THUMPERS, THEORY AND HOW THEY WORK

This channel is designed to offer insight and background on the science, art and practice of making alcohol based products at home.

[@Cougar139tweak]

Holy crap, this guy may be the best teacher I've ever seen, missed your calling, should have been a college professor......but glad you decided to do this instead

[@lockjaw5161]

yep!

[@austinmentz8314]

This video is amazing. I find my self nodding to your questions like your are talking to me in person. It feels like I’m sitting with my grandpa and getting great wisdom.

[@mikes279]

This was the best and most thorough explanation of a thumper I have come across. Now that I know what it's for and how it works, I decided not to use it. But, I watched the thumper implosion video and decided I would use the thumper, to infuse flavors.

[@bigrockk2980]

Wow, glad I found your site, by far the best videos I have come across. Fantastic explanations, much appreciated!

[@SkinnyMarty1]

George Can't thank you enough for your time and info You and your crew have made this a most pleasant hobby with your professionally done videos

[@NatureMovies]

A thumper is not a second distillation but a theoretical one half distillation of the initial distillation, regulated by the efficiency of the initial distillation. Neither is a still a "closed system," it's an open system, or it had better be! Back in old times they had no way of calculating expected output or ABV, so they used a rule of thumb by making thumper volume half the size of the of still tank. Large scale rum pot stills used commercially are made this way.The contents and volume of the thumper as well as the thermal isolation of the lines going to the thumper are crucial for efficiency. Thumpers are also a layer of protection for a "still-puke" in old times. It's primarily a vapor purification cycle. You can have multiple thumpers, as some rum stills do, but each subsequent thumper is only a one half distillation of the prior distillation. Some distillers put tails in their thumper, others put part of the wash, they all effect flavor in a different way. Thumpers are crucial for specific flavor profiles for large scale pot stills. How far the incoming lynne arm extension goes down into the liquid is crucial as well since it influences vapor pressure required to break the surface. The further down in the liquid, the more pressure required, computed is quartiles of SG and temp, but again, the old timers would adjust it by the size of the flame. A big better burning flame and they would go further. It's an old art, and it works, but it's not going to make a bad whiskey taste good!! No will it make a bad still more efficient, all it does is slightly purify the vapor that comes into it based on the substrate in the thumper.

[@LloydieP]

Absolutely beautiful explanation! So much information and context. Thank you!

[@bowpro88]

Thanks, I really appreciate all your videos and sharing of knowledge.

[@loofy26]

Best teacher ever ! answering all thoses questions i always wonder. Cheers from France !

[@Drfixit904]

Once again.. Thank you for your time that you put into these videos

[@DROPTINE]

This is Exactly why Popcorn Sutton was the best of all time He went by sound and trial and error ! NO temperature gauges etc etc...... Pretty Impressive! He Is a TRUE LEGEND!!!

[@zombieSlayer-kn2rk]

I think he was saying that Popcorn Sutton was the legend. But this guy doing the video is definitely pretty freaking awesome.

[@edwardhelms2431]

Thanks George you have helped me out so much with my hobby and save me a lot of money keep doing the videos keep teaching I appreciate your time sir

[@bubbasgood]

Best description of a thumper and how it works. I only wish I had found this video first it would have saved me a lot of trail and errors but some times that's the best way to learn. At least for me. Thanks again for the video can't wait to check out more.

[@downdirty8543]

Absolutely love the way you teach! I could listen to you all day.

[@Tara-sf7uu]

I love this channel! You sir, are the Bob Ross of distilling. Your teaching method is much appreciated

[@LordMekanicus]

Buddy I love how you explain things! Dropped in to see how you shared your knowledge and am duly impressed. Keep doing what you do, I'll keep doing what I do, and as you say; "Happy Distilling." "Apples and Oranges aren't the same, until you put them in a mash." -"Grandpa" Martin.

[@bigfred1813]

You make the best and most informative videos I've ever seen on this subject thank you very much

[@ramrodfishingoutdoors8155]

George I love all your videos you explained it perfectly ! 👍😎

[@handyman75657]

Artist and Professor. Thank you!

[@roytetwart]

Thank you for an excellent video. I often wondered how a thumper worked! You really do have a talent for explaining things. (Especially to people like me who are not the brightest spark in the fire!). I've now subscribed.

[@kevinconzo4293]

Thank you for making this video. GREAT background information.

[@jeffgrier8488]

Great explanation George, much appreciated!

[@shadowmihaiu]

Very nice, you crystallized a couple pieces of important information for me. Much appreciated.

[@ClassicRyder1]

You make it so easy to understand. Always wondered about how thumpers worked and if I needed one.

[@giacomellijr]

Tranks for the explanation George. In Brazil we dont use Double Destilation for our drink, the Cachaça. But I will Run Bourbon, then is too hard to learn about thumper in Brazil . I apreciate your lessons a Lot. Thank you!!

[@d9inger]

Best explanation of a thumper I've heard. Thanks George.

[@michaelmiller8914]

I'm 5 years late to this party. I used this method 6+ years ago, but I missed the control side of the thumper. I had a 15g still and 15g thumper. I missed the mark with filling the thumper for sure and the holes in the feed pipe to the thumper. Thank you so much for the knowledge of functionality.

[@adammason4554]

Been waiting for a barley and hops thumper video, thanks from Australia George

[@anthonybarra2391]

Always wondered the science behind a thumper, thanks George top explanation

[@rachelvanemmerik5221]

Thank you so much for sharing your extended knowledge. Your a star.

[@SirGolfalot-]

Good explanation, on both the thumper and the slobber box. I become a little more knowledgeable about this craft every time I watch one of your videos. Thanks for your service

[@arrrgonot7801]

Outstanding discussion. You really bring it all together easy to understand. Thanx George

[@freedomfamily1358]

Glad i found ya much needed extra 411 my pawpa was a shiner hillbilly in wv where i was raised and all this is very exciting informative info as i never got to meet him he passed b4 i was born thank you sir for ur time im now subscribed!!

[@shervanstaden7209]

Thanks, George.. You, Sir, are awesome. The knowledge on this has certainly helped to better my education on my all-time favourite hobby.. Sure could have used that slobber box a few weeks back.. 🤦‍♂️ I will try the thumper as demonstrated..

[@UsedBrain4U]

You sir are the Red Fisher of distilling. You are a real story teller. I love listening and learning from you.

[@shoover17331]

Awesome! Gorge, you the man. Thank you!

[@b-kerbchek-k7582]

Great video... I finally understand the difference and purpose of a Thumper and or slobber box... thank you

[@dominickbianco5080]

i love watching your videos im learning so much. thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@keithf5883]

I love your passion for your craft. Thank you sir.

[@IsraeDan]

So clear George. Thanks

[@Airborne33850]

another great video pure pleasure watching them all thanks

[@deanpatton2158]

Great video, thank you for the expert information,

[@byronsowntime]

Massive thanks from Finland.......quite simply the best description of a thumper I have heard and seen...just looking for an excuse to to phone you up and say hi....keep doing what you do...its greatly appreciated ......

[@garymitchell7326]

top bloke best teacher ever could watch you all week and I will

[@shawndaley5907]

George for president!

[@Cardassiaprime]

Whoa, You Sir are an educator, that was an awesome guide to Thumpers. I cannot thank you enough for that video (obviously for educational purposes only since I reside in England where Distilling is second only to murder.) As we say over here -over the pond- TOP BLOKE. Barnie.

[@johnladd9885]

I know this is an old video but I just found your channel.. dude you could sell a book or DVD you are a mountain of usable easy to understand knowledge.. thank you so much I've been wanting to do this for a long time but couldn't find the write knowledge for me but this is awesome.. thanks again for sharing this knowledge and God bless..

[@donalddooley209]

Thanks so much for your videos and your teaching skills

[@siuealangi9624]

Awesome. Thank you for sharing.

[@sorensenperformance]

George..- First thanks so much for all the videos you post they have been very helpful. I run a thumper set up and I have to mention.. filling it to 3/4 is way to much .. if you fill it that full it tends to push the mash wash out into the final product especially near the end of the run as I find everytime the thumper fills up with more liquid by the end of the run. Filling the thumper to just cover the imput tube is just right.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Thanks so much. Experience and shared tips are always welcome here. George

[@jeffcameron3192]

Great explanation! Love your videos

[@michaelsmith1675]

Great job George on closed systems

[@trebor66n2]

Thanks again. You are my favorite person to watch on KZbin, and I watch a lot on KZbin.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Thanks

[@sebastiantellstheworldgran9237]

Amazing video. Thank you

[@pleasantjohnson8547]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge!! Much respect!!

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Thanks a bunch

[@glenncol]

Hey George, awesome video thank you.

[@jayballard27690]

Thank you good sir for a very informative video. Greetings from UK.

[@chrisolivier9776]

Thanks George. I've used your guidelines to build my thumper - I'll probably test run it next weekend. I'll email you a few photos 😁

[@PetraKann]

The back pressure created by the "thumper" unit can be calculated by using the following formula. P = ρgH ρ = density of the fluid in the thumper (kg/m3) g = force of gravity = 9.8 (m/s2) H = height of water level above the vapor inlet tube outlet located at the bottom of the thumper (m) The back pressure in a modestly sized thumper with say a liquid level of 0.2 m is quite small. Technically this thumper set-up is not a closed system. Think of the boiler or pot still having a bleed valve attached at the top which permits a certain amount of vapour to pass through or escape to the next section. The liquid level in the thumper unit serves the same function as a bleed valve. The vapour must overcome the liquid level which provides a tiny amount of back pressure. Increasing the liquid level would be like closing the bleed valve - both actions increase the back pressure. cheers

[@timflynn3218]

Does original atmospheric pressure need to be included in this formula? Seems to me adding 14.7 psi to the above formula would be correct. I may be wrong, just saying.

[@PetraKann]

@@timflynn3218 You can be dealing with pressure drop or pressure gradient where atmospheric pressure doesnt matter. It's a relative difference in pressure between two points. Or you can also be dealing with Absolute or relative pressure. Remember, a relative pressure gauge will read zero when left in the open air. The same gauge will also read zero if taken to the top of Mount Everest even though the surrounding air pressure has decreased. So you need a different type of gauge to determine absolute pressure or a calculation or algorithm solved. We know that there is an atmospheric pressure present in both scenarios. If one thinks about it, a reading of zero pressure implies a perfect vacuum. But the pressure gauge is just determining the difference in pressure between two points within the gauge.

[@gierhedd75]

Holy Bejeebus! You sir, should be writing books in this - or even teaching this at some lucky college as an adjunct professor. I have been home brewing for the past few decades, and could only wish that I had the guidance of someone like yourself when I first started out. Now that I'm finally taking those first baby steps at distilling, you have given me the confidence and the tools (thank goodness for the interwebs sometimes, I guess) to have at it. Thanks for taking the time to produce these excellent videos. I hit that subscribe button so hard, I nearly cracked my screen!

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Awesome. Thanks a bunch George

[@d.j.robinson9424]

Makes perfect sense George, love the ideas of a slobber box and thumper; 1 question, what type of silver solder do you recommend..?

[@TK-setophaga]

Keep up the great work.

[@edthayres9175]

Hi George, excellent videos. I just started watching them. I understand 99% of the distilling process but for my own summation, the vapor from the still pot rises, travels through the tubing into the thumper. It passes through the liquid in the thumper and rises again to the top as vapor. Then up and over into the condenser, turning back to liquid and exits as liquid at the collection sight?

[@bovendeerd]

Very helpfull - tnx a lot. William - Netherlands

[@topjob1000]

Great video.

[@allenwhitehead8031]

Brilliant, im from the UK and seen lots of videos on moonshine and how moon shine stills work. By far i have learned more from this video clip, i have watched give than from all of the othere video clips, iv seen befor, iv subscribed to and looking forward to watching all of your videos, and in time i will be phoning you with a few questions about a still im going to build. Thanks Allen

[@jasoneaton1281]

Thanks George. Enjoying your videos! Some say that modern reflux stills are TO efficient and you do not get as much flavor of the final product as old pot stills or thumpers. Any comments on how to let just the right amount of flavors through in a pot still?

[@hellbillyjr]

I'm just getting into this, so I've checked out a few channels. You're explanations are awesome. I only know two moonshiners and asked a few questions, but I hate asking some of the basics. That's said, if you're on your first run, could you use your first mash, then use the tails later on?

[@johnhawkins6391]

Thank you George from the foothills of the Appalachians!

[@KC9RXP]

Been looking for a few years to find a clear explanation of this.

[@mrpeterpotts5106]

I have watched a couple of your videos- love your style. You never mentioned scrubbing- passing a vapour through a cleansing liquid . A thumper acts as a cleaner- all impurities and dissolved in the thumper liquid and pure distillate evapourates. They do this in laboratories. I imagine if you had several thumpers connected in series the end product would be super refined. Anyway- I do not know what I am talking about and I love your presentations.

[@markcrume]

Thank you George!

[@taffdavies5573]

One location the Falkland Islands. Terrific stuff George.. Thank you for all..

[@ipreweda]

Can you please make a video where you are actually using a thumper. Iv learned so much from your channel. Please continue the great work you guys are doing.

[@BEERNBBQBYLARRY]

Great stuff!

[@aaycanadian1438]

that was awesome . thankyou

[@southcack8245]

Would also suggest some holes up the side of the input pipe near the bottom to help prevent a boiler vacuum colapse. Never heard of the need to fill it 2/3 full. Just a couple of inches to cover the end of the pipe is enough. A water charge will also give a boost in ABV. The thumping sound you hear is the collapse (condensing) of vapor as it enters the cool liquid. Theoretically the liquid in the thumper will nearly always be slightly cooler than that of the boiler. At least until the boiling points of the two become somewhat equalized. Just my $.02.

[@chrislee5351]

Great video. Thank you.

[@12gageshot]

Awesome knowlege

[@riverkelly3025]

Thank you man ! such a great guy

[@michaelcooney7687]

Greatest teacher

[@austinmentz8314]

Great content. You should write a book with all this knowledge.

[@munro902]

Yehaw some good ol cape Breton mountain Dew coming this summer , thanks pal

[@gwyrgchuk2774]

Awesome video man

[@SimpleBiscuit]

Great video!

[@jaybarnes1869]

Thanks for answering my question

[@cotycannon9843]

Like the videos good job George

[@alenalenson6281]

Thank you very much sir for good info .George would you do a video about making Jäermeister (the famous German spirit ) thanks again

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

This mixture has as many 34 ingredients and are a closely held secret. I have not found any information on this.

[@Billy0Nitro]

FINALLY, A THUMPER EXPLAINED!

[@willemhorn7583]

Thanx oom awsome explanation

[@HauptJager]

Great video George, if I'm following you correctly, if you pack a column with one of copper mesh, and use a gin basket you could get a similar effect to a thumper without having to have an extr pice of equipment or risk.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

In a direct comparison, yes. There is much more to it than that but in its simplest terms the answer is yes, you could mimic the results with column packing.

[@peribox2]

Love the video very explanatory I have a question please, Can i make the cuts by regulating the temperature? for example I can hold the temp to 150F the methanol evaporates when stops pouring at the end I know there is no more methanol left, then I increase the temp to 175 and hold it there for ethanol then again when stops pouring I know there is no more ethanol in the mash Do I still have the tail in final product if I stop the heat before water starts to evaporate? Thank you!

[@adamwanderscheid8559]

Thanks again George! Happy Distilling

[@nancysmith9487]

Mr. George, thank yous again for sharing

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

You are very welcome

[@robertmaletta4014]

Thank you very informative

[@stevenrigsby4635]

First off i want to say thankyou for all the information you are putting out there. Second. I have a question i need a little help with. I have a 6 gallon pot still and it has a thumper on that looks to only be about 1 quart in size. I believe this is to small. Can i run it dry just as a slobber box or do i need to cut the inlet pipe off at the top of it for it to work? Thanks for your imput!

[@thai9639]

Great to knowledge of distillation . I would like to make rice bran oil. With your pressure

[@andyac47]

Great thank you 🙏

[@chasingsalmon]

Hi, Ive just bought a still, 3 stage. I thought the "Thumper" has the store has sold me would be the same has the one you've shown. ie pipe all way down the bottom. In mine it has an inlet, only through the top, no down pipe, and an outlet to the worm from the top. I was wanting to put a 20/30% alcohol into my thumper with some juniper berries to make gin. Cant I do that with not having the pipe all the way to the bottom ? love the channel. Shaun, UK

[@dingleberry3695]

Question, Given how a slobber box works, would you say that a system with a slobber box instead of a thumper would still be an open system? Would copper mesh in the slobber box affect the process/flavor? Could I add an aromatics basket to the slobber box for additional seasoning? Thank you so much for all the videos. They've basically taught me everything I know!