I usually fill my thumper with just enough water so that it is slightly submerged and the surface of the water is enclosed by the thumper. Depending on the size of your thumper, this may mean consuming a few gallons of water.
When I fill the thumper, I make sure to add the required amount of oxygenator to maintain a healthy environment for the bait. I take care not to overfill the thumper as this can cause too much agricultural runoff and make the water unbalanced.
Additionally, when I’m done fishing, I ensure to pour out all the water, including the oxygenator, to ensure that the ecosystem is maintained even when I’m not using the thumper.
Does a thumper need to be heated?
It depends on the type of thumper being used. If the thumper is mechanical, such as a rolling pin, it generally does not need to be heated. However, if the thumper is electric, or a vibrating device, it may need to be heated up prior to use in order to achieve the desired effect.
Generally, electric thumpers that require heat should be heated somewhere between a low to medium temperature. This helps to ensure that the thumper does not become too hot, which may cause burns or damage the device.
Additionally, some electric thumpers come with an adjustable heat setting, allowing the user to customize the temperature to their specific needs.
How much will a 10 gallon still produce?
A 10-gallon still will produce approximately 8 gallons of pure alcohol if operated at 90% efficiency. However, this number can vary due to factors such as the mash composition, yeast health, and the temperature at which the distillation occurs.
Higher heat can increase yield dramatically, but must be done carefully. Therefore, it is difficult to give an exact amount. A professional distiller, like those at Copper Moonshine, can help calculate the ideal settings for maximum yield with the ingredients you have on hand.
How much moonshine do you get out of 10 gallons of mash?
The exact amount of moonshine you can get out of 10 gallons of mash varies depending on a few things. The alcohol content of your mash and the efficiency of your still will affect the final yield, so your results may differ.
Generally, you can expect to get around 8-9 gallons of moonshine from 10 gallons of mash with a traditional 10-gallon copper still. If you’re using a more advanced still with a higher efficiency, you could get as much as 10-12 gallons of moonshine from the same 10 gallons of mash.
Similarly, if your mash has a lower alcohol content, the final yield may be lower. So, it really depends on the particular setup and the ingredients you’re using.
How can you tell the proof of moonshine?
Moonshine, also known as white lightning, is an illicitly distilled or contraband alcoholic beverage. It can be difficult to determine the proof of moonshine since it is traditionally produced illegally, often in homemade stills.
However, there are a few methods to approximate the proof of moonshine.
First, you can perform a simple test with a hydrometer. This device reads the specific gravity, or density, of the liquid. The proof will usually correspond to the amount of alcohol in the liquid. For example, if the liquid registers between 0.954 and 0.
972 on the hydrometer, it’s around 190 proof.
Another way to tell the proof of moonshine is to use a thermometer. When the liquid starts to boil, the temperature tells you the proof. Usually, moonshine boils at 172° F (77° C), which equates to 86% alcohol by volume or 172-proof.
Finally, you can also look for telltale signs in your moonshine. High-proof alcohol produces a lot of heat, and so it is likely to be warm to the touch or even hot. It also has an immediate, intense flavor and an eyeball kick if you bring a glass close to your eye.
A bottle of moonshine that is potentially lower in alcohol content may not have these qualities.
Whichever method you choose, it is important to use caution when dealing with high-proof alcohol. Moonshine can be dangerous, and serious bodily harm can occur if it is consumed in large quantities.
How long does it take to run a 10 gallon still?
The amount of time it takes to run a 10 gallon still varies depending on the type of still being used and the desired level of product purity. For a standard 10 gallon copper pot still, it can take anywhere between 8-14 hours.
The main time-consuming part is having to constantly monitor the distillation, while making sure the still doesn’t run dry. During the distillation process, fractional cuts must be made to extract the desired level of product purity.
However, the process time can be shortened by the use of a continuous still. This type of still uses a column with multiple trays, which allows for a more efficient distillation process. The result is a much purer product and it can take as little as 6 hours for a 10 gallon batch.
Due to the amount of time needed and the level of attention required, distilling with a 10 gallon still is an involved process. For those looking for shorter times and less attention, many companies offer pre-made stills that can produce distilled product in much shorter times.
At what proof do you stop distilling?
The proof that you stop distilling your spirit depends on a number of factors. Generally, you should stop once your spirit reaches the desired proof and flavor profile that you are looking for. The amount of proof that you ultimately end up with can vary depending on the type of spirit you are trying to make.
Usually, the higher the proof at which you stop distilling, the stronger the alcohol will be. Popular spirits such as whiskey and rum are typically distilled until they reach around 80-90 proof. Meanwhile, other lighter spirits such as vodka or gin can be distilled until they reach 95-100 proof or even higher.
When distilling, it is important to test the proof often to ensure that it does not go beyond the desired amount. Many distillers choose to gradually reduce the proof over a number of distillations, rather than distill all the way to the desired proof in a single session.
This can help ensure that you create a smoother, better-rounded spirit. Ultimately, each distiller has to find their own preferred proof for their spirit, so experimentation is important in this process.
Why do you throw away the first bit of moonshine?
The first bit of moonshine, often referred to as “the foreshots,” should always be thrown away because it can contain dangerously high levels of methanol and other toxic substances. Methanol is a toxic alcohol that can cause blindness or death when consumed.
The foreshots are the first part of the moonshine run to come out of the still and because it is the most volatile, it contains the highest amount of toxic substances. Professional distillers will discard the first bit and monitor their still until the methanol drops to a safe level before collecting the good stuff.
Even then, it is important that the moonshine is aged to reduce the amount of methanol in the liquor. So, in short, you throw away the first bit of moonshine because it can contain dangerously high levels of toxic substances.
How thick should copper be for a still?
The thickness of the copper required for building a still depends on the type of still to be built and the desired capacity. Generally, the wall of the still pot should range from 16 to 20 gauge. Furthermore, the column should be constructed of thicker material (14 to 10 gauge) compared to the pot, with 8 gauge being the most common for standard stills.
For columns with a large diameter, thicker material might be required. It is also important to note that a still that is too thick might impart a metallic taste to the liquid, which is why thicker material should only be used where necessary.
Finally, the still should be constructed out of food-grade copper, as other grades may contain impurities that may spoil the product.
What do you fill a thumper keg with?
A thumper keg is typically filled with sugar, water, yeast, and other brewing ingredients. The sugar and water provide the base ingredients needed for fermentation, while the yeast is necessary for converting the sugar into alcohol.
Depending on the recipe, other ingredients such as hops, malt, spices, or fruit can also be added for flavor. Once the ingredients are added, the mixture needs to be left to ferment for a few weeks before it’s ready to be tapped and consumed.
Additionally, a simple airlock or blowoff tube setup may be used to ensure carbon dioxide produced during fermentation does not escape, which could impact the flavor of the beverage.
Can you use a mason jar as a thumper?
Yes, a mason jar can be used as a thumper. A thumper is a type of homemade still used to distill water or alcohol, consisting of two vessels, the lower of which is partially filled with water, the upper containing the fermented material or mash.
The water in the lower vessel is heated, creating steam, which rises and vaporizes the alcohol in the mash. This is then passed through a coil immersed in cold water to condense the vapor back into liquid form.
Mason jars can be used by inserting a coil into the bottom of the jar, connecting it to a cold water source, and then securely attaching the jar to the top of the still. The heated water from the lower vessel can then be used to create steam and vaporize the alcohol, which passes through the coil and condenses into liquid form.
You may also need to purchase additional items, such as gaskets and stoppers, to properly seal the jar.
Can you make moonshine without a thumper?
Yes, it is possible to make moonshine without a thumper. The traditional method used by many moonshiners before the advent of thumpers involves passing the vaporized mash in a continuous loop through a copper worm, which is a long spiraled coil of copper tubing placed in a vat of water.
This method of distillation is sometimes referred to as a “worm-and-tub” setup. While the method is effective, the yield won’t be as high as when using a thumper. With this path, one bar into the condenser results in a fractional distillation, where only a portion of the alcohol is collected in the finished product, this process is also much slower and requires more skill to get the setup in a distilled state.
The bottom line is, while it is possible to make moonshine without a thumper, it’s usually not a preferable method and can be quite labor-intensive and time-consuming compared to using a thumper.
What is the purpose of a thumper?
The purpose of a thumper is to create a low frequency vibration or a rumbling sound. This low frequency vibration is often used for any number of purposes, but typically for seismic exploration or for seismic survey techniques.
In seismic exploration, a thumper is used to send seismic waves through the earth’s surface so that seismologists can study the earth’s subsurface. By analyzing these seismic waves, geologists and geophysicists can determine the composition and structure of the earth below the surface.
This type of exploration can be used to look for oil, gas, and water reservoirs, as well as to identify geological faults in an effort to make educated decisions when constructing buildings and other forms of infrastructure.
In seismic surveying, a thumper is used to create a series of low frequency pulses that are sent through the ground to measure the speed of a seismic wave that is reflected off certain types of subsurface features.
This information can also be used for studying the subsurface features in order to find oil, gas, and water reservoirs.
Does a thumper strip flavor?
No, a thumper strip does not have any taste or flavor. It is simply a thin strip of adhesive material that is used to attach things together, such as fabric to itself or fabric to another material. It is not designed for the purpose of adding flavor or taste to anything, and it is not made from any edible ingredients.
Additionally, it can be harmful to consume, as ingesting it can cause choking and other health issues.
Why do moonshiners use a thumper?
Moonshiners use a thumper (also known as a thump keg) to produce a higher-proof spirit. The thumper is an innovative piece of equipment that is placed between the still and the condenser. It operates by taking in a small amount of mash or beer from the still and recirculating it into the still, increasing the contact of the mash or beer with the heated copper of the still.
This results in a greater level of distillation and a higher-proof spirit being produced. The thumper also serves to create a richer and fuller flavor to the final moonshine product. In addition, because the condensers used by most moonshiners are usually less efficient than commercial stills, the thumper helps them make up lost alcohol content.
By using a thumper, moonshiners can increase the efficiency of their distillation process and get a better product out of their stills.
Does a thumper increase ABV?
No, a thumper does not increase ABV. ABV stands for alcohol by volume and is a measure of how much ethanol (alcohol) is present in a beverage. A thumper is an apparatus used in distilling spirits which acts as a pre-heater to provide liquid that’s been previously purified to the still.
It’s important to keep in mind that when distilling spirits, the ABV is created during the post-distillation process, not during the pre-distillation process. Therefore, the thumper does not increase ABV and is only used to pre-heat liquid that’s already been purified prior to entering the still.
Do you need a stripping run with a thumper?
A stripping run with a thumper still requires planning and a certain degree of skill and knowledge. A stripping run with a thumper relies on the buffer capacity between the still and the thumper (aka the reflux chamber).
The capacity of this space should be tailored to the type of spirit you’re looking to create in your distillation. A thumper is beneficial as this space acts as a sort of reflux, allowing you to dissolve heavier compounds, in turn intensifying aroma, taste, and mouth feel.
More intense flavors and qualities, however, take longer to strip the alcohol.
A stripping run using a thumper may not be necessary for all types of distillation, as other factors such as the amount of time and energy available weigh heavily on the decision to use a thumper. In short, if you’re working with a spirit that requires intense aroma, taste, and mouth feel, then a stripping run with a thumper may be beneficial.
Otherwise, a straight run or working with a larger still may be a better option.
Do you have to heat a thumper in a still?
It depends on the type of still being used. In some distillation processes, heating a thumper is necessary for the distillate to vaporize and be collected in the receiver. For example, in a reflux still, the thumper is heated to cause refluxing.
The higher the temperature in the thumper, the more refluxing occurs, resulting in a higher purity of the distillate. In a pot still, the thumper is not heated, but instead is just filled with colder distillate water.
This helps with cooling the vapor and achieving a higher purity distillate. Some stills also don’t need a thumper at all, such as an Alembic or air still. In this case, the thumper is not necessary. In general, heating a thumper is not always necessary, but it can be beneficial in some cases depending on the type of still being used.
