Assembled Still or DIY Kit: Which Copper Still Fits You?

Every copper still is a small laboratory. You control the heat, the copper does its work on the vapor, and you decide where each cut falls. You're part alchemist and part scientist, and every run is an experiment you set up. Before any of that, though, you have to make a simpler choice: do you want to start with a soldering torch in your hand, or with a finished still on your bench?

Moonshine Stills is a family shop in New Hampshire that makes handmade American copper stills. We sell both kinds: complete, assembled units and "EZ KIT" stills you solder yourself. This guide will help you work out which one suits you.

The Short Answer

• Pick an assembled still if you want to skip the build and go straight to learning heat, vapor, and cuts.
• Pick a DIY kit if you want to solder the copper yourself, know every joint you made, and usually spend less for the same capacity.
• Look at electric or FlameFlow™ models if the heat source matters more to you than whether you build it.

What "Assembled" Means Here

Our Complete Units are finished stills. The copper is already shaped and joined, so there's nothing to solder. You can put your attention on the experiment itself.

The range is wide. At the small end there's the Durable Craft Distillation Unit from $329, and the 6 Gallon Complete Copper Moonshine Still with Thumper and Worm from $699. In the middle you'll find the 10 Gallon Advanced Model Complete Copper Moonshine Still from $949, the 20 Gallon Complete Copper Moonshine Still from $899, and the 15 Gallon Advanced Model from $1049. For bigger batches there's the 30 Gallon Advanced Model Pure Copper Moonshine Still – Complete from $1200, and the 50 Gallon Advanced Model Complete Copper Distiller with a 10 Gallon Thumper and 10 Gallon Worm from $1900. The Massive Craft Distillation Unit starts at $2699.

Who an Assembled Still Suits

• People who have never used a torch and don't plan to learn.
• Teachers, hobbyists, and makers who care more about running the process than building the equipment.
• Anyone who wants a finished piece of copper they can show off, with no learning curve on the build.

What a DIY "EZ KIT" Means

Our EZ KITs are you-solder stills. You get the copper parts, and you make the joints. People who enjoy this get a lot out of it. When you've soldered every seam yourself, you understand exactly how vapor moves from the pot, through the thumper port, and on toward the condenser. The build is your first experiment.

The kit lineup runs from tabletop size to very large:

• 2 Gallon You-Build "EZ KIT" Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 3 inch Thumper Port, from $379
• 15 Gallon You-Build "EZ KIT" Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port, from $629
• 20 Gallon "EZ KIT" Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port, from $649
• 30 Gallon "EZ KIT" Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port, from $699
• 60 Gallon "EZ KIT" from $1200 and 100 Gallon "EZ KIT" from $1699
• EZ Kit Bare You Solder Copper Distillers Kit, from $249

Price is where kits stand out. The 30 Gallon EZ KIT Advanced Model starts at $699, and the 30 Gallon Advanced Model Complete starts at $1200. Doing the soldering yourself makes a real difference. Kits and complete units don't always include the same pieces, so read each listing to see exactly what comes with it.

Who a DIY Kit Suits

• Makers who already know their way around a torch and copper.
• Curious people who want to learn the craft from the ground up.
• Anyone who wants a larger pot for their money.

If you've never soldered copper, practice on some scrap first. Clean joints come from patience, and patience is also what makes a good distiller.

Don't Forget the Heat Source

Assembled or kit is one choice. How you heat the still is another, and it matters just as much.

Electric Stills

If you'd like to plug in rather than run a flame, we make complete electric models. The 6 Gallon Advanced Model 110V Electric starts at $999. On the 220V side there's the 10 Gallon from $1249, the 15 Gallon from $1299, and the 20 Gallon Advanced Model with EZ Seal Cap and 4 inch Thumper Port from $1199. Make sure your space has the right voltage before you choose.

FlameFlow™ Stills

Our patented FlameFlow™ line is its own family of complete stills. It includes the Patented 6 Gallon FlameFlow™ Technology Copper Moonshine Still from $1199, the Brilliant 10 Gallon FlameFlow™ from $1499, and the Patented 30 Gallon Flame Flow™ Moonshine Still – Complete from $2999. If you'd like to know how FlameFlow differs from our standard models, give us a call. We're always happy to talk copper.

A Simple Way to Decide

1. Be honest about the torch. If soldering sounds like fun, look at kits. If it sounds like a chore, buy assembled.
2. Pick your size. Think about the batches you'll realistically run. Small pots are easier to learn on, and big pots suit people who already know their process.
3. Pick your heat. Flame, electric (110V or 220V), or FlameFlow™.
4. Set your budget. Kits cost less for the same capacity. Complete units save you build time.
5. Plan to measure. Whichever still you choose, you'll want instruments.

Every Scientist Needs Instruments

A still without measurements is guesswork. Our Hydrometer Set for Measuring the Alcohol Proof % starts at $29. It's a small tool that turns a hunch into a number and makes each run a proper experiment you can repeat and improve on.

Stay on the Right Side of the Law

Owning a still is legal in the United States. People use copper stills to distill water, to make essential oils, and, with a permit, to produce fuel alcohol. Distilling alcohol requires federal permits from the TTB, and your state and town may have their own rules. Whatever you build or buy, follow federal, state, and local law.

Still Not Sure? Talk to Us

We're a small family shop, and we would much rather help you pick the right still than sell you the wrong one. Call Moonshine Stills at 603-997-6786 and tell us how you plan to use it. We'll help you choose between a kit and a finished still.