Home distilling equipment is used to produce alcoholic spirits such as whiskey, brandy, and rum. Having the right equipment and distillation supplies can allow you to experiment with different recipes and create your own unique spirits from the comfort of your own home.
The process of distillation involves the separation of alcohol from a liquid mixture through the use of heat and cooling. The most essential piece of equipment for home distilling is the still. Stills come in a variety of types and sizes and are used to heat and cool the liquid mixture to separate the alcohol. The most common types of stills used for home distilling are pot stills, reflux stills, and column stills. Pot stills are the most traditional type of still and are typically used to make whiskey and brandy. Reflux stills are more efficient and are often used to make higher-proof spirits like vodka. Column stills are the most efficient and are typically used to make neutral spirits like gin.
Distilling at home is also subject to laws and regulations depending on where you live. Before proceeding with home distilling it's important to check the laws of your location as it may be illegal in some places and regulated in others.
Top Home Distilling Equipment and Supplies
Copper Still
Distill your own water, essential oils, ethanol fuel, or alcohol (depending on your state’s laws) with a copper still - available in sizes as small as 1 gallon to as large as 15 gallons. These copper stills are hand built with lead-free materials, solid copper rivets, and 20ga. (.034) copper sheet materials.
The condenser is an essential component of the distilling process and is used to cool and condense the alcohol vapor that is produced by the still. The condenser is typically made of copper or stainless steel and consists of a series of coils or tubes through which a coolant, such as water, is circulated. The alcohol vapor, which is hotter than the coolant, is passed through the coils or tubes and cooled down, causing it to condense back into a liquid form. This liquid, known as the distillate, is then collected and can be further distilled or aged to create the desired spirit. The condenser is an important part of the distillation process because it allows the alcohol vapor to be separated from the other unwanted compounds, such as water and congeners, that are present in the liquid mixture. It also plays a crucial role in determining the alcohol content and purity of the final product.
Hydrometer
Just like with beer, a hydrometer is an important piece of equipment for measuring the alcohol content of a liquid. You’ll measure your starting gravity and final gravity to determine the alcohol by volume of your spirits the same as with your homebrew.
Home Distillation Supplies
We also carry a wide variety of other supplies you may need during your home distillation process including pitchers for measuring, copper and stainless steel saddles, baskets to hold botanics when making gin, filters, silicone rings and seals, water flow regulators, and more.
