Home Moonshiners Blogs

The History and Survival Value of the American Copper Moonshine Still When most people think about survival, they don’t often associate it with moonshine or the copper stills used to make it. Yet since the 18th century, moonshine and its stills have been a vital part of helping people both survive and prosper. What started as a means to turn corn into tradeable whiskey has evolved into a symbol of self-reliance and freedom—values we still hold dear today. In modern times, the word "moonshine" often implies illegally made liquor. However, many legal distillers today use the term proudly to capture...

Discover how American Copper Works stills can purify water, make ethanol fuel, and produce antiseptic alcohol. A handcrafted copper still could literally save your life.

Discover how our copper moonshine stills do more than make spirits — they purify water, distill antiseptics, and fuel your independence. Built in the USA.

Why Owning a Moonshine Still Is a Tool for Survival Stills are more than just distilling equipment—they are a vital tool for survival, much like a firearm. Whether life continues as normal or we face a natural disaster, war, or a catastrophic event, owning your own still offers incredible advantages. Just as a gun represents protection and independence, a still represents self-reliance, freedom, and preparedness for any situation. From Hollywood survival films to real-world crises, we’ve all seen how fragile daily life can become. But it’s not just fiction—look at recent world events, water contamination issues like the Flint, MI...

Is Your Homemade Moonshine Still Safe? Poorly constructed or improperly soldered moonshine stills can be extremely dangerous. Contamination often comes from the materials used to build the still. One of the most hazardous designs is a still that uses an automotive radiator as a condenser. These radiators can contain toxic substances that easily leach into your distilled spirits. In some cases, residues from antifreeze—including glycol and other chemicals—can appear in the final product. Radiators used as condensers may also have lead in their solder joints or plumbing connections. Historically, these methods have caused cases of lead poisoning and even blindness...