FIRST TIME THUMPER HELP

[Antler24]

Ok I been using a 15g boiler with liebig, 5500w element and controller for few years. Just got my 7.5g thumper finished up. Doing vinegar run right now.
So fired it up and boiler heats up as per usual. Thumper starts bubbling (downpipe has bunch of very tiny holes at the bottom rather than just open ended pipe) all of a sudden it's getting really loud lol. I cranked the heat back to ~65% to cut down on the noise as the kids are asleep right above my basement still area. Is this normal? Should I crank the heat to max until it starts running? The thumper charge ain't even hot yet just Luke warm, the noise was making me nervous lol

[jedneck]

Yup normal. Once up to near operating temp in will purr right along

[sltm1]

No problem there, the bigger the thumper the louder the noise mines a 3 gallon and whispers so to speak.

[jedneck]

Preheating the thumper charge will help quite it down sooner

[Antler24]

Thanks guys. She's all warmed up now and settled in, not too loud at all.

I bet you guys would have a great laugh, wife came down the steps wondering what the noise was only to discover my scared shitless expression, one hand on the breaker and the other covering my nuts lol

[Yummyrum]

I bet you guys would have a great laugh, wife came down the steps wondering what the noise was only to discover my scared shitless expression, one hand on the breaker and the other covering my nuts lol

LOL is your mrs that scarey

[skow69]

Lol I hid behind a door the first time out.

[Antler24]

I bet you guys would have a great laugh, wife came down the steps wondering what the noise was only to discover my scared shitless expression, one hand on the breaker and the other covering my nuts lol

LOL is your mrs that scarey

Nah she's great, lol

Overall tonight was a success. No leaks and the vinegar run went well, I'll drain the boiler and thumper once it cools and hopefully sacrificial run Monday or Tuesday. Picking up some grain Monday to get a couple ujsm-style bourbon washes fermenting. Thanks to all the members of this forum that got me where I am today, you da real MVP!

[Truckinbutch]

You can bob your head to that music but , I'm damned if I can dance to it . Takes a bit of getting used to . When that music goes away it is time to get ready for the first drops out of your condenser .
The more often you run ; the more you will come to appreciate the music .

[Kareltje]

Preheating the thumper charge will help quite it down sooner

Indeed, but you lose a bit of the effect too.

I remember the same reaction (apart from my hands for my nuts!).
Last time I almost panicked was because it suddenly stopped making noise. Afraid the outlet of the pipe was blocked!

[Shine0n]

Funny stories there, I cut the gas off and ran out the barn my first time. lol

If you ever plan to put any type of mash/grains or fruit in the thumper I would seriously think of an open end on your down pipe.
Holes can clog and build pressure, better to be safe than sorry.
Shine0n

[Antler24]

Funny stories there, I cut the gas off and ran out the barn my first time. lol

If you ever plan to put any type of mash/grains or fruit in the thumper I would seriously think of an open end on your down pipe.
Holes can clog and build pressure, better to be safe than sorry.
Shine0n

Good call, I could have worded that differently, the downpipe is open ended, but I drill about a 1000 little holes within 3" from the bottom.

[Shine0n]

good to know, just looking out bubba

[nuntius01]

remember the first time i ran mine. scared me to death. now, i dont even notice it. wait till you add a second thumper and they both are just purring along.

[wtfdskin]

remember the first time i ran mine. scared me to death. now, i dont even notice it. wait till you add a second thumper and they both are just purring along.

Building my second thumper was the best mod I did. I never do a run without the twins now.

[UrToopid]

My thumper is about one gallon and I usually charge it with 1 qt. of distilled water. I usually hear it start to percolate as the downcomer heats up. Just an afterthought.. My first time, my hands were already there..../grin


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[Antler24]

So it was a busy week distilling. Water/ vinegar Saturday night sacrificial Tuesday night and the first keeper run through the still Wednesday night. Gen 8 of UJSM, 10g wash 2 gallons 40% low wines in the boiker and a gallon of low wines in the thumper. I typically do strip and spirit, but I think this ujsm was the nicest spirit I've ever made right off the still.
Jars 12-18 smelled like corn flavoured water at 75+ abv. I knew I wouldn't have time for cuts so they are stilled sealed waiting for me to get home.
While the still was heating up I cleaned out the fermenter and started a ujsm-style bourbon, 9 gallons water, 3 gallons backset, 17lbs sugar, 17lbs grain (70% corn, 14% rye, 16% winter wheat) and 2 liters boiled yeast slurry. Nottinham ale yeast. Going for something close to Maker's mark, that's the mash bill.

[Shine0n]

Sounds good

Let your last run air out for 24 hours before you blend though, makes a good bit of difference!

Just me but I would've put 1 gal low wines in boiler and more in the thumper.

I just picked up 50 lbs sugar to try the ujssm, looking forward to it!!!

[Antler24]

Sounds good

Let your last run air out for 24 hours before you blend though, makes a good bit of difference!

Just me but I would've put 1 gal low wines in boiler and more in the thumper.

I just picked up 50 lbs sugar to try the ujssm, looking forward to it!!!

I always air out the jars before making cuts, I just knew I wouldn't have enough time to make cuts as I was leaving the next day for work, so I sealed them up until I get back.

The ujsm is good. Great to get started. I like the end product it's nice I'm just a bourbon guy, and it lacks the different flavours of a nice bourbon imo.