Air Still Pro vs Air Still

Are you tired of buying expensive and low-quality spirits at your local supermarket? Maybe you’ve tried distilling your own alcohol at home but found the process too complex or time-consuming. That’s where the Air Still comes in. The Air Still is a compact and easy-to-use distillation unit that allows you to distil your own alcohol at home with minimal effort.

With the recent release of the Air Still Pro, you might be wondering if it’s worth upgrading from the original Air Still. In this article, we will compare the Air Still and the Air Still Pro to help you decide which one is the right fit for your home distilling needs.

Overview of the Air Still and Air Still Pro

The Air Still is a compact and easy-to-use distillation unit designed for home use. It allows you to distil your own alcohol in small batches with minimal effort and is an ideal option for those who want to create high-quality liquor at home without the hassle of a large and complex distillation setup. The Air Still is designed to be user-friendly and is suitable for those with little to no experience in home distilling.

The Air Still Pro is an upgraded version of the Air Still that offers a range of new features to help home distillers produce even higher-quality spirits. Despite its advanced capabilities, the Air Still Pro remains compact and user-friendly, making it an ideal option for home distillers who are limited in space or time and do not want to invest in a larger, more complex setup.

Key Features

All of the features in the basic Air Still are also present in the Air Still Pro, this is due to the fact you can actually buy the upgrade attachment to upgrade the original air still. Below is a table summarising the key differences.

Safety Features

The Air Still Pro offers several innovative enhancements that improve safety and ease of use. However, it’s important to note that the original Air Still is also designed with safety in mind and is a safe and reliable option for home-distillers.

One of the new features of the Air Still Pro is the integrated vial that captures the first 30 ml of foreshots. Foreshots are the initial part of the distillate that contains impurities and other unwanted substances. With the Air Still Pro, these foreshots are automatically collected and can be easily discarded, ensuring that only the purest and highest quality alcohol is collected. This feature not only improves the quality of the final product but also removes the need for the user to manually collect the foreshots, which can be a potentially hazardous step.

Another new safety feature of the Air Still Pro is the automatic shutdown function. In the unlikely event that the temperature inside the still gets too hot, the Air Still Pro will automatically turn off, providing an additional layer of safety. This feature helps prevent any potential risks from overheating and ensures that the user can operate the Air Still Pro with peace of mind.

Both the Air Still and the Air Still Pro share several safety features that make them safe and reliable options for home distilling. One such feature is that there is no need to use hot water in the distillation process, which eliminates any risk of burns or scalding. Additionally, both units have a compact design and can be easily stored and operated in a safe and secure location.

Distillation Process

The distillation process is a crucial part of producing high-quality spirits, and both the Air Still and the Air Still Pro offer unique features that affect the final product.

The Air Still uses a pot still method, which is a simple and easy way to distil alcohol. The process involves boiling the wash and collecting the vapours as they rise up the column. The Air Still has a maximum alcohol concentration of 60% ABV, which is lower than other distillation methods but is still sufficient for most home distilling needs.

The Air Still Pro offers a 2-in-1 pot still/reflux mode that provides greater flexibility in the distillation process. In pot still mode, the Air Still Pro can produce up to 80% ABV. In reflux mode, the Air Still Pro can achieve up to 90% ABV, which leaves you with a much higher quality end product. The reflux mode works by continuously circulating the vapours back through the column, resulting in a more pure and refined final product.

Price & Value

The Air Still is an affordable and cost-effective option for home distillers who are looking for a simple and easy way to distill their own spirits. With a price point of £183, it is one of the most affordable options on the market. If you are looking to produce premium spirits at home, this may not be your best bet due to the limitations of only 60% ABV.

If you are looking for greater flexibility over the distillation process or want to produce higher-quality spirits, you may want to consider the Air Still Pro. You can buy the upgrade attachment for £299 or the whole still for £449.

If you are looking to get serious about making your own premium spirits with full control and increased efficiency, the T500 is an excellent alternative to consider. Sitting at a similar price point to the Air Still Pro, the T500 offers greater flexibility in the distillation process and can produce even higher quality spirits with its reflux still mode. The T500 also comes with additional features like a copper column and an electronic temperature controller, which help to ensure a smooth and consistent distillation process.

Make sure to check out our blog for similar product comparisons, buying guides, and tutorials to help you make an informed decision about your home distilling setup. Whether you choose the Air Still, Air Still Pro, or T500, there are many options available to help you produce high-quality spirits at home with ease.