Bazooka T

I know it's been asked before, but forgive me...

How well does the Bazooka T work for pellet hops?

http://pivo.northernbrewer.com/nbstore/action/search-do?searchTerm=bazooka&x=5&y=10

Tried putting one together myself, using SS braid like for my MLT it doesn't work at all. Plugs up within ten seconds. Clearly, it's too small, or something. I much prefer using pellet hops (not least of which because they're cheaper), and bags seems like a PITA when doing multiple hop additions. I know a hopstopper works well, but I can't justify dropping $60 right now - so how well does an $18 Bazooka T screen out hop pellets?

(also - anyone see a better deal on a sight glass than northernbrewer's $20 jobber?)

the_bird said:

(also - anyone see a better deal on a sight glass than northernbrewer's $20 jobber?)

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Dennis (hopstopper guy) does sight glasses for 15 bucks, I believe.

I bodged together a decent hopstopper-like invention out of SS window screen for a song. It works really well for pellet hops too - I was surprised to see.

Chairman Cheyco said:

I bodged together a decent hopstopper-like invention out of SS window screen for a song. It works really well for pellet hops too - I was surprised to see.

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"Bodged' is a great word. I haven't heard that word since we moved and stopped getting the BBC. Maybe I'll see what I can find for SS window screen next time I'm at the Depot. Did you like, sew the screeen together with wire?

the_bird said:

Did you like, sew the screeen together with wire?

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Nope, I made it out of one piece of screen by folding it over (leaving a big dome on top) then rolled up the edges a few times really tightly with pliers to create the edge seams. Then I used a hose clamp to attach it to the pipe (in my case a ghetto-style home-made copper racking cane.)

I'm going to do another one soon since I have a few improvements to the design, so maybe I'll get it together and post another DIY project.

No bazooka Ts will clog with hop pellets. And when I say clog, nothing will drain from your kettle at all.

My first run with my new keggle and bazooka T, I used 4 ozs of hop pellets. not very much at all for a 10 gallon batch. After cooling, we started racking to the primaries. Yea, that was a near disaster. I had to use my spoon and and keep sitrring right at the T to keep the hops off of it.

My next batch using the T, I used 5 ozs of whole hops. Worked liek a champ, no problems whatsoever.

Chimone said:

No bazooka Ts will clog with hop pellets. And when I say clog, nothing will drain from your kettle at all.

My first run with my new keggle and bazooka T, I used 4 ozs of hop pellets. not very much at all for a 10 gallon batch. After cooling, we started racking to the primaries. Yea, that was a near disaster. I had to use my spoon and and keep sitrring right at the T to keep the hops off of it.

My next batch using the T, I used 5 ozs of whole hops. Worked liek a champ, no problems whatsoever.

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That's what I needed to hear. Thanks, bro!

I use whole as much as I can and still haven't jumped into something more sophisticated than my copper scrubbie yet but I was really intrigued with brewhead's setup from this thread.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=19677&page=4



That is one heck of a large bag, allows for tossing in for your various additions. I got some recipes where I gotta use pellets and I'm thinking this might be my setup when pellets are needed. And you can get these bags for $2.50 at Home-D (2 pack). Only problem for me would be his setup wouldn't go deep enough for my keggle so the arms would need to be bent to dip lower.

the_bird said:

That's what I needed to hear. Thanks, bro!

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Ive started ordering from freshops now anyways in bulk. It really does work great when using whole hops.....


Clogging isnt my issue wit hthe bazooka. The way it sits, I loose almost half a gallon when the siphon finally gives. But I really don't want to pay for a hopstopper.

So if someone comes up with a good alternative to both, Im all ears

Chimone said:

Ive started ordering from freshops now anyways in bulk. It really does work great when using whole hops.....


Clogging isnt my issue wit hthe bazooka. The way it sits, I loose almost half a gallon when the siphon finally gives. But I really don't want to pay for a hopstopper.

So if someone comes up with a good alternative to both, Im all ears

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I should have a chest freezer in a month or so; got someone coming to wire the basement next week, then the freezer will be the first purchase (followed quickly by a second freezer and a temperature control). I guess I'd feel better about using whole hops if they weren't twice as much $$ at the HBS. Costs me essentially the same for an ounce of whole or two ounces of pellet. If I can buy in bulk, problem is solved.

So, regarding the siphon issue; do you have one of the tubes that bends down to reach the bottom of the keggle, or just a straight tube out from the bulkhead?

the_bird said:

So, regarding the siphon issue; do you have one of the tubes that bends down to reach the bottom of the keggle, or just a straight tube out from the bulkhead?

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Ill take pics when I get home

I used my new Bazooka T for the first time, yesterday, with no problems at all. 3.5 oz pellet hops, and my keggle drained right out. Mine has a 90 degree elbow to keep the T almost on the bottom.

I used ss splatter screen, something like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00062KTEO/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20
except the round one to build hops screen. Works grate on hops.