Copper Stills by Budget: What You Get at Each Price Tier and Where to Spend First
The usual first question is "how much does a copper still cost?" The short answer: the handmade copper stills on our list start at $229 and go up to $2,999. The better question is what you get for the money at each step, and which upgrade is worth paying for first. This guide sorts the lineup into price tiers, then lists the same stills by size, heat source, and use. Every price below is a starting "from" price.
Think of a still as a small lab. You control the copper, the heat, the vapor, and the cuts. Spending more mostly gets you more room for that work: a bigger pot, a choice of heat source, and parts like thumpers and worms that give you more control over each run.
The Price Tiers at a Glance
Tier 1: Under $400 (Learn the Basics)
This tier is for learning how heat, vapor, and copper behave without a big outlay.
- 3 Gallon Copper Moonshine Still – no thumper – Flash Sale: from $229. The lowest price on the list. It's a complete unit, just without a thumper.
- Durable Craft Distillation Unit: from $329. A complete copper distillation unit.
- 2 Gallon You-Build "EZ KIT" Advanced Model: from $379. You solder it yourself, and it comes with the EZ Seal Cap and a 3 inch thumper port.
What you give up: capacity. A small pot means small batches, which is fine while you're still learning to read your still.
Tier 2: $600 to $1,000 (The Sweet Spot)
This is where most buyers end up. You get real capacity, or a complete setup with a thumper and worm.
- 15 Gallon You-Build "EZ KIT" Advanced Model: from $629
- 6 Gallon Complete Copper Moonshine Still with Thumper and Worm: from $699
- 30 Gallon "EZ KIT" Advanced Model: from $699
- 10 Gallon Complete Copper Moonshine Still Distiller: from $899
- 20 Gallon Complete Copper Moonshine Still – Craft Distillation Unit: from $899
- 6 Gallon Advanced Model 110V Electric Still – Complete: from $999
Look at the kits. The 30 gallon EZ KIT costs the same as the 6 gallon complete unit. If you're comfortable with a torch and solder, building it yourself gets you a lot more pot for the money.
Tier 3: $1,000 to $1,500 (Advanced Models and Electric)
This tier adds the Advanced Model complete units, 220V electric heat, and the patented FlameFlow™ design.
- 15 Gallon Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port – Complete: from $1,049
- 25 Gallon Advanced Model Pure Copper Distiller: from $1,100
- 20 Gallon 220V Electric Advanced Model – Complete: from $1,199
- Patented 6 Gallon FlameFlow™ Technology Still: from $1,199
- 30 Gallon Advanced Model – Complete Pure Copper Distiller: from $1,200
- 60 Gallon "EZ KIT" You Solder: from $1,200
- 10 Gallon Advanced Model 220V Electric – Complete: from $1,249
- 15 Gallon Advanced Model 220V Electric – Complete: from $1,299
- Patented Brilliant 10 Gallon FlameFlow™ Technology Still: from $1,499
Tier 4: $1,500 and Up (Big Batches)
- 100 Gallon "EZ KIT" You Solder: from $1,699
- 50 Gallon Advanced Model with 10 Gallon Thumper and 10 Gallon Worm: from $1,900
- Massive Craft Distillation Unit: from $2,699
- Patented 30 Gallon Flame Flow™ Still – Complete: from $2,999
This tier is for people who already know their process and want more volume per run.
Where to Spend First
- Pick your heat source first. Heat is the variable you'll adjust most. Decide whether you want propane or electric before you settle on a pot. A propane still needs a burner; the Propane Burner for 6 to 30 gallon copper distillers starts at $129. If you'd like electric control, you can choose a 110V or 220V electric model, or add the 110V & 220V Electric Heating Element with Controller, from $349.
- Buy the size you'll grow into, not the size you'll outgrow. Going from 6 to 15 gallons often costs less than you'd expect, especially if you build a kit.
- Choose kit or complete based on your hands, not your wallet. EZ KITs cost less but you do the soldering. Complete units come ready to run.
- Add a thumper when you want more control. Several complete units include a thumper and worm. The Advanced Models list a 3 or 4 inch thumper port so you can set one up.
Stills by Size
- 2–6 gallons: 2 Gallon EZ KIT, 3 Gallon Flash Sale, 6 Gallon Complete, 6 Gallon 110V Electric, 6 Gallon FlameFlow™
- 10–15 gallons: 10 Gallon Complete, 10 Gallon 220V Electric, Brilliant 10 Gallon FlameFlow™, 15 Gallon EZ KIT, 15 Gallon Advanced, 15 Gallon 220V Electric
- 20–30 gallons: 20 Gallon Complete, 20 Gallon 220V Electric, 25 Gallon Advanced, 30 Gallon EZ KIT, 30 Gallon Advanced, 30 Gallon Flame Flow™
- 50–100 gallons: 50 Gallon Advanced, 60 Gallon EZ KIT, 100 Gallon EZ KIT
Stills by Heat Source
- Electric 110V: 6 Gallon Advanced Model Electric
- Electric 220V: 10, 15, and 20 Gallon Advanced Model Electric
- Add-on electric: Electric Heating Element with Controller (110V & 220V)
- Flame heat: pair a pot still with the Propane Burner (6–30 gallon sizes), or look at the patented FlameFlow™ models
Stills by Use
A copper still isn't only for spirits. People use them for:
- Distilled water: a small unit like the Craft Distillation Unit is an easy place to start.
- Essential oils: small and mid-size pots let you work in batches you can manage.
- Fuel alcohol: allowed with a federal permit. Larger pots and EZ KITs make sense here.
- Spirits: allowed only with federal TTB permits.
Owning a copper still is legal in the US, but distilling alcohol requires federal permits. Always follow federal, state, and local law.
Get Sale Alerts
Prices like the $229 Flash Sale still don't stay up long. Sign up for The Distillers List sale alerts and we'll tell you when a still in your tier goes on sale. Questions about which size or heat source fits your plans? Call the family shop in New Hampshire at 603-997-6786. They build these stills by hand and are glad to talk it through.
