The copper kazan
Persia and India, rich in copper ore, are considered the homeland of the coppersmith’s craft. Copper vessels are first mentioned in Greece in the 3rd century BC, and the Romans learned of them through the Greeks. Yet throughout the Middle Ages Europe used earthenware; the Balkans were the only part of Europe where copper vessels were made and used.
Coppersmiths are first mentioned in 1511. The craft reached its peak at the beginning of the 20th century, and between the two world wars demand for copper goods slowly declined.
Kazans today
Today coppersmiths mostly make stills for rakija, vineyard sprayers and do repairs. The heart of the workshop was the fire on which copper was melted; it was then beaten out into sheets with heavy hammers, and the piece was made from them. A complete kazan has five parts.
1. The copper pot
The pot sits in the firebox and the fruit mash is cooked in it; traditionally it is made of copper. There are two ways to stop the mash from burning:
- A kazan without a stirrer has a copper insert or grate that keeps the solid parts of the mash off the bottom, so they are not scorched during distillation.
- A kazan with a stirrer has a hand or electric stirrer of brass and stainless steel that resists the organic acids in the mash. Turned a few times every 5–6 minutes, it spreads the heat evenly, all but removes the risk of burning and reduces foaming.
2. The cap
The cap is the lid of the kazan. It catches the alcohol vapour rising from the boiling mash and leads it into the pipe. It is made of the finest copper sheet in a pear shape and carries a bimetal thermometer to follow the temperature in the pot. The joints between cap, pot and pipe are sealed with water.
3. The firebox
Made entirely of 1.5 mm boiler plate with reinforced edges, a door and an ash pan. Tipping fireboxes have a handle to tilt the upper part and empty the pot. It stands on three legs for stability, painted with waterproof lacquer.
4. The vapour pipe (lula)
The copper pipe that joins the cap and the condenser, where the vapour begins to cool; its joints with the dome and the condenser are sealed with water.
5. The condenser (tabarka)
A 330-litre water tank of galvanised or stainless steel, with a copper coil of five turns inside. On request a cylinder can be built into it.
