How to Distill

Distillation is a traditional process used to separate and concentrate different components through evaporation and condensation.

Copper stills have been used for centuries for different types of distillation. They can be used to distill aromatic plants to obtain hydrosols and essential oils, as well as fermented materials for the production of spirits, where permitted by law.

Although the basic principle is the same, the preparation, control of the process and final product are different depending on what is being distilled.

🌿 Distilling Aromatic Plants

Steam distillation is a traditional method used to obtain hydrosols and essential oils from aromatic plants.

The objective is for steam to pass through the plant material, carrying its volatile aromatic compounds towards the condenser, where they are cooled and transformed back into liquid.

Preparing the Still

Whenever possible, use distilled water. If distilled water is not available, use water that is as clean and low in minerals as possible.

For steam distillation, it is preferable to keep the aromatic plants separated from the boiling water.

Depending on the type of still, the plants can be placed in a perforated column, basket or on a suitable grid, allowing the steam to pass through the botanical material without boiling it directly.

Do not pack the plants excessively. Steam needs to circulate freely through the botanical material.

💧 Cooling the Condenser

The condenser must remain sufficiently cold throughout the distillation process.

When using a condenser with water connections:

Cold water enters through the lower connection and warmer water exits through the upper connection.

This keeps the cooling system efficiently filled with water while the vapour travelling through the condenser cools and returns to liquid form.

🔥 During Distillation

Begin heating the still and monitor the process.

Once the distillate begins to flow, regulate the heat so that it comes out in a slow and steady stream — neither excessively fast nor simply drop by drop.

Always make sure that sufficient water remains in the boiler throughout the process.

🌸 Hydrosol and Essential Oil

The product obtained from aromatic plant distillation is primarily hydrosol together with a certain amount of essential oil.

The quantity of essential oil obtained varies depending on the type of plant, the amount of botanical material used, its quality and condition, and its natural essential-oil content.

After distillation, allow the distillate to settle. A separatory funnel can be used to separate the hydrosol and essential oil. For very small quantities of essential oil, a pipette or similar instrument may be more practical.

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🥃 Distilling Spirits

Traditional copper stills can also be used to distill fermented materials for the production of spirits and other alcoholic distillates, subject to the legislation applicable in each country or region.

Alcoholic distillation starts with a fermented raw material.

Different fermented materials are traditionally used to produce different spirits. Grapes and other fruits, cereals, sugar cane and other fermentable raw materials can all form the basis of traditional alcoholic distillates.

For example, brandy is traditionally obtained from wine; whisky is produced from fermented cereals; rum from sugar-cane products; and other traditional spirits are produced from different fermented fruits, grains or plants. Texto pegado

How Alcoholic Distillation Works

Alcoholic distillation is based on differences in the volatility of the components contained in a fermented mixture.

As the fermented material is heated, its volatile components evaporate. These vapours travel through the still towards the condenser, where they are cooled and return to liquid form.

The characteristics of the distillate change throughout the process. For this reason, alcoholic distillation is traditionally divided into different fractions.

🥃 Heads, Hearts and Tails

The three traditional fractions are known as heads, hearts and tails. Texto pegado

Heads

The heads are the first fraction collected during distillation. They contain a greater proportion of the more volatile components and are separated from the main distillate.

Hearts

The hearts are the central fraction of the distillation and the principal fraction traditionally retained when producing a spirit.

Tails

The tails appear towards the end of the distillation and contain a greater proportion of compounds with higher boiling points. They are separated from the hearts and, depending on the distillation method, may be discarded or redistilled.

Recognising the transition between these fractions is an important part of the art and experience of traditional distillation.

Measuring the Distillate

An alcoholmeter can be used to measure the alcoholic strength of the distillate.

Temperature, alcoholic strength, aroma and the evolution of the distillate provide useful information about how the distillation is progressing.

Experience plays an important role in learning to recognise the different stages of the process.

⚠️ Alcohol Distillation and Legislation

The production and distillation of alcohol is regulated differently depending on the country or region.

Always check and comply with the legislation and licensing requirements applicable in your location before distilling alcohol.

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🧼 Cleaning and Maintenance

Proper cleaning is essential for maintaining a copper still and avoiding residues or aromas from previous distillations.

It is useful to distinguish between routine cleaning and a more thorough internal cleaning distillation.

🆕 First Use — Cleaning Distillation

Before using a new copper still for the first time, we recommend carrying out a cleaning distillation.

Fill approximately 40% of the boiler capacity with water and add approximately 5% rye flour. Texto pegado

This cleaning distillation is particularly useful for cleaning the inside of the still and the entire vapour path.

As the steam travels through the equipment, it helps loosen and carry away residues and impurities from areas that are difficult to clean manually, especially the inside of the condenser coil tubing.

🔄 Cleaning When Changing the Use of the Still

A cleaning distillation is also particularly useful when changing the purpose of the still.

We especially recommend it when changing between:

Alcohol distillation → aromatic plant distillation

or

Aromatic plant distillation → alcohol distillation

This helps remove residues and aromas remaining inside the boiler, vapour pathway and condenser coil before beginning a different type of distillation. Texto pegado

When changing only from one aromatic plant to another, thorough routine cleaning may be sufficient. A cleaning distillation can nevertheless be carried out when you particularly want to avoid transferring aromas from one botanical to another.

✨ Routine Copper Cleaning

For normal maintenance, the still can be cleaned with water and mild soap when necessary, followed by thorough rinsing and complete drying.

Traditional methods for cleaning copper include:

• vinegar and salt
• lemon or citric acid and salt

After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry the copper carefully and immediately. Texto pegado

Commercial copper-cleaning products may be used when appropriate on the outside of the still.

For the internal surfaces involved in the distillation process, we recommend suitable traditional cleaning methods followed by thorough rinsing, avoiding chemical cleaning residues inside the equipment.

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⚠️ Safety and Good Practice

Before each distillation:

• Check that the still is correctly assembled.
• Make sure that the vapour pathway and condenser are unobstructed.
• Never completely fill the boiler.
• Keep the still on a stable and heat-resistant surface.
• Work in a sufficiently ventilated area.
• Take care around hot copper, steam and hot liquids.
• Never allow the boiler to run dry while it is being heated.
• Never leave a working still unattended.

Allow the equipment to cool before dismantling or cleaning it.

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Discover Traditional Copper Distillation

A traditional copper still is an extraordinarily versatile piece of equipment: from aromatic plants, hydrosols and essential oils to traditional alcoholic distillates, where legally permitted.

Understanding the process, keeping the equipment clean and adapting the technique to the material being distilled are essential for achieving good results.

Need help choosing the right copper still or capacity? Contact Alkimista and we will be happy to help.