Hop spider

[pliny]

Not sure if this has been posted before but this is something that was easily and cheaply put together and worked well for my basic primitive system.

http://byo.com/stories/article/indices/20-build-it-yourself/2494-build-a-hop-spider-projects

They call it a hop spider but I think it's called many things depending on where you read it.

[Kyle]

yep, I built one and used it for about a year. Hops utilization does go down, so this is not for Hop-Bombs. I don't use one anymore, but they definately can do the job, here is a link to the one I made a while back:

http://www.craftbrewing.ca/forum/viewto ... tion#p2392

[Chris Craig]

I use one too, and I've had good success in the past.  Try it.  If you like it, then keep using it.  I used one with over 9oz of pellet hops a couple weeks ago.  We'll see how it worked out in a couple weeks.  

If you're concerned about utilization, add an extra 10% hops or so.  No biggie.

[Richard]

Try more like 100%... (IMHO... YRMV).

From that article:

Some people have had success combating excess hop matter by adding a screen to the end of their dip tube; but that seemed to me like it would also be destined to clog at some point.

It doesn't clog if you use enough SS braided hose... I've ran 16oz of pellet hops by three foot of the braided hose and it worked just fine.

[Richard]

I dunno if you remember the "Pipeline Squad Pale Ale", from way back - you and Brent used the exact same hops bill. Only difference was that Brent used a hop sock - the difference in the hop profile was massive, as anyone who tried them both can attest.

[Chris Craig]

The issue I had was that my keggle has a concave bottom.  I had over a gallon of dead space.  On a 10 gallon batch, that meant I needed about 14 gallons in the boil.  Too high for me. That's a little over an inch of space left in the kettle, and I like a rolling boil.

However, I've taken to just throwing the hops right in the boil if I use less than about 4 oz.  They go right through my CFC with no problems.

[Richard]

not sure I follow entirely... you could wire the hose in a figure eight so it crosses the bottom...

[Chris Craig]

For me, I think the biggest issue was positioning the pickup tube in the right place.  It needs to be low enough to stay submerged.  Then if the braided hose starts to clog near the pick up tube (and it will on hoppier beers), a figure 8 would cause the hose to be too high.  Air would eventually get in and stop the siphon.  I kept my hose in a ring, and it caused the large dead space.  I think I may try it again some time, but for now, I get about 1 oz of dead space, and my beer seems good, so...

[Richard]

I tried four different varieties of hop-sock - all messed with the utilisation too much for my liking.

The hose "clogs" fairly evenly along its length, but on my rig a siphon through about four feet is enough pressure to pull wort through the hop matter. I see your point about the air - although sometimes parts of the braided hose I use are sticking up in the air without any real issue. I think so long as the dip-tube (or siphon cane in my place) is at the lowest point of the tun, the wort gets pulled through from the pressure - of course YRMV.

I guess keep doing whatever you think makes good beer  

[jamie_savoie]

I use a binder clip + paint strainer bag attached to the side of the pot and at every hop additions, I swirl the bag around the pot a couple of minutes

simple and effective

[Chris Craig]

It's hard to figure out the utilization too once the hops start to age a bit.  I just add a little more to compensate.  I think that there may be an issue getting the resinous quality from the hops though.  Hard to tell really.  I suspect that the IIPA I made my suffer some from the hop bag, but with the 6 1/4 oz of dry hopping, you may not be able to tell  :mrgreen:

Brew. Drink. Tweak. Repeat.

[Richard]

The first time I drink an IIPA that's bitter enough despite using a hop-sock, I'll get off my high horse about it.

Even using a 5 gal paint-strainer, swirling, stirring, squeezing = nothing got close to the result I get with loose hops and the hose.

Brew. Drink. Tweak. Repeat.

+1.

[fakr]

I started with a hop sock way back, as I didn't have a proper hop filter, and always used pellet hops. I now use mainly whole leaf hops, and have 24" SS braided line.  I do still use pellet here and there, but regardless, the braided line does the job.

I was getting to a point...oh yes, the fist pale ales I made with the hop sock turned into more or less IPAs when I stopped using the sock.  Very noticeable difference.

I'm a big supporter and user of whole leaf hops as they really filter out of the kettle well.  Mind you, I have a good sized freezer to stuff them into!

[Chris Craig]

OK.  Scratch that.  Just finished making an American Stout.  I didn't use my hop spider, and right away I had problems.  The silicone hose got clogged with hops before it even made it to the CFC.  

I'll have to investigate the braided hose again.  Until then...hop spider for me.

[DandyMason]

Where did everyone get their SS Braided Hose?