Copper Pot Stills for Sale

What to Look for in a Copper Pot Still

A pot still is the simplest kind of still. You heat liquid in a pot, vapor rises, and a condenser cools that vapor back into liquid. Because it is simple, the quality of the build matters more than fancy features.

Check three things: how thick the copper is, what the seams are joined with, and what parts come with it. Thin copper can dent, warp and heat unevenly. Solder that contains lead has no place near anything you heat. Our stills use heavy 20 oz, 22 gauge copper and lead-free silver solder. Each one is cut, rolled, formed, soldered, tested, adjusted and inspected before it leaves the building.

• Heavy copper: 20 oz, 22 gauge, much heavier than the thin copper on cheap imported stills
• Lead-free silver solder at every joint (see is your still safe?)
• A complete setup: pot, thumper and worm, so nothing is missing on day one
• A lifetime warranty on our copper stills

Copper Pot Still Sizes: From 3 to 50 Gallons

Size is the biggest choice you will make. A small still heats up fast and is easy to move and clean. A big still does more in one run but needs more heat, more space and more time.

Here is a simple way to think about the sizes on this page. For more detail, see what size still do I need.

• 3 to 6 gallons ($229 to $1,199): best for beginners, distilled water and essential oils. See small copper stills.
• 10 to 15 gallons ($899 to $1,999): the most popular middle ground for hobbyists.
• 20 to 30 gallons ($899 to $2,999): bigger batches, many with a 6 gallon thumper and 6 gallon worm.
• 50 gallons ($1,900): our largest model here, with a 10 gallon thumper and 10 gallon worm.

What Comes in the Box

Most stills here are listed as complete. That means a copper pot, a thumper and a worm (a coiled copper condenser that sits in cool water). Some larger models list a 1/2 inch coil in the worm. A few models add an EZ Seal Cap or a 4 inch thumper port. The 3 gallon flash sale still comes without a thumper, so read each title closely.

The thumper is a second chamber. Hot vapor from the pot bubbles through it and gets redistilled, which gives a stronger, cleaner result in one run. Learn more in what is a thumper keg. Heat sources like burners are sold separately in still parts and accessories.

Flame Flow™ vs Standard Pot Stills

Our patented Flame Flow™ stills (U.S. Patent 10,561,960) are built to heat up faster, hold an even temperature, waste less propane and scorch less. They come in 6, 10 and 30 gallon sizes, from $1,199 to $2,999.

Standard pot stills are a great value and do the job well. Pick Flame Flow if you want steadier heat control and run your still often. As Alchemist G.G. Wilkins, I'll tell you this: steady heat is the secret every good alchemist learns first.

Who a Copper Pot Still Is For

A copper pot still suits hands-on people who like to learn by doing: hobbyists making distilled water, folks extracting essential oils, and anyone with a federal permit who wants to make spirits the traditional way. Pot stills keep more flavor from the base liquid than many other designs. Compare designs in pot still vs reflux still.

Under US federal law, it is legal to buy and own a still of any size and to use it for water, essential oils and similar non-alcohol uses. Distilling alcohol to drink requires a federal permit from the TTB, even for personal use. State and local laws vary, so check yours. We don't give legal advice.