THUMPER STILL HOW TO

Here's some more info on how to distill using one of our still kits which highlights all of the similarities between traditional copper stills and our copper column stills. Be sure to research a particular state's rules and comply with all legal requirements.

Also, each state has its own rules on use and permit requirements. Production of distilled spirits requires a federal distilled spirits permit. Production of fuel alcohol requires a federal fuel alcohol permit. Remember, Clawhammer stills can be used for the production of distilled water and essential oils without the need for any federal permits. This means, that as alcohol vapor moves up through the column, it is further purified by the removal of water caused by the temperature difference of the copper packing material. water) to condense out of the vapor before it reaches the top of the column. The addition of the scrubbers causes liquid with a higher boiling temperature (i.e. Our stills utilize a column that gets packed with pure copper scrubbers. Because the addition of a thumper effectively distills alcohol twice during one run it's sometimes referred to as a 'doubler.' Clawhammer stills produce the same effect as a thumper but they do so using a different method. In the thump keg, the liquid is essentially re-distilled before it is condensed back into a liquid. Traditional copper pot stills use a thumper or thump keg to increase proof (improve purity). The difference between Clawhammer stills and high country stills is the way our stills improve purity and then condense alcohol vapor back into a liquid. Trickling water through the condenser is enough to do the trick. Simply supply the lower side input tap with cold water using a garden hose (straight from a spigot, or from a cool body of water using a small pump) and drain from the top side tap. Clawhammer inline condensers are compact and effective. The addition of a worm requires another vessel for water storage, it uses a lot of material, and it isn't as easy to work with as a liebig condenser. Traditional pot stills use a copper coil or a 'worm.' Although the worm looks really cool, it isn't necessary and is a fairly inefficient way to condense the alcohol vapor.

Clawhammer stills use an inline 'liebig' condenser on the drip arm to turn alcohol vapor back into liquid. These are the primary reasons our still kits are made from pure copper.Īnother big difference between our stills and North Carolina high country pot stills is the condenser. As a result, the final product will be much better. However, the best characteristic of copper is that it reduces sulfide content during the distillation process, as alcohol vapors react with boiler, vapor cone, and condenser walls. Copper looks good and it's easy to work with. The answer to the question is, 'they aren't very different.' Clawhammer parts kits were actually modeled after traditional pot stills, such as the North Carolina High Country style shown in this picture.

THUMPER STILL TV

NovemCopper High Country Moonshine StillsĪ recent episode of the TV show Moonshiners (on Discovery) featured a 'North Carolina High Country Still,' which is nothing more than a traditional pot still with a thump keg (or thumper) and a coil condenser (or worm). A lot of folks ask us how our copper distiller parts kits are different from traditional pot stills. This blog provides information for educational purposes only.

Thumper still