Hand-hammered copper, three sizes
Copper Alembic Stills for Sale
Shop copper stills for sale in 5L, 5-gallon, and 10-gallon sizes. Choose 5L for compact botanical runs, the 5-gallon model for a versatile home setup, or 10-gallon for larger batches. These traditional alembic stills can be used for essential oils, hydrosols, floral waters, botanicals, and distilled water.
From$399.95
4.98 from 40 owner reviews- Arrives assembled
- Free US shipping
- Lifetime guarantee
- 30-day returns
Three sizes, one craft
Choose the still that fits your batches
Same 1.1 mm hand-hammered copper, same kit, three capacities. Choose by how much plant material you will load per run.
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The small copper still
5 Litre 5 L · 1.3 gal
For first-time owners, herb-garden batches and a standard kitchen burner.
- Plant material per run
- 1–2 kg
- Hydrosol per run
- About 1 L
- Size
- 21 in tall · 10 lb
$399.95
Regular price $449.95Save $50, free US shipping -
Most chosenBest all-around choice
5 Gallon 19 L · 5 gal
The strongest balance of capacity, manageable size and room to grow. The essential oil distiller most owners choose.
- Plant material per run
- 3–5 kg
- Hydrosol per run
- 4–6 L
- Size
- 25.6 in tall · 21.9 lb
$499.95
Regular price $549.95Save $50, free US shipping -
Large batches
10 Gallon 38 L · 10 gal
For farms, studios and makers processing more plant material per run.
- Plant material per run
- 6+ kg
- Hydrosol per run
- 8–12 L
- Size
- 45 lb · dedicated space
$1,299.95
Regular price $1,399.95Save $100, free US shipping
Prefer to switch sizes on one page? The Copper Alembic Still Kit has all three sizes in a single product.
Side by side
Compare the three sizes
Same 1.1 mm copper, same hands, same kit in the box. Only the capacity changes.
Full size guide| 5 Litre | 5 GallonMost chosen | 10 Gallon | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 L (1.3 gal) | 19 L (5 gal) | 38 L (10 gal) |
| Plant material per run | 1–2 kg | 3–5 kg | 6+ kg |
| Hydrosol per run | About 1 L | 4–6 L | 8–12 L |
| Distilled water per hour | About 1 L | 3–4 L | 5.5–7.5 L |
| Run time | 1–2 hrs | 2–3 hrs | 3–4 hrs |
| Where it runs | Kitchen countertop | Countertop | Dedicated space |
| Assembled size (H × L × W) | 21 × 26 × 11 in | 25.6 × 29.5 × 12.6 in | On request |
| Weight | 10 lb (4.5 kg) | 21.9 lb (9.9 kg) | 45 lb (20.4 kg) |
| Price | $399.95 | $499.95 | $1,299.95 |
Every size arrives assembled: copper pot, onion head with built-in thermometer, swan neck, and a coil condenser in its own bucket. Gas and electric stoves work as they are; induction needs an adapter disc.
What comes with every CopperHolic still
Each still is hand-hammered from 1.1 mm pure copper and arrives assembled: the copper pot, the onion head with a built-in thermometer, the swan neck, and a coil condenser that sits in its own water bucket. Seams are joined with lead-free silver solder. There is nothing to solder or build. You add water, plant material and heat, plus two lengths of ordinary hose to carry cold water to and from the condenser.
How to choose a size
Choose by how much plant material you will load per run. The 5 litre takes 1 to 2 kg and fits a kitchen burner. The 5 gallon takes 3 to 5 kg and still runs on a countertop, which is why most buyers choose it. The 10 gallon takes 6 kg or more and wants its own space and a strong burner. The size guide lists dimensions and weights, and the yield calculator estimates output for your plant.
What a copper alembic still makes
- Essential oils from lavender, rosemary, peppermint and dozens of garden and spice-rack plants, with hydrosol from the same run. See essential oil distillers.
- Hydrosols and floral waters such as rose water, lavender water and orange blossom water. See hydrosol distillers.
- Distilled water, about a litre an hour from the 5 litre, on any heat source. See copper water distillers.
The full list, and the few things a pot still cannot make, is in what you can make with a copper still.
Why copper, and why the alembic shape
Copper conducts heat about 25 times better than stainless steel, around 400 W/m·K against roughly 15, so the pot heats evenly without the hot spots that scorch a plant charge. Hot copper also binds sulfur compounds, one reason distillers have used it for centuries. The alembic shape, a round pot, an onion head and a long swan neck, gives the slow, gentle run that delicate botanicals need.
Shipping, returns and the guarantee
Every still ships free within the United States from US stock, dispatched within 1 to 2 business days and usually arriving 2 to 5 business days later. Unused stills can be returned within 30 days; change-of-mind returns carry a 15% restocking fee and you pay return shipping. Every still carries a lifetime guarantee on seams, joints and workmanship.
Questions buyers ask
Before you buy a copper still
Something else? Email info@copperholic.com or read the full FAQ page.
What can I make with a copper alembic still?
Copper alembic stills are commonly used for essential oils, hydrosols, distilled water, botanical extraction, and educational use. For alcohol production, customers should follow applicable laws.
Which size is best for most buyers?
For most buyers, the 5-gallon copper alembic still is the best all-around choice because it offers the strongest balance of capacity, versatility, and long-term usefulness.
Which size is best for beginners?
The 5L still is the easiest starting point for buyers who want smaller batches and a more compact setup.
Do you ship within the United States?
Yes, to US addresses only. Every still ships free from US stock, is dispatched within 1 to 2 business days and usually arrives 2 to 5 business days later.
Do I need a botanical basket, column or oil separator to start?
No. The still arrives complete: copper pot, swan-neck helm, condenser coil and built-in thermometer. Hydrosols and most essential oil runs put the plant material straight into the water, the way alembics have been run for centuries. A basket or column is a steam-distillation refinement you can add later, and a tall glass jar with a pipette separates the oil until you want a Florentine flask. Our beginner equipment guide covers what to add and when.
What heat source does it need? Does it work on induction?
Any steady kitchen heat. Gas and electric stoves work as they are, and a portable hot plate gives beginners the finest control. Copper is not magnetic, so an induction cooktop needs an adapter disc under the pot. If you run it on a gas burner or camp stove it needs no electricity at all.
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