What's A Thumper & What Does A Thumper Do

[@milehidistilling1]

Hey, gang. I'd like to issue an apology for misinformation I provided on this video. The dip tube does NOT suck through solution into the condenser line. The Thumper stem provides a transfer line of steam from the main boiler to the Thumper. My only excuse on this misinformation is I got my head turned around with my hydrocarbon THC extraction days where the dip tube works the way I described initially. Please direct your hatemail to Boo at Mile Hi Distilling. The owner has already given me nine lashes to my back if it's any consolation.

[@abrad3061]

Tell him to leave you alone I only by stuff stuff because you are there he can check my invoices and your emails

[@keiththomas3352]

It was freaking me out for a minute. Why not just re-make the video?

[@chewsontinfoil5251]

Thank you. This is the best explanation I have seen on what a thumper is and does.

[@cammelspit]

Two lavs? What an interesting effect...

[@jettapup]

Boo, I had to run the video multiple times at the 3:00 point. I was concerned about where the dip tube is in the system. Having a touch of OCD, I ran that multiple times, my conclusion is that the dip tube is on the inlet of the thumper, (outlet of still) forcing the vapor through the liquid at the bottom of the thumper, thereby heating it to the boiling point to generate vapor to go out into the condenser. What confused me was, observing the setup on the bench the inlet to the thump[er is on the left. When you removed the tubes from the thumper the inlet is now on the right in your close-up. I have never seen a thumper to know the difference. Thanks for an informative video series.

[@milehidistilling1]

Hi, Jetta. You're completely right. I made a pretty embarrassing mistake on this video.

[@garrymcgaw4745]

That was ultra informative Boo, I've always struggled with the thumper concept, size, height in relation to the boiler and the tubes in and out of the thumper Diameter, you answered all my problems in a shot, that made my day :), there's not a lot of info out there on thumpers... not that I've seen anyway mind you I am wayyyyyy Down under. Thanks Cobber and Cheers 🥛🥛.

[@milehidistilling1]

That's wonderful to hear, my brother! I've noticed the lack of Thumper videos as well, which is exactly why I made this one! Thanks for watching.

[@yerrysherry135]

Thank you very much for the very useful information about thumpers. It's all about bringing out more flavors. Alternative stills that also do this is an "Alquitara" and apparently the best is a "Charentais" still

[@milehidistilling1]

My pleasure, and thank you for watching. You're right, both of those models are absolutely terrific for bringing more flavors. Not knocking them, but one thing to mention is that those two other styles usually require a rye flour paste to seal whereas ours use tri-clamps. This makes setting up and breaking down much easier and cleaner. Additionally, I don't believe Alquitara designs double condense anything, so you'd still get the flavor but wouldn't get the smoothness you can expect from Charentais and Thumper stills

[@philiptruitt]

Thank you!

[@milehidistilling1]

You're welcome!

[@thedirtdigger5990]

So, adding a fruit juice in the thumper will help enhance the flavor? Also could you kill the heat halfway through the run and empty the thumper and add fresh juice again to help keep the flavor?

[@milehidistilling1]

Yeah, exactly right brother! Yeah, you can definitely recharge midway through the run.

[@thedirtdigger5990]

@@milehidistilling1 ok kool I always wondered if it was possible or not

[@chrisjgilmore1]

@milehidistilling1 can you clarify that the short side of the thumper goes on the inlet side and the longer tube goes on the output side? I have always understood that it was reversed, that the input was the longer side and the output was the short side. Pls, let me know if I have been doing this incorrectly.

[@milehidistilling1]

Hi, Chris. You are correct, it is reversed. I made a pretty critical error in this video with that. You'll want the long side on the inlet and down into the pot, then the short side will be on the outlet side going to your condenser.

[@jimruff1165]

Hey Boo, I've struggled understanding what happens to the heads, one would think that it condenses when it is cooled by the "juice" in thumper adding methanol. Is the methanol then vaporized once juice is heated and 1st out to be tosses as normal

[@milehidistilling1]

Hey, Jim! Sorry brother, I'm having a little trouble understanding the question. You'll still be pulling off methanol in a Thumper. I've noticed it's less than a normal pot still, but it's still there. It'll have to be pulled off, collected, and then you'll make a cut at the hearts.

[@BuildingADrink]

I have the 16 gallon version of that traditional still with a 3" column. Mine was made before you started adding the thermometer at the top of the still head. I assume there is no way to add that onto my existing still head?

[@milehidistilling1]

We can still do it, man. You'd have to ship us back your Traditional head, but we could mill it once we get it in to accept a thermometer. Please email me at [e-mail] or call me at 303-987-3955 and we can talk more about pricing and everything. Thanks Boo

[@clinttorris4085]

You don't need thermometers anywhere in a still unless it's a continuous column still. Just a waste of money.

[@BuildingADrink]

@@clinttorris4085 I disagree. The temp of the boiler will tell me when I need to turn on the water for the dephlag and condenser. The temps are very consistent from run to run and it's a good indicator as to when I need to really start paying attention.

[@RC-pl7mp]

Would you do stripping runs with the thumper attached or use the thumper just for the spirit runs? Thanks.

[@milehidistilling1]

I think you could probably go either way! Thumpers are great at delivering a smooth spirit first run, so sometimes they void the need for a stripping run. I'd play around with it and see what works best for you.

[@RC-pl7mp]

@@milehidistilling1 Thanks for the quick response…wasn’t sure if there was a set way to do it if I decided to do some stripping runs first.

[@milehidistilling1]

@@RC-pl7mp No problems!

[@abrad3061]

Hurry up Boo. I am waiting to see you run the 8 to 3 so I can buy one!

[@milehidistilling1]

We're making a brandy this Summer and will be using a Thumper do distill it, so for sure by then, but I have a special new recipe coming out in March and might be using a Thumper to distill it. Either way, you'll see the Thumper soon!

[@choponcorps]

so would this thumper be good for essential oils?

[@choponcorps]

and is there mesh needed for the bottom of the dip tube?

[@choponcorps]

and thanks for 'shot time'

[@milehidistilling1]

It could work, but it wouldn't be my top recommendation. The Thumper stem could suck up some of your plant material or create blockages. I'd recommend something more like this: milehidistilling.com/product/8-gallon-essential-oil-distiller-extractor-with-large-essential-oil-basket/ You wouldn't put mesh in the dip tube if you got this unit, but you would put some in the cane looking piece

[@randlebaron5282]

My biggest concern with a thumper is the foreshot cut. The alcohol vapor coming out of the main boiler is at foreshot temp before the thumper is. How can you accurately cut out foreshots when they would be coming out at different times in the run?

[@milehidistilling1]

Hi, Rand. Keep in mind, the foreshots are ALWAYS the first thing to come out of the still, regardless of the temperatures they're at. So, as soon as the still starts to drip, take out the first 350ml-500ml you see and that's your foreshots cut. You can always use smell and taste to help, too.

[@clinttorris4085]

Learn how to make your cuts. But I'll give you a clue, whether it's coming out of the primary boiler or the secondary (thumper) it the first thing out. Smells and taste like fingernail polish because it's actually acetone. Learn your cuts so you don't poison yourself or anyone else. 😮

[@ellismcmillan1830]

please have someone there at mile hi distilling go over this video , and look at time 2.52 . You are not giving the correct instructions on the thumper . The long down tub is for steam to go in . The steam can not go through water to get out ! SO the long tub is the inlet and the short tub is the outlet . This way the steam can heat up the water or product in the thumper and all the flavor in the thumper will go out of the short tub .

[@milehidistilling1]

Hi, Ellis. I'm pretty embarrassed on that. You're completely right. I've worked with these Thumpers a decade now and know how they run, I don't have an explanation for myself on why I confused the two stems. Thanks for commenting.

[@abrad3061]

There is always a know it all. Get a life if you know so much. Start your own channel, profeser! Leave the poor kid alone

[@williamjohnston4192]

Boo if it were me I would go with a up side down v notch on the tube in stead of slits it would flow through better

[@milehidistilling1]

I like the idea, man! I'd be worried that the upside down V notch would cause the Thumper to suck up TOO much and cause the still to start puking, but it could be a cool prototype design to try. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@coyotehunter8226]

You need to delete this ridiculous video. Youre instructing ppl to build a pressure bomb. Youve worked there for 10 years?? Then you should know better. Delete this extremly misinforming video.

[@milehidistilling1]

The misinformation was corrected in the comments. Do you have any experience building stills? I'm guessing not. This is not a pressure bomb and that's pretty dramatic to think it is. The unit won't even work with the dip tube on the side that I messed up and showed on my video, so you couldn't run the unit the way I had it even if you wanted to. When you get the unit, there is one configuration the still can go into, and that is the correct one. I made a mistake, and I owned it.

[@clinttorris4085]

If hooked up backwards all you'd have is a slobber box like we used in the old days when I was a kid and using wood to fire the boilers. There's not 1 video that I've seen from Mile HI that hasn't fucked up the info. You dumb asses will say anything to sell your Chinaman made junk! 😂