Heating a thumper on a still is not recommended as it can be ineffective and potentially dangerous. The purpose of a thumper is to enhance the distillation process by adding additional flavor and aroma compounds to the distillate. This is achieved by allowing steam from the main boiler to pass through the thumper, where it interacts with the botanicals or other ingredients contained within.
When the steam passes through the thumper, it picks up the volatile compounds from the botanicals and carries them into the condenser, where they are condensed back into liquid form. This process helps to infuse the distillate with the desired flavors and aromas.
Preheating the thumper separately from the main boiler can disrupt this process. The steam from the preheated thumper may not interact properly with the botanicals, resulting in a less flavorful distillate. Additionally, heating the thumper independently can create a safety hazard, as the thumper may become overheated and potentially cause a fire or explosion.
To ensure the thumper is effective, it should be heated using the steam generated by the main boiler. This allows for proper interaction between the steam and the botanicals in the thumper, resulting in a more flavorful distillate.
In terms of the number of runs required for optimal distillation, it can vary depending on the specific setup and desired outcome. However, in general, it is recommended to run the distillation process multiple times to achieve the desired purity and flavor profile.
When using a thumper, it is common to perform a stripping run first, where the initial distillation is done to remove impurities and separate the alcohol from the fermented mash. The low wines, which are the partially distilled liquid obtained from the stripping run, are then loaded into the main boiler along with the botanicals in the thumper.
Running the distillation process with the thumper can result in a higher alcohol by volume (ABV) compared to just a single run without the thumper. This is because the thumper helps to further concentrate the alcohol and flavor compounds, resulting in a more potent distillate.
Heating a thumper separately from the main boiler is not recommended as it can disrupt the distillation process and pose safety risks. It is best to heat the thumper using the steam from the main boiler to ensure proper interaction with the botanicals. Running the distillation process with a thumper can result in a higher ABV and more flavorful distillate, but multiple runs may still be required to achieve the desired purity and flavor profile.