The distillation apparatus consists basically of a distillation flask, usually fitted with a vertical fractionating column (which may be empty, or packed with suitable materials such as glass helices or stainless-steel wool) to which is attached a condenser leading to a receiving flask.
A beaker, vial or graduated cylinder could also be used.
In a vacuum distillation, a round bottom flask is used as the receiving flask, and it is securely attached with either a clamp or a yellow clip.
The next items to be added are the thermometer adaptor and thermometer.