Pickup tube for boil kettle

its02003 · 08-26-2008, 01:36 AM

This is my current idea for a pickup tube in my boil kettle. I might actually use the same thing in my HLT, just modified a little bit since I wont need a hop screen.

The reason for the funky shape here is exactly that....a hop screen. Since the avail. of plug/leaf hops is so scarce these days, I will be forced to brew with pellets more than I would normally like.... since I have a pump and CFC setup, I would prefer not to junk those up with hop residue, so I am going to manuf. a hop screen when I get some free time. The bending of this stuff shouldn't be an issue but I was wondering if anyone had any better ideas.... I plan on connecting the tubing to a SS coupling using a brass compression fitting.

PS... I apologize for the Windows-tastic "CAD" schematic....gotta love MS Paint!!!!

B-Dub · 08-26-2008, 04:55 AM

I have heard guys say the pellets clog up screens sometimes. In my keggle I stir the hell out of it right at flame out and wait 20 min. Great tube pile and no hops in the fermenter. This is with a 13 gallon batch.

billtzk · 08-26-2008, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Dub

I have heard guys say the pellets clog up screens sometimes. In my keggle I stir the hell out of it right at flame out and wait 20 min. Great tube pile and no hops in the fermenter. This is with a 13 gallon batch.

Isn't your pickup tube sitting right in the middle of your keggle, right under the cone? How do you not it up?

**SporkD2** · 08-26-2008, 12:15 PM

I just wrap a SS SOS pad around my pickup tube, works great

ScubaSteve · 08-26-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SporkD2

I just wrap a SS SOS pad around my pickup tube, works great

Do you use pellet hops and just toss them in?

B-Dub · 08-26-2008, 03:26 PM

I just toss pellets in and don't use a pick up tube.

its02003 · 08-26-2008, 03:52 PM

Are you using a keggle?

Without a pickup tube, I would assume you leave quite a bit of wort behind post-boil....

I like the idea of using an SOS type item in place of a screen. I think I might give that a shot since it should reduce the amount of bending I have to do with the SS tubing that I don't have the tools to bend!

B-Dub · 08-26-2008, 04:20 PM

I use a keggle and do leave about 1/2 gallon behind with a huge hop charge and trub.

I like the pick up tube idea...just need to make it!

Atl300zx · 08-26-2008, 04:35 PM

i made a screen that is nearly the size of the whole bottom. it works well. the main problem is cold break in combo with pellet hops, but you shouldnt have that issue.