Distilled water, no electricity needed

Water Distillers

A copper water distiller uses evaporation and condensation to separate water from many dissolved solids and other nonvolatile substances. CopperHolic's traditional alembic format is reusable, contains no disposable filter cartridge, and is available in three capacities for different batch needs.

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CopperHolic copper alembic stills in three sizes: 5 litre, 5 gallon and 10 gallon
5 litre · 5 gallon · 10 gallon

Three sizes, one craft

Choose a water distiller by capacity

Reusable copper with no filter cartridge and no heating element. It runs on gas, a camp stove or a wood stove, so it works without electricity.

  • 5L Copper Alembic Still for Essential Oils & Hydrosols

    Small test batches

    5 Litre 5 L · 1.3 gal

    Compact equipment for smaller batches and limited space. About a litre an hour on a kitchen burner.

    Plant material per run
    1–2 kg
    Distilled water
    About 1 L an hour
    Size
    21 in tall · 10 lb

    $399.95Regular price $449.95 Save $50, free US shipping

  • 5 Gallon Copper Alembic Still for Essential Oils, Hydrosols & Botanicals Most chosen

    Household supply

    5 Gallon 19 L · 5 gal

    More volume per run while staying manageable at home. Fewer runs for a household supply.

    Plant material per run
    3–5 kg
    Distilled water
    3–4 L an hour
    Size
    25.6 in tall · 21.9 lb

    $499.95Regular price $549.95 Save $50, free US shipping

  • 10 Gallon Copper Alembic Still for Essential Oils, Hydrosols & Distilled Water

    Larger workloads

    10 Gallon 38 L · 10 gal

    For larger workloads and dedicated operating space.

    Plant material per run
    6+ kg
    Distilled water
    5.5–7.5 L an hour
    Size
    45 lb · dedicated space

    $1,299.95Regular price $1,399.95 Save $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
Copper alembic still sizes compared: 5 litre, 5 gallon and 10 gallon
5 Litre 5 GallonMost chosen 10 Gallon
Capacity5 L (1.3 gal)19 L (5 gal)38 L (10 gal)
Plant material per run1–2 kg3–5 kg6+ kg
Hydrosol per runAbout 1 L4–6 L8–12 L
Distilled water per hourAbout 1 L3–4 L5.5–7.5 L
Run time1–2 hrs2–3 hrs3–4 hrs
Where it runsKitchen countertopCountertopDedicated space
Assembled size (H × L × W)21 × 26 × 11 in25.6 × 29.5 × 12.6 inOn request
Weight10 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.

Works without electricity

A copper alembic has no heating element, pump or filter cartridge. It runs on a gas ring, a propane or camp stove, or a wood stove, and it keeps working when the power does not. Heat the water in the pot, the steam rises through the swan neck and condenses in the coil, and you collect the distilled water from the outlet.

How much distilled water per hour

About a litre an hour from the 5 litre on a kitchen burner, 3 to 4 litres from the 5 gallon, and 5.5 to 7.5 litres from the 10 gallon. Fill the pot no more than three quarters, never let it run dry, and discard the first small cupful of each run, since anything that boils below water comes over first.

Copper alembic or electric countertop distiller?

Electric countertop distillers are cheaper and run on their own. A copper alembic costs more and needs you nearby while it runs, but it has no element or cartridge to replace, runs on any heat source, lasts a lifetime, and also makes hydrosols and essential oils. If you only want hands-off drinking water, an electric unit is the simpler buy. If you want a distiller that works off-grid, or a still that does more than water, choose copper.

Learn the process

Step by step: how to distill water at home. Background, uses and cleaning: the home water-distillation guide. Compare capacities in the size guide.

Questions buyers ask

Water distiller questions

Something else? Email info@copperholic.com or read the full FAQ page.

How does a copper water distiller work?

Water is heated in the copper pot, the steam rises through the swan neck and condenses in the coil, and the condensed water is collected. Evaporation and condensation separate the water from many dissolved solids and other nonvolatile substances.

Is the distilled water safe to drink?

Finished-water suitability depends on the source water, operation, cleaning, collection vessel, and storage. For drinking, infant-feeding, medical-device, or laboratory uses, follow the relevant equipment or public-health guidance and use appropriate testing.

Which size should I choose for distilled water?

The 5 litre is compact equipment for smaller test batches. The 5 gallon gives more volume per run while staying manageable at home, so fewer runs for a household supply. The 10 gallon is for larger workloads with dedicated operating space. Compare them in the size guide.

Are there filters or cartridges to replace?

No. The alembic is reusable copper with no disposable filter cartridge. Our home water-distillation guide explains the process and routine cleaning.

Does it work without electricity?

Yes. A copper alembic has no heating element, pump or filter cartridge, so it runs on whatever heat you have: a gas ring, a propane burner, a wood stove or a camp stove, and it keeps working when the power does not. That is the practical difference from an electric countertop distiller.

Is it a countertop water distiller?

The 5 litre fits a standard kitchen burner and stores in a cupboard, and it makes about a litre of distilled water an hour. Electric countertop units are cheaper and automatic; the copper alembic costs more, needs your attention while it runs, lasts a lifetime, and also makes hydrosols and essential oils.