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A thumper is an ideal vessel if you want to increase the proof of your alcohol without adding more volume. If you’re looking to make a higher-proof beverage, you will want to consider using a thumper keg in your process. So, how big should your thumper keg be?
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How Big Should My Thumper Keg Be?
The thumper keg should be big enough to hold the amount of liquid you want to proof, plus a little extra headspace. As a general rule of thumb, the thumper should be 25 and 40% the size of the main vessel. So, if you’re working with a 5-gallon batch in your main fermentation vessel, your thumper keg should be between 1.25 and 2 gallons.
When working with a thumper, you will also want to consider the amount of liquid you’ll be losing to evaporation. As a general rule, you can expect to lose about 2 cups (470 ml) of liquid during the proofing process. So, if you’re working with a 1-gallon (3.8-L) thumper, you’ll want to start with about 3 cups (710 ml) of liquid. This will give you the desired proof and volume after evaporation.
Factors to Consider When Sizing Your Thumper
Sizing your thumper is the key to success when using this method to proof your alcohol. There are a few factors you’ll want to consider when determining the size of the thumper and the amount of liquid you’ll need to start with. The following are the most important factors:
The Size of the Main Vessel
The size of the main vessel plays an important role in sizing the thumper. As a general rule, the thumper should be 25 to 40% the size of the main container. However, this rule can be broken depending on the vessel you are using.
If your main container is very large, you should use a thumper that is closer to 40% of the size. If your vessel is on the smaller side, you may be able to get away with a thumper that is closer to 25% the size.
The Strength of the Alcohol
The strength of the alcohol will also play a role in getting the size. If you are working with very strong alcohol, you need to use a smaller thumper. This will help to keep the alcohol from becoming too diluted.
On the other hand, if you are working with weak alcohol, you should use a larger thumper. This will help to make the alcohol stronger. Or you can add mash into your thumper keg to speed up the distillation process.
The Temperature of the Alcohol
The temperature of the alcohol will also determine the size of the thumper. If you are working with very cold alcohol, you should use a smaller thumper. This will help to keep the alcohol from becoming too diluted. In most cases, a thumper that is 25 to 30% the size of the main container should be sufficient.
On the other hand, if you are working with warm alcohol, you may need to use a larger thumper. This will help to make the alcohol stronger. Therefore, a thumper that is closer to 40% the size of the main dish may be necessary.
The Amount of Alcohol
The amount of alcohol you are working with will also have a role in determining the size. If you are working with a large amount of alcohol, you may want to use a larger thumper. This will help to make sure that the alcohol is evenly diluted.
On the other hand, if you are working with a small amount of alcohol, you need to use a smaller thumper. This will help to keep the alcohol from becoming too diluted and will also help to save on space.
The Type of Alcohol
Different alcohols will also require different-sized thumpers. For example, vodka will require a different size thumper than bourbon. This is due to the fact that different alcohols have different proofing requirements.
Therefore, if you are working with multiple types of alcohol, you can use multiple thumpers. This will help to ensure that each type of alcohol is properly diluted and the final product is of the highest quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if Your Thumper Is Too Small?
If your thumper is too small, the liquid will heat up too quickly, and the alcohol will become too diluted. As a result, the liquid will bubble without being cooled and condensed hence compromising the proofing process.
Does a Thumper Need to Be Heated?
Yes, a thumper needs to be heated for it to work properly. The thumper itself will not heat the liquid. Instead, it will help to maintain the heat of the liquid. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the thumper is the right size for the job.
Conclusion
The size of the thumper you use will depend on a variety of factors. You need to take into account the size of the main container, the strength of the alcohol, the temperature of the alcohol, and the type of alcohol you are working with.
