Buying a Still

A Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing a Moonshine Still

Buying a still.  It sounds pretty easy, right?  Decide how much you want to spend, and what type of still you want, then go searching for the lowest price.  But, is that really the best way to go?  Let’s face it, stills are not cheap (well, any still worth owning is not, anyway), so you want to be sure that you are happy with your purchase, today and in the future.

So, what really goes in to buying a still (or should), whether it is your first ever moonshine still or you are upgrading your current system?  Price definitely plays a key role, but it should not be a defining factor in your decision.  Nobody wants to overpay, but as someone once told me, “You get what you pay for… and sometimes you pay for what you get.”  I was raised to always go after value, not just price.  That is not to say that I do not look for the best deal, but do not confuse that for the lowest price.

This is very important when purchasing an alcohol still.  Not only are you about to shell out a sizable amount of money, but you are also about to embark on a whole new hobby (or potential commercial business), distilling a highly flammable product!  That brings safety and support into top spots on your decision making- or it should!  This is not to say that all moonshine stills are bad or dangerous unless you spend a lot of money, it is just to make sure that you keep this thought at the forefront as you embark on your still-buying journey.

Does this mean that you will end up paying far more for your shiny new moonshine still?  Not necessarily.  It simply means that you need to start by refining your search to suppliers who actually support the product they are selling.  As tempting as it is to purchase through a marketplace where the product is sold and shipped directly from a supplier in another country, what happens when you receive a damaged part, a part is missing, or parts do not fit together as they should?  We had a customer contact us needing support after purchasing a still from China this way.  We suggested they contact where they purchased it from, to which they responded, “Do you really think they are going to help me?”  My point exactly.  They ran into an issue, and could not receive support.  We receive calls almost daily with this type of issue, and I apologize in advance, but we must work to support our products and customers, not those purchased elsewhere.  This is not to say that we are the only supplier supporting what we sell, but with all of the cheap goods being dumped online, it does mean that you should do a little research before deciding where to purchase your new still, to protect your investment and yourself.

Not all marketplaces are bad

I am not insinuating that you should avoid marketplaces and marketplace vendors, just to make sure that you will receive the support that you will most likely need given the complexities of a good alcohol still.  What it does mean is that, if you are considering a marketplace purchase, make sure that the seller is a real business that specializes in distilling.  With many Chinese producers willing to drop-ship directly to the buyer, anyone can now sell stills online with no real knowledge or ability to properly support you- they can just create an account with a marketplace and put items up for sale.  With little to no investment and little time required, they can offer the products cheaper than others.  But, is this really a good deal?

My suggestion, and what I do when purchasing items myself, is to make sure that where I am purchasing is a real business with knowledge of what I am purchasing, and there to support me if/when I need it.  This may still be on a marketplace, but I cannot overstate the importance of being able to get support, especially with a purchase of this value.

Brewhaus has now started a marketplace, but with a bit of a twist.  It was started in order to offer you a one-stop shop for all distilling and brewing products, providing the largest selection available in one place.  The difference is that we are working with existing suppliers in the home brewing and distilling industry to ensure that you are able to receive the support you need.  In addition, we have partnered with some manufacturers to warehouse, ship, and support, their products.  This means that we are able to bring you a wide selection of moonshine stills, at the lowest pricing, but you are also assured of after-sales support, so whether it is a simple question about the still, replacement parts, or anything else, you have someone to turn to.

Call or e-mail the supplier

My last piece of advice is this- before you shell out that money for your new moonshine still, call or e-mail the supplier with questions.  Ask them about the equipment and even differences between different stills they offer.  If you find it difficult to get support before you even give them money, just imagine the level of support you will receive after they have it.

Price still remains an important factor.  With many suppliers selling (literally) the same piece of equipment. you want the best price.  Just remember to balance that with the ability to get support when you need it.

Just because another company sells the same equipment does not mean that you can call them for support when you have a problem.
As a buyer, I always try to support the company that can support me in return, so that they are there to support me when I need it.  An alcohol still is a big purchase, and you will likely require support at some point.  Plan ahead, and ensure smooth sailing in your exciting new hobby.