I think you need to think of thumpers in 2 ways. First its knocking down and redistilling so its like a plate in a reflux still. It helps split the methanol/acetone etc from the ethanol. Second if you are putting in something with flavour in the thumber you are going to add those flavours to the produce. You get better split and higher alcohol with more than one thumper providing the thumpers are big enough to condense out a significant portion of the water. You can put a fan to increase the heat loss from the thumpers or turn down the heat. And then as mentioned as the heads start coming through you can add an extra thumper with flavouring in. Put the flavouring in too early and it will be stripped out in to the heads. A stripping run with thumpers works well especially if you do not ferment to a high ethanol content initially as this really helps keep the nasties down. It depends what you are after but think about what the thumpers are doing.. cleaning and increasing the ethanol content or adding flavour.
Pot still for stripping run then add thumper for spirit/ infusion run. I dont add anything to the thumper until the heads have passed then "shoot the barrel" with whatever flavor infusion you want! The heads will strip most of the flavors from your infusion if you start with them in the thumper.
Thumpers will keep the proof up longer then a big crash. But in my mind it keeps you in the hearts longer. Plus because of the higher proof once it’s proofed down you get more product. Also the thumper is a double distillation so it’s a little smoother but you lose a little flavor. If you want 100% flavor. Keep the pot still. If you want proof and smoothness go with a thumper.
By more product do you mean hearts cut ? Because there's a common misunderstanding of thumper in that they will give you more alcohol they don't. The alcohol is produced during fermentation.
@@workhardplayhard801 I meant more good alcohol, more hearts. Thanks for asking for clarification. I know yield is entirely dependent on fermentation :)
Just my opinion, but I think you'd have to compare the pot still via multiple strippring runs + spirit run vs once thru a thumper rig to get a true sense of things. I've never tasted anything palatable with just a 1x distillation. Too jaggy; you're basically drinking low wines (blech). If you're targeting one-and-done runs, the marginally more time it takes to heat up a thumper gives your much better return on investment (i.e. quality) time-wise. For a pot still this would mean 3-4 stripping runs & 1 spirit run vs just 1 pass through a thumper rig. No contest in my opinion, but others may think a true 2x through a pot still would give a superior product. FYI I have messed with double thumper set ups. The double thumper white dog tasted more "mature" than the single thumper stuff. Theoretically this makes sense since it's 3x distilled vs 2x.
Right off they are not equal. The thumper should have the wash in it instead of Agave nectar. The Agave will pass flavor which makes the experiment unequal.
I debated for a very long time prior to this video on whether this was considered "cheating" or not.and ultimately I decided no. I'm just using the Thumper how it's meant to be used. I did have the wash in there, just added about half a gallon of fresh agave with it. I don't think I'd see much change at all in the experiment whether I used it or not, so don't feel it changes results much, but to each their own.
@@milehidistilling1 It is best to charge the thumper with the same wash you are distilling. The wash has some alcohol from the fermentation so this is better to use in the thumper.
What is the best still for a beginner to use? Which still is the most economical? Can you make 190 proof spirits with the still? As a hobby I want to make something that closely resembles everclear,at 199proof.
High proof vodka - like an everclear - can be best achieved using a column still with a reflux unit. My suggestion if you are starting... pick a still that is "convertible" between column and pot. MHD has plenty of convertible options. Pot still is the least expensive starter. Thumper and columns and other add ons will all be available to add over time.
@@HenryNidel-xf1ccHit up the website for MHD. Lots of options. Wander TH-cam and find ways to build your own. Cost is a variable dependent on many many attributes.
@thomasnewman295 cool, thankyou for the advice. In a few months I will get a convertible pot still. How many fifths of 190 proof alcohol can a person make in 1 batch? How much does it cost to do each batch? Which still would you recommend to a beginner that is a convertible pot still?
How much would it cost me to make 6 fifths of 190 proof spirits like everclear using one of your stills,and how much would it set me back to purchase one of your stills ?
For 6 fifths (1.25 gallons), I'd recommend an 8 gallon system if using a turbo yeast for higher ABV in your fermentation or a 16 gallon if you're using a less volatile yeast. I'd really lean more towards the 16 gallon. Yield for an 8 gallon system at max percentage a turbo yeast can get (around 20% ABV) is almost right at 1.25 gallons. That's not accounting for cuts, so you'd likely not get the full yield in one run. The recommended 16 gallon reflux for you was already linked on your last comment I responded to, but just in case, here it is again: milehidistilling.com/product/16-gallon-with-stainless-3-inch-torpedo-pro-kit/
@milehidistilling1 wow, the stills are Hella expensive. Over 1 grand for a still. Nice stills very classy. Maybe someday. For now I will buy my 190 proof everclear for $40.00per 5th. I will say this very high quality very good value. From what I understand in 1 run you can make at least 30 fifths at a cost of 40 cents each.
Нет там никакого метанола. Метанол метанол метанол в каждом видео. Хроматограммы хоть раз посмотрите. Эфирно альдегидная фракция это, потому и сладкая. Нет пектина- практически нет метанола.
I think you need to think of thumpers in 2 ways.
First its knocking down and redistilling so its like a plate in a reflux still. It helps split the methanol/acetone etc from the ethanol.
Second if you are putting in something with flavour in the thumber you are going to add those flavours to the produce.
You get better split and higher alcohol with more than one thumper providing the thumpers are big enough to condense out a significant portion of the water. You can put a fan to increase the heat loss from the thumpers or turn down the heat.
And then as mentioned as the heads start coming through you can add an extra thumper with flavouring in. Put the flavouring in too early and it will be stripped out in to the heads.
A stripping run with thumpers works well especially if you do not ferment to a high ethanol content initially as this really helps keep the nasties down.
It depends what you are after but think about what the thumpers are doing.. cleaning and increasing the ethanol content or adding flavour.
Great Duel Boo, I love all your content thank you for taking the time to put these videos together for us. 👍.
Thanks you my mans! I'm glad you enjoyed!
I love this series guys! Keep it up!
We appreciate the feedback! We'll keep it up!
Pot still for stripping run then add thumper for spirit/ infusion run. I dont add anything to the thumper until the heads have passed then "shoot the barrel" with whatever flavor infusion you want! The heads will strip most of the flavors from your infusion if you start with them in the thumper.
Good stuff Boo...all of your videos are super helpful!
That makes me super happy to hear. Thanks so much for watching, I'm really glad they're helping.
Thumpers will keep the proof up longer then a big crash. But in my mind it keeps you in the hearts longer. Plus because of the higher proof once it’s proofed down you get more product. Also the thumper is a double distillation so it’s a little smoother but you lose a little flavor. If you want 100% flavor. Keep the pot still. If you want proof and smoothness go with a thumper.
Hard agree!
By more product do you mean hearts cut ? Because there's a common misunderstanding of thumper in that they will give you more alcohol they don't. The alcohol is produced during fermentation.
@@workhardplayhard801 I meant more good alcohol, more hearts. Thanks for asking for clarification. I know yield is entirely dependent on fermentation :)
I am doing this same test but using shine.
Let us know the results brother! Good luck!
Just my opinion, but I think you'd have to compare the pot still via multiple strippring runs + spirit run vs once thru a thumper rig to get a true sense of things. I've never tasted anything palatable with just a 1x distillation. Too jaggy; you're basically drinking low wines (blech). If you're targeting one-and-done runs, the marginally more time it takes to heat up a thumper gives your much better return on investment (i.e. quality) time-wise. For a pot still this would mean 3-4 stripping runs & 1 spirit run vs just 1 pass through a thumper rig. No contest in my opinion, but others may think a true 2x through a pot still would give a superior product.
FYI I have messed with double thumper set ups. The double thumper white dog tasted more "mature" than the single thumper stuff. Theoretically this makes sense since it's 3x distilled vs 2x.
A tyrant for a Boss, I love it! 🤣
Right off they are not equal. The thumper should have the wash in it instead of Agave nectar. The Agave will pass flavor which makes the experiment unequal.
I debated for a very long time prior to this video on whether this was considered "cheating" or not.and ultimately I decided no. I'm just using the Thumper how it's meant to be used. I did have the wash in there, just added about half a gallon of fresh agave with it. I don't think I'd see much change at all in the experiment whether I used it or not, so don't feel it changes results much, but to each their own.
@@milehidistilling1 It is best to charge the thumper with the same wash you are distilling. The wash has some alcohol from the fermentation so this is better to use in the thumper.
@@skyhookspirits Right, I showed that I did do that in the video.
What is the best still for a beginner to use? Which still is the most economical? Can you make 190 proof spirits with the still? As a hobby I want to make something that closely resembles everclear,at 199proof.
High proof vodka - like an everclear - can be best achieved using a column still with a reflux unit.
My suggestion if you are starting... pick a still that is "convertible" between column and pot. MHD has plenty of convertible options. Pot still is the least expensive starter.
Thumper and columns and other add ons will all be available to add over time.
@@thomasnewman295 OK. How much would a potstill capable of making a 190 proof everclear like vodka cost?
@@HenryNidel-xf1ccHit up the website for MHD. Lots of options. Wander TH-cam and find ways to build your own. Cost is a variable dependent on many many attributes.
@thomasnewman295 cool, thankyou for the advice. In a few months I will get a convertible pot still. How many fifths of 190 proof alcohol can a person make in 1 batch? How much does it cost to do each batch? Which still would you recommend to a beginner that is a convertible pot still?
You are not going to get 190 proof with a pot still.
How much would it cost me to make 6 fifths of 190 proof spirits like everclear using one of your stills,and how much would it set me back to purchase one of your stills ?
For 6 fifths (1.25 gallons), I'd recommend an 8 gallon system if using a turbo yeast for higher ABV in your fermentation or a 16 gallon if you're using a less volatile yeast. I'd really lean more towards the 16 gallon. Yield for an 8 gallon system at max percentage a turbo yeast can get (around 20% ABV) is almost right at 1.25 gallons. That's not accounting for cuts, so you'd likely not get the full yield in one run. The recommended 16 gallon reflux for you was already linked on your last comment I responded to, but just in case, here it is again: milehidistilling.com/product/16-gallon-with-stainless-3-inch-torpedo-pro-kit/
@milehidistilling1 wow, the stills are Hella expensive. Over 1 grand for a still. Nice stills very classy. Maybe someday. For now I will buy my 190 proof everclear for $40.00per 5th. I will say this very high quality very good value. From what I understand in 1 run you can make at least 30 fifths at a cost of 40 cents each.
Нет там никакого метанола. Метанол метанол метанол в каждом видео. Хроматограммы хоть раз посмотрите. Эфирно альдегидная фракция это, потому и сладкая. Нет пектина- практически нет метанола.
do you putting heat on the thumper?
Thanks
Nope,, it's only heated through the steam of the main boiler.
i look on your site, and you don't have any thumper for sales!
We sure do, there's about seven different sizes throughout this page: milehidistilling.com/product-category/stills/mile-hi-stills-stainless/