nuffield

You won't get an accurate reading with a hydrometer. I use a refractometer to get a brix reading and convert it to SG. This is the easiest and very quick.

Best option is to buy a small second hand cooling tower.

It is possible however I doubt it very much due to costs involved. If they don't have sufficient copper contact time in the column, the potstill will smooth it, providing it is a copper potstill.

I have tried malt extract. What a disaster!!! Don't go that root if you want to produce any spirit worth aging or drinking. Trust me, the spirit has a toffee aroma and horrible taste. Stay with full grain mashes.