Still Spirits T500 vs Create+ T500 Pro: Is It Worth Upgrading?
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The Still Spirits T500 has been one of the most popular home copper stills for years. Now Still Spirits has launched Create+: a new modular range built around a standard 2" tri-clamp connection, headed up by the all-new Create+ T500 Pro. This guide explains what's changed, what the new Create+ pieces do, and whether upgrading is worth it for you.
Important: in the UK, distilling spirits requires a licence from HMRC, and owning a still may also need to be declared depending on its size. Without a licence, stills can be used to make distilled water, essential oils and hydrosols. Check HMRC's guidance before you start.
Pot Still vs Reflux Still: What's the Difference?
Every copper still falls into one of two families, and the Create+ range covers both:
- Reflux stills (like the T500 and T500 Pro) push vapour up a packed column, where it condenses and re-evaporates many times. This strips out flavour and produces a clean, high-purity neutral spirit, which is the base for vodka and for flavoured spirits made with Top Shelf essences. The original copper T500 collects around 95% of the available alcohol at up to 93% ABV purity.
- Pot stills (like the Create+ Alembic) have no column, so the vapour passes straight to the condenser. They deliberately keep the flavour and aroma of the wash, which is what you want for whiskey, rum, bourbon and many gins.
Copper matters in both: it reacts with sulphur compounds during distillation and removes them, which is why quality home stills use copper where the vapour travels.
What Is the Still Spirits Create+ Range?
Create+ is a modular system. Every piece connects with a 2" tri-clamp, the same fitting used on professional equipment and on Grainfather G40 and G70 distilling accessories. Instead of buying one fixed still, you can build and reconfigure your setup piece by piece.
The Create+ T500 Pro Distilling System
The T500 Pro system bundles a 25 litre boiler, the new T500 Pro reflux column and condenser, and a threaded adapter set to make the boiler tri-clamp compatible.
Create+ Alembic (pot still)
The Alembic Copper Dome and Alembic Copper Condenser turn a boiler into a copper pot still for flavour-led spirits. Per 25 litre wash, Still Spirits quotes a yield of roughly 3.5–7 litres at 40% ABV and a distillate strength of up to 70% ABV. They're available as a dome and condenser bundle, or with a botanical basket included (see below). The condenser also works with a Grainfather G30, or with a G40/G70 using the Grainfather attachment kit and distilling lid.
Create+ accessories
- Sight Glass Botanical Basket – watch your run through borosilicate glass, or add the mesh filters and fill with up to 150g of botanicals for vapour-infused gin.
- Multi-Tube (Shotgun) Condenser – five internal tubes for fast, efficient condensing. Mounted vertically on top of a column, it works as a dephlegmator for finer reflux control.
- 90° Elbow Section – redirects vapour flow when building a custom layout.
- Vented Collection Cup – connects your collection tubing and vents pressure safely.
- Threaded Adapter Set – converts a DN40 threaded connection to 2" tri-clamp, so older equipment can join the system.
T500 vs T500 Pro: What's Changed?
Both use a 25 litre stainless steel boiler with dual power switches, so the real differences are in the column and condenser:
| Original T500 | Create+ T500 Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | DN40 thread | 2" tri-clamp (modular) |
| Column packing | Pre-packed copper column | Pre-packed with copper (105g) and stainless (485g) saddles |
| Temperature reading | Digital thermometer | Integrated thermowell in the column head + beeping alarm thermometer with high/low alerts |
| Cooling | Water flow controller with tap adaptors | Removable cold finger + detachable product condenser |
| Water use | Standard | Up to 30% less than the original T500 |
| Create+ accessories | Needs a threaded adapter | Connects straight away |
Is It Worth Upgrading?
Upgrade to the full T500 Pro if…
- You're buying your first reflux still: go straight to the Pro rather than the older model
- Your original T500 is showing its age and you're replacing it anyway
- You want easier monitoring: the thermowell and alarm thermometer tell you when vapour temperature drifts, so you don't need to watch it constantly
- You want to save water on every run
- You plan to build a modular setup with Create+ accessories
Keep your T500 and go modular if…
Your existing still works well and you just want the new features. A Threaded Adapter Set (also available with a 2" tri-clamp) connects your current T500 or Alembic to Create+ accessories. The Botanical Basket TC Kit bundles the adapter, clamp and botanical basket in one box. Note that the adapter is only suitable for Still Spirits Alembic copper condensers sold from 2019 onwards.
Add a pot still if…
You want spirits with character rather than a clean neutral base. The Alembic Dome, Condenser & Botanical Basket set gives you a copper pot still with gin-making built in.
Which Still Is Best for Gin?
Both work, in different ways. Many home gin makers run a clean neutral spirit through a reflux still first, then redistil it with botanicals for a crisp, London Dry style. Others use a copper pot still with the botanical basket for a softer, rounder gin. Either way, the Sight Glass Botanical Basket holds up to 150g of botanicals. Start with dried juniper berries as the backbone and build from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the T500 and the T500 Pro?
The T500 Pro uses 2" tri-clamp connections, is pre-packed with both copper and stainless saddles, has an integrated thermowell and alarm thermometer, a removable cold finger and detachable product condenser, and uses up to 30% less water. Both run on a 25 litre stainless boiler with dual power switches.
Can I use my old T500 with Create+ accessories?
Yes. The Create+ Threaded Adapter Set converts the DN40 threaded connection to a 2" tri-clamp so you can add Create+ accessories to your existing setup.
Should I choose a pot still or a reflux still?
Choose a reflux still such as the T500 or T500 Pro for a clean, neutral spirit to flavour with essences. Choose a pot still such as the Create+ Alembic for whiskey, rum, bourbon and characterful gins.
Is home distilling legal in the UK?
Distilling spirits in the UK requires a licence from HMRC, and owning a still may also need to be declared depending on its size. Stills can be used without a spirits licence to make distilled water, essential oils and hydrosols. Always check the latest HMRC guidance.
Does Create+ work with the Grainfather?
Yes. Create+ uses the same 2" tri-clamp standard as Grainfather G40 and G70 distilling accessories, and the Alembic condenser works with a G30 or, with the attachment kit and distilling lid, a G40 or G70.
Explore the Range
Browse the full Still Spirits range at BrewCo, including the Create+ T500 Pro, the original T500 copper reflux still, Alembic pot stills and every Create+ accessory. New to distilling? The Air Still Pro is a simpler, all-in-one starting point.