Modular Thumper

[Homebrewer11777]

I've built a modular stainless pot still using a 15.5 gallon keg with 4" TC port from Kent. I've been very happy with the still, performance and product (bourbon and sugar washes on top of spent grains) I'm making.

However from time to time I read about steam stripping on grain and the idea that I could do this by adding a thumper to my pot still. I'd run the clear wash or water in the boiler and the thick stuff in the thumper. I think about this pretty much every time I'm squeezing my mash solids with my mop bucket.

I've found a site selling a stainless keg with a 6" TC port on top, a 1.5" TC port on wall near bottom for draining, and they offer a companion cap and dip tube. The cap has 3x1" TC fittings and a 1/4 inch NPT. One of the 1" fittings leads to a 1" diameter dip tube that when mounted terminates about 1" from the bottom of the keg.

My thinking is these two pieces could be a ready to go modular 15.5 gallon thumper/steam stripper. I'd probably put a PRV on NPT fitting and a ball valve on the extra 1" TC to break the vacuum when cooling.

Questions for this board are:
would a 6" top port be sufficient for cleaning out the muck?
would the 1" dip tube work for steam stripping?
is steam stripping corn/grain muck really any better than just squeezing it?
any safety considerations I am missing?

Thanks in advance. I can add a link but not sure if that is ok if it is not an approved vendor. Company is TCW Equipment.

[NormandieStill]

The 1" dip tube might be a little large but it depends on the thickness of your slops. Thicker slops need some force to move them around otherwise you only strip a small amount near the dip tube.

Personally I empty my "thumper" (actually my normal boiler and only ever used for steam stripping) via a bottom drain. I have a 4" access port on the top which I use to hose out the inside with the bottom drain open. I've seen many people here complain that a 4" port is not big enough to fit their arm through. Us Europeans must be built smaller!

You should be just fine with a 6" port.

[zach]

A 6" top port is Ok, 12" is better.

I use an 88 liter milk can with a lid for a 35 liter Digiboil.

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I had to slightly bend the outer edge of lid to get it to fit, then I replaced the lid gasket with expanded pfte.

I start with 15 gallons in the thumper for stripping and finish with 18 to 20 gallons

I use a 3/4 " copper steam dip tube that tees and has two 1/2" bazooka screens for injection. After a strip, I can scoop some slop out of the top, then dump the rest into the wheelbarrow and haul to the compost pile.

[Bolverk]

Questions for this board are:
would a 6" top port be sufficient for cleaning out the muck?
would the 1" dip tube work for steam stripping?
is steam stripping corn/grain muck really any better than just squeezing it?
any safety considerations I am missing?

Yes
Yes
YES!
Just make sure you break a seal on the boiler side so when it cools you dont suck grain back and or implode your boiler (can happen although not likely on a keg). A PRV or manometer is a good safety precaution