New to this site; questions about Turbo 500

[Terrenum]

Good morning;

I just joined and this is my first post, so first and foremost hello to
everyone who share their knowledge and help others learn and have fun with
their distilling hobby!

I have been in the wine business as a professional for 15 years as well as
brewing beer at home for almost ten years, so I understand few things about
fermentation. Now, I would like to begin distilling.

2 questions for you:

I am wondering about the Turbo 500 copper reflux piece of equipment. I
understand there is better out there but for someone who wants something
easy to use and setup, is it a good piece of hardware?

Assuming you have some skills and can come up with a great botanical
recipe, can you make a gin just as good as the great example of craft
distillery?

[still_stirrin]

Here’s a little homework:

viewtopic.php?t=16455
viewtopic.php?t=64893
viewtopic.php?t=65652
viewtopic.php?f=88&t=68736
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=24999
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=43194

And that’s just the “tip of the iceberg”. There’s many, many more threads (you weren’t the first to ask), so just do a search and spend some time reading.
ss

[Saltbush Bill]

I am wondering about the Turbo 500 copper reflux piece of equipment. I
understand there is better out there but for someone who wants something
easy to use and setup, is it a good piece of hardware?

The T500 isnt a bad little still for what it is......it will make a neutral spirit that is quite good enough for making Gin.
To make good neutral you will need to learn about the fractions of a reflux run and about making cuts to that run.
Do not follow the manufacturers instructions on what spirit to keep and what not to .....it is misleading and will lead you to make an inferior product. I would also suggest that you use one of the tried and proven recipes from this or another forum. The Turbo yeast that probably came with your still is a no no and wont make for good results. The following link will help you understand more about what cuts you should make and why. It is one of the single most important things you will need to know if you wish to make good booze.

Assuming you have some skills and can come up with a great botanical
recipe, can you make a gin just as good as the great example of craft
distillery?

Yes you can, but it wont happen with the reflux head that you have on your boiler now. You will need to make the neutral first, then swap to a pot still head or something that has a gin basket to do the rest of the job. Lots of information regarding gin on the forum if you search around.

[Terrenum]

Thanks Saltbush
Haven't bought the T500 yet. I am also looking at this one which in my opinion would be better as it gives the flexibility to use the reflux column to make your spirit, then change it for the pot still with the botanical soaked/infused by vapour depending on the botanical.

https://milehidistilling.com/product/8- ... distiller/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This is what I am planning to do: Make a grain mash with a high percentage of rye and oats for mouthfeel. distill to 90-95 for neutral spirit. cut down to 40%; polish with active carbon; then soaked some botanicals overnight and then distill with the pot still setup with a hop bag hanging(or if I end up with the T500 adding the gin basket at the top of the column); does that sounds like a good process?

[Saltbush Bill]

I'm not a fan of those mile high stills.....they are a pot still with a little bit of reflux in my opinion. I doubt they will get anywhere near 95%.....or make good neutral. Others may think better of them

[ttocs]

The filter as part of the package should give you a hint. A proper still shouldn’t require carbon filtering.


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