Joys of a Paint Strainer

[michaelm]

In the past I did the popular siphone down as far as you can and then start pouring the sludge into the funnel with the strainer peice in it and swishing a spoon around to get all I could outta the kettle.... took FOREVER and I really hated it....

Ok after reading a few threads on the paint strainer bags I broke down and went to the store and picked up a pack of them today... instead of using it as a sock I did the normal boil, Chill wort down and then pull the chiller put the bag around in and put it back into the pot and siphon from within.... I didnt whirlpool I didnt wait for stuff to settle just pulled the IC slipped the bag around it (had it soaking in sanitizer) and dropped it back into the kettle and started my siphon, after a couple gallon I tilted my kettle and just kept on....

It siphoned EVERYTHING out of the kettle the hop and trub basicaly ended up an almost dry cake on the bottom of the pot... I actually ended up with 1/4 gallon or more then I normaly do!!!!!!!!!! with absolutly no work at all on my behalf...

Honestly this is the most amazing new(for me) thing I have tried.... I am so stoked and happy I am just all giddy and blubbering Ok ok maybe its the3 great lakes Commador Perry's but seriously this is a wont ever brew without it peice of equipment now!!!

 

[Opherman47]

sweet man sweet, i hadnt thought of that use, that is awsome!!!!!

 

[tireater]

I never siphon w/o a dollar gal. paint strainer...on the output...

 

[BierMuncher]

You mean like this?



Been there...done that

 

[tireater]

I just zip tie a gal bag to the end of the hose...I even reuse the cable tie...

 

[michaelm]

You mean like this?

View attachment 10875

Been there...done that

Yea your where I got the idea from BierMuncher!! I still cant believe how well it worked!!!

 

[Opherman47]

nice pic!!!!!!

 

[JPicasso]

If only doing 5 gallon batches, I boil and cool with my IC normally, then put the strainer in the bucket, and just dump in. Slowly, it will have a tendency to pull down into the bucket, but beats the Hell out of that funnel w/ strainer.

If you're using carboy's then your siphon setup is probably better.

3 cheers for paint strainer bags!

 

[Lil' Sparky]

You mean like this?

View attachment 10875

Been there...done that

How does that work with your kegglesaurus? It doesn't shread the bag when you insert/remove it?

 

[Lil' Sparky]

Nevermind. It looks like you're using the hopsock rig now. I guess the same question applies. You don't have to replace the sack after each use?

 

[BierMuncher]

Nevermind. It looks like you're using the hopsock rig now. I guess the same question applies. You don't have to replace the sack after each use?

Admittedly, brew day is like a marathon game of "Operation".

Of all the routines I've used for preventing hop sludge from clogging my day, your hopsock idea is the best.

 

[rocketbrewing]

A buddy just turned me on to a great idea concerning this topic. He procured some filters on ebay that are sold as biodiesel filters, they look just like the paint strainer bags that we all know and love but they are available in different mesh sizes, he uses a 200 micron with great results. Look on ebay, these are readily available and I should have some by my next brew day.

 

[MikeG]

I've got the paint strainers, I'll definitely give this one a try next time.