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What Size Copper Still Should You Buy?

The first question every beginner asks is "how big?" — and the honest answer is usually "smaller than your ambition."

Capacity vs. real yield

A still's gallon rating is the boiler capacity. You should only fill a boiler about two-thirds full to leave room for foaming, so a 6-gallon still comfortably processes roughly 4 gallons of wash per run. Plan around what you'll actually run, not the number on the label.

A quick sizing guide

• 1.5–2.5 gallon: a beginner's bench companion — perfect for essential oils, hydrosols, rosewater, distilled water and learning the rhythm of a run.
• 4–6 gallon: the sweet spot for the serious home craftsman. Enough yield to make the day worthwhile, small enough to heat on a single burner. The size we hand most first-timers.
• 8–15 gallon: for larger batches; electric or propane heat is your friend here.
• 20–100 gallon: for those chasing a micro-distillery or commercial dream — electric controllers and quick-clamp caps make big runs manageable.

My counsel: buy the size you'll actually use most weekends. A right-sized still gets run often; a monster that intimidates you gathers dust.

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