Essential oil and hydrosol from one run
Copper Essential Oil Distillers
A copper essential oil distiller is a small alembic still: plant material and water heat gently in the hand-hammered pot, steam carries the aromatics up the swan neck, and the condenser returns the run as a thin layer of essential oil floating on hydrosol. One run, two products, the way lavender, peppermint and rose have been distilled for centuries.
From$399.95
4.98 from 40 owner reviews- Arrives assembled
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- Lifetime guarantee
- 30-day returns
Three sizes, one craft
Choose an essential oil distiller by batch size
Oil yields are small for every plant, so capacity decides whether a run gives you droplets or a bottle. Every run also gives you hydrosol.
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Herb-garden batches
5 Litre 5 L · 1.3 gal
The countertop distiller, sized for herb-garden harvests on a standard kitchen burner. Where most people start.
- Plant material per run
- 1–2 kg
- Lavender oil per run
- 9–33 ml
- Size
- 21 in tall · 10 lb
$399.95
Regular price $449.95Save $50, free US shipping -
Most chosenMost oil makers choose this
5 Gallon 19 L · 5 gal
Several times the plant charge per run, for lavender rows and serious herb beds. The size you will not outgrow.
- Plant material per run
- 3–5 kg
- Lavender oil per run
- 27–83 ml
- Size
- 25.6 in tall · 21.9 lb
$499.95
Regular price $549.95Save $50, free US shipping -
Distilling in volume
10 Gallon 38 L · 10 gal
For makers distilling in volume, season after season.
- Plant material per run
- 6+ kg
- Lavender oil per run
- 55 ml and up
- 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.
How an alembic makes essential oil
Water in the pot turns to steam, the steam passes through the plant material and carries its volatile oils up through the onion head and swan neck, and the coil condenser turns the vapor back into liquid. In the collecting jar the oil floats on the hydrosol, and you lift it off with a pipette or a Florentine flask. Plant material can sit in the water or above it on a rack; the alembic does both. Every still is 1.1 mm hand-hammered copper with lead-free joins and arrives fully assembled.
How much oil to expect
Oil yield is set by the plant far more than by the still, and it changes with the season. Lavender gives about 0.8 to 1.5% of its fresh weight as oil, so a 1 to 2 kg charge in the 5 litre gives roughly 9 to 33 ml. Rose gives well under 1 ml from the same weight, which is why rose oil costs what it does. Hydrosol is the generous product of every run, and many distillers prize it as much as the oil. The free yield calculator works it out for your plant and batch size.
Which size for essential oils
Because yields are small, capacity decides whether a run gives you a few drops or a bottle. The 5 litre suits herb-garden batches and learning the craft on a kitchen burner. The 5 gallon takes 3 to 5 kg per run and is the size most oil makers settle on. The 10 gallon is for growers distilling in volume, season after season.
Good first plants
Start with forgiving, oil-rich plants: lavender, peppermint, rosemary and clove from the spice rack. Every recipe on our blog is written for the still exactly as it arrives, with no add-ons. For the whole picture, read which copper still is best for essential oils.
Questions buyers ask
Essential oil distiller questions
Something else? Email info@copperholic.com or read the full FAQ page.
Which size is best for essential oils?
Oil yields are small for every plant, so capacity decides whether a run gives you droplets or a bottle. Most oil makers settle on the 5 gallon. The 5 litre suits herb-garden batches and small perfume-scale work, and the 10 gallon is for growers distilling in volume. The size guide compares all three side by side.
Do I get hydrosol as well as essential oil?
Yes. Every run produces hydrosol with a thin layer of essential oil floating on top. Many distillers value the hydrosol as much as the oil.
Which plants should I start with?
Lavender, peppermint and rosemary are the usual first runs. Each has a step-by-step recipe on our blog: lavender, peppermint and rosemary.
Does the still arrive assembled?
Yes. Every size ships as a complete kit with the copper pot, swan-neck helm, condenser and built-in thermometer, with nothing to solder or build.
Is a copper alembic a steam distiller?
Yes. Water in the pot turns to steam, the steam passes through the plant material and carries the aromatic compounds up the swan neck, and the condenser turns it back into liquid: essential oil floating on hydrosol. The botanicals can sit in the water (hydro-distillation) or above it on a simple rack (steam distillation); the alembic does both.
Do I need a botanical basket or an oil separator?
Not to start. The still arrives complete and most first runs put the plant material straight into the water. A basket or column is a refinement for later. To separate the oil, let the distillate settle in a tall glass jar and lift the oil layer with a pipette; a Florentine flask does the same job hands-free. See what beginners need and what they can skip.
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