Rose water, lavender water, floral waters
Hydrosol Machines & Distillers
A hydrosol machine is a small copper still, also called a hydrosol distiller, hydrosol maker or floral water still. Plant material and water heat gently in the pot, and the condensed steam you collect is hydrosol: the aromatic water that carries a plant's water-soluble compounds along with traces of its essential oil. Rose water, lavender water and chamomile water are all hydrosols, made in your own kitchen, not a factory.
From$399.95
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Three sizes, one craft
Choose a hydrosol machine by capacity
Floral waters yield generously, so batch size scales with how much plant material you can load in one run.
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Countertop size
5 Litre 5 L · 1.3 gal
Fits a standard kitchen burner and suits herb-garden batches. The first still for most people.
- 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 chosenFor rose and lavender beds
5 Gallon 19 L · 5 gal
Several times the plant charge per run, for people who grow roses or lavender by the bed.
- 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 -
Floral water in volume
10 Gallon 38 L · 10 gal
For makers producing floral waters in volume, batch after batch.
- 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.
Hydrosol and essential oil from one run
Every size is hand-hammered 1.1 mm copper with lead-free joins, arrives assembled, and makes both products of distillation at once: the hydrosol, and the thin layer of essential oil that floats on top. With florals such as rose, the hydrosol is the main product. Copper's gentle, even heat is why traditional makers still prefer it for delicate flowers.
How much hydrosol per run
Hydrosol yields generously, so batch size scales with how much plant material you can load. A useful rule: collect roughly one litre of hydrosol for each kilo of plant material, then stop, because past that point you are mostly collecting water. The comparison table above shows the typical run for each size.
Hydrosols to start with
- Rose water, the classic
- Lavender hydrosol, the easiest first run
- Chamomile hydrosol for the evening shelf
- Orange blossom water from a tree in bloom
- Rosemary hydrosol, and how it differs from rosemary water
New to it? The complete hydrosol guide covers the whole process.
How people use hydrosols
Hydrosols are used as facial toners, room and linen mists, and culinary waters. For anything you ingest, use clean source water and ordinary kitchen food-safety care. In a clean, sealed bottle in the fridge, hydrosol keeps for months; see how long hydrosol lasts.
Questions buyers ask
Hydrosol machine questions
Something else? Email info@copperholic.com or read the full FAQ page.
Is a hydrosol machine different from an essential oil still?
No. A hydrosol machine is a small copper still. The hydrosol is the condensed aromatic water, and the essential oil is the thin layer that floats on it. Every CopperHolic still makes both in the same run.
Which size makes the most rose water or lavender water?
Floral waters yield generously, so batch size scales with how much plant material you can load. The 5 litre suits herb-garden batches, the 5 gallon a bed of roses or lavender, and the 10 gallon is for floral water in volume. See the size guide.
Can I use hydrosols on skin or in food?
Hydrosols are used as facial toners, room and linen mists, and culinary waters. For anything you ingest, use clean source water and ordinary kitchen food-safety care.
Where do I start?
Read the complete hydrosol guide, then try rose water or lavender hydrosol.
Do I need a separator or a basket to make hydrosol?
No. Hydrosol is the condensed water itself, so there is nothing to separate unless you also want to collect the thin oil layer, and a glass jar and pipette handle that. Plant material goes straight into the water for hydrosol runs; a basket is optional.
What heat source does it need?
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.