DIY Moonshine Still Kits (You Solder)

What Comes in a DIY Moonshine Still Kit

Our kits come in a few styles. The product names tell you the main differences. Read each product page for the full parts list before you order.

If you would rather skip the soldering, look at our moonshine still kits complete with thumper. Those arrive built and tested.

• EZ Kit Bare ($249): the lowest-cost way to start a DIY still.
• Standard "EZ KIT" (6, 10, 15, 50, 60 and 100 gallon): you-solder copper moonshine kits in many sizes.
• "EZ KIT" Advanced Model: adds an EZ Seal Cap and a thumper port. The 2 gallon has a 3 inch thumper port. The 15, 20, 25 and 30 gallon have a 4 inch thumper port.
• A thumper port lets you connect a thumper keg, which redistills the vapor once more before it reaches the condenser. Learn more in what is a thumper keg.

How to Pick the Right DIY Still Kit Size

Size means how much liquid the pot holds. A bigger pot makes more per run, but it also needs more heat, more room and a bigger budget. Most first-time builders do well with a 6 to 15 gallon kit. It is big enough to be useful and small enough to handle.

Not sure? Our guide what size still do I need walks you through it step by step.

• Small (2 to 6 gallon): $379 to $499. Great for learning, distilled water and essential oils.
• Medium (10 to 15 gallon): $599 to $699. A popular middle ground.
• Mid-large (20 to 30 gallon): $649 to $699 for the Advanced Models.
• Large (50 to 100 gallon): $1,099 to $1,699. For serious, legally permitted work. See large copper stills if you want one already built.

Why Heavy Copper Matters When You Build Your Own Still

Our copper is thick 20 oz, 22 gauge American copper. That is much heavier than the thin copper on cheap imported stills. Thick copper holds its shape when you heat it, and it gives your solder joints a solid surface to grab onto. For a first-time builder, that makes the job more forgiving.

Use lead-free silver solder on every joint. Lead does not belong anywhere near something you will heat and collect liquid from. We sell silver solder on our moonshine still parts page, and you can read why it matters in is your still safe?. For gauge and ounce numbers explained simply, see what thickness copper for a still.

Plan Your Heat Source and Tools

A still needs steady, even heat. Most copper stills run on a propane burner outdoors or in a well-ventilated space. Never run an open flame in a closed room. We sell burners, and heating elements with controllers, on our parts page.

For soldering, you will need a torch, flux, silver solder, and a safe, clear work area. Take your time on each seam. When you finish, test every joint for leaks with water before you ever add heat. Our still assembly page shows how the pieces go together.

Who a Homemade Still Kit Is For

A kit is a good fit if you like hands-on projects, want to save money, and want to know your still inside and out. It is also a smart step up from homemade still plans. Plans give you drawings, but you still have to source, cut and shape the copper yourself. A kit gives you the formed copper so you can focus on clean joints.

"I built my first still by hand, and I learned more from that than from any book." — Alchemist G.G. Wilkins. Questions while you build? Call the owner at 1-502-337-3944.