Frequently Asked Questions

Are these stills functional or are they just good-looking replicas?

Our stills are made to be completely functional. They also happen to look great.

Is everything in the picture included in the price?

Yes, the setup includes the pot, onion head, condenser and thermometer.

Are there instructions on how to operate the still?

Yes. A quick-start guide is included with the purchase of every still.

Do you have a return policy?

Yes. If you are unsatisfied for any reason please contact us within 90 days of purchase and we will arrange a full refund and pick up the still at just the cost of shipping. Just send an email to customerservice@aig-company.com or call +351 919 886 681.

Do the stills come with a warranty?

Yes. All of our stills come with a 1 year warranty.

What heat source should I use for the still?

This depends on your preference and what is available to you. For indoor distilling, the easiest option is an electric stove or hot-plate. Propane burners are very effective, but as with any heat source that uses a flame, they should always be used outside. We also advise avoiding a natural-gas or oil stove when distilling indoors.

Can I use an induction cooking surface to run the still?

Solid copper is not compatible with induction heating because of copper's non-ferrous properties. However, there are plates that can be used between the pot and the inductor. These are used when trying to use stainless-steel, copper, or aluminum cookware on induction burners and are available at most places where kitchenware is sold.

Do your stills contain lead?

Absolutely not. The brazing is the only part which is not pure copper but is guaranteed to be lead-free.

Are your stills really 100% copper?

Our handcrafted units are made of 100% high quality copper. However, the welded joints may be made from other safe, lead-free materials: brass soldering is used for areas of the still that need to sustain high temperatures, tin solder is used for other joints that are not exposed to high temperatures, as in the pot (boiler) and where hammering is not possible, the piping or the thermometer attachment and silver solder is used for the brass handles and other areas of specific stills. Brass, tin and silver are materials which do not alter in any way the flavor, coloring or quality of the distillate.

How do I seal the top of the pot and the onion head?

How often should I clean my still?

It is important to process a run with water before you first use your still, to make sure any impurities left from the manufacturing process are eliminated. The procedure starts with washing all parts of the still very thoroughly with hot-soapy water. The second step is doing a vinegar run. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water to roughly one-fifth the capacity of the still and run it through the still until the result is completely clear. If you don’t use your still often, we recommend that you do a run of 40% water - 5% rye flour after you use it, before putting it away. This eliminates sulfuric acids and other harmful substances that may have deposited on the walls of your still. If you use your still more frequently (every few weeks), make sure you wash it after every run with dish soap and hot water. You will receive a small booklet with useful cleaning guidelines and basic instructions together with your still.

My copper still has oxidized. Can I polish it?

With time, copper will oxidize and take on a darker shade of red. If you want to polish the exterior make sure not to use abrasive cleaners or toxic substances. You can also try traditional techniques such as rubbing the still with a salt and lemon solution or ashes from a wood fire – which also work fine for the interior.