How to Choose the Right Size Copper Still
Choosing the right size copper still is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a home distiller, hobbyist, homesteader, or small craft distillery. Whether you’re planning to distill moonshine, whiskey, hydrosols, essential oils, or botanical extracts, your still size determines how much product you can make, how long each run takes, and how quickly you can grow.
This comprehensive guide breaks down every major still size—6, 10, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, and 500 gallons—so you can choose the perfect still for your goals.
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Why Still Size Matters More Than People Think
A still isn’t just a container. Its size affects everything:
1. Output per run
Bigger still = more finished alcohol, oil, or hydrosol.
2. Heat-up time
Large stills take longer and require stronger, more consistent heat sources.
3. Cut management
Smaller stills help beginners practice cuts (heads, hearts, tails).
4. Mash requirements
A 20-gallon still needs ~15 gallons of mash.
A 100-gallon still needs ~80+ gallons.
5. Flavor control
Consistency improves as still size increases.
6. Learning curve
Beginners learn fastest on 6–10 gallon stills.
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6–10 Gallon Copper Stills (Perfect for Beginners)
If you’re just getting started, this is where 95% of new distillers begin.
Ideal for:
• Moonshine
• Whiskey
• Brandy
• Rum
• Essential oils
• Hydrosols
• Indoor or outdoor distilling
Why beginners love this size:
• Easy heat control
• Fast heat-up
• Low material cost
• Simple to clean
• Small learning curve
A 6-gallon StillZ Copper Still is the perfect starter setup if you want to learn cuts and temperatures without overwhelming yourself.
A 10-gallon StillZ Copper Still gives you higher output and more room for mash, making it the best all-around beginner size.
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20–30 Gallon Copper Stills (Serious Hobby Level)
Once you’ve mastered the basics, a 20- or 30-gallon still offers a huge improvement in output and consistency.
Benefits:
• Fewer runs needed
• Larger hearts cut
• Better flavor stability
• Enough volume for barrel aging
• Good size for homesteaders
A 20-gallon still will produce enough spirits for aging, blending, and experimenting with recipes.
A 30-gallon still is ideal for those who want volume but aren’t ready for commercial licensing.
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50–100 Gallon Copper Stills (Small Business Production)
If your goal is to start a craft moonshine brand, microdistillery, or farm distillery, 50-100 gallons is the professional starting point.
Perfect for:
• Craft whiskey
• Rum
• Brandy
• Vodka (with thumper or column)
• Moonshine production
• Farmer’s market sales
Advantages:
• Consistent runs
• Faster production
• High-quality spirits
• Works well with electric or propane heat
Most new distilleries begin with a 50 or 100 gallon StillZ custom copper still because it offers commercial output without taking up massive space.
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200–500 Gallon Copper Stills (Commercial Distilleries)
This is where real volume happens.
Best for:
• Licensed distilleries
• Wholesale distribution
• Multi-barrel production
• High-volume essential oils
• Large botanical extraction
Large stills offer unmatched stability, consistency, and volume.
You’ll find 200–500 gallon copper stills in distilleries making bourbon, rum, brandy, and vodka at production scale.
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So Which Size Should YOU Choose?
Here is the quick answer:
✔ Beginner
6–10 gallons
✔ Serious hobbyist
20–30 gallons
✔ Small business distillery
50–100 gallons
✔ Commercial operation
200–500 gallons
Whichever size you choose, make sure it’s solid copper, built by hand, and crafted for performance.
👉 See all handcrafted copper stills at StillZStore.com.
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