Still Spirits nailed it—if your still's erupting, could this tiny bottle calm the storm?

August 1, 2025

Smoother Runs, Better Spirits: Your Guide to Getting the Most Out of Your Boiler

Anyone who's spent a Saturday tweaking their still knows one thing—distilling isn't just about the right ingredients; it's about timing, temperature, and total control. When your rig starts bubbling like a pot of soup, or your foreshots go on longer than you'd like, things get messy quick. The good news? A few drops of the right stuff can mean the difference between silky clean runs and frustrating blowouts.

Why conditioners matter more than you think

Ever been mid-run and heard that sound? The gurgle, hiss, or thump that makes your eyebrows raise and heart tighten? That’s what we call surge boiling, and it’s why a little bottle of Still Spirits Original Distillers Conditioner deserves a proper spot next to your thermometer and hydrometer.

“With conditioner, the still runs smoother—fewer interruptions, better flow, cleaner hearts.”
– Candeece, Homebrew Specialist

What is it, really?

This isn’t your average gimmick in a bottle. Still Spirits Original Distillers Conditioner is a clever alcohol-free blend specifically designed to do two things:

Kill foam caused by residue, wash ingredients, or malt sugars that bubble up too much too fast
Release trapped CO₂ gas that can cause unpredictable boiling and backed-up vapour lines

In a nutshell: less chance of puking, more chance of clean flavour, steady collection, and stress-free evenings in the shed.

How to use it (without overthinking it)

The bottle gives you clear directions—and they’re spot on:

Small stills (like an Air Still): Add 1 capful directly into the boiler once filled
Larger stills (like a T500 or bigger): Use 3 capfuls

No stirring. No waiting. Just pour it in before you switch on the element. The formula breaks down surface tension right from heat-up, meaning you don’t get that anxious rising foam that turns a calm distillation into a lean-over-with-a-torch situation.

The science-y bit (but easy to get)

Wash liquids—especially those from sugar washes or anything high-protein—tend to trap gas. When heat hits them, they get hyperactive, producing foam or suddenly surging up the column. That's when you risk smearing your fractions or, worse, flooding your condenser.

By adding conditioner early, you prevent the foam from forming in the first place, and help CO₂ bubbles escape evenly. Less violence in the boil means a more stable temperature and a better chance at nailing your cut. That means fewer mistakes, lower tails bleed, and more polished end product. No wonder experienced distillers won’t run without it.

But does it affect the flavour?

Nope. It’s fully flavour-neutral and alcohol-free. Designed for distilling, not brewing, so it won’t taint your wash or change the output’s taste. We’ve tested this stuff across multiple new-make runs—from sugar wash vodkas to all-grain neutral spirits—and nothing carries over. What it does change is the consistency of your run—and that’s a game-changer.

Still foaming? A couple of tips

If you're still getting foam or inconsistent runs after using the correct amount, it might be time to check a few other settings:

Make sure you're not overfilling your boiler—always leave headspace
Check your wash clarity—let it settle or use finings to remove suspended solids
Give your heating element a quick clean—a crusty element can cause hotspots and uneven boiling

From frustration to flow

There’s nothing glamorous about boiler foam. But there’s definitely pride in a quiet, steady, expertly-run still. And when you're pouring off the polished middle cut of a spirit that tastes clean from nose to finish, you’ll know the difference wasn’t luck. It was process.

This tiny bottle of Still Spirits Distillers Conditioner might just be the cheapest way to level up your entire setup. And here’s the twist—those interruptions you thought were just ‘part of the process’? They’re not.

Wrap it up: one small cap, one giant leap

Running a still without conditioner is like frying bacon without a lid. Sure, it might work. But the clean-up? The near misses? Totally avoidable.

In distilling, consistency is king—and peace of mind is worth more than the spirit itself some days. Add the conditioner, run smooth, and take pride in how quietly your still does the heavy lifting.

Cheers and clear runs,
Candeece