sleepystevenson
Well-Known Member
Hello All,
I have been using pellet hops with a separate bag for each addition for every brew on my current single tier two pump system. Basically, just because they are easier to pack into the freezer for storage. However, doing large (25 gal) batches, I sometimes wonder if my utilization goes down, with multiple ounces of hops in each bag.
I have heard that many people prefer the whole hops sans bags for improved utilization and also the filter bed they create when draining the boilkettle.
It's the filterbed that interests me the most. My boil kettle (see pic) has a bazooka screen on the dip tube drain that gets COMPLETELY plugged with hotbreak material as I pump out of the boil kettle through the chiller and into the fermenter (one pass cooling.) I find I have to scrape the bazooka tube with a long spoon throughout the cooling process just to keep stuff flowing and it's not really that effective. ( I can't imaging how badly it would get plugged with hotbreak AND pellet hops directly in the boil)
So, my question is, what kind of experience does anyone have using a bazooka screen with whole hops? Especially interested in folks using a pump for transfer from the boil kettle.
I am hoping that the whole hops would filter a lot of the hot break before hitting the bazooka screen. But, I could see the whole hops gumming up the bazooka screen, as well.
For what it's worth, my total kettle hops are around 4 oz for a weizen, 6-8 ozs. for Irish/Scottish ales, 12-18 oz. for pale ales and around 1.5 lbs. for an IPA. Barleywines and double IPA's will be even more.
I need to make another large hops purchase here soon, so...just trying to get some advise before ordering!
Thanks !
I have been using pellet hops with a separate bag for each addition for every brew on my current single tier two pump system. Basically, just because they are easier to pack into the freezer for storage. However, doing large (25 gal) batches, I sometimes wonder if my utilization goes down, with multiple ounces of hops in each bag.
I have heard that many people prefer the whole hops sans bags for improved utilization and also the filter bed they create when draining the boilkettle.
It's the filterbed that interests me the most. My boil kettle (see pic) has a bazooka screen on the dip tube drain that gets COMPLETELY plugged with hotbreak material as I pump out of the boil kettle through the chiller and into the fermenter (one pass cooling.) I find I have to scrape the bazooka tube with a long spoon throughout the cooling process just to keep stuff flowing and it's not really that effective. ( I can't imaging how badly it would get plugged with hotbreak AND pellet hops directly in the boil)
So, my question is, what kind of experience does anyone have using a bazooka screen with whole hops? Especially interested in folks using a pump for transfer from the boil kettle.
I am hoping that the whole hops would filter a lot of the hot break before hitting the bazooka screen. But, I could see the whole hops gumming up the bazooka screen, as well.
For what it's worth, my total kettle hops are around 4 oz for a weizen, 6-8 ozs. for Irish/Scottish ales, 12-18 oz. for pale ales and around 1.5 lbs. for an IPA. Barleywines and double IPA's will be even more.
I need to make another large hops purchase here soon, so...just trying to get some advise before ordering!
Thanks !