Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper.

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DoubleJ
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Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by DoubleJ »

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
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Shine0n
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by Shine0n »

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 :thumbup:

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.
Reverend Newer
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by Reverend Newer »

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.
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DoubleJ
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by DoubleJ »

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.
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jonnys_spirit
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by jonnys_spirit »

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
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Shine0n
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by Shine0n »

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!
DoubleJ
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by DoubleJ »

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....
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Shine0n
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by Shine0n »

Pics man pics!!!
DoubleJ
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by DoubleJ »

Here it is. Nothing special yet.
20180317_200537.jpg
20180317_200546.jpg
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MoonBreath
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by MoonBreath »

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.
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DoubleJ
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Re: Thumper - Charred Wooden Barrel Questions

Post by DoubleJ »

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
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