Buying used stills

Why used stills come up

Stills reach the market for different reasons. A distillery expands and replaces a small pair with larger ones. A craft site closes. A still reaches the end of its life in one plant but has some years left in a quieter one. The reason matters. A still sold because the owner expanded is often in better shape than one sold because it was worn out.

Always ask why the still is being sold and what it was used for. A whisky pot still, a gin still and a rum still have lived different lives and worn differently.

Copper wears away

Copper does a job in the still. It reacts with sulphur compounds in the vapour and removes them from the spirit. In doing that job, it is slowly consumed. Over years the walls thin, especially in the areas where vapour contact is highest: the shoulder, the neck, the lyne arm and the top of the condenser.

Ask for an ultrasonic thickness survey, done by an independent inspector, across the whole still. Thin patches can be repaired by a coppersmith, but a still that is thin all over may need major rebuilding. Look for green or black staining, previous patches and signs of welding repairs. Our guide to still maintenance and copper wear explains what healthy copper looks like.

Check the heating and the condensers

• Steam coils or jackets. Pressure test them. A leaking coil puts steam condensate into the wash or brings wash into the steam system.
• Direct fired bases. Check the base for heat damage and distortion.
• Condensers. Shell and tube condensers can have blocked or corroded tubes. Worm tubs can leak. Both need inspection and, ideally, a pressure test.
• Valves and fittings. Charge, discharge and safety valves wear and may not meet current standards.
• Spirit safe and receivers. Often sold separately or not at all. Budget for them if they are missing.

A used still brings its character

Still shape decides much of the spirit's character. A tall still with a reflux bowl and a rising lyne arm makes a lighter spirit. A short, wide still makes a heavier one. When you buy a used still, you buy that character. Make sure it suits the whisky you want to make.

Check the size against your plan too. A cheap still that is too small forces extra runs every day. One that is too big runs half full, which changes the copper contact and the reflux. Size it from your target output first. Our guide to pot still versus column still helps if the choice is still open.

Transport, import and compliance

A pot still is large, light and easily dented. Moving it needs careful rigging, padding and often removal of the lyne arm and condenser. Get a quote from a specialist mover before you agree a price.

Importing a second-hand still into India means customs clearance for used capital goods, which can need extra documents and inspections. Steam systems must meet the boiler regulations in force and pressure vessels may need certification before use. The state excise department will also inspect the still and its spirit handling before a licence is granted. Rules change, so check the current position with a customs agent and your licensing consultant.

Budget for refurbishment

A used still rarely goes straight into production. Plan for cleaning, a coppersmith's inspection and repairs, new gaskets and seals, new instruments and possibly new valves. A caustic boil and a few water and low strength runs come before the first real charge. Spirit from the first runs after recommissioning may need to be discarded or redistilled.

Compare the full cost, including transport, refurbishment, import and delays, against a new still of the right size. The gap is often smaller than the asking price suggests.

Questions to ask the seller

Before an inspection, ask the seller for everything they have on paper. A still with records is worth far more than one without. Ask for:

• The maker, the year of manufacture and the original drawings if they exist.
• The total volume and the normal charge volume used.
• What was distilled in it and for how many years.
• Records of repairs, patches and thickness surveys.
• Pressure test certificates for coils, jackets and condensers.
• The reason for the sale.

A seller who cannot answer basic questions about a still's history is selling a gamble. That does not always mean walk away, but it means price the risk in and insist on an independent survey before you pay a deposit.

Your first step

Before you look at any listing, write a one page spec: the volume you need, the shape and lyne arm angle that suit your spirit, the heating method and the condenser type. Measure every used still against that page. Knowing what each part does to the spirit is what lets you judge a still on more than its price.

Common questions

What should I check first on a used pot still?

Copper thickness. Get an independent ultrasonic survey, paying attention to the shoulder, neck, lyne arm and condenser where wear is highest.

Does a used still change the spirit character?

Yes. Shape, size and lyne arm angle decide much of the spirit character, so a used still brings its own style with it.

Can I import a used still into India?

It is possible but involves customs clearance for used capital goods and safety approvals. Check the current rules with a customs agent and licensing consultant.