Questions, questions, questions…

[Ginlover]

I have a long list of questions that are in no particular order.
I am interested in making Gin and have heard many times that it isn’t easy. Here are my questions.
1. I have settled on the Brewhaus Essential Extractor Pro Series II- Complete Distiller with the premium kettle and copper packing. Is this the right choice for gin?
2. What is up with Brewhaus? I’ve called multiple times and always get a busy signal or voicemail which they don’t return. I’m ready to spend over $500 dollars, but want to know that they are a legitimate site.
3. I’ve watched a distillation with a pot still and have a good idea how everything works. What is different with a reflux still?
a. What is the chain for?
b. Can at a later time could I purchase the pot still column if I wanted to make corn whiskey?
c. Can the Essential Extractor Pro Series II- Complete Distiller be used as a pot still?
4. I live in Denver at 5300 feet, what does this affect during the distillation process?
5. When making Gin, I understand there are many ways to do it, here are a few questions
a. Please correct any part of this that is off base. My understanding is that I can make a batch of sugar whisky with turbo yeast, distill it with no botanicals in my reflux still to a high proof. Then make a satchel of botanicals that I add to my still with the “low wines” from my first run. After the second distillation it will be Gin.
i. Do I leave the satchel in during distillation?
ii. Do I let the satchel steep like tea and take it out before I put the head on the still?
iii. Is there any way to suspend the satchel above the liquid in a Cadenhead style?
6. How small a batch can you put in an 8 gallon still for a second distillation?
a. If the first run is 6 gallons at 20% going in you should end up with a little over a gallon. Is that too little for a second run?
7. Do you have to clean a new still before your first run? If so how?
8. If I purchase a second fermenter how long can I leave mash it if after fermentation is complete before I have to distill?
9. How long from start to finish (warming the still to clean-up) will a run take in the EESP-II take?
10. Is it necessary to filter with activated charcoal?
a. Will a second run reduce the need for this?
b. Would I filter after the first run and before adding the botanicals?
Thank you to anyone that answers some or all of the questions…
Matthew