Copper Still Vs Stainless Steel Still

In the distillation industry, the material of the equipment not only affects the production efficiency, but also directly determines the flavor, purity and final quality of the product. Copper stills and stainless steel stills are the two most widely used still materials on the market, and they each have unique characteristics and applications. So, in actual production needs, which material is the best choice between stainless steel stills and copper stills? Read on, this article will deeply analyze the differences between copper stills and stainless steel stills from multiple angles to help you make the decision that best suits your production needs.

Copper Still

Copper stills have excellent thermal conductivity and the ability to remove sulfides, making them ideal for brewing whiskey and brandy. They can improve the purity and aroma of the distillate and are suitable for high-end craft distillation.

Stainless Steel Still

Stainless steel still is corrosion-resistant, high-strength, easy to clean, has good heat conduction, good sealing, fast cooling, fast wine output, energy saving, easy operation, can improve wine quality, ensure consistency, and is durable and has a long service life, which can provide efficient, stable and high-quality guarantee for winemaking.

Copper and stainless steel combined still

The copper and stainless steel combined still combines the advantages of copper, such as removing odors and optimizing aroma, and the corrosion resistance and stability of stainless steel. It can improve the quality of wine and reduce unpleasant odors such as sulfur. It also has good thermal conductivity and durability, ensuring distillation efficiency and equipment life.

Material

Copper: It has a certain degree of corrosion resistance, but in certain specific environments, such as humid and sulfur-containing environments, it may oxidize and corrode, generating substances such as verdigris. However, in the distilling process, the slight corrosion of copper can sometimes react with the ingredients in the wine and play a certain positive role.
Stainless steel: It contains elements such as chromium and nickel, has good corrosion resistance, has good tolerance to most chemical reagents and ingredients in the wine, is not easy to rust and corrode, can maintain the performance and sanitary condition of the equipment for a long time, and ensure that the distilled wine is not contaminated.

Flavor influence

Copper:
During the distillation process, copper can react with sulfides in the wine and convert them into water-insoluble copper sulfide, thereby removing the bad smell brought by sulfides, such as thiols can be converted into less pungent carbonyls, making the wine taste purer and smoother.
The catalytic effect of copper can promote the formation of certain ester compounds, which have an important influence on the aroma of wine, making the aroma of wine more intense, complex and natural. For example, when brandy is distilled from fruit wine, the aroma of spirits distilled in copper distiller is more natural and pure, and the fruity aroma is delicate and elegant; when whiskey is distilled from grain, the aroma of spirits distilled in copper distiller is also purer and more coordinated than that of stainless steel distiller.
It can make the taste of wine softer and mellower, reduce the spiciness and irritation, which may be due to the reaction of copper with certain components in the wine, changing the chemical composition and physical properties of the wine, making the wine more balanced and coordinated in taste.
Stainless steel:
It does not have the ability to catalyze and remove impurities. For raw liquor containing a small amount of sulfur, the spirits distilled by stainless steel distiller may have a sulfur taste.
It generally does not have an additional effect on the aroma of the wine, and usually maintains the original aroma characteristics of the wine, but sometimes it may have a negative impact on the aroma due to the inability to remove certain impurities.
It has a relatively small impact on the taste of the wine. The taste of the distilled wine is relatively direct, which may be slightly spicy and harsh, lacking the delicate and soft feeling brought by the copper distiller.

Application

Copper stills: commonly used in the brewing of whiskey, brandy, fruit wine, etc. For example, in the production of Scottish malt whiskey and French cognac, copper stills can remove sulfur, meat and other impurities in the wine, making the whiskey taste purer and smoother, and can also promote the formation of ester compounds, making the aroma more intense and complex; in brandy production, butyric acid, caproic acid, etc. can form insoluble copper salts and precipitate, improving the taste and aroma.
Stainless steel stills: widely used in the brewing of liquor, vodka, rum, etc. In the brewing of Chinese liquor, many wineries use stainless steel stills, which can ensure the original flavor and quality of the liquor and meet the needs of large-scale industrial production; for vodka, it can maintain the flavor of the original liquor, and the efficient distillation capacity and good sealing can improve the distillation efficiency and the output of the liquor; in the production of rum, the distillation operation can be carried out stably to ensure the quality and output of rum.

Service life

Normally, a properly maintained stainless steel still can last for 15-20 years, or even longer. A copper still can also last for a long time, even a lifetime, if properly handled. However, under normal use and maintenance, its service life is generally around 10-15 years.

Cost and Price

Generally speaking, the price of copper still is relatively high.

Cleaning and maintenance

Copper still: It needs to be cleaned in time after use to prevent the formation of patina and the residue of impurities. When cleaning, avoid using too sharp tools to scratch the copper surface to avoid damaging the distiller.
Stainless steel still: The surface is smooth and not easy to be stained. It can be kept clean by rinsing with clean water or using a mild detergent. It is relatively easy to clean and not prone to corrosion.

Copper still VS Stainless steel still

Cnoclusion

There is no absolute good or bad in the selection of distillation equipment, only the most suitable solution. If you pursue the essence of traditional craftsmanship and hope to distill spirits with rich taste and full flavor, copper distiller is undoubtedly the best choice; copper is famous for its excellent thermal conductivity and chemical reaction ability, which can effectively remove sulfides and make the distillate purer, especially in the production of whiskey, brandy and craft spirits. It plays an irreplaceable role.
If you pay more attention to the durability of equipment, the stability of production and the convenience of operation, then stainless steel distiller can provide long-term and reliable guarantee, which is widely used in industries such as vodka, rum, pharmaceuticals and essential oil extraction.
As an industry-leading distillation equipment manufacturer, Boben is committed to providing high-quality distillation solutions to customers around the world. Whether you need a traditional all-copper distiller, modern stainless steel equipment, or even a customized equipment combining copper and stainless steel, we can meet your needs. Please feel free to contact us!