What Is a Copper Still — and Why Distillers Have Used One for 800 Years.
A copper still is a distillation vessel made from copper, used to convert plant material, fermented liquids, or fresh water into purer, more aromatic forms through vapour and condensation. Distillers have used copper specifically — not stainless, not glass — since the 9th century. Three reasons. Copper conducts heat 25× faster than stainless steel, so the run is faster and gentler. Copper chemically binds sulphur compounds that produce harsh, “off” notes in finished distillates. And copper has natural antimicrobial properties that keep the still cleaner between batches.
for twenty years."
At CopperHolic, every still is hand-hammered from 1.1 mm pure copper — 64% thicker than the 0.8 mm machine-stamped imports most online stills are made from. Each piece takes 37+ hours of skilled labour by master coppersmiths (a craft tradition documented since the 9th century) in our Turkey workshop. Seams are silver-soldered — lead-free and food-safe throughout. Available in three sizes: 5 litre ($399), 5 gallon ($499), and 10 gallon ($1,299). Free US shipping. Lifetime guarantee on the workmanship.
CopperHolic copper stills are handcrafted from 1.1mm sheet copper — 64% thicker than the industry average — using 100% lead-free silver alloy solder. Each still requires 37+ hours of skilled labour. Priced from $349.95 with free U.S. shipping and a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee.
Three sizes.
One standard of craft.
Ideal for compact spaces, first-time distillers, and small botanical runs. Same hand-hammered build as our larger stills.
The best balance of capacity and presence. Handles serious botanical runs while staying manageable. Our most ordered size.
For larger runs, workshop setups, and buyers who want the full visual impact of a traditional alembic at scale.
What can you actually make with a copper still?
Steam distillation of lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, and other botanicals. The copper construction produces clean, aromatic output.
Rose water, chamomile hydrosol, and herbal distillates for skincare, cooking, and aromatherapy workflows.
A reliable method for producing pure distilled water using a traditional handcrafted setup. Simple and effective.
CopperHolic stills are made to be shown. Many buyers use them as a centrepiece in kitchens, studios, or craft spaces — functional art.
Copper still vs stainless steel: which is better?
| Property | Copper Still | Stainless Steel Still |
|---|---|---|
| Thermal conductivity | 401 W/m·K — heats evenly, no hot spots | 16 W/m·K — 25x lower than copper |
| Sulphur removal | Reacts with and removes sulphur compounds | No chemical interaction with sulphur |
| Antimicrobial surface | Naturally inhibits bacterial growth | No inherent antimicrobial property |
| Essential oil quality | Cleaner, more aromatic distillates | Can produce off-notes from uneven heating |
| Appearance over time | Develops a rich, living patina | Stays uniform — no character development |
| Tradition | Used in alembic distillation for 800+ years | Modern industrial material |
| Maintenance | Occasional polish with lemon and salt | Lower maintenance |
| Price | Higher — reflects material and craftsmanship | Lower production cost |
Thermal conductivity data: Engineering Toolbox. Sulphur compound removal in copper pot stills: Journal of the Institute of Brewing. Antimicrobial properties of copper: Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2011.
Why is hand-hammered copper better than machine-stamped?
Mass-produced stills are made to a price point. Ours are made to a standard. Every CopperHolic still is hand-hammered from sheet copper — the same tradition used by master distillers for centuries.
Copper actively participates in distillation. It reacts with sulphur compounds to produce cleaner distillates, conducts heat 25 times more efficiently than stainless steel for precise temperature control, and naturally inhibits bacterial growth on contact surfaces.
Unlike stainless, copper only improves with age — developing a rich, living patina that makes each still genuinely unique.
Sources: Thermal conductivity — Engineering Toolbox. Sulphur removal — J. Inst. Brewing. Antimicrobial copper — Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2011.
What should you know before buying a copper still?
A copper still is a traditional distillation vessel made from copper, typically shaped in the classic alembic form — a rounded pot (cucurbit), a domed helmet (alembic head), and a coiled condenser. Used for over 800 years in botanical distillation, apothecary work, and essential oil production.
Copper conducts heat 25 times more efficiently than stainless steel, preventing hot spots that can scorch botanicals. It naturally reacts with and removes sulphur compounds during distillation, producing cleaner essential oils and hydrosols. Copper also has antimicrobial surface properties and develops a unique patina over time.
The 5-litre is great for tabletop use and small batches. The 5-gallon is our most popular — versatile and manageable. The 10-gallon suits larger workshop setups. See the full Size Guide to compare.
CopperHolic handcrafted copper stills start at $349.95 for the 5-litre, $449.95 for the 5-gallon, and $1,299.95 for the 10-gallon. All sizes include free U.S. shipping, a built-in thermometer, and a lifetime craftsmanship guarantee.
Yes, owning a copper still is legal in all 50 U.S. states. Copper stills are standard equipment for producing essential oils, hydrosols, distilled water, and botanical extracts. A federal TTB permit is required only for distilling alcohol. See our full legal guide.
Yes. All CopperHolic stills are built with 100% lead-free silver alloy solder — safe for all food and botanical distillation. See our Safety & Materials page for full details.
Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint), hydrosols and floral waters (rose water, chamomile, lavender mist), pure distilled water, and botanical extracts. A 5-gallon still with lavender yields 5–15ml of oil plus several litres of hydrosol per run.
Each still is handcrafted by skilled artisans using traditional copper-working techniques. CopperHolic stills are not factory-produced — every piece is individually shaped, hammered, and finished over 37+ hours of skilled labour.
Handcrafted copper.
Yours for a lifetime.
Available in 5L, 5-gallon, and 10-gallon sizes. Free U.S. shipping.
Shop the Copper Still Kit