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schubes · 03-14-2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonW

Really??? You guys are worried about DMS from this thing?

nope...not worried at all...just answering a question.

cl8n · 03-14-2011, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonW

Really??? You guys are worried about DMS from this thing?

I am not overly worried about it, but I do work hard to minimize DMS and don't know if I want to add a device that may undo some of that effort. That being said, I bought the supplies and plan to make one. I will probably not use it with batches that include pilsner malt since that is when I am most concerned about DMS.

Just asking a probing question to filter out any concerns.

350_Malibu · 03-14-2011, 04:54 PM

Cool device I guess. Neat idea. But, why not just put the hops in a bag, tie it shut, and toss it into the wort? I have four smaller 4x5" bags just for this.

Anyway I may just make one to say I have one!

**JonW** · 03-14-2011, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350_Malibu

Cool device I guess. Neat idea. But, why not just put the hops in a bag, tie it shut, and toss it into the wort? I have four smaller 4x5" bags just for this.

Anyway I may just make one to say I have one!

I've done it both ways. I built one of these a few months back and have used it for the last few brews.

One thing I like about the individual hop bags is that when you are draining your kettle, they kind of create a filter bed on the bottom and a lot of the break material sticks to the bags. Cleaning multiple bags is a pain though.

With the larger bag though, I kind of feel that the hops are more free moving and might get better utilization. No evidence of that though and it is hard to tell. I do like being able to pull the one bag out and set it aside. It also makes cleanup easier. It is also easier if you have a bunch of hop additions.

It's a toss up - both methods worked well for me.

**passedpawn** · 03-14-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350_Malibu

Cool device I guess. Neat idea. But, why not just put the hops in a bag, tie it shut, and toss it into the wort? I have four smaller 4x5" bags just for this.

Anyway I may just make one to say I have one!

This makes adding hops a lot easier.
This doesn't get sucked into the dip tube when pumping.
This is easier to clean when done.
This makes continuous hop additions really easy, like for a Pliney clone.
This allows you to easily and instantly removed all the hops at the end of the boil.
This allows you to stir the hops to (perhaps) help with utilization.
It's cool & cheap, and doesn't require a plasma torch or an engineering degree.

**passedpawn** · 03-14-2011, 05:17 PM

FYI, few comments on the build:

I prefer to use that flange upside down from the way it is presented here. For some reason, my large hose clamp gets loose occasionally. The lip of the plastic flange keeps the whole thing from falling into the wort.
I originally built mine with threaded rods as shown. It is far easier, though, to just drill two holes (not 4) and run a single piece of copper pipe through the whole thing. This has numerous advantages: pipe will never rust, can be removed to make the thing easy to store.
The bag will want to float when in use. I keep a chunk of 1" copper pipe in it all the time to keep the bag down.

jmf143 · 03-14-2011, 05:28 PM

Why not invert the reducer so there's no chance the clamp and bag can slide off?

Doh! You beat me to it!

wedge421 · 03-14-2011, 05:34 PM

Good stuff man. I use a very similar setup! Works great

jmf143 · 03-14-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schubes

i've got the exact same set-up and it does gather steam and does drip back into bk.

Would the condensate then go back into soulution and boil off again? Comparing the surface area of the BK to the surface area presented by the bolts leads me to think that DMS would be neglible.

Just my $/50

ErieShores · 03-14-2011, 05:52 PM

Off to Lowes...
Thanks!