Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
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- Bootlegger
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Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
I've got a new still set up in the works. I'm debating on whether to build a new all copper thumper, or to find a wooden barrel and use that.
All the barrels that I can seem to find locally in the size I want/need are brand new, charred and ready for aging.
Does using a virgin barrel affect anything?
Does the charring matter or not?
Thanks
JJ
All the barrels that I can seem to find locally in the size I want/need are brand new, charred and ready for aging.
Does using a virgin barrel affect anything?
Does the charring matter or not?
Thanks
JJ
Seek to understand...
Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
I had a wooden thumper 2 years ago but the char and toast were long gone before I had the privilege to use it.
I loved the sound of that thing
I think you'll be fine depending on what you plan on making, how soon, and if you plan to age on oak. I'm sure that the flavors will be strong at first but will subside rather quickly once in production.
You could use super hot water and flush some of the flavors away with a good soak and rince.
Hell, you might like the flavors it imparts to a final spirit, do a nice rum or bourbon run and age in it for a month or so then go with another run.
I'm sure the more you run, the more the flavors will go away eventually leaving you with a clean barrel.
One thing I will emphasize is that once you're finished a run you'll need to drain it, rinse it and keep it hydrated until the next run. I kept mine hydrated by spraying it with the water hose inside and out no less than once a week.
I loved the sound of that thing
I think you'll be fine depending on what you plan on making, how soon, and if you plan to age on oak. I'm sure that the flavors will be strong at first but will subside rather quickly once in production.
You could use super hot water and flush some of the flavors away with a good soak and rince.
Hell, you might like the flavors it imparts to a final spirit, do a nice rum or bourbon run and age in it for a month or so then go with another run.
I'm sure the more you run, the more the flavors will go away eventually leaving you with a clean barrel.
One thing I will emphasize is that once you're finished a run you'll need to drain it, rinse it and keep it hydrated until the next run. I kept mine hydrated by spraying it with the water hose inside and out no less than once a week.
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- Swill Maker
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
If i had a choice, i'd go for a raw white oak barrel thumper, not sure how much taste it would impart, but you cannot go wrong if it does.
I love that twang of the barely-toasted raw white oak I have growing here, guess I should be from Tennessee to prefer that, but I am not.
To each their own I reckon.
I love that twang of the barely-toasted raw white oak I have growing here, guess I should be from Tennessee to prefer that, but I am not.
To each their own I reckon.
spiritually taxed circa 1791
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- Bootlegger
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
Finding raw white oak barrels is proving to be a challenge for me. All I can seem to find is charred barrels that are ready for spirits to be added.
Seek to understand...
- jonnys_spirit
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
I’ve been mulling about how to put toghether an MFT barrel. This might be the ticket instead of SS. That and a larger boiler.
Will do some research and run some numbers.
Cheers!
-j
Will do some research and run some numbers.
Cheers!
-j
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
Try looking for used barrels, the ones that's been used 2 or more times. Alot of the char is used up but toast is deeper than the char, you will not be disappointed in any way!
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- Bootlegger
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
Used ones in the size(s) I wanted are scarce to say the least. No problem to find full sized used barrels though. They're quite readily available.
But... I am happy to announce I am the proud owner of a brand new barrel. Just got home with it no less than an hour ago.
Now I have to figure out how to plumb it in to my set up....
But... I am happy to announce I am the proud owner of a brand new barrel. Just got home with it no less than an hour ago.
Now I have to figure out how to plumb it in to my set up....
Seek to understand...
Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
Pics man pics!!!
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- Bootlegger
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
Here it is. Nothing special yet.
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- MoonBreath
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
AND don't do a vinegar/water run thru the barrel..Just warm rinse for cuttings.
Prefit, plumb and clean the copper before buttoning to barrel.
Prefit, plumb and clean the copper before buttoning to barrel.
*Spend it all, Use it up, Wear it out*
Beware of sheet-sniffers and dime-droppers!
Beware of sheet-sniffers and dime-droppers!
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- Bootlegger
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions
I was just thinking about that today, actually. It didn't make sense to me to run vinegar through the thumper.
Thanks for the advice.
JJ
Thanks for the advice.
JJ
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