After reading many good posts of hop stoppers, hop tacos, paint strainers, and other hop blockers, I figured I would attempt to make a stainless steel mesh basket to increase/maintain utilization while not clogging pickup tubes.
McMaster-Carr Parts
30 x 30 SS Mesh Screen (36" width custom length (3 sq. ft.) roughly 29" around cake pan)
4-40 SS Panhead screw 91735A106
4-40 SS Nut 90257A005
SS Worm Drive Clamp (2) for 7"-10" diameter 5011T43
SS Type 430 Strip, .025" Thick, 1/2" X 12" 8457K47
Amazon
American Kitchen 9 Inch Stainless Steel Round Cake Pan
I basically wanted something I could re-use and take apart easily. I also wanted something that would hopefully not play a role in lower hop utilization. If I don't like the screen, I can easily replace with a new size. I also can hang it and still put the lid on.
I honestly have yet to try it, but I'm in the process of finishing my HERMS build in my spare time.... whenever that might be. I'm hopefully this will work alright and will probably use this in conjunction with a hop stopper as I'm using a CF plate chiller.
Another, Item people can get is a soil sifter which has the same shape as a round pan but has a removable screen on the bottom. You could replace or place over top with a finer mesh screen.
The nuts are only finger tight. I also plan to add SS washers. The SS strips work well but might try a slightly thicker one if these don't help hold the screen together.
Let me know your thoughts.
McMaster-Carr Parts
30 x 30 SS Mesh Screen (36" width custom length (3 sq. ft.) roughly 29" around cake pan)
4-40 SS Panhead screw 91735A106
4-40 SS Nut 90257A005
SS Worm Drive Clamp (2) for 7"-10" diameter 5011T43
SS Type 430 Strip, .025" Thick, 1/2" X 12" 8457K47
Amazon
American Kitchen 9 Inch Stainless Steel Round Cake Pan
I basically wanted something I could re-use and take apart easily. I also wanted something that would hopefully not play a role in lower hop utilization. If I don't like the screen, I can easily replace with a new size. I also can hang it and still put the lid on.
I honestly have yet to try it, but I'm in the process of finishing my HERMS build in my spare time.... whenever that might be. I'm hopefully this will work alright and will probably use this in conjunction with a hop stopper as I'm using a CF plate chiller.
Another, Item people can get is a soil sifter which has the same shape as a round pan but has a removable screen on the bottom. You could replace or place over top with a finer mesh screen.
The nuts are only finger tight. I also plan to add SS washers. The SS strips work well but might try a slightly thicker one if these don't help hold the screen together.
Let me know your thoughts.