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The Turbo 500 reflux still
The T500 is a 25 litre boiler with a packed reflux column on top. Vapour rises through the column, condenses against the packing, and falls back through the rising vapour again. That repeated contact is what strips out the heavier compounds and delivers a very clean, neutral spirit, which is exactly what you want as a base for gin, vodka or an essence-flavoured spirit.
That is the difference between reflux and pot distilling in one line: a reflux column removes character, a pot still carries it through. Neither is better. They are for different jobs. Our guide to Making Spirits with a Turbo 500 walks through a full run.
Ways to buy a T500
- Turbo 500 Stainless Steel Still Kit. The standard entry point. Boiler, stainless column and condenser, ready to run.
- Turbo 500 Stainless Steel Pro Kit. The stainless kit bundled with the Filter Pro carbon filtration system, which polishes the finished spirit.
- Turbo 500 Copper Pro Kit. The same package with the copper T500 Pro column. Still Spirits says copper in the vapour path helps reduce sulphur compounds for a slightly cleaner, smoother finish, and the Pro column uses up to 30% less cooling water than the original T500.
- Alembic Pot Still and Turbo 500 Boiler. The T500 boiler fitted with an alembic pot head instead of a reflux column, for whisky, rum and character-forward spirits.
- Ultimate Turbo 500 system. Copper T500, alembic pot still and Filter Pro together. Reflux and pot distilling on one boiler, which is the most flexible setup you can own without buying two stills.
Create+ modular parts
The Create+ range lets you build the still up rather than replace it. The T500 Pro column and condenser, the alembic dome with sight glass and botanical basket for gin, threaded adapters and tri-clamps, and a beeping alarm thermometer. If you already own a T500 boiler, this is how you add pot distilling or gin botanicals without starting again, and Making Gin With a Turbo 500 Still covers what to do with the basket once it is on.
Consumables and spares
A still is a piece of equipment, and equipment wears. The parts people actually reorder:
- Column packing. Stainless saddles for general use, copper saddles where you want extra sulphur removal. Packing is what makes a reflux column work, and tired packing means a less clean spirit.
- O-rings and seals. Boiler lid O-ring and column O-ring. Cheap, and the usual cause of a run that will not hold temperature.
- Water flow control. Flow regulator, controller and adapters. Steady coolant flow is what keeps a reflux column stable through a long run.
- Temperature probe and display bracket. Replacements for the parts that get knocked about.
- Copper parrot head and alcometer. For reading strength continuously as the spirit comes off, rather than guessing and testing afterwards.
The wash matters as much as the still. Which turbo yeast you pitch sets the yield and how clean the spirit comes off, and our turbo yeast comparison lays out the differences.
Everything ships Australia-wide from our Melbourne store. We have supplied Australian home producers since 1968 and we run these stills ourselves, so if you are deciding between stainless and copper, or working out whether to add a pot head, ask us.
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 does the Turbo 500 actually do?
It is a 25 litre boiler with a packed reflux column. Vapour rises through the column, condenses against the packing and falls back through the rising vapour repeatedly. That repeated contact strips out heavier compounds and produces a clean, neutral spirit suited to gin, vodka and essence-flavoured spirits.
Should I buy the stainless or the copper Turbo 500?
Both make clean neutral spirit. The copper column is Still Spirits' T500 Pro: copper in the vapour path helps reduce sulphur compounds for a slightly cleaner, smoother finish, and it uses up to 30% less cooling water than the original T500. Stainless does the job well, costs less, and still has copper saddles in its packing. Every kit comes with the 25L boiler, and the Pro kits add the Filter Pro carbon filtration system.
Can I use a Turbo 500 to make whisky or rum?
Not with the reflux column, because reflux is designed to strip out exactly the character whisky and rum depend on. Fit an alembic pot head to the T500 boiler instead. The Alembic Pot Still and Turbo 500 Boiler package, or the Create+ alembic dome, converts the same boiler for pot distilling.
What are the column saddles for and do they need replacing?
The saddles are the packing inside the reflux column, and they are what makes reflux work. Vapour condenses on their surface and falls back through the rising vapour. Stainless saddles suit general use and copper saddles add further sulphur removal. Packing that has become dirty or compressed gives a less clean spirit, so it is worth replacing periodically.
What parts wear out on a Turbo 500?
The O-rings first. The boiler lid O-ring and column O-ring are cheap and are the usual reason a run will not hold temperature. After that, the temperature probe, the water flow controller and adapters, and the column packing. All are available separately rather than needing a new still.
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.