How To Use A Moonshine Thumper?

How To Infuse Flavor Into Moonshine with a Thumper Keg – Distillers usually add spirit tails, low wines, water, or whiskey to their thumper keg to cool the alcohol vapors coming from the potstill. However, you can include other fruits, herbs, or spices to add different flavor combinations to your spirits.

Adding fruit infused spirits to the thumper keg Place your chosen fruits, herbs, and spices into a large container of low wines or head/tail spirits and let it sit for a week or two. The flavor of your ingredients will gradually infuse the solution. Add this solution to the bottom of the thumper keg to impart the flavors it contains. Adding juice or oils directly to the thumper keg Ingredients like apple juice, peach juice, blackberry juice, lemon juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, and coconut oil can be added directly to the thumper keg to impart flavor. Adding raw ingredients directly into the thumper keg Some distillers will add fruit peel, herbs, spices, and mashed fruit directly to the thumper keg. Just be aware that mashed fruit will need to be added in large quantities and may be messy to clean up. If using this technique to add fruit, make sure your produce is very ripe.

When using the thumper keg to add flavors, it’s best to add your ingredients after the spirit’s heads have been extracted. This will ensure the flavors are impacting the part of the distillation which you actually drink. Related: Beginner Moonshine Stills

How does a moonshine thumper work?

How does a Thumper Keg work? – The thumper keg uses the waste heat emitted by the steam pot, making it a very efficient distillation apparatus. As the hot vapor exits the still, it passes through the arm into the low wine that’s already condensed in the bottom of the thump keg. This process heats the liquid again, sending highly purified alcohol vapors from the still to the condenser.

What do you put in a thumper when distilling?

Thumper or No Thumper? – A thumper setup allows for a secondary distillation without having to run the distillate a second time. Based on the design parameters, the use of a parasitic kettle may require more BTUs to run than a single distilling kettle, but likely not as many BTUs when compared to running two completely separate distillations.

In addition, since the thumper contains a measure of liquid to facilitate another phase-change cycle, there will be heat exchange occurring within the thumper that may reduce the amount of cooling capacity required to cool the finished distillate. Again, these variables would be predicated upon the design and size of the parasitic kettle.

The noteworthy savings, however, will be man hours needed to render a product that is more desirable for consumption. The operator can choose to “charge” the thumper with water, alcohol, or even an additional flavoring component that may result in the formation of additional carboxylic acids that can add to the complexity of the finished spirit.

Do you put water in a thumper keg?

Water: Better Than Nothing – When I first learned about thumpers, I assumed that you would just use water in it, but Rick says that water would actually be your last resort. He said that it technically works, but if you use water then you’re not getting the benefits of using something that already has alcohol present. I hope this info helped you learn more about what to put in your thumper when you’re making moonshine. If you still have questions, feel free to send us a message through Facebook or contact us through our website. Happy distilling! : Best Liquid To Use in Thumper

Why use a thumper?

While generally associated with the backwoods whiskey still, the thump keg, or “doubler”, is a very old design element that probably arrived with the early settlers and was incorporated into the stills they built on arriving in North America (Fig.1).

How big of a thumper do I need for a 5 gallon still?

Home Distiller Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper. Moderator: Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:49 pm by » Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:36 am With a 220v heated 20 gallon boiler and a 2″ coper pot still head down to 1/2″ outlet, what would be a correct size thumper to add on? I have two stainless vessels, a 13 gallon olive jug that was the boiler on my first still and a 5 gallon corny keg. Posts: Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:25 am Location: Tennessee by » Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:21 pm A thumper should be 30-40% the size of your main boiler, so the five gallon would be marginal at best. Plumping is simple: the inlet from the main boiler should extend almost to the bottom of the thumper; the outlet should just penetrate the lid.

1. Big R “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.
2. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” William Pitt Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:49 pm by » Thu Mar 07, 2013 2:29 pm Thank you.
3. Is there ryme or reason to the 30-40% rule? Also, how do you run the thumper, do you put feints or mash or anything in it to start off with? Does it make sense to pypass a thumper to collect foreshots, then use switch to the thumper? If that makes sense I was going to do some sort of valve set up to make it work that way.

Thanks again. Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:49 pm by » Thu Mar 07, 2013 4:49 pm I just read up a bit on thumpers and i see that theres a relationship in size and also that the starting liquid should be of high ABV for best results. I also read that bubbles from the dip tube make the thumper more effective. Posts: Joined: Wed Nov 17, 2010 2:25 am Location: Tennessee by » Fri Mar 08, 2013 6:08 am I’m not sure I’d try anything like an airstone because thumpers do create some back pressure and you need to keep that at a minimum. You’re working with volatile gasses so you want the system to be open as much as possible.

1. I have read that some individuals do not recommend using thumpers because of the potential for excessive back pressure, although IMO that’s mostly caused by carelessness and lack of knowledge.
2. The thumper size is important because part of the process involves transfer of liquids from the main boiler to the thumper, so the liquid volume in the thumper does increase throughout the run.

You need sufficient size to accommodate that. The ABV of the thumper charge doesn’t have a significant effect on your final distillate; at best you will only gain a 2-3% increase in your distillate’s ABV. You can charge the thumper with just about anything, wash, low wines, feints, backset, or even water, the difference being the effect on the flavor profile.

When I do brandies I charge my thumper with a combination of fruit concentrate and low wines, for an example. I’m not sure trying to valve off the fores would be of any value. A thumper, to some degree, compress the fractions, so when you switched back to the thumper it would compress more fores that would be in the heads.

Big R “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” William Pitt Admin Posts: Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 9:19 am Location: occupied south by » Fri Mar 08, 2013 8:52 am Seen thumper from 1/3 to same size as boilers.Tube that runs to near bottom of thumper can be cut at angle or l or t shaped with slots/holes in it to spread steam from boiler or just open at ends Ive only used tube cut at angle and opened ended t.Couldn’t really tell any difference.On a 20 gallon boiler 3/4 in would be minimum Id run 1 1/2 maybe 2 all the way through worm included on boiler that size would be ideal for me.Remember bigger tube easier it is to push steam through it.

• I use a pot still.Sometimes with a thumper Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:45 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 10:54 am I’ve learned that this can easily be determined by a very simple formula using only multiplication and division.
• Be sure to keep in mind that the calculations may vary from each wash you make so it would be ideal to have more than one size thumper available.

I made mine with soft copper and compression fittings attached to different sized glass jar lids so they can easily be changed out. (I’m only distilling 10-12 gallon wash on my rig) Very simply take the amount of wash or mash that you make and multiply it by the amount of alcohol present in your mash.

(Remember percentage is always divided by 100 when used in calculations) Here is an example: 5 gals. (wash/mash) x,10% (alcohol) =,5 gallon (thumper) So a 5 gal. wash containing 10% alcohol will require a 1/2 gallon thumper, and so on. The higher your volume and the higher your alkeehol the larger your thumper as the lower your volume and lower your alkeehol will require a smaller thumper of course Hope this helps! Cheers! WhoDat! Last edited by on Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:57 pm, edited 2 times in total.

Trainee Posts: Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:45 pm by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:50 pm DwhoDat you are way off. First off as Bushman said. “NO GLASS” second your calculations are totally wrong. As stated your thumper should be 30-40% the size of your boiler so for a 5 gal.

1. Boiler the minimum would be 1.67 gal.
2. So I think you need to forget what you have seen on you-tube and read elsewhere and a lot of research here before you proceed.
3. If you are not living on the “Edge”, then you are taking up too much space!!! Trainee Posts: Joined: Tue Jul 24, 2012 4:45 pm by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 1:55 pm Yankee, I put a 90* elbow at the end of my down tube so I have a piece of pipe running parallel to the bottom of my thumper which I drilled about 20 small holes into in order to distribute the bubbles out.

I am not sure if it makes any dif. in my outcome or not though. If you are not living on the “Edge”, then you are taking up too much space!!! Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:45 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:11 pm Guys, I see no problems using glass at such a low temperature, I’ve used glass with no issues and have seen it done with no issues many times.

• I agree that there are much better materials out there to design a more solid well functioning thumper, but in a pinch it works.
• If me mentioning using glass here is an issue then I will keep it to myself from now on but I am personally certain in heat well under 200* F there will be no issues.
• And OBX Phantom, please point out to me exactly how I am “way off” and how these calculations I mentioned above are “totally wrong” As far as your YouTube comment goes I’d rather take advice from a 3-year-old girl than to take any advice from most of those YouTube jack-wagons distilling out of a coffee can and a plastic pickle jar in their mother’s basement so you can miss me that one bud.

Nice try though Last but not least the calculations I mentioned in my reply can be found in a book written by Rick Morris owner of Brewhaus America inc. and author of “The Joy of Home Distilling” Rick lives in Keller Texas about 20 minutes from me and has a store there that I frequently visit.

I’m sure he would love to know a better formula if you have one, I will be glad to take it to him just to see the expression on his face. Cheers! retired Posts: Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:22 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:23 pm As to sizing.the big issue is that there is some liquid transfer during the run to your thumper.

As long as your thumper is large enough to handle this.along with whatever volume you start with in the thumper.and still have some headroom left.then you are ok. The sizing should roughly be based on what you expect the output volume of the potstill to be.for a given still charge.PLUS.whatever you start with when you fill the thumper.PLUS some overhead.

• That’s the way I learned it.and what I see when I run one.
• I’m sure there’s probably some way to figure out a calc based on that.
• But, it’s not that hard to figure out.
• Glass.it’s not just how high the temp goes.but tollerances to temp swings (cold/hot).
• Different types/grades of glass.have different tollerances for that sort of thing.

Hope you pick the right one for any given task. How a thumper runs when filled to different volumes is another issue. Lots of people are running thumper same size as the pot for extra room. I think most of them are actually using the extra space to add more wash during stripping runs.

Having the extra metal could add to heat up times. But, you wouldn’t have to worry about overfilling it. You can always run “less” volume.but when you run out of room, you run out of room. Lastly, the downtube.the main issue is that you don’t clog it up.which could create a backpressure situation.

So, whatever you do.slant cut it, or drill holes.etc.make sure you have it so if something solid comes over, or you put something that has solids in it in your thumper.that it won’t clog it up. Site Donor Posts: Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm Location: The wilds of rural California by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:24 pm DWhoDat wrote: If me mentioning using glass here is an issue then I will keep it to myself from now on but I am personally certain in heat well under 200* F there will be no issues.

It is and please do. We consider it a safety issue and most here will not entertain discussion. Ok? In the meantime, please do the reading that has been requested of you. Avoid doing so at your own peril. tp Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:45 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:31 pm Also to the following comment, “.thumper should be 30-40% the size of your boiler so for a 5 gal.

boiler the minimum would be 1.67 gal.” The size of your boiler is irrelevant when there is no calculation to what is in it. By this statement if I had a 5 gal. boiler with only 1 gal. of wash @ 5% then I would need almost a 2 gal. thumper??? I don’t think so.

1. Even if I had a 5 gal.
2. Wash at 20% and a second 5 gal.
3. Wash @ 5% both would require different sized thumpers to get the most potential ABV.
4. Too big, no good, too small no good.
5. There is no midpoint.
6. Retired Posts: Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:22 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:45 pm I don’t reckon most folks would want to be computing a new build for their thumper based on what they were running each time.

So, more commonly, the “minimum would be based off the potential max of the size of the “rig” (ie., how much it holds). You can always run less volume in it.but you can’t run more than the size it is. retired Posts: Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:35 pm Location: Virginia, USA by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 3:50 pm DWhodat, you’re not winning any friends here with your attitude.

• The issue with glass thumpers has been beaten to death here on the forums – you won’t win that argument.
• Use it if you think it’s a safe option for you, your property, and your family, but please don’t try to persuade any other newbie coming along that it’s OK.
• Rick Morris is well respected around here because of his work toward trying to legalize the hobby, but as far as I know, he’s not an authority on distillation – that is, he doesn’t participate in the open forums very often.

The guidelines we have here for thumper size come from years of experience among the members of the forums. We recommend at least 1/3rd the size of the boiler to assure that it doesn’t overfill and puke. It’s not something you need to switch out with every size wash you run. retired Posts: Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:03 pm DWhoDat wrote: I agree that there are much better materials out there to design a more solid well functioning thumper,. No arguments here. DWhoDat wrote:,but in a pinch it works.

Trying to imagine that scenario. Oh, crap, I left my thumper in my other car, can I use your Skippy jar to whip up a quickie? Shouting and shooting, I can’t let them catch me. Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:45 am by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 4:12 pm Bellybuster it can effect the distillation process if the content of the thumper isn’t matched properly to the wash amount and/or wash alcohol % so yes, it can.

S-Cack. I’m not attempting to win any friends I’m just responding to comments made in contradiction to my reply. As far as Rick goes I’m not sure how one could determine who is an authority on distillation and who isn’t but I do know that he has many years of distilling just as I am sure many here do and many here don’t.

As far as assembling a thumper, in aspect to the theory I mentioned here, it could easily be designed to be removed and replaced on smaller sized stills with quick fittings or even compression fittings. These are my opinions, I thought that’s what forums were all about not everyone gang up on the new guy.

these statements are simply my opinions just as everyone else here has their’s as well right? retired Posts: Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:35 pm Location: Virginia, USA by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 5:06 pm DWhoDat wrote: Bellybuster it can effect the distillation process if it the content of the thumper isn’t matched properly to the wash and/or wash % so yes, it can.

Do you have factual information to support this? S-Cack. I’m not attempting to win any friends I’m just responding to comments made in contradiction to my reply. And why do you think members here might be contradicting you? They must feel that what you’re throwing out here as fact is wrong. As far as Rick goes I’m not sure how one could determine who is an authority on distillation and who isn’t but I do know that he has many years of distilling just as I am sure many here do and many here don’t.

Rick doesn’t post here about his involvement in distillation and that’s why I don’t cite him as an authority. Being a business man, selling stills, and using his real name, I would imagine you’ve done him a big favor by outing him as being involved in the hobby.

1. Hope he has a license.
2. As far as assembling a thumper, in aspect to the theory I mentioned here, it could easily be designed to be removed and replaced on smaller sized stills with quick fittings or even compression fittings.
3. These are my opinions, I thought that’s what forums were all about not everyone gang up on the new guy.

these statements are simply my opinions just as everyone else here has their’s as well right? You didn’t present any of it as an “opinion” for others to weigh in on. It was presented as factual information which can be confusing to someone new to the hobby. Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:54 pm Location: Hiding In the Boiler room of the Insane asylum by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 7:41 pm bellybuster wrote: so thumper size has effect on ABV??? I ask because I seriously had no idea that was even a factor.

1. Just a thought, a bigger thumper has more passive reflux.
2. With enough reflux a thumper acts like a big bubble plate and the output ABV goes up.
3. HD Distilling Goddess Posts: Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2013 8:05 pm Location: The western Valley by » Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:13 pm DWhoDat wrote: I’ve learned that this can easily be determined by a very simple formula using only multiplication and division.

Be sure to keep in mind that the calculations may vary from each wash you make so it would be ideal to have more than one size thumper available. I made mine with soft copper and compression fittings attached to different sized glass jar lids so they can easily be changed out.

• I’m only distilling 10-12 gallon wash on my rig) Very simply take the amount of wash or mash that you make and multiply it by the amount of alcohol present in your mash.
• Remember percentage is always divided by 100 when used in calculations) Here is an example: 5 gals.
• Wash/mash) x,10% (alcohol) =,5 gallon (thumper) So a 5 gal.

wash containing 10% alcohol will require a 1/2 gallon thumper, and so on. The higher your volume and the higher your alkeehol the larger your thumper as the lower your volume and lower your alkeehol will require a smaller thumper of course Hope this helps! Cheers! WhoDat! You’re formula assumes you are only bringing pure alcohol into the thumper,

Unfortunately that is false, at best with a 10% ABV wash you will be bringing only 65% ABV distillate to the thumper you failed to factor in the other 35% plus as the run continues the incoming ABV will lessen increasing the amount of residual fluids left in the thumper taking up volume of you’re theoretical 1/2 gallon thumper.

In the full run of 5 gallons of 10% ABV you will transfer in excess of 1 gallon to the thumper plus the original charge you put into it. You sir will have a mess with those calculations. That is why we recommend 1/3 the size of the boiler for a thumper,

It factors in a safety margin. Glass is definitely no good. You say it will handle 200 plus degree vapors but if something accidently hits it and it shatters you again will have serious problems. Have you seen what hot glass does when something cold hits it. Typically it cracks. If you chose to run glass that is you’re decision do not recommend it to others on this site, period.

I am also curious why you brought this back up, you responded to a post that was 2 years old. I too see you have 6 posts here, that doesn’t determine your experience but as a statement of fact, how many ferments and runs have you made with your 1/2 gallon thumper to be able to state your theory as fact.

retired Posts: Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:22 am by » Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:19 pm If I could offer a bridge here.this is what i’d say: It’s often in the translation that things get lost. Somebody who actually knows something.tells somebody else.who remembers part of it.and just passes on what they heard.without really understanding it.

That’s really inherent in this kind of format. We know and understand that. And would not certainly hold that against anyone who admits.that’s the case. It happens all the time. But, you have to realize.that people here been runnin stills (of all kinds) for many years.who know how much output/volume a given still might have (given a still charge) to realize that those calcs attributed to you (or whomever) are off. Posts: Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm Location: The wilds of rural California by » Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:19 pm bellybuster wrote: shadylane wrote: bellybuster wrote: so thumper size has effect on ABV??? I ask because I seriously had no idea that was even a factor. tp (with no room to talk) Novice Posts: Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2015 8:45 am by » Sat Feb 21, 2015 5:12 am I stand by my calculations and will respectfully disagree with those who believe differently here. With that being said I will agree that glass can be a safety issue with heat change and don’t recommended anyone to use it although I have seen it work fine over years of use on a small still.

I would definitely recommend other material than glass in any case though. This I agree with. retired Posts: Joined: Sat Aug 18, 2007 8:22 am by » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:46 am WhoDat.so be it. When you get your rig built using those calcs.you be sure to document it good (pics, etc) and let everybody know how it runs/works.

retired Posts: Joined: Mon Jun 23, 2014 9:24 am by » Sat Feb 21, 2015 8:58 am DWhoDat wrote: Here is an example: 5 gals. (wash/mash) x,10% (alcohol) =,5 gallon (thumper) So a 5 gal. wash containing 10% alcohol will require a 1/2 gallon thumper, and so on.

• The higher your volume and the higher your alkeehol the larger your thumper as the lower your volume and lower your alkeehol will require a smaller thumper of course Ok, first of all I don’t have a thumper, never run one.
• BUT, I am planing to make one so I have been following the thumper threads, trying to understand the ins and outs.

Looking at this math, I think it just shows that the idea to have a thumper at least half the size of the boiler is a good one. Yes, looking at the example given, 5 gals. x 10% (not,10% btw) = 1/2 gallon thumper. But suppose you’ve already done a strip run and you are charging the boiler with 40% spirits.

How full should your thumper keg be?

Home Distiller Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper. Moderator: Swill Maker Posts: Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:13 pm by » Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:13 pm I can’t recall ever reading this discussed before, beyond strategies to avoid this from happening.

1. Has anyone ever had their thumper completely fill up with liquid to the point that it overflowed into the product condenser? I have not experienced this, but I’m curious to hear if anyone has, and to hear what the outcome was. Tap. Out.
2. Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough retired Posts: Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:35 pm Location: Virginia, USA by » Fri Apr 04, 2014 2:58 pm I think I’ve read a few accounts of it being suspected that the thumper puked, but nothing confirmed.

I guess if they had puke wash coming out their condenser, that would be a pretty good indication that the thumper filled up. I think if you use the recommended minimum size or larger and don’t over charge it, it shouldn’t be a problem. I’ve always seen and increase in the amount of liquid in my thumper, but nowhere near the point of over flowing. retired Posts: Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:13 pm by » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:05 pm Yeah the small experimental still in the “Man Cave” is 3 gallon with a 1 quart thumper and I have never had it even come close to filling. My in-feed line comes within about 1/2″ of the bottom, so it takes very little to charge it – and thus very little to get it up and running.

Coyote “Slow Down, You’ll get a more harmonious outcome” “Speed & Greed have no place in this hobby” retired Posts: Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:42 am Location: Somewhere in the Ozarks by » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:11 pm If its built to the proper proportions. This shouldn’t be a problem. This is why it is recommended that the thumper be 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the boiler.

The only time you see a thumper fill up. Is when someone thinks they can use a mason jar for a thumper on a 2 gallon or larger still. No mater how many times its posted on here. That its too small. Unless of course. If you over fill it from the get go. Then suggested sizing is out the window.

Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:19 am by » Fri Apr 04, 2014 3:26 pm Yes. If it airy but sweet it gonna wanna puke. If you Working off malt extract an it ain’t worked all the way off you got problems. Can’t be in no hurry. So I’m tole Distiller Posts: Joined: Wed Jan 08, 2014 11:11 pm Location: A relocated Georgia boy by » Sun Apr 06, 2014 10:33 pm I have only noticed a couple inches increase in my thumper after a strip run.But I ain’t run near as much as a lot of other fellas here.

Buy the ticket and ride the lightnin boys !!! Impatience is the root of all bad things in my book of makin likker! The sound of a thumper is the heart beat of the rebel” Warden Pappy” Site Donor Posts: Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:03 am Location: Cascadia by » Mon Apr 07, 2014 3:35 am I know my thumper is too small. I run a 1 gallon thumper on a 5 gallon pot. If I charge it with 1/2 gallon or less it’s fine. If I charge it with 3 quarts or more it pukes.

Distilling at 110f and 75 torr. I’m not an absinthe snob, I’m The Absinthe Nazi. “NO ABSINTHE FOR YOU! ” retired Posts: Joined: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:13 pm by » Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:15 pm One gallon thumper – I wouldn’t personally charge it with anything more than a pint or pint and a half max. However that’s just me Coyote “Slow Down, You’ll get a more harmonious outcome” “Speed & Greed have no place in this hobby” Swill Maker Posts: Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 4:13 pm by » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:22 pm If running a full keg as boiler with a poney keg as thumper, wich is fully common, and fits into the general parameters of boiler/thumper ratios, what could be the benefit of running a full size keg as the thumper instead? There are a few members here and elsewhere who use thumpers that are of equal size to the boiler.

If going this route, maybe one of the benefits would be that wash could also be run in the thump as a way to increase the overall output in a single run? That is to say that a stripping run for example, could be 10gallons in the boiler, plus 5gallons (7,8,9?) in the thumper.

Effectively increasing your capacity to get the dirty work done (stripping), and not have much of a worry of overfilling during the run. As long as it’s pushed wih enough power, and using a fairly cleared wash to avoid puking. And then when using the “over sized” thumper (for lack of a better term) in any other scenario, there would be zero drawbacks to the setup.

Thoughts? Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough Angel’s Share Posts: Joined: Sun Feb 03, 2013 12:49 pm by » Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:01 am Tap wrote: If running a full keg as boiler with a poney keg as thumper, wich is fully common, and fits into the general parameters of boiler/thumper ratios, what could be the benefit of running a full size keg as the thumper instead? There are a few members here and elsewhere who use thumpers that are of equal size to the boiler.

If going this route, maybe one of the benefits would be that wash could also be run in the thump as a way to increase the overall output in a single run? That is to say that a stripping run for example, could be 10gallons in the boiler, plus 5gallons (7,8,9?) in the thumper. Effectively increasing your capacity to get the dirty work done (stripping), and not have much of a worry of overfilling during the run.

As long as it’s pushed wih enough power, and using a fairly cleared wash to avoid puking. And then when using the “over sized” thumper (for lack of a better term) in any other scenario, there would be zero drawbacks to the setup. Thoughts? I run 12 gal in my keg boiler and 6 in the keg thumper during stripping runs for the efficiency you mentioned,

If you ain’t the lead dog in the team, the scenery never changes, Ga Flatwoods made my avatar and I want to thank him for that, Don’t drink water, fish fornicate in it, retired Posts: Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:35 pm Location: Virginia, USA by » Tue Apr 08, 2014 6:08 am Just to point out another scenario, you could use the large thumper to charge with an on-the-grain wash and use the main boiler as the heat source.

That is, charge the main boiler with plain water and use steam heat to run the charge in the thumper – eliminating the possibility of scorching. I think Prairepiss has described this method in another thread. Every new member should read this before doing anything else: Site Donor Posts: Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:41 pm Location: Somewhere in BC by » Mon Apr 27, 2020 2:16 am Twice this week. I have a 60L pot still that goes to a 20L thumper. Tube goes to 1/2″ from bottom of thumper I recently started using a 3′ column packed with copper mesh.

Today I filled the first 6″ of the column even. My flow just mostly stopped, so no pot puking. I also have a water line from my condensor wrapped around the column for extra cooling. Hitting 96% for the first time, but the thumper fills up, even if I leave just 1- 2L in the thumper. I have to shut off the heat for 30 min, and let the cooling of the pot draw the fluid back into the pot, then turn the heat back on and produce again in 30 min.

Takes about 8 to10 hours to fill the thumper and try to go slow enough to collect maybe 500 ml per 45 min to an hour. I figure this is the result of having a column on it. I’m trying to figure out a way to run it that way. Am I running the pot still too hot? Site Mod Posts: Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm Location: North Palm Beach by » Mon Apr 27, 2020 2:39 am ” Running too hot”? No.

1. That is completely the wrong question.
2. You are using forced reflux.
3. Therefore your thumper is filling up with column bottoms.
4. By using forced reflux, you’ll buy a bit more time before flooding if you do not charge the thumper prior to start up.
5. Do you understand what I am saying? Your very question tells me you should step back a bit and learn a bit more about what you are doing.

If I told you that you should elevate your thumper and create an overflow/drain back solution back to your primary kettle, would you under stand why and how to effect that modification? Or, make sure that your thumper is capable of holding every bit of distillate coming over from your primary kettle.

• A typical stripping run would yield a total volume of 1/3 the size of the primary kettle charge.
• How big is your thumper? Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
• Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 11:59 am Location: Pacific Northwest by » Mon Apr 27, 2020 9:08 am Larry nailed it.
• As an alternate to the overflow drain Larry brought up, I believe adding a heat element to your thumper could also allow you to run your rig the way you are now.

It would require jUst a bit of tuning to get the balance right, as with this configuration you could run your primary boiler too fast. If your gonna run the column with reflux, the easiest solution i think would be to strip first (with or w/o thumper, no reflux) then do a spirit run with your packed/refluxed column over your primary powered boiler (no thumper.). Posts: Joined: Thu Feb 08, 2018 6:41 pm Location: Somewhere in BC by » Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:31 am I went to school for the basics about a year ago. I figured I wasn’t running it too hot, as I adjusted to how much flow came out the end. So yes, I do get what your saying.

I built it modularly, so the main pot still has always done the stripping runs. I was batting an idea back and forth in my head and looking for some input. I don’t have the overhead clearance to elevate the thumper, so that modification was out. At least for now. Feels a bit like larry hopped onto the ‘you don’t know what your doing’ side a little quick, though.

I wrote at the top the thumper is 20L main pot is 60L. It is 1/3 the size. To overcome the over fill issue without an extra mod I turn off the main pot for 30 minutes and use the cooling to vacuum the fluid back to the main tank. Restart the fire and have distillate coming back out in another 30 min.

The thought behind running the pot still cooler was the steam would be a higher percentage ethanol, therefore less water would travel over, and not fill the thumper so quickly. I also thought that the result would be that not enough heat would transfer to kick it out of the thumper and column. I couldn’t find advice specific to this, so I figured I’d simply ask.

I’ve done 60 batches that are 20gal, just my first time I configured it like this. First time hitting 96%, kinda want to keep hitting 96% for vodka. Whiskeys and such, I remove the column. Some I stick to double pot stilling. I considered running just the reflux on the main pot, but i unfortunately lack the clearance in this part of the shop.

When I revamp the other half of the shop, this will no longer be an issue, but for now, I’m capped heightwise. I may just add heat to the thumper and see if I can maintain the 96%. If not I’ll just shut it down for 30 min after running for 8 hours, let the system reset itself and start again. I appreciate the advice, though and will mull over which avenue to go down tonight.

Site Mod Posts: Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm Location: North Palm Beach by » Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:41 am wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:31 am Feels a bit like larry hopped onto the ‘you don’t know what your doing’ side a little quick, though. That’s a fair statement. Posts: Joined: Tue Jun 20, 2017 1:20 pm Location: Belgium by » Tue Apr 28, 2020 10:56 am wrote: Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:31 am The thought behind running the pot still cooler was the steam would be a higher percentage ethanol, therefore less water would travel over, and not fill the thumper so quickly. I don’t think that’s how it works. An overflow would be your best option I think. : Home Distiller

Can you put a thumper on a reflux still?

You can’t run a thumper off a reflux column, there just isn’t enough energy left to run the thump.

What is the difference between a slobber box and a thumper?

Re: Thumper keg and Slobber box – Post by Bushman » Wed Dec 18, 2013 6:00 am As mentioned above you don’t see many anymore as it’s kind of old school. A slobber box was designed to prevent any foam or puke getting into the worm condenser and blocking it. S-Cackalacky retired Posts: 5990 Joined: Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:35 pm Location: Virginia, USA

Can wine be distilled?

So the alcohol in wine can be distilled into brandy by heating the wine to just over 173 degrees – hot enough to boil the alcohol, but not hot enough to boil the water.

What is a reflux still?

What Is a Reflux Still? – A Reflux Still is essentially a Column Still, It typically generates a much higher proof, yet much less flavorful alcohol, than a pot still. The width and height of your reflux system will greatly determine the purity of your product and the speed that it produces distillate.

(Column diameter = speed. Column height = purity.) Cleaner products equal more mixing variety for cocktails. or a greater likelihood of getting drunk without fear of the dreaded hangover. Either end goal ‘tis fun! The term reflux applies to phase change from vapor to liquid. This phase cycling is the outcome of a cooling management setup, which is what most stills are.

Other types of reflux stills are liquid management (LM) and vapor management (VM). Today, we are only discussing cooling management (CM).

What is the purpose of the thump keg on moonshine still?

YUEWO 3 Pots DIY 2 Gal/10 Liters Moonshine Still – YUEWO 3 Pots DIY 2Gal/10Litres Alcohol Distiller Still Copper Water Alcohol Distiller Home Brew Wine Making Kits with Thumper Keg for DIY Brandy Whisky Wine Essential Oils

Alcohol Stills – complete distillation equipment,suitable for beginners or expert distiller,easy to handle and installation.3 Pots Distiller,Innovative the Steam flow into the side of Fruit/Spice Pot, flow out from the top,So operator can brew his own taste easily!Material and Construction: safe & non-toxic red copper and stainless steel material, there is NOT ANY lead in all the parts, stainless/copper coil cooling tube, all the parts are made of food-grade materials,the fermenter is specially thickened. (Dimensions:capacity: 2Gallons/10L, Height: 9inch, Diameter: 9inch)Build-in Thermometer – Metal Thermometers show as: Celsius & Fahrenheit, So Operator can Inspect the Temperature easily when Running the Distiller,Free Stainless Steam Plate and Gauze Bag, to prevent Burn Out, and has much better on distillation. Free Temperature Sticker on the Fermenter, can inspect the Temperature when use the big pot as a Fermenter Pot.

This is a complete moonshine still kit which i ideal for making any kind of spirit from scratch. It comes with a large 10 liter boiler, thumper, condenser, and all connecting pipes. Made from non-toxic red copper and stainless steel components it is 100% safe and non-toxic.

Comes with built in thermometers which makes tracking the progress of your distillation simple. What Is The Purpose Of A Thumper Keg? The main purpose of a thumper keg is to speed up the distillation process. It lets you distill a high-proof spirit without running it through the still multiple times. The other purpose of using a thumper keg is to add botanicals to your spirits.

It becomes simple to introduce fruits, spices, and herbs, creating delicious new flavors and aromas in your spirits. Related: List of Moonshine Distilleries

What is the reason for a thumper keg?

While generally associated with the backwoods whiskey still, the thump keg, or “doubler”, is a very old design element that probably arrived with the early settlers and was incorporated into the stills they built on arriving in North America (Fig.1).

How does a mason jar thumper work?

What Does A Thump Keg Look Like? – is a very simple device. It is a sealed barrel, thumper, or bottle with two pipes leading into it. The input pipe is usually long so it reaches the bottom of the thumper where liquid cans condensate. The second pipe is short and acts as an exit for vaporized alcohol to escape into a condenser or a second thump keg.