 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/26/2010(UTC) Posts: 5   Location: Out in the township
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"I have a new still and have my first batch of mash working as we speak. I have a glass jar thumper on the still. Should I toss the first 100ml out of the jar or wait and toss from the condenser? Thanks in advance, I am looking forward to a very productive affair with this new adventure in my life!  "
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 Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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" Originally Posted by: Denny0205  I have a new still and have my first batch of mash working as we speak. I have a glass jar thumper on the still. Should I toss the first 100ml out of the jar or wait and toss from the condenser? Thanks in advance, I am looking forward to a very productive affair with this new adventure in my life! Hi Denny, There has been a lot of discussion here and other forums about that still design. Do not run it with that glass jar. Get a stainless one or bypass it completely. Its a potential bomb. Generally, you prefill the thumper with feints, low wines, or some of your wash, else the vapors will just pass through so you will collect after the condensor."
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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"I put one of those glass thumpers on my still......well it never blew up or even created anything negative, what I do like is when the congeners or tails ( you know the nasties ) start showing up I can see them there before they get in my distillate. The liquid in the jar gets cloudy. But I never let it get very full - just touching the down tube or so.
The thumper fluid is not boiling but it is very hot. The juice will get saturated with alc. but I keep pouring it in a keeper jug off to the side and use it next time. It could be a prob but not yet anyway. I guess if you drop it or whatever it could be a prob. So be carefull damnit.....thats what I keep telling myself."
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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"Nice to see whats going on heeler.
But I sure do wish you fellers would build yourselves proper thumpers.
Are ya least wearing safety glasses and got a fire extinguisher on hand?"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/22/2005(UTC)
Posts: 817
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" Originally Posted by: LWTCS Nice to see whats going on heeler.
But I sure do wish you fellers would build yourselves proper thumpers.
Are ya least wearing safety glasses and got a fire extinguisher on hand? Indeed! And there has been reports of jars breaking on some other forums. That would be like a jolt of boiling gasoline spilling over a propane or electric hot plate. Its called a thumper for a reason. There are very fast and impressive pressure changes going on during a run. Every summer, i have a few canning jars that burst while processing. However, it should be very easy to modify and make it so much safer. I am sure L TCS could guide you on that, as he is the master thumper on here. "
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/26/2010(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: Out in the township
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"Thanks gentlemen, I wish I had seen this site before I purchased the still, but I will fix that problem later. I have already seen upgrades and will probably outright replace this version when the funds become available again. However for now this will have to do the job. I am heading for the hills for a week, and will check back upon my return. Maybe I will have something (hopefully good) to report by then.  "
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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Gents, I'm not saying I will not take it out but I like the concept of catching the junk that comes up and out. If you guys have an idea of how to get something with threads that will screw on to what I've got going here please tell me where to buy it and I sure will??? Or is there another kind that I can empty on the fly (if you know what I mean). I'm open to anything thats gonna make my life easier. I added that thing so I can take it out if I can find something else to suffice. (something that I can empty and replace or with a drain)
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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"Hi heeler, At some point I would like to install a fores/heads take off valve below my set of thumpers. At present I'm tapped and suffering from build fatigue  I typically charge my thumpers with rum dunder and would like to pass clean alcohol only across my thumper juice. I hope to use a three way valve and upon heat up take fores and heads then switch the valve and let the remainder of the alcohol push through my thumper juice. At present I am taking fores and heads from the product condenser then putting the unit in reflux mode for an hour or so. Then letting the High proof pass through the thumper(s) assembly charged with the dunder. (last run the tower was charged with molassas). Very rummy, very smooth, very proofy, not like some of those really harsh low budget versions of rum."
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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"Yeah I hear ya, I usally let all the fores and heads go through and then toss it all - then replace the thump juice and let er go. Hey that brings up something else about fores and heads...
Do you measure or estimate them by proof or temp or run time of the still????
I just ran 3 strip run which was very proofy of course and I hit just below the 90% mark. It stayed there for ever it seemed like, probable 3 qts. All the whiskey makers they say keep only from 80% to 60%. But man that went on forever..........I did'nt want to toss that much likker. Whats your formula for these compounds and keeping the hearts?????"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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"I'm just using my sniffer.
I've got a good bit of drinking stock built up so I really don't pay much attention to squeezing the most out of every run.
So I try and smell for any hint of heads or tails. I just got my parrot installed so I recon I will use that number as a guide as such, but ultimately it is my nose.
I'm happy to re-run with the next batch.
goose eye reminds us that trusting your senses can be much better when your in the middle of the woods at night and can't read an instrument.
Learn your equipment and your recipe's likker.
What kinda heat you running? When you get what you want just fire it up and strip the rest if your short on time."
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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"I've posted pics of my setup -- its a keg with a gooseneck. The heat I run it at is 84C at the bend of the neck which I'm guessing is 78-79C in the thump jar. So that should be the good stuff temp zone (after the meths and fores and heads) Oh its a hot water heating element (internal of course) Man I can dial that thing right in to the zone of goodness. But I'm still learning to smell the cuts for the BEST stuff.
You said fire it up and run the rest if short on time...I got that but I just wanted an easy way of picking out the best place to pick that point.
You know a ABV or a proof or a temp zone. just hopeing for a easy way to learn. Thanks for all the experience of your knowledge."
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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"Really depends on the still.
Fellers running the reflux type could be into tails at 80%
Potstillers may not get there till 60%
Potstill smears it all together more. The reflux column will do a better job of compressing heads and extracting the lions share of alcohol out of the tails."
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