What Is a Thumper? – A thumper is essentially a parasitic kettle connected to the primary distilling kettle, The thumper gets heated with the heat already produced to feed the primary kettle. Evidently, the thumper gets its name from the sound it makes while in operation.
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What does a thumper do on a moonshine still?
A Quick Summary – If you’re in a hurry and just need to know the most essential information about the humble thumper keg, here it is.
- What Is It? A thumper keg works to distill your low wine a second time. It may be made of copper, steel, or wood, and sits between the still pot and condenser.
- What Does A Thump Keg Do? It speeds up the distillation process and transforms your low wine into a liquid with higher alcohol content, which is critical for making moonshine or bourbon.
- What Size Thump Keg Do You Need To Use? It should generally be about 25% to 40% of the size of your main boiler.
Now, if you need to know more about the thumper keg, keep reading.
Do you need a thumper to make moonshine?
If you are interested in increasing the potency of your spirits or making a traditional backwoods moonshine, then you should grab a thumper keg for your still. It is a clever innovation which will increase the potency and purity of your distilled spirits.
Thumper Keg : A copper, steel, or wooden vessel which is placed between the still pot and condenser. What Size Thumper Keg to Use? A thumper keg should be 25% to 40% the size of your main boiler. What Does a Thumper Keg Do? The main purpose of a thumper keg is to speed up the distillation process.
Related: Moonshining in Appalachia in 1900s
Why is a thumper necessary?
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.
Why do you shake a jar of moonshine?
The experienced, old school moonshiners are able to tell the proof of their moonshine by simply shaking the mason jar and observing the bubbles. If the moonshine has large bubbles that dissolve quickly it indicates the moonshine has a high alcohol content.
What temperature should I run my moonshine still?
Temperature Safety When Distilling – Distilling alcohol uses high temperatures – generally around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures mean opportunities for accidents, so make sure that everyone who is in your distilling environment is aware of how hot your equipment will get. Controlling and monitoring the temperature will help you keep your distillery safe.
Do you heat a thumper on a still?
Does a Thumper Need to be Heated? – Many moonshiners do prefer to heat the thumper. The alcohol does need to stay in vapor form to be able to rise into the condenser. Wood barrels are often preferred as thump kegs because of wood’s natural isolative abilities. Condensation in the thump keg is minimized and less artificial heat is required to vaporize the alcohol.
Can you put mash in a thumper keg?
FAQs – Question: What Liquid Do You Put in a Thumper Keg? Answer: You can place pretty much any kind of liquid into a thumper keg before running your still. Water, mash, low wines, feints, and even fruit juice can be used, and will each impart slightly different flavors or characteristics on your final product.
- Question: Can I Put Fruit Juice in a Thump Keg? Answer: Yes.
- You can add fruit juice to your thumper to impart fruit flavors on your distillate.
- Question: Do You Heat the Thumper Keg? Answer: Some distillers choose to heat the thumper keg, while others don’t.
- Often the heat from the main boil is strong enough to keep your thumper hot, but whether or not you need to heat your thump keg will depend on your individual circumstances and personal preference.
Question: How do You Clean a Thumper Keg? Answer: Using a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water will get your thumper keg super clean.
What is the benefit of 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). 
Do you heat a thumper on a still?
Does a Thumper Need to be Heated? – Many moonshiners do prefer to heat the thumper. The alcohol does need to stay in vapor form to be able to rise into the condenser. Wood barrels are often preferred as thump kegs because of wood’s natural isolative abilities. Condensation in the thump keg is minimized and less artificial heat is required to vaporize the alcohol.
