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7

•  Once the wash starts boiling, make sure the 

temperature reading is above 50°C (122°F) (otherwise 

you won’t collect any alcohol) and below 65°C 

(149°F). If the temperature is below 50°C (122°F), 

shut down the water flow controller valve slightly 

(very little will suffice) to reduce the water flow. 

If the temperature is above 65°C (149°F), open the 

valve a little more to increase the water flow. You 

may find you need to adjust the water flow several 

times throughout the run to maintain the outlet 

water temperature within 50-65°C (122-149°F). You 

can use the Still Spirits Water Flow Regulator to help 

with water flow consistency. For an overview on the 

importance of controlling the water outlet see p.13.

4.  [COLLECT YOUR SPIRIT]

•  Once the wash starts boiling, the spirit will come out 

of the white tube into your collecting jug. 

• 

Make sure the white tube is never submerged into 

the distillate, otherwise the boiler may implode. 

You should see the drops of distillate falling into 

your vessel.

•  Collect and discard the first 50 ml (1.7 US fl oz) (1/4 

cup) of alcohol.

IMPORTANT!
The first 50 ml (1.7 US fl oz) that comes out 
of the still contains lighter molecules, such 
as acetaldehyde, ethyl acetate and methyl 
propanol, which have strong and unpleasant 
smell, often described as ‘hospital smell’ or 
‘nail polish’. They should not be consumed.

5.  [FINISH THE DISTILLATION]

Approx. 5 hours after the boiler has been turned on, you 

should have collected approx. 3.5 L (1 US Gal) of 90-93% 

ABV spirit. You will also notice the distillate is slower 

to come out (1 drop every 5 to 10 seconds), that means 

all the alcohol has been distilled and the boiler can be 

turned off.  

•  Turn off the boiler and disconnect the power outlet.
•  Turn off the cooling water supply.
•  The depleted wash left in the Turbo 500 Boiler 

will be dangerously hot. Allow it to cool to a safe 

temperature before emptying it through the tap, 

into the sink or onto the garden (it makes a  

great fertiliser).

•  Remove the Turbo 500 Condenser and Boiler lid 

assembly, and rinse the boiler of all wash and debris, 

being careful to retain the ceramic boil enhancers 

for the next distillation run.

•  Run water through the condenser to rinse the  

saddles every 5 to 10 distillations. Replace saddles  

if the distillate starts to taste earthy.

Distilling takes about 5 hours from start 
to finish. Please ensure you can give your 
full attention to operating the Turbo 500 
Distillation System for this time period.  
The Turbo 500 Distillation System becomes 
very hot during operation, extreme care needs 
to be taken and children should be kept well 
clear during and after distilling. The process 
produces a highly flammable liquid, keep all 
sources of ignition away from the still.
To run the Turbo 500 Distillation System,  
you will need to have:

•  5 L (1.3 US Gal) jug or vessel to collect alcohol.
•  Cooling water supply and sink. 
•  Water flow controller provided with your condenser. 

1.  [CONNECT THE CONDENSER TO  

WATER SUPPLY]

•  Fit the water flow controller to your tap/faucet.  

Refer to ‘water flow adaptor’ FAQs p.14 if you have 

any issues with fitting.

•  Shut the water flow valve completely. 
•  Connect the long thin tube to the flow controller.
•  Place the long thick tube into the sink or drain.
•  Place the white alcohol outlet tube into the 

collection jug or vessel. 

Position the tube so that 

it cannot become submerged under the distillate, 

otherwise the boiler may implode.

2.  [START THE BOIL] 

•  Connect the Turbo 500 Boiler to the power supply. 
•  A 23 L (6 US Gal) wash will take just over 1 hour to 

heat to boiling temperature.

3.  [ADJUST THE WATER FLOW]

•  About 45 minutes after the 30 L (8 US Gal) Turbo 

500 Boiler has been turned on and before the wash 

begins to boil, open the water supply.

•  Gradually open the water flow controller valve to 

adjust the water flow rate between 400 and 700 ml 

(3.5 US fl oz) per minute. You can measure water 

flow by using a measuring vessel (1 L (1 US qt) jug or 

kitchen cup measurer) and timing how many ml/US fl 

oz flow into the measuring vessel per minute.

USA users – NOTE : If you are in the USA, 
your boiler has a lower power due to the 
110V system used. As a result, the cooling 
water flow should be approx 3.5 US fl oz/
minute and look like a trickle.

STEP 3 / DAY 7

DISTIL THE WASH

Summary of Contents for TURBO 500

Page 1: ...pirit of up to 93 ABV and extract 95 of the alcohol in your wash This extremely pure neutral spirit is the perfect base for all spirits and liqueurs but is essential for the delicate spirits like gin white rum and vodka MAKES UP TO 8 L 2 US GAL OF 40 ABV FROM A 23 L 6 US GAL WASH USING 6 KG 13 LB SUGAR AND 1 SACHET TURBO YEAST Instructions suitable for use with stainless steel and copper reflux co...

Page 2: ...fely it is important to read these instructions carefully and save them for future reference CONTENTS Sign up to the Still Spirits newsletter via the website so that we can provide you with information and updates Distillation System Safety P 3 Step 1 Days 1 6 Making the wash P 4 Step 2 Day 7 Preparing the Turbo 500 Distillation System P 5 6 Step 3 Day 7 Distilling the wash P 7 Step 4 Day 7 Diluti...

Page 3: ... spray foam dry powder carbon dioxide sand or dolomite Do not boil dry In the event the still is boiled dry reset the cut out button under the base of the still In the very unlikely event the electric cut out fails a fusible link gives an added protection This fuse will melt and cut the flow of power if the temperature exceeds a safe level It cannot be reset by the user and the boiler will need pr...

Page 4: ...stillation System The first step in making a high quality spirit is to produce a good clean wash It is recommended that you always use the Still Spirits Turbo Yeast Sugar and Carbon range with the Turbo 500 for best results from your still Regardless of the size of your boiler we recommend always making up to 20 25 L 5 6 US Gal wash at one time using Still Spirits Production Packs or by purchasing...

Page 5: ...ol tube white Ceramic boil enhancers 1 TRANSFER YOUR CLEARED WASH INTO THE TURBO 500 BOILER Place the boiler body on a firm level bench with the tap over the sink to avoid handling the hot boiler when emptying contents later on Do not point the tap to the front to avoid boiling liquid pouring out on you or a passer by if it gets knocked and breaks Using a syphon or 5 L 1 3 US Gal jug transfer the ...

Page 6: ... 5 BOILER Fit the Turbo 500 Condenser onto the Turbo 500 Boiler Check the Turbo 500 Condenser is full of saddles inside If the column is empty you will need to add copper saddles first followed by the stainless steel saddles packed in the column then follow the next step Note You may have a handful of saddles left which cannot fit in the condenser this is normal Holding the condenser upside down u...

Page 7: ...se the boiler of all wash and debris being careful to retain the ceramic boil enhancers for the next distillation run Run water through the condenser to rinse the saddles every 5 to 10 distillations Replace saddles if the distillate starts to taste earthy Distilling takes about 5 hours from start to finish Please ensure you can give your full attention to operating the Turbo 500 Distillation Syste...

Page 8: ...e of your distillate in the trial jar approx 200 ml 7 US fl oz Float the alcoholmeter in the distillate The ABV is the number on the scale where the liquid cuts the glass It should read between 90 and 93 ABV Check the temperature and adjust if needed 2 WATER DOWN YOUR DISTILLATE Place the distillate in a container that can hold 5 L 1 3 US Gal at least For each litre US qt of distillate at 90 93 AB...

Page 9: ...scharge into a drain or sink Add water to your boiler do not fill beyond the maximum level line on the boiler 2 Place the column and boiler lid assembly onto the boiler base Fasten the four clips that hold the lid onto the boiler Check the sealing gasket is sitting firmly onto the boiler with no gaps 3 Connect the power to the boiler The water will take about 80 minutes to heat to boiling temperat...

Page 10: ...al boiler The 4 9 L 1 3 US Gal boiler has more tolerance and can be filled up to 8 L 2 1 US Gal Add 3 capfuls of Still Spirits Distilling Conditioner to the wash This stops excessive foaming in the boiler Add ceramic boil enhancers in your boiler Re distil the bad spirit Spirit has a strong unpleasant smell described as paint thinner hospital burnt nail polish Distillate coming out of the Turbo 50...

Page 11: ...rink 50 ABV If the spirit has suspended particles leave it to sit for a few days and decant it off into another bottle once sediment has settled Fluctuating temperatures while distilling This may be caused by inconsistent water flow pressure or others using water outlets taps in the house It may be caused by frothing of the wash up the column Adjust water flow by opening closing the water flow con...

Page 12: ... made of silica Part A which charges floating particles and chitosan Part B attracts all particles with its opposite charges to eventually make them all settle on the bottom of the fermenter The saddles in the column provide a large surface area to maximise the contact between the liquid and vapour flows in the column which accelerate the refluxing action The Turbo 500 has been carefully engineere...

Page 13: ...imum legal limits for methanol in spirits for commercial sale HOW HOT DOES THE BOILER GET The liquid inside the boiler will get as hot as its boiling point ie 100 C 212 F for water 78 2 C 173 F for alcohol As the wash contains a mix of water and alcohol the temperature the wash boils at rises as the alcohol is driven off You need to boil the wash to convert the alcohol to steam so you can extract ...

Page 14: ... washing the saddles every 5 to 10 distillations by rinsing the column with water For a thorough clean every 20 distillations or so rinse your column with a citric acid mix 2 tsp citric acid to 1 L 1 US qt water then flush with water 2 or 3 times to get rid of the acid Alternatively you can unpack your column and soak your saddles in citric acid mix before rinsing them and placing them back into t...

Page 15: ...is the further down the hydrometer sinks Additives such as flavouring and liquid glucose will distort the alcoholmeter readings Take good care of your hydrometer as it is very fragile Hydrometers are usually calibrated at a temperature of 20 C 68 F Do not immerse your hydrometer in liquids warmer than 40 C 104 F or it will melt the wax inside and damage your hydrometer irreversibly CONGENERS The n...

Page 16: ...thout the need to pay duty or to hold a permit Always check with car manufacturers as to the level you can add The USA authorities have recently allowed distillation for fuel alcohol and you can get a permit from the Federal Government WARRANTY Bevie warrants the Turbo 500 for a 36 month period against any manufacturer faults or defects from the date of purchase To make a warranty claim please con...

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