Why Does DES Use European T1 Copper for Its Stills?

What is the difference between T1 and T2 copper, and why does it matter when choosing a brandy distillation still?

When buying a distillation still, one of the most important differences is not in its appearance, but in the material it is made from.

DES stills are made from European T1 copper of DHP quality, with a purity of 99.95% and higher. We choose this copper because of its consistent quality, traceable origin, strict control, and long-term reliability.

On the market, you can often find stills made from T2 copper, a material which, according to the standard, contains a lower percentage of copper and silver, most commonly 99.90%. On paper, this difference may seem small, but in a still that operates for years under high temperatures and in contact with steam, alcohol, and organic acids, the quality of the material becomes very important.

T1 and T2 copper are not the same.

T2 copper is often used in industrial production, for cables, conductors, electric motors, transformers, and similar applications. It is a material with its own purpose, but a distillation still is not an ordinary industrial product.

In a still, copper is not used only for its attractive traditional appearance. It transfers heat, participates in the distillation process, and directly affects the stability of the equipment’s operation. That is why DES does not choose a material that only meets the minimum requirements, but copper with proven origin, consistent quality, and documentation.

The difference is not only in the price of the still.

At first glance, a still made from T2 copper may seem more affordable. However, with professional equipment, true value is not measured only by the initial price.

In one specific comparative offer, the difference between a DES still and a still from overseas amounted to approximately 10% of the total investment.

For that difference, a DES customer receives:

• European T1 copper of DHP quality, with a purity of 99.95% and higher

• 2-year warranty instead of 1 year

• included installation

• included operator training

• shorter delivery time, up to 2 months instead of up to 4 months

• direct communication with the manufacturer

• faster service

• more accessible spare parts

• the security of knowing who to contact if support is needed
  
  

For equipment that should operate for 10, 15, or 20 years, the initial saving is not always a real saving.

Additional costs often appear later: waiting time, complicated delivery, import costs, additional installation, slower communication, production downtime, or a warranty claim that has to be resolved over a long distance.

A single serious interruption in the operation of a distillery can cancel out any initial price difference.

A DES still is an investment in reliable production.

When you choose a DES still, you are not choosing only a copper distillation unit. You are choosing a manufacturer that has been producing stills since 1961, European material, local production, professional installation, training, and support.

That is the difference between equipment that is more affordable only on paper and equipment that provides greater long-term security.

Why does DES choose T1 copper?

Because a high-quality still must start with a high-quality material.

Because distillation requires stability, precision, and trust.

Because you are not buying a still for one season, but for years of operation.

DES stills are made from European T1 copper of DHP quality, with a purity of 99.95% and higher — for producers who want equipment they can rely on.

Choose a still that starts with a better material. Explore the DES offer and find the right solution for your distillery.