Not only is it legal to own a still in the state of Missouri, it is legal to produce up to 200 gallons per year per household of moonshine for personal use and not for sale. This also means basic usage of a still for distilling water, vinegar, essential oils is also legal.
I could not find details on transportation of distilled spirits for personal use but because it is illegal to sell moonshine it could be likely they could consider transporting moonshine to be an attempt to sell it so it is advised to not transport bottles of moonshine since the fine is $10,000 dollars for the first offense, $25,000 for the second, and $50,000 for the third offense.
No person at least twenty-one years of age shall be required to obtain a license to manufacture intoxicating liquor, as defined in section 311.020, for personal or family use. The aggregate amount of intoxicating liquor manufactured per household shall not exceed two hundred gallons per calendar year if there are two or more persons over the age of twenty-one years in such household, or one hundred gallons per calendar year if there is only one person over the age of twenty-one years in such household. Any intoxicating liquor manufactured under this section shall not be sold or offered for sale
Missouri alcohol and tobacco control
Since there are no restrictions of owning a still legally the production of ethanol for use as fuel should be legal, but the production of ethanol fuel still requires a federal license for production
Missouri distillery licenses
Missouri has only a standard distillery license and no micro distillery options. The license costs $450 per year, as well as a tax bond.
There are several licenses you need to request to legally manufacture spirits. Below are the federal licenses only. Additional state requirements will need to be followed as well.
You must submit a request for a license to manufacture spirits: TTB 5110.41 Basic permit.
This license only allows you to produce spirits. You also need a license for the distilling equipment / distillery: TTB 5100.24 Distilled spirit plant
For manufacturing ethanol fuel you will need to submit a request for a TTB 5110.74 for a federal license.
Legally you can manufacture your own spirits for personal use up to 200 gallons per year. Selling spirits though carry heavy fines, and even transportation could be considered an attempt to sell.
Current federal laws allow citizens the right to own a still and operate it for non-alcohol production.
This means legally you can:
It is your responsibility to know the laws in your area.