what do your dried bagged hops look like?

Chuck_in_WI · 09-09-2008, 05:00 PM

when bagging up my hops the other day, it seems like the petals of the cones fall completely off the stems. Is this normal or did I let the cones get too dry before bagging them? It also seems like a lot of the yellow lupulin fell through the drying screen onto the floor below. Am I just paranoid?

TIA
Chuck

desertbronze · 09-09-2008, 08:13 PM

Commercially dried hops are in the same condition - a lot of the cones falling apart. You do lose some lupulin, but there is still plenty to go around.

My homegrown hops are not quite that dry and they are carefully handled. Last night I was cleaning hops on a table on my patio. The table was sticky with lupulin in my work area.

**GilaMinumBeer** · 09-09-2008, 08:18 PM

I have been laying down wax paper under the screens, when I process my hops, to collect all the Lupulin that falls through. Prior to vacuum sealing the bags, I dump the pollen in.

Prolly a wasted effort but it makes me feel better.

I have always used pellet hops and it amazes me how much pollen collects in the crevices of the baggies.

The Soft Underbelly · 09-09-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

I have been laying down wax paper under the screens, when I process my hops, to collect all the Lupulin that falls through. Prior to vacuum sealing the bags, I dump the pollen in.

Am I the only one thinking Hop Hash?

EvilTOJ · 09-10-2008, 08:15 AM

Mmmmmm.... Hop Hash IPA..... glaagglgalgaa.....

coyote · 09-10-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

I have been laying down wax paper under the screens, when I process my hops, to collect all the Lupulin that falls through. Prior to vacuum sealing the bags, I dump the pollen in.

guess I'll be the jerk who points out that lupulin isn't "pollen". (the cones are female flowers)

Cookiebaggs · 09-10-2008, 02:32 PM

Mine look like this.

12 oz of dry hops fill a 5 gallon bucket. I then compress the hops down with the food saver. It's hard to believe they fit in that small of a space when compressed.

TimMcTigue · 09-10-2008, 09:03 PM

Mine look like this:

I compress them into one-oz plugs using a PVC pipe and a length of clothes rod. Sure saves freezer space!

Tim

dwarvenspirits · 09-10-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GilaMinumBeer

I have been laying down wax paper under the screens, when I process my hops, to collect all the Lupulin that falls through. Prior to vacuum sealing the bags, I dump the pollen in.

Prolly a wasted effort but it makes me feel better.

I have always used pellet hops and it amazes me how much pollen collects in the crevices of the baggies.

This is a good idea. When I use my hops I'll dump some warm wort into the bag to get the rest of the glands out. Works great.

You guys have some nice looking harvests!

Chuck_in_WI · 09-11-2008, 02:09 AM

Hey Tim with the 1 oz plugs!!

gimme more details on the process. I currently have 13 little pillows of 2.0 to 2.4 oz per bag that will take up a fair amount of space in the freezer, even after I "seal a meal" them down.

Do you line the PVC pipe with saran wrap or what do you do? what diameter do you use for your clothes rod? This sounds like a nifty way to make plugs. Okay, I will say it, a frugal way to make plugs.

Please share more details.

Chuck