Kitchen-sized copper stills
Copper Alembic Still for Home Distillation
Home distillation is a kitchen craft: water and botanicals heat gently in a copper still, and the condensed steam you collect comes back as hydrosol, floral water or distilled water. These hand-hammered alembic stills are the traditional tool for it, sized for real kitchens and real gardens.
From$399.95
4.98 from 40 owner reviews- Arrives assembled
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Three sizes, one craft
Choose a still for home distillation
Sized for real kitchens and real gardens. Every size arrives assembled, with nothing to build.
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The beginner’s still
5 Litre 5 L · 1.3 gal
Countertop size on a standard burner. Arrives assembled, nothing to build.
- 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 chosenThe household workhorse
5 Gallon 19 L · 5 gal
Bigger batches while staying easy to lift, fill and clean.
- 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 -
Dedicated space
10 Gallon 38 L · 10 gal
For dedicated space and volume batches.
- 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 people make at home
Home distillation is a kitchen craft. Water and botanicals heat gently in the copper pot, and the condensed steam comes back as hydrosols and floral waters, essential oils or distilled water. Hand-hammered alembic stills are the traditional tool for it.
Setting up in a home kitchen
The still sits on your own stovetop. Gas and electric work as they are, and induction needs an adapter disc because copper is not magnetic. The condenser coil sits in its bucket, fed by two lengths of ordinary hose, one carrying cold water in and one carrying it out. Seal the head with a simple flour paste, keep the heat low and steady, and a first hydrosol run fits into an afternoon.
Which size fits a home kitchen
The 5 litre is the countertop beginner's still, about 21 inches tall assembled and 10 lb, sized for a standard burner. The 5 gallon is the household workhorse: bigger batches while staying easy to lift, fill and clean. The 10 gallon needs dedicated space. What size still do I need answers the question in detail.
Before you buy
Distilling alcohol has its own federal permit rules, and a few states have their own rules on still ownership. Our plain-English US legal guide covers it in two minutes.
Questions buyers ask
Home distillation questions
Something else? Email info@copperholic.com or read the full FAQ page.
What can I make at home with a copper still?
Hydrosols and floral waters, essential oils, and distilled water. Water and botanicals heat gently in the pot, and the condensed steam you collect is the product.
Do I need a permit to own a still?
Distilling essential oils, hydrosols and distilled water needs no federal distilling permit. Distilling alcohol has its own federal permit rules, and a few states have their own rules on still ownership. Our plain-English US legal guide covers it.
Which size is right for a first still?
The 5 litre is the countertop beginner’s still, sized for a standard burner. The 5 gallon is the household workhorse: bigger batches while staying easy to lift, fill and clean. What size still do I need answers the question in detail.
What comes in the box?
A complete kit: copper pot, swan-neck helm, coil condenser with its bucket, and a built-in thermometer. It arrives assembled, with nothing to build. You supply the heat and two lengths of ordinary hose for the condenser water.
Does it work on an induction cooktop, or without electricity?
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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