So this, for some godawful reason, has been a growing problem, to the point last brew, I had to abandon my valve.
My Boil kettle has a valve drilled at 3" from the bottom. From that, I used a 1/2" pipe, hooked an elbow, and dropped the pipe to within 1/2" from the bottom of the pot. My thought was all the trub would settle during cooling, and the pipe would draw on top of that, leaving a 1/2" of gunk on the bottom.
That didn't work....I think it made a vacuum, sucked a lot of crap up with it. Only did it once though.
Went back to the braided hose "filter", just attached one to the bottom of the pipe already there....one of two things happen. 1) Gunk still gets through 2) The filter clogs.
Last brew, it clogged after about a litre passed through...totally useless. Had to drain with the siphon hose.
So I guess it's a multi part opinion/question:
1) I've had gunk go into the carboy either way, it doesn't seem overly harmful...some I beleive is just the whirlfloc tablet...and a 1/2" of trub on the bottom should contain most the hops anyway right? I should be able to remove that useless braided hose and go back to the direct way without much issue?
2) If not, anyone else know of DIY alternatives?