Blichmann Hop Rocket

[Irrenarzt]

It looks bigger than the randall I currently have but it looks like it would make a nice hopback. I think I'll order one...

 

[BAK6E]

Somewhat of a newb question. I noticed you can use this as an in-line filter. Does that mean you can toss pellet and whole hops into the bk, connect the hoprocket to bk outlet, and then connect the hoprocket directly into a therminator without worry of it clogging up? I only ask because I currently don't have a false bottom or hop screen on my kettle.

I was trying to decide if I should order a blichmann hop blocker but saw the new hop rocket which looks like it may achieve the same goal and double as a hop infuser.

 

[bobbytuck]

Along those same lines, I'm wondering if it's possible to fill the HopRocket with a couple handfuls of rice hulls (to act as a filter) when I don't need it for the extra hops.

I've been using mesh bags in my boil kettle for my pellet hops -- I've got an electric kettle with an element that gets in the way of most BK screens -- and it dawned on me that rice hulls in the hopback might work fine to filter out the spent pellet hops. I'd much rather just toss the hops in the kettle and not worry about bags (or clogging my Therminator).

Anyone try using rice hulls as a way to filter out the crud before the plate chiller?

 

[jetfire6]

I'd be worried about bugs in the rice hulls but since you're using a plate chiller maybe the hot wort would kill the bugs. I have not opened mine yet but it has 2 mesh plates in the chamber that may work without any hulls?

 

[bobbytuck]

I haven't looked too closely at the inside screens of the HopRocket yet -- I'm waiting on some stainless quick disconnects from McMaster-Carr so I can attach the tubing a bit more quickly than using the Blichmann quick connects -- but now that you mention it, I wonder if the screens inside the HopRocket are too course for rice hulls. I know Blichmann says pellet hops will not work.

So maybe I'll always use some leaf hops so I can ditch the mesh boil kettle bags.

Any idea on how to calculate the IBUs from the HopBack?

 

[uwjester]

Any idea on how to calculate the IBUs from the HopBack? Is it essentially the same as flame-out hops -- but decreased slightly because I'm using leaf instead of pellet hops?

I think the calculation is essentially 0 IBUs from the hopback. You are not boiling the extracted oils from the hops, so you are not isomerizing the alpha acids the way you would in the kettle. You are definitely getting some hop aroma and flavor, but none of that counts towards IBUs.

I personally find this to be a confusing argument as hop flavor is bitter. I don't understand the difference between bitterness in an IBU and bitterness in the hop flavor. Nevertheless, the IBU equations generally work out that if boil time = 0, then IBU = 0. It generally isn't as clear cut as multiplying by the boil time, but the effect is the same.

 

[uwjester]

Anybody have a recipe ready for their new toy yet? I'm thinking go big with the aroma hops for the first time using it.

Recipe: Hopback IPA
Style: American IPA
TYPE: All Grain

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 6.50 gal
Boil Size: 8.54 gal
Estimated OG: 1.070 SG
Estimated Color: 9.0 SRM
Estimated IBU: 74.6 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: 70.00 %
Boil Time: 60 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount Item Type % or IBU
13 lbs Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain 68.42 %
5 lbs Rye Malt (4.7 SRM) Grain 26.32 %
1 lbs Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L (40.0 SRM) Grain 5.26 %
1.76 oz Chinook [13.00 %] (60 min) Hops 74.6 IBU
3.53 oz Columbus (Tomahawk) [14.00 %] (0 min) (ArHops -
2 Pkgs SafAle California (DCL Yeast #S-05) Yeast-Ale


Mash Schedule: Single Infusion, Light Body, No Mash Out
Total Grain Weight: 19.00 lb
----------------------------
Single Infusion, Light Body, No Mash Out
Step Time Name Description Step Temp
60 min Mash In Add 10.56 gal of water at 156.4 F 150.0 F

 

[jetfire6]

I have been thinking of other things to add to it and recirculate the wort during the entire boil. Things like chipotle peppers, cinnamon, coconut, jaggery, candy and I don't know what else. In the end I'm sure I'll just put some cascades in and call it good

I really was suprised how heavy the box was. I can't wait to open it tonight.

 

[shroomzofdoom]

So, those holes look a bit small for pellet hops...anyone tried it yet with pellets or is this a 'whole hop' only device?

 

[klyph]

In the video, I thought he said whole hops only. You might be able to cut some fine mesh and add it to the screen, but it may clog.

 

[jetfire6]

Maybe you could use pellet hops in tea balls in the hoprocket but blichmann says leaf hops only.

 

[bobbytuck]

So, those holes look a bit small for pellet hops...anyone tried it yet with pellets or is this a 'whole hop' only device?

Instructions specifically state no pellet hops -- whole hops only.

 

[shroomzofdoom]

Thank you guys for reading the instructions FOR ME. Honestly, I did peruse them...I really did.

 

[Infidel]

I wish Blichmann would come out with a potato cannon.

 

[bobbytuck]

First impressions with photos:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/blichmann-hoprocket-first-use-photos-204856/

 

[Captain_Bigelow]

The More Beer version is deal of the day. $75, 3 left at the time of posting...

http://morebeer.com/

 

[ScubaSteve]

That's a good deal, but I'd probably shell out the extra $25 and get the hop rocket.