Help with 56 gallon SS BK

[LosBarbonesBrewingCo]

I want to convert this 56 gallon stainless steel vat I just acquired into a boiling kettle. It has a 1 1/4 welded threaded pipe flush to the bottom of the kettle. I bough an appropriate 1.5" tri-clover adapter but don't know what to do on the inside.

I'm concerned of leaving it as is and having too much protein, cold break, hop residue, etc leaving the kettle and into my chiller. I could whirlpool, but I don't know if the size of the port would suction too much stuff out.

Any suggestions? Or am I overthinking it?

 

[kickflip_mj]

I think you need one of these

http://www.brewershardware.com/FILTER1.html

I know marcb on here uses one for his 50 gal batches, I also own one but havnt used it yet. He has a 90 degree elbow then the filter attached to it. then a large pump.

 

[rgauthier20420]

First let me say....I don't like you for having that

Now, you could always put a female plug on that hole and simply drill another hole for your valve and screen set up.

To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. Most people are worried about hop debris more than cold/hot break getting into the fermenter. If you use some sort of hop spider or bag that would solve that issue. You could also place a strainer bag on the end of the hose where it goes into the fermenter if your that worried. Would catch most debris and serve as aerating at the same time.

 

[dfess1]

Or you could just use a hop back or grant if you can't find something for inside the kettle.

 

[kickflip_mj]

ok better yet, get a hop screen that hangs on the side and the strainer. should have no problems.

 

[LosBarbonesBrewingCo]

First let me say....I don't like you for having that

Now, you could always put a female plug on that hole and simply drill another hole for your valve and screen set up.

To be honest, I wouldn't worry about it. Most people are worried about hop debris more than cold/hot break getting into the fermenter. If you use some sort of hop spider or bag that would solve that issue. You could also place a strainer bag on the end of the hose where it goes into the fermenter if your that worried. Would catch most debris and serve as aerating at the same time.

You are gonna like me less after I tell you I paid $50 for it on craigslist

That strainer/filter from Brewer's Hardware is pretty damn sweet. I'm thinking of just testing my system out with a low gravity beer for my first batch and see how this goes. Just needed a vote of confidence from other brewers.

Thanks.

 

[rgauthier20420]

Your right....now we're mortal enemies

 

[LosBarbonesBrewingCo]

ok better yet, get a hop screen that hangs on the side and the strainer. should have no problems.

@kickflip_mj can you elaborate? What do you mean by "hangs on the side"?

 

[MaxOut]

The strainer is good but will clog quickly. whirlpool with a paddle and pull the wort off slow. I use a large hop strainer, remove at end of boil and whirlpool before draining. I use the BH stainer as well on hoppy beers and have valves on both end in case I need to remove to clean mid stream. Here is a picture of my steam kettle and custom hop strainer.

 

[Demon]

Whirlpool with a big paddle, you'll be fine. I use a kayak paddle to whirlpool on my 7bbl system.

 

[kickflip_mj]

A kayak paddle? Lol I hope you removed the glaze on it before you started using it

 

[Demon]

A kayak paddle? Lol I hope you removed the glaze on it before you started using it

It's not an actual kayak paddle, just highly resembles one the way it's shaped.

 

[kickflip_mj]

It's not an actual kayak paddle, just highly resembles one the way it's shaped.

Ha thanks Demon for the clarification.

 

[Jaybird]

If you want to whirlpool like crazy check these out. Hooks on your drill and you can go like a mad man! PM if you want and I can custom make you one longer than the 22" to get well into your brew kettle.

http://www.norcalbrewingsolutions.c...big-giveaway-459192/&__utmv=-&__utmk=84032921

Cheers
Jay

 

[RScottyL]

@kickflip_mj can you elaborate? What do you mean by "hangs on the side"?

I think he means something along the lines of this:

Whole leaf hop strainer, SST