Bearded and Bored with George discuss Thumpers

[@BeardedBored]

It was great getting to talk to you screen to screen George! Loved our discussion:-)

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Yes it was! Looking forward to the next one.

[@BeardedBored]

@@BarleyandHopsBrewing Me too:-)

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

@@BeardedBored Hey, I may have the sulfur testing finished and ready to post tomorrow.

[@BeardedBored]

@@BarleyandHopsBrewing Nice!

[@wojciechjurczyk9927]

i love to see colaboration with holy trio of this hobby , Jesse, George and B&B! such a good friends to watch

[@BeardedBored]

Thanks!

[@BigEdsGuns]

George, When it comes to a closed system. Research MANOMETERS. A MANOMETER is a open vent with a water trap in it. Just like a sink, toilet or shower trap. >>> If the system Clogs and builds pressure the water is pushed out and now has a vent. > If the system shuts down, the water is sucked into the boiler and the vent is open.

[@senecastrong4986]

Love it. Now you know that Digger from Moonshiners has been watching the three of you because after 10 seasons all of the sudden he's is trying to be the "scientist" of the show by impressing his buddy with the 551 copper cleaner, PH levels, hydrometers, rapid coolers and more. Never too old to learn.

[@sal5270]

How about leaving the lid off of the pot/kettle until the vapors run off ?

[@philiptruitt]

Thanks guys!

[@PrivatePilot66]

Vaccinated? I thought you were smarter than that.

[@josephray6159]

Ty soo much I've always wondered this was happening ty for info

[@BeardedBored]

Glad we could help:-)

[@captainmidnite93]

Where you been George, not vaxxx damaged we hope?

[@BillMcGirr]

I’ve never been a big proponent of thumpers... I tend to view them as a tool of a bygone era... Essentially a way to catch any still burp on a wood fired still. I’ve used them...many times. But since I’ve moved to stainless equipment with copper packing... I haven’t had much use or need for one. But I’ll admit Bearded has moved my opinions on them... He’s doing and discussing interesting stuff involving thumpers. Good stuff enjoyed the conversation. 😊👍🥃

[@BeardedBored]

Thanks:-)

[@slelliott14]

They can be very good for some flavoring...hypothetically

[@andypies01]

Video on cooking in the Thumper would be great 👍

[@BeardedBored]

Will do!

[@jbrunson1949]

Thank you both for commenting on the TV shows, I find it so un-real that they say those things, that are not true, my favorite is Mike says he is doing a stripping run, and then comes out and says it has so much flavor at 190 proof, I sure do hope the people do not try their wrong info that they put out, guess that is why they have to say at the beginning. DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME. LOL. HAPPYDISTILLING

[@lakedog3616]

I ran a 2500lb. boiler for 30 years . One of the most important things we had to do was open the drum vents when the pressure fell to 50lbs after we had come offline . If not it would collapse the tubes .

[@BeardedBored]

That's a beast. Can't even imaging the damage that could cause.

[@lakedog3616]

@@BeardedBored It was 150ft high and 100 x 100 ft square.Had the side of the boiler blow out a couple times. Not pretty. Luckily there was no one around that area at that moment to be killed.

[@BeardedBored]

@@lakedog3616 Wow!

[@FoghornGreenhorn]

How about cooking your heads off right out of the pot before you cap it off like they do sometimes on moonshiners? I never thought of it before I saw it but makes perfect sense to me.

[@johncowan5706]

Very interesting stuff guys. Thanks again for sharing George and Bearded & Bored. I appreciate you both!

[@BrightRaven777]

How would the flavor result of "shooting the thumper" compare to the technique of leaving the top of the still open in some way to vent the methanol/heads; before closing the system to then run through the fruit, etc.?

[@ShinerShane]

Works for me..

[@BeardedBored]

My philosophy is to keep all my feints for other runs, but I guess it would work.

[@BrightRaven777]

@@BeardedBored Hypothetically of course.

[@BeardedBored]

@@BrightRaven777 Absolutely:-)

[@popsmcgops6322]

Thank you guys! George, I've called a few times and your always great and patient.. Bearded, been wanting to try your apple jack recipe/walkthrough for months, it looked great. Appreciate what you guys do!! God bless!

[@robertschroeder1978]

George & Bearded, thanks for the video and for all the wealth of information. Thank you for helping the hobby and strengthening out the truth. Great to see you both. Miss Jesse though...

[@BeardedBored]

Thanks Robert!

[@cutbaitkenny]

great video from you guys, thanks for the lessons. Question, if I run a copper like between the inflow and outflow of the thumper with a ball valve inline. Load the thumper with the flavoring ingredients. After the heads are run out open the valve and finish the run. Would this work wouldn't it? What are your thoughts?

[@PhilipBailey-v7v]

Be glad to see you both to head back online to teach folks. Its been a couple of years. You both are greatly appreciated and missed by our community. Philip Virginia

[@robhansen2635]

Thanks guys, I found that the more I learn,the more there is to learn!

[@rocknh68]

It's not legal to distal here but man I enjoy both of y'all's videos. Miss having new ones from George, but I rewatch all the old ones😉

[@lakedog3616]

What if if you drilled several holes in the lower quarter section of the thumper intake pipe? Would that agitate the product in thumper more thus instilling more flavor?

[@BeardedBored]

Yeah, lots of guys make little copper pipe squares with holes in them to act as a steam wand. I just stick a copper scrubby on the bottom of the pipe, but the steam wands work great.

[@LP23D6]

Hey guys. Good to see both of you on the same screen. Great message!

[@BeardedBored]

Thanks!

[@charlesdean1542]

Ahhhhaaaa!!!! Crack corn

[@docyoungblood9521]

B&B...make a dummy thumper with a straight pipe and a union of similar length....swap the pipe for the actual thumper when the heads are gone

[@russellmcgahee942]

Another great help. Keep them coming. Also you know the ball Mason jar infusion trick in the column I would love to see. Yea its complicated; but you can teach us how. well it kida works like a thumper in a column still Love out Loud...

[@boharris8179]

I do the bypass. I have a crossover and 3 ball valves. Both on my main thumper and my 3 jar setup. Just solder in a ball valve to the thumper input add a tee above the ball valve and and add a ball valve to the side of the tee. Then route the pipe from that valve to a tee on the output side of your thumper. I add the 3rd valve behind the output tee to keep steam from back feeding to the thump. From there it's on to the worm. Oh and I have all these pipes horizontal so to not get a bunch of residual condensation

[@jamesbest2983]

That was a good session, and I like the thought on “ cooking “ cracked corn- also being a relatively new stiller, have a friend that is really interested in the art of distilling - always gets in the conversation that “ it will make me blind”- having talked to him - given videos to watch- how do you “ untrained” a trained monkey??

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

Tell him yes it will make you blind.

[@BeardedBored]

Sounds like he's not that interested in it if he doesn't read up on the most basic stuff like making cuts and why, since you keep having that discussion. He might be too locked in to his viewpoint to change his mind.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

@@BeardedBored There's only solution to someone like this: pour 'em a shot of foreshots to prove him right.

[@slelliott14]

I guess if he’s a close buddy, he’s a drinking buddy, so while he’s talking smack enjoy the fruits of your labor! Eventually he’ll catch on you aren’t blind!

[@BEAVERDIY]

Super video George and Bearded 2 super powers in one video

[@markmeintjes3056]

George, Bearded & Beaver - many thanks for all the advice. The process, the recipes, you guys rock! Enjoying every moment of this hobby. Need to send a sample of my efforts - my best is Beaver's umqombothi whiskey. Thanks Guys most appreciated.

[@BeardedBored]

Our KZbin distilling family is getting bigger and better with you here Beaver:-)

[@marcelgaddis9319]

how do you feel about tinning the inside bottom of a copper still to make it leak proof? considering copper pots and pans are tined, and it is the base for your lead free silver solder, shouldn't it be safe to tin the the bottom and bottom few inches on the walls of a homemade copper still? never seen this subject covered anywhere so i ask the question. isnt tin as food grade safe as copper, and stainless steel, so shouldn't a tinned bottom still be just fine to build/use? maybe you will answer this or not i dont know but thanks for taking the time to read this and for everything you guys do.

[@gazt657]

I herd it here lol and it really works for me so meny thanks mr bearded

[@brandaddy5150]

is a slobber box to prevent puking?

[@CesarSanchez-ef6sl]

I have the bad habit to use a pressure cook to cook Everything, you can Cook the corn in it, And gets real Cook faster.

[@BeardedBored]

That's a good idea. Never thought to try that. My pressure cooker is small so it would take several batches to cook corn, but I might try some to see how it does. Thanks!

[@CesarSanchez-ef6sl]

@@BeardedBored When I wanna keep all the juices inside, I don't let Pressure Go out.

[@rocketsroc]

From my own experiments with thumpers, I personally don't think they are worth the effort to use. First off, they aren't great as a "plate" since today we have far better devices to increase ABV. Secondly, they aren't very effective in transferring flavors unless one uses ingredients that are very high in concentrated flavors like cinnamon, Juniper berries, etc. Example: If you think loading a thumper with fruit mush, like peaches, is going to yield a peach flavored spirit, you will be greatly disappointed. As you two noted, most of the fruit flavor will be gone within a short time leaving nothing worth carp in the thumper. Lastly, there is the danger of using a closed system, especially with newbie's. So here is the challenge: Forget thumpers instead put on our thinking caps and devise a new and better method of adding flavors.

[@BeardedBored]

I think over on Spike Love's channel I've seen them put dried apples in the gin basket after the heads run. Same concept and seems to work well.

[@drastixhound9524]

You guys are great! God bless

[@mikeennis7934]

Could you put your wood staves in the thumper to add flavor also?

[@richardsberlati4340]

I just started watching and learning (Subscribed) and was just about to jump in to try it out thanks to you and George but I just learned that you are both gone? What's up with that?

[@rocknh68]

Bearded is making videos again, but George is still "retired"

[@benjaminderringer1680]

Got to know where we come from to know where we’re going! You guys ever make it to California I would be honored to show you around our local distillery trail. Thanks for all you do!!

[@BeardedBored]

Thanks Ben!

[@brendanwhite104]

Ok so you have just elevated a thumper from a nice to have to a must have! My head is racing with possibilities. Love you guys and thanks for all the great content you provide 👍

[@BeardedBored]

Thanks!

[@StreetImageTX]

Great video! I’m new to both of you guys and don’t know who Jesse is. Can you post a link to his channel or one of his videos?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Type in Stillit on the youtube search bar.

[@Winteryears]

I use my tops as a fire starter for my wood stove.

[@traumarich63]

Please help me I need a still

[@silver-hy6mi]

To many people watch moonshiners on tv and that’s where the misconception comes from!

[@ShinerShane]

No joke some of my best recipes have came from that show. I mashed a honey and cherry brandy and mixed with an equal part of my typical corn mash to mimic the "cherry bounce" and it turned out amazing. Mimicked the same recipe but with apple instead of cherry to recreate the "honey apple crisp" and both blends turned out perfectly.

[@danthemann]

Speaking of 'if it is said enough' .. All the methanol does not come off at the beginning of the run. The foreshots and other nasty stuff does. So when I hear you say 'methanol' I have trained myself to hear 'foreshots' and you can remain my distilling idol. ;) Methanol behaves a lot like ethanol and water azeatrope with a hydrogen bond. It took me a while to find enough sources to confirm this in my mind, but it is now. Happy distilling.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Methanol and water do not create an azeotrope.

[@danthemann]

@@BarleyandHopsBrewing I said 'Much like' .. either way it is not all removed at the beginning because it does bond with water. Just like the ethanol does not all separate at once, neither does methanol. It does not matter health wise, obviously, but it is inaccurate to claim it is removed too. If my thinking should be flipped around again I'd be happy to learn something else new. In the mean time Happy Distilling!

[@thewizardofcroagz394]

GEOOORGE!!!!

[@briansauers7528]

ok the creativity that can be employed here is amazing more hours of research now needed i really like the idea of distilling though the grains and after the heads. Im guessing a column would have problems pushing through a thumper and wondering if a smaller flavor infusion vessel that would not adhere to the 1/3 size rules would be a serious problem

[@BeardedBored]

I've seen a keg rig with a 4 foot plated column that ran back down into a keg sized thumper work just fine. The 1/3 rule is about the thumper filling up and puking. Too small a vessel and it'll overflow.

[@briansauers7528]

@@BeardedBored im thinking its the liquid type stuff giving most of the flavor im wondering if the same idea could be used with a gin basket with say apples to any decent effect

[@BeardedBored]

@@briansauers7528 I've seen Spike Love drop dried apple in their gin basket midway through a run to great effect. Can't remember which video it was.

[@briansauers7528]

@@BeardedBored hey thanks thats a real good start for me im sure playing with 190 pipes is just so much fun i do have some ideas with a ball valve by pass but first i really need to work on leaning the column set up we are building but honestly i cant wait to try it the chance to make a shnapps like i tried in austria really lights my fire

[@brendanwhite104]

@@BeardedBored Thanks for the Spike Love comment man! I checked in on the channel and there’s some great content. He has a chuckle like you 😂 made me smile 👍

[@n8vmc469]

Check out “steam wand” in the HDF.. might scratch that itch.. simple to build..

[@quarlow1215]

So my question to you two is, if you have a very stout still such as a keg, with a keg thumper, and you shut down the still, provided there's nothing in the thumper to plug the inlet pipe such as fruit or grain, would the vacuum effect not just suck liquid back from the thumper to the still since its only kind of a closed system? Call it a "semi-closed" system. A full closed system would be if you closed the thumper outlet.

[@paulswan1965]

Excellent video guys, a Q for you can you run a thumper with say a T500 or a Pure Distilling system that I have?

[@whitejesus2742]

Is there a way I can contact you though email with questions I recently ran my new still thinking my slobber box was a thumper and was worried that the foreahots would mix with the rest of my batch since the slobber box wasn't over any heat should I be affriad to drink that or does the foreahots come out first Everytime regardless?

[@paulhutchison6994]

@bearded add a 2" tri clamp bulkhead fitting to your thumper lid. Then attach a butterfly valve to it. Then you can add a vessel to hold your flavoring and open the valve when you get past your heads. It will also warm it up as the run goes on so there's not as much lag.

[@stevevet3652]

Is there a limit of how much you can fill your thumper? Is the thickness of your product in the thumper something you need to consider? Have you ever pre-heated the contents of the thumper before making a run?

[@paulhutchison6994]

With a gin basket it sits above a dephlegmator. That allows you to stop the vapor and load and reload the basket throughout the run. So adding things are easy as turning up the reflux.

[@kennethcounts5905]

Never considered that, but makes wonderful sense and just a couple of valves.

[@tomcrane2451]

Hi mate just saw your latest video absolutely awesome do you know what is going on with bearded he hasn’t posted a video for a few weeks

[@silveraven1]

Such a good conversation. Never heard you don’t need yeast to ferment LOL, that’s a good one.

[@DanielJAudette]

in essence an external thumper = gin basket but on steroids?

[@rickandkathy2482]

Is there any use for thumper water after a run? Can it be used in your next run?

[@jeffdragon9439]

Can you use artificial sweeteners to make a mash?

[@Backdaft94]

No

[@ShinerShane]

#moonshinemessiah #disciplesofgeorge #booksofbeards

[@guyserman5623]

Hi guys, why not use 3 ball valves, one as a bridge to get rid of the heads then close it and open the feed lines to the thumper.?

[@BeardedBored]

@@guyserman5623 I would love to make a new one like that. Lot's of guys do.

[@jimbaritone6429]

Consider: Atmospheric pressure = 14 pounds per square inch (13.7 here). A piece of metal sheet that's 12 inches x 12 inches is 144 square inches. So, if you remove the pressure on one side of that piece of metal sheet, there's 2016 pounds force on the atmosphere side (outside). If the steam in your boiler condenses, there is a large drop in pressure/force against the inside of that vessel. If your boiler's internal pressure drops by only 5 pounds per square inch, the force on a square foot of the boiler's metal drops, so there's 720 pounds force of atmosphere pushing in on that one square foot. If your boiler is, let's say, 24 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter, there's just over 1800 square inches of surface on the sides of the barrel, not including top and bottom. A 5 P.S.I difference between outside and inside will apply 1,302,221 pounds of force to the metal sides of the boiler. About 651 tons pushing against that metal surface. We might then wonder how thick that sheet metal is, and how well it resists force/pressure. We also might consider that the pressure drop inside the boiler, if steam is condensing, can be more than 5 pounds/square inch, since the boiler may have been operating at a pressure several pounds above atmospheric pressure. This is only an approximate figure.

[@andyread4332]

Wow guys really cool chat! Ive built a steam injection set up . One thing i would like to say is that it is so easy to add a built in safety to a thumper / steam injection system. Instead of a elbow from your first boiler put a tee in and one goes to thumper other goes to a downward loop or manometer , which you fill with water. Any pressure build up will push this water out.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

10:15 "Come on guys" no it's a valid question, no need to get defensive.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

@@BeardedBored Truth doesn't fear competition or inquiry. It just is.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

@@BeardedBored There's literally no "winning" buddy. I didn't "win" anything by stating the truth. If people want to create a divide or war between you guys it exists already. Take a step back. Love you all btw.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

@@BeardedBored Also lmao at "trying to sound wise" by stating the absolute truth. The truth is the truth. If there's no reason to beef, there's no beef. Wtf is wrong with your brain?

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

@@BeardedBored The truth of what everyone is doing. Go back and read the first post in this thread. There's no pitting anyone against anyone if the truth is known. You're kind of stupid, ngl sorry to hear.

[@fivefingerfullprice3403]

@@BeardedBored You should look up "Keemstar 10 hour" and then you'll know what I think about your IQ. Keemstar 10 hour, look it up, and then realize it's you.