Comparing Types of Copper Moonshine Stills for Sale

When you’re shopping through the many types of copper moonshine or whiskey stills for sale you may have some basic questions before buying a still. This beginner’s guide is here to help you decide what type and size of moonshine still is right for you.

Why Copper ?

First of all, although stills can be made of other material, copper is hands-down the best material used in the finest moonshine and whiskey stills for sale on the market today. Copper’s natural chemistry means that it helps filter toxins, impurities, sulfur, and bacteria out of the steam of the liquid you’re distilling, so your moonshine will be smoother, your essential oils purer, your distilled water cleaner. Whatever you’re distilling, copper is always the best material to make sure that you end up with the highest-quality product.

Copper has the added benefit of being a highly durable material. It is known for even heat distribution, and it is easier to control the temperature in copper moonshine stills. Copper is also easy to clean (just use a healthy dose of white vinegar, hot water, and a flour paste if necessary). Always make sure that the copper still for sale you choose uses 100% lead-free solder. You only want a copper still that is absolutely free of lead.

Pot Still or Column Still ?

Moonshine stills come in two main designs, with some variations. A pot still is a traditional design used for distilling some spirits (such as whiskey and moonshine) and water, although small pot stills might be used to distill some essential oils. Generally, a pot still is made up of four main parts: the pot, the onion head, the condenser coil, and the collection cup. If you can find a pot still with a thermometer built into the onion head, that will give you a great advantage. Always use a collection cup that is metal or glass, never use a plastic collection cup.

A column still is a traditional design used for distilling some spirits (such as vodka) and essential spirits. Because of this design, the column allows steam to cause plant materials to release their essential oils more efficiently than in a pot still, which does not allow for steam distillation. Generally, a column still is made up of five main parts: the pot, the column, the onion head, the condenser coil, and the collection cup.

Some still designs, such as a flip top still, allow a distiller to use the still as either a pot still or a column still. These designs have more working parts and may require more maintenance, but they also provide more versatility for which products you can distill.

What size ?

Depending on what you plan to distill, and how much you will produce, there are many options of the best copper moonshine stills for sale. If you are distilling an essential oil, you will need a large amount of plant material to produce a small amount of oil, so at least a 2.5 gallon copper still is recommended. For water, moonshine, or other spirits, you will produce more product for the amount of raw materials. However, most distillers find that a 5 gallon whiskey still is a good starting size to produce a desirable amount of moonshine.

No matter what you are planning to use your whiskey still to produce, make sure that you choose copper. Then, consider what design and what size you want so you can enjoy your new copper whiskey still.