DIY HopBack
 

So I wanted a hopback and didn't feel like dropping $90 to buy one. Solution... Make one.

I bought a cheap $18 water filter at Home Depot and a few parts. The best part is that if the unit deforms after a dozen batches because of the heat it is only $18 to replace the unit, the plumbing is interchangeable.

Pahhts... Cost me $40 in total cause Home Depot has run every decent hardware store out of business and now you can only get half as much for twice as much.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/101_0808.jpg

Finally found a use for a tea strainer...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/101_0810.jpg

Pack that Bad Larry up...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/101_0812.jpg

Still used the ol' tried and true "Late Hop Addition" to my 60 Minute Clone
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...101_0813-1.jpg

"The Money Shot."
Out of the Brew Kettle, thru the Hop Back into the Counterflow Chiller, straight into the fermenter.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/101_0817.jpg

Schweeet!

Here's a parts list

2 x 3/4" male threaded to 1/2" sweat couplings
2 x 1/2" sweat to 1/2" female threaded couplings
2 x 1" stubs of 1/2" copper tubing
one water filter housing
teflon tape
solder/flux soldering gun

I have triclover fittings on my rig so I needed to have the female coupling so my 1/2" triclover could screw into that. If you don't you would want to use hose fittings.

Show Off!

Seriously, You did a really neat job on the build. Thanks for sharing that.

Sweet Jesus...Your Momma raised a genius....I have been throwing some ideas around, but this looks the easiest. Great job, Thanks

Grow those hops yourself?

Got a bit of a hop garden myself. Can't wait to harvest.


Oh, and great work on the DIY hopback. Took some mental notes.

TB

Thanks for the nice comments guys. It was really pretty easy and the beer smelled incredible coming out of the CFC. I'm trying my hardest to keep the ferment cold in a swamp cooler but it's almost 100 here today. I've already added 4 bags of ice to it yesterday. At this rate a walk in cool is the next project, it will be cheaper!

PTN

I can almost smell those hops from here!

Again, great work, and good luck on your fermentation.

TiberhumuluslupulusfanBrew

The brew smells hop-a-liscious in the fermenter.

PTN

If she did, it must be one of PTN's long lost siblings...

That is cool, thanks for sharing! What are you using as a fermenter?

Here is a pic of the fermenter sitting on top of the HLT. I fill up the HLT with hot Starsan solution and pump it thru everything as it gets towards cleanup time. I'm just draining the Starsan back into the HLT in this pic. You can also see the tub in the fifth pic. It's a 20 gallon plastic tub with a sealable lid. Fits nicely inside a trash barel filled with water as a swamp cooler.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/101_0815.jpg

PTN