Cleaning a Copper Whiskey Still

When choosing a whiskey still, don’t only think about how easy the design will be to use, but also consider how difficult it might be to clean. Fortunately, copper is one of the easiest metals to maintain, and it doesn't require any special chemicals or treatments. Only a little elbow grease. When choosing a copper still for sale, know that no matter the design you purchase, you can clean it with a few items commonly found in most households.

Cleaning the still inside

It is important to perform a “vinegar run” before the first use of your still to make an alcohol or essential oil. This procedure includes filling the still approximately halfway with a half-and-half mixture of water and vinegar, and boiling the mixture without cooling the condenser coil. When steam and liquid vinegar and water drip from the condenser, you can turn off the heat, allow the still to cool, and empty the contents.

After every time you use your still, you should clean all parts thoroughly with hot water and white vinegar. This simple combination will sterilize, remove impurities, and prepare the copper for the next distillation run. Purchase a toilet scrub brush and designate it to be used to only clean the pot of your still. If your copper whiskey still has a column, try using a carboy cleaning brush to scrub out the inside. They are often the right size and shape.

There are commercial products you could purchase to remove grime and buildup, but always be cautious about using chemicals on the inside of your still, as it could taint your products (“distillates.”) If you choose to use an industrial cleaner on the inside of the still, perform another vinegar run before making any distillates.   

Cleaning the still outside

Copper has to be polished in order to retain its natural shine and brilliance. However, if not polished it will develop a discoloration because of reacting to oxygen. It will darken into a deeper brown, and eventually a greenish coating. The patina helps protect the copper from weather elements, which is important if your still stays outside. Many people who keep smaller stills inside also enjoy this natural coloring that occurs over time, and they choose not to polish their copper still. For sale, stills are generally polished, but at home, owners can choose how to let the exterior develop.

If you do want to keep your whiskey still like new, you can use a combination of white vinegar, salt, and flour. For every gallon of your still’s capacity (5 gallon, 8 gallon, etc), combine 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup vinegar. Then, stir in flour until the mixture makes a paste. Apply it to the exterior of your still, and allow it to dry. You may need to repeat the steps a few times for a copper still that’s seriously discolored.

A copper still plan can be a great gift, a beautiful addition to a home, and a useful tool. Keep it clean and enjoy its beauty and use for generations.