walk.

The T500 will make the base for gin, but you will need to fashion a gin basket to make gin - the column will strip the flavours.

And if you are not sure if you want a reflux or pot still or what the differences are, keep your wallet in your pocket and keep reading. Don't buy until you are sure.

Nice choice of name there alien1984 And welcome again.
If it is really gin that you desire,and in modest quantities, the 4 litre Airstill/|Smartstill will serve your needs well at modest cost.
And educate you along the way.
A neutral wash,twice distilled,and then run again with a basket or Sputnik of botanicals,will produce something worth drinking,if you take your time and some care.
It will produce almost any spirit that you wish, with effort.
It's biggest limitation is volume.
How much do you plan to consume?
For a moderate drinker it is great,for someone like myself,it just isn't big enough,but,I would not part with mine, it remains useful,despite owning larger.
If you are keen to get going then my advice would be to start this way,and see how it goes.

Robert.

alien1984 wrote:Right what do you guys think buy the air still from love brewing or I'm thinking now maybe the t500 with the copper condenser?

I bought the air still and ran it according to the manufacturer's instructions. I was very disappointed. I hadn't discovered this forum at that time.

I didn't give up and went for the T500. I absolutely love it but that is much to do with reading the fantastic advice on here.

I've only made vodka and added essences but I am really happy with that. I'm no connoisseur.

I love the T500 and the copper dome and condenser you can buy, for me, makes this an awesome piece of kit.

Wanted to share my experience but I'm a novice so don't take too much notice of my excitement!

Hi & to the forum Alien.

I'm running late on the latest threads this week....but the guys have given you very very sound advice.

Now the choice is yours....but do read & reread about using an Airstill, it all drops into place after a run or two.

Hello Alien1984 and welcome.
These guys have said it all.
I have both a T500 and Airstill.
The Airstill is now mainly used
to make Gin, cause you can do
just one liter.
The Airstill best practice
guilde is essential reading for
Airstill users.

chill wrote:
If you can afford it, get two. That will reduce the time it takes to process a 24L wash by half. Four litres at a time does make things a little slow. Disclosure: I have only one.

... And perhaps a freezer.


As well as what you want to drink, consider also how much time you have to sit in front of it. The novelty does wear off and then with an airstill (setup properly) you can load it and then walk away. 5 minutes per run.