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Use this method to get your still looking its holiday best

This time of year there are holiday lights, tinsel and shiny packages nearly everywhere you look. But do you want to know what our favorite shiny holiday ornament is? One of our gorgeous handmade copper stills, of course!

 As a still owner, we're guessing you agree. If your still doesn't shine quite as brightly as it once did, it's super easy to get it in fine form for the holiday season by using one of these simple methods:

  • Cut a lemon in half, dip it in salt, and polish the copper surface of your still using a circular motion. When done, wipe the still down with a warm damp cloth and you'll be good to go.
  • Alternatively, you can make a paste with the juice from one lemon and enough salt to make a medium-thick paste. Rub that on the still, then rinse with water.
  • And if you don't have any lemons around, you can also use vinegar to make a paste with salt and proceed as above.

(You can even rub ketchup all over your still, let it sit and wipe it off to remove the tarnish, but we're betting the other methods above are slightly more appealing!)

 These methods work because the vinegar or the acid in the lemons works to break the oxidation bonds that cause your copper still to dull over time. The salt increases the number of free hydrogen ions in the mixture, which gives its cleaning power a boost.

You know what else will get a boost? Your ego, as all your holiday visitors ooh and ahh over your newly spiffed up still – definitely the most eye-catching holiday ornament in the house!

Posted by Jason Stone on


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2 comments


  • Have had one of your 5 gallon stills for about 4 years now. I put it in use about 3 times per year depending on the fruit I am using. I never cared for the corn taste. It is more fun every time I use it and find that my product becomes better with each run as I learn more and experiment more to find what I like. You mentioned cleaning the outside of the still but I like the patina from frequent uses rather than the shiny, new copper look. I thoroughly clean and sterilize the inside of everything before as well as after using but really like the outside looking as if it has been used. One question: do you sell the thermostat extra? Mine no longer reads correctly probably from being dropped when put into storage but that is a very minor issue as I now can cut the product using the look, the smell and the taste.

    Thanks,
    Larry

    L. L. Hosier on

  • So when the revenoors show up we’re on our own?
    Hide it deep in the holla’?

    Sam on

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