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Jeebus that looks beautiful. Well done sir!
How To Build A Hop Spider To Filter Hops From Your Wort
- Thread starter jbrookeiv
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
Well, I used the spider and it worked like a charm. I actually forgot to put my first hop addition in the spider, but the rest of them got the spider treatment.
One thing: DO NOT PUT YOUR LID ON THE SPIDER WHILE BOILING!!
I was stupid enough to do this, since it was really windy and leaves were falling all over the place. Well, the PVC can't take the temps that build up when you do that, and it started to fold. I caught it in time, and now it actually works better since the bag sits lower in the wort. Anyway, don't do that.
One thing: DO NOT PUT YOUR LID ON THE SPIDER WHILE BOILING!!
I was stupid enough to do this, since it was really windy and leaves were falling all over the place. Well, the PVC can't take the temps that build up when you do that, and it started to fold. I caught it in time, and now it actually works better since the bag sits lower in the wort. Anyway, don't do that.
could a larger sized "tin" can be used instead of the pvc? i put tin in "" cuz i actually have no clue if cans are actually made out of tin anymore. LOL
anyway, assuming you found one in a size you liked, couldn't you use the can instead of the plastic?
anyway, assuming you found one in a size you liked, couldn't you use the can instead of the plastic?
I believe they are made of a mild steel now. I do know that they will rust, so using a can is a no-go.
It was a 12x12 sheet for the shaft. And a scrap piece for the bottom. I didn't use needles or gloves to sew it together. Just alot of swearing and nicks and cuts.
how about a cheap aluminium pot (like of of those small backpacking pots)? places like wally world sell them for crazy cheap. a quick go at it with the dremel and you'd have an open metal tube that would be impervious to melting (such as is the pvc).
That could work
milldoggy
Well-Known Member
If you use a pot, make sure the edges are roll or not sharp or it will cut the bag.
Here is mine, 6x4 CPVC reducer. Used a roto zip to carve a channel for the worm clamp. Rock Solid.
Here is mine, 6x4 CPVC reducer. Used a roto zip to carve a channel for the worm clamp. Rock Solid.
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
byproxy said:
That would probably work, but the only way you're gonna melt this thing is if you stick the top on it. Otherwise, it's fine. Let me know how it turns out if you decide to go that route.
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
Looks great, I'm digging the channel, that's a smart addition to the build.
milldoggy
Well-Known Member
Used my yesterday, worked flawlessly.
Snafu
Well-Known Member
Used mine yesterday as well, worked great right up to the point where the sides folded in. I think the 3/8 bolts were too much weight, I have some smaller 1/4" all thread rod I will use for the next attempt. I also have a backup idea for the CPVC folding problem. I have these at my office (see pic below) they are 3" wide and the threads at the bottom may help if the clamp ever decides to slip. Powder coated aluminum. I can "add" as many sections as I need to drop the bag lower in the kettle.
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
Did you have your pot's lid on it? Mine started to melt like that as well, but this time I had no issues. I even rested my spoon in the hop bag, which helped keep the bag submerged. No melting, it was rock solid the whole time. These need proper airflow around them or they will melt.
Snafu
Well-Known Member
Oops here are pics
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
Snafu
Well-Known Member
Na, no lids, but I was brewing inside my shed, no real wind to speak of, maybe that was part of the problem, I dunno.
Snafu
Well-Known Member
Which way would you go? Smaller rod with the CPVC or just go with the aluminum ?
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
The CPVC looks pretty damn sturdy, and it'll be super simple to drill. Either way would work, though.
Inodoro_Pereyra
Well-Known Member
NUNC EST BIBENDUM
Snafu
Well-Known Member
jbrookeiv said:
Yeah, I think I'll go that route, plus its got a wider mouth. If it still gives me problems I can always use the aluminum. Did you use the 1 gallon or 5 gallon paint strainers?
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
1 gallon. 5 gallon would touch the bottom and would probably burn/melt at some point.
Snafu
Well-Known Member
Cool, that's what I was using. Seemed at least 1/3 of it was in the boil.
milldoggy
Well-Known Member
Do you find the paint strainers mess tight enough? I have been using a fine nylon bag, but have the paint strainer bags also.
Snafu
Well-Known Member
I had 6 hop additions to make 1/2 oz each except the first was 3/4 oz, I was just about to add the 5th and final hop addition when the spider died, but up until then, it was working like a champ, the smell of hops was abundant! I had a 1/2 X 2" SS nipple down in the bag as well holding the bag in place. I would dare say I was getting BETTER hop utilization with the spider than just tossing them in the kettle. I don't know about anyone else but when I add hops to my boil it foams up a big green foam blob, which dies down fairly quickly, but leavs a nice green coating on the sides of the BK. Sure I try to knock most of it back in, but lets face it, its a loss no matter which way you look at it.
So yeah, I got off track, YES the paint strainers were working like a champ, much better than hop sacks I can buy at my LHBS.
DeadHead_Brewering
Active Member
Nice works guys, I'm going to have to make one of these!
As I can see this being a well used new piece of kit, I'd like to make it as durable possible, so the SS mesh route is the one for me.
I suspect there's a tradeoff between wort flow through the mesh, and hop matter staying in the mesh. Does anyone have any feedback as to which mesh is best? McMaster-Carr has a huge selection, so making an uneducated guess could prove costly. I've seen 30x30, with .013 wire being used...but is that the best choice?
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
- Robert
As I can see this being a well used new piece of kit, I'd like to make it as durable possible, so the SS mesh route is the one for me.
I suspect there's a tradeoff between wort flow through the mesh, and hop matter staying in the mesh. Does anyone have any feedback as to which mesh is best? McMaster-Carr has a huge selection, so making an uneducated guess could prove costly. I've seen 30x30, with .013 wire being used...but is that the best choice?
Thanks in advance for the feedback!
- Robert
mitch171
Well-Known Member
SHOOK said:
Was the first thing I thought when I watched this vid!
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
lol. Did you like it or dislike it? I get a lot of comments in both directions.
MX1
Texas Ale Works
Luv da dub
These all look great! The route I took to get a hop strainer is a little different though.
Step 1 get a job at a machine shop
Step 2 find an 8 in diameter X 12 in tall SS basket in the scrap bin
Step 3 pay the $5 that it's worth in scrap
Step 4 clean
Step 5 use on my next brew day
Step 1 get a job at a machine shop
Step 2 find an 8 in diameter X 12 in tall SS basket in the scrap bin
Step 3 pay the $5 that it's worth in scrap
Step 4 clean
Step 5 use on my next brew day
mitch171
Well-Known Member
jbrookeiv said:
Very like!
Smashing
Well-Known Member
made one yesterday from stainless threaded rod and a 4" pvc coupling. works great with a paint strainer bag.
My pvc spider got soft during a hard boil and sagged into the pot. Next one is going to be cpvc.
I was worried about that. I felt the pvc a few times during the boil and it was warm but didn't melt. The bottom of my pvc is 2 inches above the wort prior to the boil. I lose about 2 gallons of wort due to evaporation, so I have more clearance as the boil goes on. The wort doesn't touch the pvc. But if I find cpvc or a stainless cylinder, I'm swapping out the pvc
made one yesterday from stainless threaded rod and a 4" pvc coupling. works great with a paint strainer bag.
Looks great.
I've tried returning the flow into the bag. Worked OK. I thought about mounting a quick disconnect on the PVC flange to make the connection more secure. I still might do that at some point.
Does anyone use a hop spider along with a whirlpool immersion chiller?
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
made one yesterday from stainless threaded rod and a 4" pvc coupling. works great with a paint strainer bag.
Looks great!
I'm thinking of adding another set of nuts to the threaded rods so that they line up with the outer edges of the kettle. This should keep it from dancing around during the boil
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jbrookeiv
Crafted Magazine
Yea, that'd work. Mine is exactly the size of my kettle, so the end of the bolt almost hangs on the lip of the kettle.
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