The thumper or thump keg is an important component of a moonshine still. It is a small barrel, usually made of copper that is attached between the main still and the condenser. Its purpose is to add an additional layer of distillation to the moonshine.
The thumper keg allows the distiller to control the flavor and strength of the final product.
The way it works is that liquor is poured into the top of the thumper keg. Heat is then applied to the thumper, and the alcohol evaporates off the top of the keg just like it does in the main still. This additional distillation process helps the moonshiner to refine and finesse the spirit.
The thumper keg also acts as a secondary condenser, allowing for greater control and refinement of the final product. The still tail is often directed into the thumper keg before it is condensed, so that any flavor compounds from the main still can be extracted.
Also, since the thumper tends to collect heavier alcohols than the main still, it can be used to increase the proof of the final product.
In conclusion, the purpose of a thumper on a moonshine still is to serve as an additional layer of distillation that helps refine, finesse, and control the flavor and strength of the final product. The thumper also acts as a secondary condenser that helps to extract flavor compounds, and it serves to increase the proof of the spirit.
How much liquid goes in a thump keg?
Typically, a standard full-size thump keg holds 1,984 ounces of liquid, which is equivalent to roughly 124 pints or 165 twelve-ounce cans. That translates to 7.75 gallons of liquid, which is almost exactly the same amount that can be held by the standard 1/2 barrel keg.
If you’re looking to fill a mini thump keg, you may find that the capacity can vary depending on the brand and size, but typically a 5 liter (1.3 gallons) keg is most common. This size of thump keg will hold slightly less liquid than a regular-sized keg at about 82 twelve-ounce cans or 67 pints.
Do you need to heat the thumper?
No, you do not need to heat the thumper. Thumpers are designed to be able to be used without any additional heat, and it is typically not necessary to provide any additional heat in order to get the most out of the thumper.
The thumper is designed to provide a deep tissue massage that can penetrate the muscle tissues and relax them. Many people find that using a thumper without additional heat is sufficient for their needs and helps them to relieve tension and soreness in their body.
Additionally, using a thumper without any heat ensures that it can be used safely without the risk of burning your skin or causing any additional damage to the body.
Can you put fruit in the thumper?
No, you cannot put fruit in the thumper. The thumper is designed to work with grains, such as barley, wheat, and rye, and sometimes with sugar cane. It is not suitable for fruit, as the thumper works by crushing the grains, and fruit would not crush in that way.
Attempting to put fruit in the thumper could potentially cause damage to the thumper itself.
What do you fill a thumper with?
A thumper is traditionally a device used for gold prospecting, and it is typically filled with water and some form of gravel or other aggregate. The thumper is then activated and shaken, usually for several minutes at a time.
As the thumper vibrates, the gravel and water mixture is agitated, causing heavier particles, such as gold, to sink to the bottom. The remaining gravel and water can then be sifted or filtered in order to extract the gold.
In some modern thumpers, the gravel and water mixture is replaced with a slurry, a combination of soil, water, and various chemicals used to enhance gold discovery. Generally, more experienced prospectors prefer thumpers filled with slurry, as it is more effective at capturing the fine gold.
How do you flavor moonshine before distilling?
Before distilling, there are many different ways to flavor moonshine. The traditional method of flavoring involves adding fruits, spices, and herbs to the still while the moonshine is fermenting. Adding items like apples and oranges to the still creates a fruity flavor, while adding cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves can add a spicy kick.
Herbs, like basil, rosemary, and lavender can also be added to the still to create a more herbal flavor. Additionally, flavors can be enhanced by adding honey, molasses, and other sugars to the still while fermenting.
After the moonshine has been distilled, additional flavoring and aging can be done by adding various ingredients to the finished product. Flavoring ingredients typically include flavored syrups, distilled spirits (like whiskey or rum), and herbs, spices, or fruits.
These ingredients give the moonshine a unique flavor and can be tailored to the individual’s own personal taste. However, it is important to note that adding too much flavoring can be detrimental to the overall quality of the moonshine, so it is important to find the balance of ingredients that works best for each individual.
How do you make moonshine out of fruit?
Moonshine, or homemade whisky, is an alcoholic beverage that has been brewed for centuries by many cultures around the world. Making moonshine out of fruit is relatively simple, though it does require some patience.
You will need a fermentation vessel, preferably of glass or plastic, that holds at least one gallon of liquid. You will also need fruits of your choice (berries, apples, peaches, plums, etc. ), sugar, yeast, and a bunghole.
To make the moonshine, start by sterilizing the fermentation vessel with boiling water or a sanitizer. Make sure the vessel is completely clean.
Once the vessel has been sterilized, you are ready to prepare the fruit for fermentation. Take the chosen fruit and puree it with approximately 1-2 cups of sugar, then pour the mixture into the fermentation vessel.
Add about 4-5 quarts of water to the vessel and stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or paddle until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Once the fruit is ready, add some yeast to the mixture. Allow the fruit and yeast to sit for 24 hours so the yeast can begin to ferment the fruit sugars and produce an alcoholic beverage. After 24 hours, add some additional water to the mixture; this will help the moonshine to distill properly.
Allow the mixture to ferment for 14-21 days, depending on the temperature of the room and the type of fruit used. During the fermentation period, keep the fermentation vessel in a dark place and be sure to open the bunghole to check the alcohol content of your moonshine.
When the fermentation period is complete, the moonshine is ready for distillation. This is a process of separating the alcohol from the liquid by boiling. You can purchase a still for this process or find instructions for making one at home.
Once the moonshine is distilled, strain the liquid through a sieve to remove remaining solids. Then bottle and store the moonshine in a cool, dark place. This should be enough to yield a flavorful, alcoholic beverage that your family and friends will surely enjoy.
How does a Mason jar Thumper work?
A Mason jar thumper is an incredibly simple and inexpensive device that can be used to help create clear, crisp moonshine. The simple device is made from a mason jar that has had a large hole drilled in the lid, large enough to fit a copper pipe with a copper hammer attached to it.
Inside the jar, a metal or wooden tube is placed, and a copper pipe is sealed over the top of the metal or wooden tube. On the other end of this tube is a copper valve and pressure gauge.
The key component of the Mason jar thumper is the copper, hammer-like structure, which is slipped over the copper pipe and sealed to the Mason jar. This hammer-like structure acts as a sledgehammer on the mash ingredients in the jar, as they are pounded into tinier and tinier pieces until they are small enough to pass through the tube and valve.
The pressure gauge allows the distiller to determine when the mash has been pounded and broken down enough, so that it can be distilled into alcohol and collected. Once the desired amount of alcohol is achieved, the distiller can shut off the flow of mash and collect it in a separate container for further processing.
In addition to creating smoother, better quality moonshine, this simple but effective device can be used to make other distilled products, such as gin, rum, vodka and brandy.
How big should a thumper be?
The size of the thumper that you purchase will depend on the size of its application. If you are using a thumper for transferring water from a shallow stream to a garden or other location, it should be fairly small, with a working surface between 8 – 10 inches (20 – 25 cm).
For bigger jobs such as large irrigation projects or water supply, a larger thumper may be necessary, with the working surface ranging from 12 – 16 inches (30 – 40 cm). It is also important to consider the material used to construct the thumper, to ensure that you have the right material for your particular application.
In general, stainless steel seems to be most widely used, but you should check with any manufacturer regarding the materials available.
What size Thumper do you need for a 15 gallon still?
The size of the Thumper you need for a 15 gallon still depends on a few factors. The first is the amount of liquid you want to be able to distill in a single batch. If you only want to distill a small amount of liquid at a time, you can get away with a smaller Thumper.
If you want to be able to distill larger amounts of liquid, you will need a larger Thumper. The second factor is the efficiency of your still. If your still is not very efficient, you will need a larger Thumper to make up for the lost heat.
If your still is very efficient, you can get away with a smaller Thumper. The last factor is the power of your heat source. If you are using a very powerful heat source, you can get away with a smaller Thumper.
If you are using a weaker heat source, you will need a larger Thumper.
Can a thumper be to big?
Yes, a thumper can be too big. The size of the thumper should depend on the type of job you are using it for and the size of the area you are trying to cover. If the thumper you choose is too big for the area, then it will not be able to cover the area effectively, wasting your time and possibly leading to an inferior result.
On the other hand, if it is too small for the area, then you will struggle to cover the area quickly and efficiently. It is important to choose the right size for your job to ensure you get the desired result.
Does a thumper need to be heated?
It largely depends on what type of thumper you’re referring to. Many types of thumpers may not need to be heated, such as those used to measure hydrostatic pressures or those used for petrophysical analysis; however for thumpers used for Vibroseis® and Down-Hole Seismic applications, heating is essential.
Heating the thumper circuitry before turning it on is necessary to ensure that the power output is capable of providing the necessary data quality, and that the environment is conducive to yielding repeatable results.
On the other hand not having a thumper correctly heated before its use can result in incorrect or incomplete data obtained or possibly irreparable damage to the thumper itself.
It is important to be familiar with the specific type of thumper you are using and understand the associated recommended temperatures and power levels before using the tool in order to prevent any potential complications.
Can you use a mason jar as a thumper?
Yes, you can use a mason jar as a thumper. A thumper is a device consisting of a jar filled with a liquid, such as alcohol, and a ball of leather or cloth. When detonated, the liquid in the jar creates a vibration that can be used to break up congestion and can sometimes help relieve chest pain.
This technique is especially helpful for those with chronic bronchitis.
To use a mason jar as a thumper, first fill the jar with enough alcohol to submerge the ball, then insert the ball into the jar. Seal the jar tightly and then shake it slowly and gently over an area of your body where you feel congested or are experiencing chest pain.
The jar emits a vibration and, after several minutes, the congestion should begin to clear and the chest pain should abate. It’s important to shake the jar slowly and gently, as too much pressure could cause the jar to break, spilling the alcohol and potential injuring you.
Once you’re finished using the thumper, empty the jar and store the ball in a safe place.
How much does a 5 gallon still produce?
A 5 gallon still will typically produce around 6-8 gallons of alcohol depending on the quality of the ingredients and distillation process. Generally, a 5 gallon still will yield around 6-7 gallons of a low wines product, or around 3-4 gallons of high wines product.
High wines are a higher proof alcohol, usually around 90-95%. The yield from a 5 gallon still can vary from batch to batch depending on the ingredients used, the distillation process, the type of still being used, and the amount of wash that is used.
Generally, a good yield from a 5 gallon still is around 3-4 gallons of high wines, or 6-7 gallons of low wines. Additionally, some distillation towers and conical shaped stills can increase yields even more.
How much moonshine do you get out of 5 gallons of mash?
The amount of moonshine you get out of 5 gallons of mash depends on the type of mash you are using and the efficiency of your still. Generally, a 5-gallon mash batch of typical sugar-water fermentable should yield approximately 1.
5-3 gallons of moonshine. This depends on the type of still used, the temperature and pressure of the distillation and the length of time that distills for. Typically, a small still will yield about 1-2 gallons of moonshine with an efficiency of about 20% to 30%.
Using a larger still with increased efficiency can increase the yield to as much as 3 gallons of moonshine. The more efficient the still, the more moonshine it is able to produce from the same amount of mash.
Why use a thumper on a still?
Using a thumper on a still can be a great way to increase the strength of your spirit. A thumper is an extra chamber that is connected to the main still column. It is then filled with either a mash, liquid or other liquids such as flavoring.
As the vapors pass through the thumper, they begin to condense and mix with the contents of the thumper giving the final product a more powerful flavor. It can also be used to create a wider range of flavors based on what is being used in the thumper.
By using a thumper, you have added a layer of complexity to your product, creating something with a more robust, rounded flavor profile.
