Step-by-Step Copper Still Guides, From First Solder to Cuts

Every copper still starts as a pile of parts and a question: what happens when I add heat? Distilling Videos walks you through the answer one step at a time. These how-to guides are for people who want to understand their equipment, not just own it. They start with the first bead of solder on an EZ Kit seam and go all the way to watching the thermometer and deciding where one cut ends and the next begins.

Running a still is part alchemy and part lab work. Copper, heat and vapor follow rules you can learn, and every run is an experiment you design and control. Our guides break that experiment into plain, hands-on steps.

What the guides cover

• Assembling a still. How to lay out the pot, thumper and condenser, fit the joints, and solder a You Solder kit so it seals the first time.
• Your first water run. Run plain water through a new still to check for leaks, see how your heat source responds and get a feel for flow before anything else goes in the pot.
• Cleaning copper. Keep the inside of your still clean and the outside looking the way copper should.
• Making cuts. How permitted distillers think about heads, hearts and tails, and how a hydrometer and proofing parrot help you read what comes off the condenser.
• Maintenance. Check seams, care for fittings and look after your rig between runs.

Build it yourself, or start ready to run

If you like to learn with a torch in your hand, start with the EZ Kit line. The EZ Kit Bare - You Solder Copper Distillers Kit starts at $249. The "EZ KIT" Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port starts at $379. Kits range from the 2 Gallon You-Build EZ KIT (from $379) up through 15, 20, 25 and 30 gallon models (from $629 to $699). Pair any of them with a 1 lb. Roll of Silver Solder, from $79.

Would you rather skip the soldering and go straight to the water run? Complete units include:

• 3 Gallon Copper Moonshine Still - no thumper, from $229
• 6 Gallon Complete Copper Moonshine Still with Thumper and Worm, from $699
• 10 Gallon Advanced Model, from $949
• 6 Gallon still with a 110v heating element and controller, from $1099, if you want electric

Already have a rig and want to swap or upgrade one piece? Individual pots start at $599, and individual thumpers and condensers start at $299 each. For heat, there's a Propane Burner for 6 to 30 gallon copper distillers (from $129). Electric heating elements with controllers start at $349 for the 110v & 220v add-on and $449 for the 220v unit.

Measure, record, repeat

Good science means good notes. A Hydrometer Set (from $29) and a Copper Proofing Parrot (from $119) let you measure instead of guess. When you want to dig deeper, the Distilling Data Dump (from $29) puts compiled distillation research in one place.

Know the law before you light the burner

Owning a still is legal in the United States. People use stills to distill water and extract essential oils, and with a federal permit, to make fuel alcohol. Distilling spirits requires permits from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Whatever you make, follow federal, state and local law.

Questions about a build or a part? Call the shop at 603-997-6786. We're a family business in New Hampshire, and we're always happy to talk copper.

Is it legal to own a copper still?

Yes. Owning a still is legal in the US. Distilling alcohol, whether spirits or fuel alcohol, requires federal (TTB) permits. Stills are also used for water and essential oils. Always follow federal, state and local law.

Why should my first run be a water run?

A water run lets you check a new or newly soldered still for leaks. It also shows you how your burner or heating element responds and how flow moves through the pot, thumper and condenser, all with nothing but water in the pot.

What do I need to assemble a You Solder EZ Kit?

You need the kit itself and silver solder. The 1 lb. Roll of Silver Solder starts at $79. Our assembly guides cover laying out the parts and soldering the seams step by step.

Can I replace just one part of my still?

Yes. Individual pots start at $599, and individual thumpers and condensers start at $299 each. That makes it easy to upgrade or swap a single piece.

Should I use propane or electric heat?

Both work. The Propane Burner fits 6 to 30 gallon copper distillers and starts at $129. Electric heating elements with controllers start at $349, and there's also a complete 6 gallon still with a 110v element and controller.

What tools help with measuring proof and making cuts?

A Hydrometer Set for measuring alcohol proof (from $29) and a Copper Proofing Parrot (from $119) let you take readings instead of guessing. Spirits production requires a TTB permit.

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