Made a Hop Basket

Instead of going through a bunch a bags each brew, I was looking for something re-usable. The herb balls didn't last too long. Pretty simple to make. 1/2" thick ends, SS screen, SS all thread, ans nuts.

I love this and it looks simple....but that said I can't figure out how to make it, do you have more details?

Nice idea.

I assume this for dry/keg hopping

Do you have to unscrew the wingnut and take the top off for multiple hop additions throughout the boil??

TonyR said:

Do you have to unscrew the wingnut and take the top off for multiple hop additions throughout the boil??

Click to expand...

Looks like it...

OR...

Make multiple hop baskets - one for each addition...

My idea is to build a couple of these to weigh out each hop addition then drop them at the appropriate time. I will get some other pics dis-assembled.

I would also like to know a cost and to see exploded version or steps to make it.

The screen is from Grainger, SS 1/4-20 all-thread, nut, and wing nut from hardware store. 2 3/4" diameter 1/2" wide aluminum from local metal supply. Faced each 1/2" thick aluminum on the lathe, then cut a "seat" the same diameter as the screen (1/8" larger), 1/4" deep. I am going to use a small amount of 400F silicone to keep the screen in the bottom plate.
The bottom plate is not drilled through but tapped 1/4-20. a nut keeps the all-thread tight in the bottom plate.
The top plate is drilled through 1/64 larger than the all-thread. Wing nut holds it together.
I may have to play with the screen mesh size, but I think it will work.

Screen:
Grainger Item # 6UJK0
Price (ea.) $4.42
$6 for aluminum
around $12 or so total.

Ah, I was afraid you machined the ends...

EDIT: nevermind....

About how many ounces of pellet or whole do you think you can hold in there?

The screen is 2 1/4" x 5 7/16" so I think it will hold a coule ounces. I use hop pellets and once they swell I will see. I can always cut the length down if it is tooo much wasted space.

You could always buy 2 sizes of aluminum:
one 2 1/4" O.D.
one 2 3/4" O.D.
then sandwich them together, that would give good support.

I don't have a laithe but once you know a good final size I do have 30$ plus shipping... eh?

I have been looking for something reusable for my hops. I don't like the resuable bags and all the herb balls I find are tiny, plus you said they don't last very long whereas I see this thing taking some use.

c12h22o11dude said:

The screen is 2 1/4" x 5 7/16" so I think it will hold a coule ounces. I use hop pellets and once they swell I will see. I can always cut the length down if it is tooo much wasted space.

You could always buy 2 sizes of aluminum:
one 2 1/4" O.D.
one 2 3/4" O.D.
then sandwich them together, that would give good support.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't be worried about having too much space. You want plenty of space for the hops to be turbulent with the boil. I would be concerned about having NOT ENOUGH space once the hops swell. You need them to be free floating in that thing.