DIY Hop Oast Build

[Turkeyshot]

The screen gets cut to 4x4 size. That was the size of the roll I bought. The furring strips are for bracing the inside of the boxes. I bought 8' foot by 1"x1" inch strips and cut them to size.

I understood how it should all be cut and the materials used, it was the way they listed it in the article. They could have at least wrote that it was a 25 foot roll, but not that much is needed. And the furring strips were listed completely incorrect in the article. I was just curious if anyone caught that at all.

 

[Duncan83865]

Finally getting around to building this... Just wondering if there is a benefit to having the top/cover on the oast? My thought is that eliminating it should increase airflow and also free up more plywood for more trays. However I want to make sure I'm not missing something by thinking about eliminating it? Thanks!

 

[Weezy]

Just curious, does each box need to be so deep? So much head space?

 

[thaymond]

Its a good point. You could cut them in 3 or 4 inch intervals to increase drying surface area. Half the size doubles drying capacity. I stack my hops deep in the boxes and turn the fan on to circulate air.

 

[thaymond]

Finally getting around to building this... Just wondering if there is a benefit to having the top/cover on the oast? My thought is that eliminating it should increase airflow and also free up more plywood for more trays. However I want to make sure I'm not missing something by thinking about eliminating it? Thanks!

I had the lid to keep "things" out of the top tray. Since its in the garage, we have bugs and whatnot that could find their way in. I'd rather make it more difficult for critters to find their way in. You can certainly turn the lid into another tray, maybe use an old sheet to cover it if you like.

 

[Duncan83865]

I had the lid to keep "things" out of the top tray. Since its in the garage, we have bugs and whatnot that could find their way in. I'd rather make it more difficult for critters to find their way in. You can certainly turn the lid into another tray, maybe use an old sheet to cover it if you like.

Thanks. So what setting have you been able to run the fan on? Using the conventional window screen method, I've always ran it on low so i don't blow the cones around, but I was wondering with the oast if you've found that you can run it faster?

 

[thaymond]

Thanks. So what setting have you been able to run the fan on? Using the conventional window screen method, I've always ran it on low so i don't blow the cones around, but I was wondering with the oast if you've found that you can run it faster?

I ran it twice last year to try two different methods. I blew air up from the bottom on the lowest setting. This took 2 days, and I rotated the box screens so each box had about 8 hrs of contact if I remember (it may be posted above). I also ran it on high pulling air down from the top of the oast. Again, about 2 days and did the same screen rotation. Either way worked in a similar amount of time. I didn't use manufactured heat, only the temperature of my garage in early September as my heat source. In 4 days it took 19 ish pounds to about 5 pounds, holding to a 4:1 ratio.

 

[Blazebag]

Thanks for this write up. Should have mine finished by the weekend. Just in time for my first round of harvests from my first year hops.

 

[thaymond]

Thanks for this write up. Should have mine finished by the weekend. Just in time for my first round of harvests from my first year hops.

Thank you! Be sure to add pics! It makes harvest time a little easier. Enjoy!