This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Read our complete summary for more info.
Clawhammer Supply Still Design
Clawhammer Supply Still Anatomy 101:

Components of a Clawhammer Supply Copper Still
- Boiler: Holds the low alcohol wash, which is heated and distilled into high-proof alcohol.
- Vapor Cone: Directs the alcohol vapor into the column.
- Cap Skirt: Allows the column to slide into the vapor cone. The cap skirt is attached to the bottom of the column. The cap skirt and boiler are joined together with teflon tape. This makes the column removable from the boiler, allowing for filling, emptying, and cleaning.
- Cap Plate: Provides structural support for the column.
- Copper Column: Directs the vapor from the vapor cone into the condenser. The column can be run with a packed column or left unpacked. If the column is not packed, the unit functions like a pot still. If the column is packed, the unit functions more like a reflux still.
- Condenser: Uses cool water to drop the alcohol vapor back into a liquid. The condenser is simply connected to a garden hose that provides the necessary cool water.
- Drip Arm: Directs high-proof alcohol from the still and heat source into the collection jar. The drip arm is a length of copper pipe.
Clawhammer Supply’s still design is known as a hybrid column or fractioning still design. Our design is not a true pot or reflux still.
According to federal rules and regulations, our stills can be used to purify water or make essential oils without any permits. However, states generally require permits for any type of alcohol production and sometimes even for the stills themselves. The information below is predicated on the assumption that the user has procured federal permits as well as the proper permits required by their state and local govnernment.
Reflux stills are very effective at making rubbing alcohol, fuel alcohol, and other types of flavorless alcohol, but can be overkill for making more flavorful products, such as traditional whiskey. They also generally do not include copper parts, and thus, the final product does not benefit from the removal of sulfides, making it less desirable than whiskey distilled with a pot or hybrid still.
Pot stills allow for more flavors to transfer from mash ingredients into the final product. The subtleties of these flavors from a pot still increase the complexity and overall character of the whiskey. Pot stills are less efficient than reflux or hybrid stills, usually creating a lower-proof spirit.
Clawhammer Supply’s design borrows the best features from pot still and reflux column designs. Our design uses a pure copper boiler, an all-copper fractioning column without the reflux coil, and a simple and efficient in-line condenser. These elements allow for greater efficiency than a standard pot still and more flavor retention than reflux stills. Essentially, our stills distill quickly and efficiently without stripping the character from the final product.
how do yo run the condensing part the water hose?
do I need ice in the dripper were it collects?
if I hook the water hose in bottom will it get mix in the collecting jar . recently bought one its my 2 run with no luck thanks
Please Add me to your distribution list
Please add me to the mailling list!
I just bought the 1 gallon copper still and was wondering if it will produce a good quality produce or is it even worth it to get this size of still?
Thanks
Matt
Can you show me a diagram of how and where water hose hooks up to a 8gallon stainless copper still
If you have a question and answer section please add me.
I read an article that the 10 gallon all Cooper would only make ? to 120 by it self. But add copper wool to colon along with thumper and proof would go up to 130 to 160. Is this right. The statement I ask where could you install a thumper caig?
I read an article that the 10 gallon all Cooper would only make ? to 120 by it self. But add copper wool to colon along with thumper and proof would go up to 130 to 160. Is this right. The statement I ask where could you install a thumper caig?
A tip to save water: I use a sump pump in a 50 gal barrel and recycle the water through the still. As the water warms up, I dump a couple of pre made ice
blocks into the barrel. Using “city water” even with a low flow , to cool the still requires more water than you might think.
I am looking for some recommendations. I have the following in my cart.
-5 gallon copper still
- proofing hydrometer
-column packing
-boiler thermometer
do I need a column thermometer? Do you recommend anything else.
I am a plumber and would like to build my own parrot. can you send me the cut lengths of tubing?
Thank you, kevin.
how thick is the bottom plate of your copper still and are you going to make a doubler kit
i would like to be added to your to your distribution list.i was also wondering if a second distillation is necessary with you style still, or if one is sufficient?
Hey i was wondering if there is a place to see the answers to these questions? if so, sign me up! thanks
please add me to your distribution list. I would like to read the answers to these questions.
thanks
How much shine will I get from a 5 gal. Still. Do I through away first bit of shine ( how much) when first starts to run. And when do I stop my run.
when you run a 1.060 to 1.070 SG, approx. 6% ABV distillers beer through one of your stills would you expect your cuts to occur somewhere between 110 and 70 proof?
what do you typically expect??
Please add me to your distribution list.
Thank you
When distilling How much if any alcohol do I have to discard when running my second run at the beginning. Like your forshot on your first run.
Just want to get on board so I can read some of the answers to these questions. Thanks
I would like a cost for 8 gallon cooper still ready to go with temp gauge on boiler and top of colum, also heating element and electric hot plate,and roughly how long would it take to distill 8 gallons ,