THUMPER KEG FULL

solder the end caps on and 2 x 15mm pieces over the holes in the side. drill a 6mm hole in the center of each end cap and drill 2 holes in the side of the 22mm copper pipe about 1.5 inches down from the each end.

THUMPER KEG FULL

Thumpers are fun, full of flavour at 70% and ready to age since its barrel strength, but a lot of hassle and it takes longer, so no real advantage over a few stripping runs and a spirit run. to make the Liebig you need a 50cm length of pipe, Im using 22mm, and a couple of end caps, and some 15mm pipe.

Also since the main still now runs under slight pressure, everything can fucking leak, gaskets you never had issue with before etc. You can get more alcohol out though, as the boiler contains even more water than a pot still only run and thumper volume is less, its only an illusion though as it takes a lot more energy so not worth it. I also preheat the thumper contents a little, get it up to 60C or so. If you start with water then it will just fill up more till alcohol content is high enough to start producing, so better to start with 1/3 full of stripped spirit or you risk overfilling the thumper and puking. It does not matter if you start with wash or whiskey in the thumper, it soon stabilises at the correct water/eth mix early in the run, then increases water content throughout.

The thumper can be thought if as a pot still, so if you are pulling out 30% abv then it must contain about 95% water. If you run to anywhere near completion, then the thumper is just about water.

Thumper keg