Gut Rumbles
 

June 27, 2005

a real mountain still

still.bmp

What you see here is a rig similiar to what my grandfather always used. The wooden barrel in the middle is a "thump keg," strategically placed between the cooker (on the right)and the main condenser (on the left). A "thump keg" is a like a pre-condenser and it gets its name from the fact that it starts to make thumping noises when you run steam through it. POP! POP! Thumpa-thumpa-THUMP! Pop! Pop! That's what a thump-keg sounds like.

I by-pass the thump keg when I make 'shine. Cooker and condenser alone will get the job done. You don't really NEED a thump-keg, but traditional stills all have one.

To me, it's just an unnecessary step in the process. Plus, those little oak barrels are difficult to find anymore.


Comments

See, I knew you'd have a use for that picture!! Odd though, underneath a cavern in the Smokies w/ my family, see this still and think of a blogger in Effingham...LOL

Posted by: Kellie on June 27, 2005 01:27 PM

Man. That brings back some memories. That rig looks just like one my papaw used to keep in the woods up in North Georgia when I was a boy. His was a lot bigger though. Goddamit Acidman you making me miss my younger days. I sure miss old papaw. He passed on about 15 years ago. He was a hell of a good man though.

Posted by: assrot on June 27, 2005 03:46 PM

I cant see it (the photo)...I use Firefox for my browser....but even with IE, and my firewall DISABLED, the picture is nothing more than a tiny red X......

:(

Posted by: Ruth on June 27, 2005 04:01 PM

Yeah, but I bet that oak barrel adds some nice flavor to the "home made wine".

Posted by: Wichi Dude on June 27, 2005 09:09 PM

I can find the oak barrels easy enough, but the fuckers are expensive. 2 gallon keg is $85, 5 gal. $100, 10 gal. is $110.

Ouch.

Those prices are pretty standard for every source I know (probably all getting them from the same supplier).

(Try Jas. Townsend and Son)

Posted by: Graumagus on June 27, 2005 09:32 PM

You're right, the thump keg is not required. But it does double the proof of the first run. You don't need a barrel, I use a glass jar and it works just fine...

Totally worth the extra effort. Quality beats quantity every time.

Have a good one
Bob

Posted by: Bob on January 1, 2009 12:05 AM

what else could you use for a thump keg? copper? a big mason jar?

Posted by: Grant on June 15, 2009 06:29 PM

My standards are enough for me you grumpy ol wanker and for the record I know who the hell Iam you sound like a communist

Posted by: 7evin on November 21, 2009 06:41 PM
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