Hop Spider options

[Jtvann]

looking at making changes to my setup. I’ve been dumping hops loose into the pot. I’m considering going to a plate chiller. Seems like with that, a hop filter is an absolute.

I’ve already got one of these, and have nylon mesh bags.
https://www.morebeer.com/products/kettle-spider.html

Is this sufficient or in the long run would you rather use one of these? Or similar
https://www.morebeer.com/products/hop-spider.html

 

[chickypad]

I used a homemade one similar in principle to the one you already have with 5 gal pain strainer bags for years. With mine it was easy to slip the chiller in with the spider still in place, not sure if that stainless one would get in the way.

 

[Keith81]

I recently made a decision on a hop spider and considered both of those options. The advantage of the first one is that if you are using a lot of hops all you need is a larger bag, whereas you may need a second spider with the second one. Ultimately I went with one similar to the second one but it is 6"x14" and doesn't taper at the bottom. I don't brew highly hopped IPAs so I decided that, for me, that one would have plenty of space. I got mine from Austin Homebrew but have seen them on other sites.