Copper Stills Sorted by Size, Budget, Heat, and Use
Copper stills sorted by size, budget, heat, and use.
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Shopping for a copper still gets confusing fast. The idea behind every still is simple: heat a liquid, catch the vapor, and condense it back down. But the choices pile up quickly. There are sizes from 2 gallons to 100, three ways to heat, and prices from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand. The Distillers List narrows it down to four questions: how big, how much, how you'll heat it, and what you'll run through it. Every still here is handmade from American copper by a family shop in New Hampshire. All prices shown are starting prices.
Stills by Size
- Small (2 to 6 gallons): 2 Gallon EZ Kit from $379, 3 Gallon Flash Sale still (no thumper) from $229, 6 Gallon Complete with Thumper and Worm from $699, and the Patented 6 Gallon FlameFlow™ from $1,199. A small pot is a good place to learn how heat and copper behave.
- Mid (10 to 20 gallons): 10 Gallon Complete from $899, 15 Gallon Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port from $1,049, 20 Gallon Complete from $899, and the Brilliant 10 Gallon FlameFlow™ from $1,499.
- Large (25 to 30 gallons): 25 Gallon Advanced Model from $1,100, 30 Gallon Advanced Model from $1,200, and the Patented 30 Gallon Flame Flow™ from $2,999.
- Big batch (50 to 100 gallons): 50 Gallon Advanced Model with 10 Gallon Thumper and 10 Gallon Worm from $1,900, plus the 60 and 100 Gallon EZ Kits from $1,200 and $1,699.
Stills by Budget
- Under $400: 3 Gallon Flash Sale still ($229), Durable Craft Distillation Unit ($329), 2 Gallon EZ Kit ($379).
- $600 to $1,000: 15 Gallon EZ Kit ($629), 30 Gallon EZ Kit ($699), 6 Gallon Complete ($699), 10 and 20 Gallon Complete ($899 each), 6 Gallon 110V Electric ($999).
- $1,000 to $2,000: most Advanced Models, the 220V electrics, the 6 and 10 gallon FlameFlow™ stills, the 60 and 100 gallon EZ Kits, and the 50 Gallon Advanced.
- $2,000 and up: Massive Craft Distillation Unit ($2,699) and the 30 Gallon Flame Flow™ ($2,999).
If you're handy with a torch, the EZ Kits save money: you solder the copper yourself. Complete units arrive already built.
Stills by Heat Source
- Electric, 110V: 6 Gallon Advanced Model Electric, from $999.
- Electric, 220V: 10, 15, and 20 Gallon Advanced Models, from $1,199.
- Propane: a Propane Burner made for 6 to 30 gallon copper stills, from $129.
- Add electric to your order: a 110V and 220V Electric Heating Element with Controller, from $349.
- FlameFlow™: the patented line, in 6, 10, and 30 gallons.
How you heat the pot matters more than most people think. Steady heat gives you steady vapor, and steady vapor makes it much easier to see where your cuts fall. This is the part where running a still starts to feel like chemistry. You control the variables and watch what changes.
Stills by Use
A copper still is a tool, and it has more uses than most people expect. People use these stills to distill water, to pull essential oils from plants and herbs, and, with a federal permit, to make fuel alcohol. Making spirits requires a federal permit from the TTB. Owning a still is legal in the US. What you make with it is regulated, so follow federal, state, and local law before you fire it up.
Get Sale Alerts
Some prices don't stay put. The 3 Gallon still on this list is a flash sale item. Sign up for alerts and we'll tell you when deals like that come up, so you don't have to keep checking back. If you'd rather talk it through with someone who builds these stills, call the shop at 603-997-6786.
Questions people ask
Is it legal to own a copper still?
Yes. Owning a still is legal in the United States. Distilling alcohol is a different matter: spirits require a federal permit from the TTB, and fuel alcohol needs a permit as well. Always follow federal, state, and local law.
What can I use a copper still for without a permit?
Many people use copper stills to distill water or to extract essential oils from plants. Check your state and local rules before you start.
What size still should a beginner look at?
Many people start small, in the 2 to 6 gallon range, because a smaller batch is easier to watch and learn from. On this list that includes the 3 Gallon Flash Sale still from $229, the 2 Gallon EZ Kit from $379, and the 6 Gallon Complete with Thumper and Worm from $699.
What is an EZ Kit?
An EZ Kit is a copper still you solder together yourself. Kits on this list come in 2, 15, 30, 60, and 100 gallon sizes, starting at $379. If you don't want to solder, choose a complete unit.
Should I choose electric or propane heat?
It depends on your setup. The 6 Gallon Advanced Model runs on 110V. The 10, 15, and 20 gallon electric models run on 220V. For flame heat, there's a propane burner made for 6 to 30 gallon stills, starting at $129. You can also add a 110V and 220V electric heating element with controller to your order, from $349.
How do sale alerts work?
Sign up with your email and we'll let you know when sale prices come up, like the current 3 Gallon flash sale. If you'd rather ask a question directly, call the shop at 603-997-6786.
Guides
- What Size Copper Still Do I Need? A Gallon-by-Gallon List for Every Kind of Project
- Copper Stills by Budget: What You Get at Each Price Tier and Where to Spend First
- Gas, Electric, or Wood? The Heat Sources That Work With a Copper Still, Ranked by Control
- Pot Still vs. Reflux Still: Which Design Fits What You Want to Make
- What Can You Legally Make With a Copper Still? Water, Essential Oils, Fuel, and the Permits Involved
- Your First Run With a New Copper Still: A Step-by-Step Cleaning, Seasoning, and Water-Test Checklist