How Much Does a Moonshine Still Cost? Real Prices by Size

A moonshine still costs about $229 to $3,000 at American Copper Works, and most complete copper stills for home hobby use fall between $700 and $1,300. The biggest things that change the price are size (gallons), type (DIY kit, complete still, electric, or Flame Flow™), and how thick the copper is.

Below you will find real prices from our own catalog, grouped by size and type, so you can see exactly what your money buys. We also cover the extra costs most people forget, and when a cheap moonshine still is a smart buy and when it is not. Prices can change, so always check the product page for the current price before you order.

How Much Does a Moonshine Still Cost? Price Ranges at a Glance

Here is the short version. These ranges come straight from the stills we hand build at Fort Wilkins in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. Think of them as four price levels, from the most hands-on (and cheapest) to the most automatic.

If you just want to see everything side by side, you can browse all of our copper stills for sale.

• You-solder DIY kits: $249 to $1,699 (2 gallon up to 100 gallon)
• Complete copper stills (pot, thumper and worm): $229 to $1,900 (3 gallon up to 50 gallon)
• Electric copper stills (110V or 220V, with controller): $999 to $1,299 (6 gallon up to 25 gallon)
• Patented Flame Flow™ copper stills: $1,199 to $2,999 (6 gallon up to 30 gallon)
• Parts and add-ons: $29 hydrometer, $79 silver solder, $129 propane burner, $349 to $449 heating elements

How Much Are Copper Stills by Size?

Size is the first thing to decide, because it sets your price range. A bigger pot holds more mash, so you get more out of each run. It also takes more copper and more labor to build.

Here is what our copper stills cost at each common size. Ranges include DIY kits at the low end and complete or electric models at the high end.

• 2 to 3 gallon: $229 (3 gallon complete, no thumper) to $379 (2 gallon EZ KIT)
• 6 gallon: $499 (EZ KIT) to $699 (complete with thumper and worm) to $999-$1,199 (electric or Flame Flow™)
• 10 gallon: $599 (EZ KIT) to $899-$1,049 (complete) to $1,100-$1,299 (220V electric) to $1,499 (Flame Flow™)
• 15 gallon: $629-$699 (EZ KIT) to $1,049 (complete) to $1,299 (220V electric)
• 20 to 25 gallon: $649-$679 (EZ KIT) to $899-$1,100 (complete) to $1,199-$1,299 (220V electric)
• 30 gallon: $699 (EZ KIT) to $1,200-$1,300 (complete) to $2,999 (Flame Flow™)
• 50 to 100 gallon: $1,099 to $1,699 (EZ KIT), or $1,900 for a complete 50 gallon with a 10 gallon thumper and 10 gallon worm

Copper Still Price by Type: Kit, Complete, Electric, or Flame Flow™

DIY kits are the cheapest way to get a real copper still. Our EZ KIT pieces are cut and formed for you, and you solder them together yourself. That saves you the cost of our soldering labor. You will need a torch and lead-free silver solder (we sell a 1 lb roll for $79). Check each listing for exactly what is included. See our DIY moonshine still kits.

Complete copper stills come ready to use, with the pot, the thumper and the worm (condenser) included on our complete units. The thumper redistills the vapor once more on its way through, and the worm cools the vapor back into liquid. You heat these with propane or another outside heat source.

Electric stills cost a few hundred dollars more because the heating element and controller are built in. Our 6 gallon models run on 110V, and our 10 gallon and larger models run on 220V. Browse electric moonshine stills if you want steady heat without an open flame.

Flame Flow™ stills are our top tier. They use our patented Flame Flow™ technology (U.S. Patent 10,561,960, issued February 18, 2020). They are built for faster heat-up, more even temperature, less wasted propane and less scorching. Learn more on our Flame Flow™ page.

Why Do Some Copper Stills Cost More Than Others?

Two copper stills of the same size can be very different prices. Usually there is a good reason. Here is what drives a copper still price up or down.

As Alchemist G.G. Wilkins, I will say it plainly: the copper is the still. Copper, heat and vapor are your tools, and thin copper is a weak tool. Ours is built from thick 20 oz, 22 gauge American copper, which is much heavier than the thin copper used on cheap imports. Read what thickness copper you need for a still to see why it matters.

• Copper thickness: heavier copper costs more, but it holds its shape and stands up to years of heating and cleaning.
• Solder: we use lead-free silver solder. Cheap solder can contain lead, which you never want near anything you distill.
• What is included: a complete still with a thumper and worm costs more than a pot alone, but it is ready to run.
• Heat source: built-in electric elements and controllers add cost.
• Labor: every one of our stills is cut, rolled, formed, soldered, tested, adjusted and inspected by hand before it ships.
• Warranty: our copper stills come with a lifetime warranty.

Is a Cheap Moonshine Still Worth It?

A cheap moonshine still can be a smart buy, or a waste of money. It depends on what cheap means. A low price because you do the soldering yourself is a fair trade. A low price because the copper is paper-thin or the solder is unknown is not.

Cheap thin imported stills often save money in places you cannot see: thin metal, weak joints, and solder of unknown makeup. Thin copper can dent, warp or leak over time. When you are working with hot vapor, a weak joint is not something to gamble on.

If your budget is tight, here are the honest low-cost options we offer, all built from the same heavy copper as our bigger stills.

• 3 gallon complete copper still (no thumper): $229
• EZ KIT Bare you-solder kit: $249
• 2 gallon EZ KIT Advanced Model with thumper port: $379
• 6 gallon EZ KIT: $499
• 6 gallon complete copper still with thumper and worm: $699

What Else Do You Need to Budget For?

The price of the still is not the whole cost. Before you buy, plan for the extra gear you need to actually run it. Many people forget these and end up making a second order.

You can find most of these on our moonshine still parts and accessories page.

• Heat source: a propane burner for 6 to 30 gallon stills is $129. Electric stills already include an element and controller.
• Electric upgrade: a 110V and 220V element with controller is $349, or $449 for a 220V element with controller.
• Hydrometer set for measuring proof: $29.
• Silver solder for DIY kits: $79 per 1 lb roll, plus a torch.
• Cleaning supplies: plain white vinegar works well for cleaning copper.
• Fermenting gear and ingredients for your mash (or water and plant material if you are making distilled water or essential oils).
• Spare parts later on: individual thumpers or condensers are $299, and individual pots are $599.

How to Pick the Right Still for Your Budget

Follow these steps and you will land on a still that fits both your plans and your wallet. If you are unsure about size, our guide on what size still you need walks through it simply.

• Pick your size first. Small stills (2 to 6 gallon) are great for learning. Medium stills (10 to 30 gallon) suit regular hobby use. Large stills (50 gallon and up) are for big batches.
• Decide how hands-on you want to be. If you are comfortable with a torch, a DIY kit saves the most money.
• Choose your heat. Propane is cheaper up front. Electric costs more but gives steady, flame-free heat.
• Look at price per gallon. Bigger stills cost more in total but less per gallon. A 6 gallon complete still is $699 (about $117 per gallon), while a 30 gallon complete still is $1,200 (about $40 per gallon).
• Add your extras. Include a burner or element, a hydrometer and cleaning supplies in your total.
• Check your local laws before you run it. Owning a still is legal under federal law, but what you make with it matters.