Blichmann boil screen for pellet hops

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

I am very intrigued. I know I will be trying one soon but I can't figure out what the heck that thing is???

 

[chemman14]

it looks like that sleeve connected to the hook slides up and down

 

[Yambor44]

it looks like that sleeve connected to the hook slides up and down

I would think if thats the case, they would show that in one of the pics?

 

[Layne]

Your diptube goes through the side and then snaps into the kettle as usual.
It sits just like in that pic, in the kettle.

 

[willynilly]

It is SS, I need it

 

[Yambor44]

Your diptube goes through the side and then snaps into the kettle as usual.
It sits just like in that pic, in the kettle.

Ahhh. So it "snaps" into the kettle some how?

 

[Layne]

I would think if thats the case, they would show that in one of the pics?

Maybe it's a secret

 

[Yambor44]

Maybe it's a secret

LOL. Maybe that little loop is where you snag it with your finger to give it a little "pull" to snap it into place...??

 

[willynilly]

Ahhh. So it "snaps" into the kettle some how?

Blichman dip tubes SNAP in and out, that is what he is referring to. No tools needed on thier dip tubes.

I dont know if I can use this, my SS coil in the BK may interfere...

 

[Yambor44]

Here's a pic for reference.

 

[Yambor44]

Blichman dip tubes SNAP in and out, that is what he is referring to. No tools needed on thier dip tubes.

I dont know if I can use this, my SS coil in the BK may interfere...

Good to know. I have 3 but haven't taken them out of the box yet. Waiting on my stand. I just though there was an allen bolt holding that collar in place. Thanks!

 

[Julohan]

Well I am going to have to buy one. I would imagine after all this wait, that they work really well. Has he mentioned when they will be for sale?

 

[willynilly]

Good to know. I have 3 but haven't taken them out of the box yet. Waiting on my stand. I just though there was an allen bolt holding that collar in place. Thanks!

The collar is held in place with an allen bolt...

but the collar stays on the dip tube when you remove it, the collar is simply there to provide rotational location for the dip tube.

No tools needed

 

[chemman14]

yah, I just hope it isnt a 3 week turn around like the kettle. I need to brew in 2 weeks

 

[chrispykid]

Just guessing, but I bet the hook is so that you can pull it out of the kettle to add late addition hops. If you're adding hops at 60 minutes, 10 minutes and 2 minutes you're not going to want to use three of these right? So for later additions you fish it out (maybe with a wire coat hanger or something, add your addition and drop it back in.

There better be an easy way to open and close it though - it's going to be hot after coming out of the boil.

 

[willynilly]

This is too small to hold the hops... really....

And if that were the case, just go buy a few 3" SS tea steeping balls

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Since we are guessing, I will go on record and guess...

I think it is a filter of some sort. I do not think the hops go in it during the boil. I think it filters them out at the end of the boil. I don't know how, bu that is my guess. Maybe it is some kind of technology from the coffee industry, that big ass pile of hops would be pretty compacted in that canister.

 

[Julohan]

If it stores the hops, I wouldn't even consider it then.

 

[chrispykid]

I think it is a filter of some sort. I do not think the hops go in it during the boil. I think it filters them out at the end of the boil. I don't know how, bu that is my guess. Maybe it is some kind of technology from the coffee industry, that big ass pile of hops would be pretty compacted in that canister.

I hate being wrong, but that does make more sense.

 

[SpanishCastleAle]

If it sits in the kettle like it is sitting in the pics then it seems it would have to draw in wort from the bottom (or something*)...or else a lot of wort is gonna be left behind in the kettle.
* - we can only see one side, hard to tell what's on the other side.

Blichmann seem to put some thought into their designs so I would highly doubt that:
1. You're supposed to in any way 'load' it with hops.
2. Have to fish it out during the boil.
3. It leaves a lot of wort behind in the kettle.

That thing looks taller than the distance from the bottom of the kettle to the top of the dip tube, it has to have a slot/hole in the side.

It doesn't look like you could attach this to the dip tube prior to inserting the dip tube inside the kettle, and still get the whole assembly to rotate into place. So I'm guessing you have to install this piece similar to the way you install the false bottom, i.e. insert dip tube at angle, line up dip tube and the hole, rotate dip tube into place and lock it in. That is...IF this thing even utilizes the stock dip tube. Maybe it has it's own? EDIT: That was stupid. Who says you would need to 'rotate' it in any way...just shove it in. Durrrr.

But I still have no clue. I have a feeling if we could see the other side of it we could easily see how it worked.

 

[chemman14]

all this speculation is killing me

 

[Julohan]

Same here, I am trying to finish up a paper and I keep finding myself on on this thread, waiting for updates.

 

[indybeer]

I have 7 in stock right now if anyone would like me to ship them one. I can also explain how they work.

brian at greatfermentations.com


www.greatfermentations.com or
http://www.greatfermentations.com/Blichmann-HopBlocker/products/1190/

 

[HBHoss]

I have 7 in stock right now if anyone would like me to ship them one. I can also explain how they work.

brian at greatfermentations.com


www.greatfermentations.com or
http://www.greatfermentations.com/Blichmann-HopBlocker/products/1190/

Can you (are you willing to) explain how it works before I order?

EDIT: Will it get in the way of an immersion chiller?

 

[chemman14]

yeah, i want details before I pull the trigger

 

[BlichmannEngineering]

OK - sorry for the suspense. It is really quite unique yet very simple. The finger pull is to lift the solid shield to expose a fine perf filter. End of the boil you whirlpool, let things settle for 15-20 min as usual and begin draining. The shield covers the fine perf at the bottom 2" and all the flow is diverted through the large perf at the top which is intended to block whole hops. This keeps the settled hops undisturbed and lets 90% of the wort travel straight through instead of ramming all the wort through a fine filter. Since all the pellet material is at the bottom very little transfers to the fermentor. When the wort level gets close to the top of the shield you use the finger pull to lift it and expose the fine perf. At that time slow the flow rate to allow the wort to permeate through the settled hops and work its way to the fine screen. We have measured up to a 95% filtration efficiency using a full pound of pellet hops in a 20 gal batch. We'll have our web updated in a couple days with more pics.

 

[indybeer]

What you can't see in the pictures is a small hole on the side of it that you insert your dip tube through. Also there are 2 sizes of holes..finer holes behind the shield in the photos. At the end of your boil you vigorously whirlpool your wort. This causes hops to "volcano" towards the middle. The majority of the wort is strained through the coarser holes toward the top of the HopBlocker. When the wort level is a few inches from the bottom of the pot you pull up on the shield to expose the finer holes. According to John you will filter 90-95% of the break material and hops without plugging. Hope this helps.

Brian

 

[Layne]

There you go! Now the cats out of the bag

 

[chemman14]

so is this going to get in the way of an IC?

 

[indybeer]

so is this going to get in the way of an IC?

Shouldn't... for best results it will be right up against the side of the pot. It is 3 3/4 inches across and just over 5 1/2 tall.