Opening thumper during run?

[imaguitargod]

Any idea if its safe to open a thumper (like the one pictured bellow) during the run? My plan is to add slices of apple to the thumper when I hit the hearts to get more flavor. I would shut off the heat, crack open the thumper via the tri-clover clap and put in my apples then close everything up and fire the still back up. Now I know it's going to be under pressure so I was wondering what the safest way to do this would be. I will be crunched for time so the most efficient and safest way would be best. I know there will be a sweet spot to open it before it starts pulling a vacuum but there is no pressure relief valve. Thoughts?

Thumper

[NZChris]

Is there a valve on the main boiler that you can open so that it doesn't collapse or suck the thumper contents into it when the flame goes out?

[imaguitargod]

There is not.

[River Rat]

Is that a union at the end of the lyne arm right below the elbow? How about loosening the union to let it breathe?

[Windy City]

You could install another port on top of your thumper with a ball valve, spool piece and another ball valve.
I have this on top of my boiler but mine has butterflies instead of ball valves, it’s good for liquids and dry goods like spices/herbs

[MichiganCornhusker]

Shouldn’t be any pressure in your thumper.
Shoot it! (But wear gloves, and keep yer wits about ya)

[NZChris]

There is not.

Put your fag out before you crack any joints and turn your gas off. I'd question if the potential reward is worth the risk. I don't think it is.

If you are going to be doing this often, install the necessary plumbing to be able to do it safely.

[imaguitargod]

Great replies everyone!!!

[Kareltje]

As is already said: open the connection between thumper and boiler as soon as you stop the fire. And do stop the fire, to avoid risks of setting your thumper in flames!!
There is hardly any pressure in the boiler, only some caused by the inches of fluid in the thumper that need to be overcome by the incoming vapour.

So there should be no problem opening the thumper carefully.
And, as also is already said, when you plan to do this often, you can make a valve to do it while running. It is called shooting. But do wear gloves: I found some BBQ-gloves some time ago and I think that was a very, very good and handsome buy!!

For a valve: study the locks in spaceships or submarines. Or prisons.

Another solution might be, that you take off the heads sideways and later, after reaching the hearts, lead these through the thumper.

[Twisted Brick]

I installed a 1/4" ball valve between my boiler and thumper and upon shutdown works a treat. It can be opened with an ungloved hand and its cool to watch the water in my manometer drop as the pressure is released.

I can't tell in the pic but if your down tube from the lyne arm goes straight into the thumper you could install a valve into the sanitary cap. This would make a convenient handle to lift the (hot) cap. Otherwise, you could cut your vertical pipe below the lyne arm union and solder on a sleeve with a 1/4" threaded stem soldered onto it.
.

[imaguitargod]

As is already said: open the connection between thumper and boiler as soon as you stop the fire. And do stop the fire, to avoid risks of setting your thumper in flames!!
There is hardly any pressure in the boiler, only some caused by the inches of fluid in the thumper that need to be overcome by the incoming vapour.

So there should be no problem opening the thumper carefully.
And, as also is already said, when you plan to do this often, you can make a valve to do it while running. It is called shooting. But do wear gloves: I found some BBQ-gloves some time ago and I think that was a very, very good and handsome buy!!

For a valve: study the locks in spaceships or submarines. Or prisons.

Another solution might be, that you take off the heads sideways and later, after reaching the hearts, lead these through the thumper.

What if I just charged the thumper with apples at the start of the run. I know I will be dragging some of that apple flavor away with the foreshots/heads, but will there still be anything left when I get to the heads? I'm just trying to think, if it comes down to the gun and I won't be able to shoot the thumper mid run, then is it terrible to add my apples at the start?

[NZChris]

What makes you think that you need more flavor? Have you made wimpy apple brandy before?

[bluc]

Saw someone had small chamber on their thumper with a valve between it and thumper for adding juice for extra flavour once hearts starts ...

[Windy City]

Saw someone had small chamber on their thumper with a valve between it and thumper for adding juice for extra flavour once hearts starts ...

If you look at the picture of my previous post that is what I have on my boiler
I open the top valve and dump in what I want than close the top valve and open the bottom valve and everything falls into the boiler. I do this without shutting anything down and can do it as many times as you like to get the quantity you want in there.
It’s safe and easy solution

[imaguitargod]

What makes you think that you need more flavor? Have you made wimpy apple brandy before?

Nope. Made excellent apple jack. BUT I need an edge in a competition I'm entering and I think adding just a little more apple flavor will get me there.

[jonnys_spirit]

Might want to put it on oak (or not) and maybe even proof it down with some apple wine? Apple flavor hides in the late heads/early hearts and takes a little while aging to show up.

Good luck on the competition!

Cheers,
-j

[cob]

I need an edge in a competition I'm entering

Interesting

[Stonecutter]

Is that picture the OP posted not simply a picture of the Discovery TV show “Moonshiners: Master Distiller”? Just wondering...

01FFD190-597C-4AAE-B1F6-CBF066C1CA3D.png

[Stonecutter]

I’m just wondering if you’re going to be part of that TV show or if that’s the kind of setup that’s going to be used in the competition?

[NZChris]

What makes you think that you need more flavor? Have you made wimpy apple brandy before?

Nope. Made excellent apple jack. BUT I need an edge in a competition I'm entering and I think adding just a little more apple flavor will get me there.

Did you put any sugar in the ferment?

[imaguitargod]

I’m just wondering if you’re going to be part of that TV show or if that’s the kind of setup that’s going to be used in the competition?

Nah, just the kind of set up that's going to be used.

[Kareltje]

Now your question has changed.
The first question was (at least I interpreted it as such): can a thumper be opened during the run?
The answer is: yes, it can.
Now your question is: should I do it?
My answer now is: I don't know.