I plan on buying a 9 cup stainless steel version, il try both methods. I plan on covering the top part with aluminum foil and ice. Maybe rigging it so the top cup was able to be water cooled. What about using a steam distilation kit with acetone and rootbark? You could mix citric acid in with the rootbark and then steam it, if you use acidified water wouldnt it just sepperate the citrite or the acitic acid from the water. I think if i came up with a good way to seal and make the top perc into a condenser it could be an easy diy home distilation setup.