Virgin purchase -- Turbo500 or Air Still for a newbie

[Wonkey_Donkey]

Ok, everyone. If I was any greener at this I’d look like a Martian. I’m about to take the plunge and start buying my very first lot of distilling equipment. Being as new as what I am I’m interested in the wisdom of those that have come before me. I have a little knowledge; I know I have the capability now all I need is the equipment and good advice from those in the know.

Being so new Id thought about working my way up by starting with the Still Sprits Air Still……you know the one, it looks like the kitchen jug. Well, I’ve heard good reports and bad reports……I seriously don’t know if it’s the right way to go, if it’s a waste of money………What’s your thought? If it wasn’t one of these I was looking at the Turbo 500………..Has anyone got an opinion on them?

[rad14701]

Several folks here started out with an Air Still and most of those rapidly progressed to bigger and better rigs... They truly are pricey for their size, which is one main reason for steering clear of them... Another reason is that many of them require modifications in order to produce safe drinkable spirits because they have plastic and/or rubber in the vapor path...

To be honest, you could probably build several good stills for the price of an air still... They are nothing more than an electric pot still... A cheap stock pot, a coil of copper tubing, and a fitting or two is all you really need... Perhaps $50USD or less if you shop around... That'll potentially get you a bigger boiler too... 8 - 10 liters/quarts is about the smallest you'll want if you expect to be able to produce any amount of decent spirits after cuts...

Search about these forums and you'll see what folks have been using as well was what they started with and why they upgraded...

Good luck...

[still_in]

i second that

get a stock pot and some copper tubing. so easy and will meet your needs much better.

[kiwistiller]

as a matter of interest, where did you hear the good reports for the airstill?

[olddog]

as a matter of interest, where did you hear the good reports for the airstill?

I havn't heard one yet.

[LWTCS]

I have heard,,,, that the manufacturer claims this is a good unit.

At present, I can not confirm or deny the validity of this hearsay

[Wonkey_Donkey]

as a matter of interest, where did you hear the good reports for the airstill?

WOW..... I didn’t realize how much this air still was disliked in the backyard boozer community until I read this post back in 2008

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=7428

This has most deninetly convinced me this isnt the way to go after all.

Kiwistiller........ You got me thinking long and hard when you asked this question, who actually thought they were good? Well strangely enough those trying to sell them after upgrading to a reflux or better quality still.............Hummmmmmm strange isn’t it

Thanks people for the great advice, you've saved me hundreds of dollars and probably even more when it comes to pain in the a** questions on where I was going wrong in this forum if I had of bought one.........So if you think about it.............you did yourselves a big favor also

[rad14701]

So if you think about it.............you did yourselves a big favor also

Yeah, we know...

[kiwistiller]

Kiwistiller........ You got me thinking long and hard when you asked this question, who actually thought they were good? Well strangely enough those trying to sell them after upgrading to a reflux or better quality still.............Hummmmmmm strange isn’t it

Haha thought you might get there on your own you'll be better off without it.
Cheers,
Kiwi

[Fermentanator]

Hi mate. Definately avoid those little air "stills". If you do want to buy, go with something alot better than that. If you have the time or inclination, building one is an option. A friend of mine has the pure distilling still, and claims with a bit of practice, you can get you spirit so clean it dosent need carbon filtering. I'm currently paying one off. I can't comment on any other manufactured stills, as I dont know anyone who has one. From what I have read and heard from mates, most, but not all, are pretty crap.

The one I am getting, for example, according to my friend, prouduces a pure spirit, as long as you know when to stop collecting. Only very minor mods were needed. Such as; insulating the column, and being more observant of the temperature.

So I guess, if you do buy, be VERY carefull, as the home brew stores dont really care what you buy. Consider whether you want a pot still, using grain mashes, or a reflux unit, to produce a neutral spirit.