substitute for a thumper keg??

[Sttifyd35]

I have a 2 gal pot still that is equipped with the just the boiler and condenser. I was wondering if there was anything i could do to incorporate something into the still that would hold fruit, herbs, or possibly even juice that would help infuse more flavor into the likker?

[Easydrinker]

Try searching for Sputnik on this site.
Try this,

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3768&start=15#p29732


Robert.

[Icefever]

The general thoughts on thumper size are 50% of your boiler capacity....so you would be looking for 1 gall size.

My boiler is a T5, which I normally fill with 23/25 ltr, my thumper is 12 ltr.

ED suggestion of looking at a basket type would work, but to install a small thumper may be a step too far. Have you thought about building a gallon pot and somehow adding it on top...or inline??? a photo of your still would be handy so we can see what you're using.

[Sttifyd35]

Ok i will take a picture of it and post it later on today.

[Easydrinker]

I took it that you would understand the possible need to scale up a sputnik?


Robert.

[Sttifyd35]

Looks identical to this one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2823319360 ... noapp=true

[Icefever]

From what I can see, you have a very small bore pipe from the boiler lid, then into the worm condenser.

If you want to fit a thumper....which I would think long and hard about. You would have to take the copper pipe from the boiler lid into another pot, then carry on into the condenser.

I would suggest you drop the idea for a thumper and go with the basket idea. With this you could do infusion, so gin and flavoured neutral.

[Sttifyd35]

That was also something i was thinking about. I have a stainless steel steam plate that collapses from 9" diamter to 6" diameter. However, i need to figure out how to insert it suspended into the still.

[Sttifyd35]

An idea i had was to make a blackberry wash. Then i would fill the steam plate with blackberries and see how the brandy will taste.

[YHB]

I would strongly advise not putting any solids in that still at all, either in the wash or on your steam plate.

In the event that the wash foams. Solids can be carried into the condensing coil which in this case looks very small and could easily block with disastrous results.

Stick to making neutral and add the fruit later.

[Easydrinker]

I do understand your safety concerns YHB, and this is not a still that I covet, but, in an effort to try and help someone that may own one, that condenser pipe looks to be about 15mm from the pic, that is not small IMHO, and I would expect that it would pass a soft blackberry core if the need arose!
Maybe they are bigger where you are? Ooh Matron!

I reckon that it would blow said fruity item apart before any other joint, not having seen said still or build quality, don't quote me on that, I am only here to switch off the lights when you all leave.

Robert.

[YHB]

that condenser pipe looks to be about 15mm from the pic, that is not small IMHO
Robert.

OK we disagree about the apparent size of the pipe, what in your opinion is a safe size?
It would be good for new members or others thinking of buying a still to have some form of guidance.

I would expect that it would pass a soft blackberry core if the need arose!

I reckon that it would blow said fruity item apart before any other joint.

Robert.

Blackberry core maybe, what about a cherry pit? Vegetables?

Once you start where do you stop?

I use a still and am building a condenser with 10mm tubes but I have a pressure relief valve on the boiler that costs next to nothing to install and I will never put solids in the boiler or vapour path. The still in this post has no safety devices whatsoever, there are safer, alternative methods of introducing flavours into the liquor without introducing risk, I thought I would promote them rather than looking the other way.

[Easydrinker]

I accept here that YHB may be trying to promote H&S.
He may consider that I am not.

that condenser pipe looks to be about 15mm from the pic, that is not small IMHO
Robert.

OK we disagree about the apparent size of the pipe, what in your opinion is a safe size?
It would be good for new members or others thinking of buying a still to have some form of guidance.

I have no idea what may be a safe size, look around and see what other people use?

I would expect that it would pass a soft blackberry core if the need arose!

I reckon that it would blow said fruity item apart before any other joint.

Robert.

Blackberry core maybe, what about a cherry pit? Vegetables?

Once you start where do you stop?

Who distills whole stoned fruits? Come on man,we are not discussing distilling the whole vegetable garden or compost heap, this was a question referring to small soft fruit.

Let's do this one step at a time

I am not denigrating YHB's desire to keep people safe here.
Trying to put it in perspective.

Maybe advising people on the low cost pressure relief valve that YHB uses would be better here than the perceived "pop" at myself.

With very firmly bitten tongue,
Just sayin'

Robert.

[Mash]

Couple of good points there.

Firsty this isnt the best design of still. And upgrading it with a simple pressure release ought to be a day one upgrade.

.. Along with copper pieces to reduce the chances of superheating.

[Anavrin]

I would suggest you already have a thumper, you just need a boiler!!

Get an electric boiler, like the T500 boiler make a pipe output that goes into your pot and you've got what your looking for.