How to Choose a Still

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After listening to the audio lesson, you can use the following section to choose the kind of still you want. This visual representation of the 3 step decision process simplifies the choice of what still to get.

Pot still spirit specialties

  • Whiskey
  • Brandy
  • Rum

Reflux still spirit specialties

  • Vodka
  • Gin
  • Neutral spirit

Do you want a pot still or a reflux still? If it your finding this part difficult to choose one or the other then you should probably get a modular column still?

What size still do you want?

How much spirit would you like to produce in a single run?

Divide that number by 12% or .12 this will be the still size that should easily produce the yield per run you're after.

Now get the next still size larger, trust me.

Copper advantages

  • Traditional and nostalgic
  • Excellent heat conductor
  • Removes sulfur compounds
  • Easier to DIY

Stainless steel advantages

  • Affordable
  • Durable
  • Easy to clean and maintain

We have compiled a list of recommended stills that fit into these categories in order to help you find a still that fits what you're looking for. We have also calculated the Cost per Gallon for each still.

Click the The category below to see some stills we found that will fit your needs. 

Copper/Pot
Copper/Reflux
Stainless/Pot
Stainless/Reflux
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  • I enjoyed all the information on how to choose the right still, the information that was most helpful to me, was how to calculate the right size still, and also let me know that I will be able to purchase a larger still in the future,
    Thank you, looking forward for more courses,

  • This is very useful course. It would have helped me in the beginning because I went back and forth for quite a while trying to figure out my starter still. I would recommend this course to all beginners.

  • Great information! I think this course is great for someone looking to get into the hobby. Really glad you touched on the budget friendly options.

  • This course would have saved me months of research when I was first starting out. This was an excellent breakdown of most of the still options found online.

  • Wish I would have found this before I bought my still. Thankfully, I ended up with the right type of still (10 gal pot). However, I did not know about CopperStillCo. Mine was about $1k. It doesn’t look as pretty as those, but I hope it works as good.

  • Thats good information for someone just getting started. Space to safely distill in and store everything also needs to be considered.
    You are oh so right on the still size. We have a 20 gallon copper kettel, thumper, and worm. Always get one larger than you think you need, you wont regret it.

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