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Home distilling kits
A home distilling kit gives you everything to turn a fermented wash into finished spirit: the still itself, plus the fermentation and filtration gear to run it. At Australian Home Brewing we build our range around the three stills we know inside out, the benchtop Air Still Pro, the Turbo 500 reflux system, and traditional copper alembic pot stills.
Reflux or pot? The decision that matters
Before comparing models, work out which kind of spirit you want. A reflux still passes vapour through a packed column so it condenses and re-evaporates repeatedly, stripping out character and leaving a very clean neutral spirit. That is the base for gin, vodka and essence-flavoured spirits. A pot still takes a single pass and carries flavour compounds through, which is what you want for whisky, rum and brandy where the character is the point.
Most people start with reflux because essences give the widest range of results quickly. Brewers who move to pot distilling usually do it because they want to make one thing properly rather than many things adequately. If the mechanics are new to you, start with how a still works.
How to choose your distillery kit
Our full guide to choosing a home distilling kit works through this in detail. The short version:
- Air Still Pro. A compact benchtop distillery that takes 4 litres of wash, with built-in temperature control and no water hookup. The pick for a first still or small-space setups. The Air Still range runs from the Essentials kit at the entry point through to the complete Air Still Pro distillery.
- Turbo 500 (T500). A 25 litre boiler with a stainless or copper reflux column. Bigger runs of very clean, neutral spirit, and the workhorse behind essences and flavoured spirits. Available as a stainless kit, a copper Pro kit with Filter Pro carbon filtration, or bundled with an alembic pot head.
- Copper and alembic pot stills. For distillers chasing character. Copper reacts with sulphur compounds through the run and carries flavour through, suited to whisky, rum and gin profiles.
- Ultimate system. Copper T500, alembic pot still and Filter Pro on one boiler. Reflux and pot distilling from a single setup, which is the most flexible thing you can own short of buying two stills.
What is actually in a kit
Complete kits bundle the still with fermentation vessels, clearing agents and carbon filtration, so you are producing from day one rather than chasing parts. The pieces that matter: a fermenter for the wash, a turbo yeast suited to the sugar base, carbon for filtration, and something to measure strength with. Buying these separately after the fact usually costs more than the kit did.
Where the price tiers sit
- Entry. The Air Still Essentials distillation kit, for someone testing whether the hobby is for them.
- Benchtop complete. Air Still and Air Still Pro complete distillery kits, no plumbing required.
- Full size reflux. Turbo 500 stainless and copper Pro kits, for larger runs and cleaner spirit.
- Everything. The Ultimate copper, alembic and Filter Pro system.
For a wider view of the equipment, techniques and terminology, read Home Distilling in Australia: The Complete Guide.
Every kit ships fast Australia-wide from our Melbourne store, with real advice from the team that has supplied Australian home producers since 1968.
Check your local laws regarding home distilling before purchase.
Buying from us
Quick answers
Shipping and orders apply to everything in this collection. See the FAQ page for more topics.
Monday to Friday, 9-4pm AEST.We normally get back to you within a day—often sooner.
What is the difference between a reflux still and a pot still?
A reflux still passes vapour through a packed column so it condenses and re-evaporates repeatedly, which strips out character and produces a very clean neutral spirit. That is the base for gin, vodka and essence-flavoured spirits. A pot still takes a single pass and carries flavour compounds through, which is what you want for whisky, rum and brandy.
Which home distilling kit is best for a beginner?
The Air Still range. It is a benchtop unit that takes 4 litres of wash with built-in temperature control and no water hookup, so it needs no plumbing and very little space. The Air Still Essentials kit is the lowest entry point, and the Air Still Pro complete distillery kit is the fuller version for someone who knows they will keep going.
What comes in a complete distilling kit?
The still itself plus the gear needed to run it: a fermenter for the wash, clearing agents, carbon filtration and the means to measure strength. Buying a complete kit is normally cheaper than assembling the same pieces separately afterwards.
Do I need a water connection to run a still?
It depends on the still. The Air Still range is air cooled and needs no water hookup at all, which is why it suits apartments and small spaces. The Turbo 500 and alembic pot stills are water cooled and need a supply and drain, plus a flow regulator to keep the run stable.
Can one still do both reflux and pot distilling?
Yes. The Turbo 500 boiler accepts either a reflux column or an alembic pot head, so a single boiler can do both jobs. The Ultimate system bundles the copper T500, the alembic pot still and Filter Pro filtration together, which is the most flexible setup available without buying two separate stills.
How long will my order take to arrive?
Metro: usually a few business days. Regional: often a bit longer. You get tracking when it leaves the warehouse.
What is your returns policy?
If something isn't right, tell us. We'll sort returns or replacements under Australian Consumer Law and our written policy. No drama.
Monday to Friday, 9-4pm AEST.We normally get back to you within a day—often sooner.