Hopster Hopscreen

[NTabb]

So I have to retract my last statement. It works great for whole or leaf hops, but not so well for pellets. The scrubbing pad on the dip tube actually blocks more than the hop screen. I went with the screen size below.


Mesh Size
24 x 24

Square/Rectangle Size
.028"

Wire Diameter
.014"

Percentage of Open Area
44.2

 

[Dgonza9]

Thanks for this! I plan to make this also. I'm so sick of the bag. My bag always fills up with hops and cold break and wont strain. I recirculate back into the bag while I'm chilling and the bag just expands, it fills with break and hop materiel and it wont drain fast enough and then I lose my prime to my pump. Im so sick of this. I hope that the 20X20 screen will end all my hop and break material issues.
I plan on using rivets, I think these rivets will be fine but if there is any objection let me know.
http://www.smallparts.com/blind-riv...=1303094698&filterBy.material_browse=16414661

Another solution is to ditch the IC and use a counterflow chiller, or plate chiller, I guess. Just a thought.

 

[DakotaRules]

Another solution is to ditch the IC and use a counterflow chiller, or plate chiller, I guess. Just a thought.

I use a plate chiller currently, I want minimize the hop particles that go into the chiller to keep it clean and not to clog it. that's my reason for looking at this option.

 

[mattldm]

Has anyone compared a beer using a hop screen like these vs. using the reusable hop bags? We generally bag the hops unless there is only a small amount (>1 ounce). The bags stop almost all the hop material and are easy to hose out after the brew.

These screens look cool but are they worth the effort to build and money?

 

[shroomzofdoom]

I am looking at this for my electric keggle. I tried the nylon bags and they worked great for gas, but I am really concerned with the nylon coming in contact with the elements. I figure I can forego the rivets and just use wire to stitch it together. Not sure of what mesh size to get, I use mostly pellets these days.

Anyone using this for mostly pellet hops seems to have said they might go a bit finer on the mesh---any suggestions?

 

[Dog House Brew]

I used bags with a spider in the beginning. I do larger batches and the hops packed together. Moved to this and will always include this if I change my BK. I stitched it together with stainless wire, worked just fine. I listed my mesh size in this thread somewhere. I can't off hand think of it, thinking 20 x 20. When I use pellets it does have some particles that make it through, but not a lot. Go with a finer mesh and it would be perfect. It does take a little time and is more expensive to begin with. One of the best equipment additions I've ever made.

 

[DakotaRules]

I used bags with a spider in the beginning. I do larger batches and the hops packed together. Moved to this and will always include this if I change my BK. I stitched it together with stainless wire, worked just fine. I listed my mesh size in this thread somewhere. I can't off hand think of it, thinking 20 x 20. When I use pellets it does have some particles that make it through, but not a lot. Go with a finer mesh and it would be perfect. It does take a little time and is more expensive to begin with. One of the best equipment additions I've ever made.

Would you say a 22 X 22 woul be good or even finer? I am sick of fishing bags and losing my hop flavor to bags. I've been looking at this for quite a while.

 

[SankePankey]

I'm getting 30 x 30 w/ .13" in a few days to make mine.

 

[allthingsgiant]

Like I said before, I got the stainless mesh from McMaster Carr. $23.15. Part # 9238T291 20x20, 0.014 wire diameter.

I have used my Hopster about 10 times now, using only pellet hops. If I had to guesstimate, the Hopster keeps about 3/4 of the pellets while about 1/4 get into my boil kettle. If I had to do it all over again, I would get something like 18x18 mesh or a very slightly thicker wire diameter.

As far as hops utilization, you have to realize it's not completely necessary for the hops to be tumbling around the kettle. The boiling wort will do enough damage to the hops that the bitterness will come out. I usually stir up the hops in the Hopster a couple times during the kettle, just in case. I did a 90-Minute DFH IPA Clone with this, and it turned out awesome. Likewise, a lot of the hops "cling" to the mesh, therefore maximizing the exposure to the boiling wort.

 

[day_trippr]

[...]If I had to do it all over again, I would get something like 18x18 mesh or a very slightly thicker wire diameter. [...]

If you are currently using 20x20 mesh and it's passing some pellet fragments, wouldn't 18x18 be moving in the wrong direction?

Cheers!

 

[Dog House Brew]

I have used my Hopster about 10 times now, using only pellet hops. If I had to guesstimate, the Hopster keeps about 3/4 of the pellets while about 1/4 get into my boil kettle.

I have the same mesh and this is an accurate observation. Everyone asks about utilization. I've entered 3 different competitions, with the same beers, and all came back as "too hoppy for the style". I feel my utilization has increased over using the bag set-up. I'm trying to get an accurate reduction in the IBU department. I have used this for 10-12 batches. I think 30x30 would work really well if you are not wanting "any" particles out in your brew, especially if you use a plate chiller. I use a CFC and I have no problem with some hops making it into the fermenter.

 

[Dog House Brew]

Would you say a 22 X 22 woul be good or even finer? I am sick of fishing bags and losing my hop flavor to bags. I've been looking at this for quite a while.

Depending on your chilling set-up, hop type-pellets more than cones, would be what determines mesh size. I have the 20 x 20 and it's fine for me. I probably would have gone a bit smaller. Like in my last post, I don't mind some hop matter making it to the fermenter.

 

[DakotaRules]

Depending on your chilling set-up, hop type-pellets more than cones, would be what determines mesh size. I have the 20 x 20 and it's fine for me. I probably would have gone a bit smaller. Like in my last post, I don't mind some hop matter making it to the fermenter.

I use a plate chiller and I'm trying to keep less material in it as possible. I have a spider but feel the bag (I've tried many) are just too fine. I'm thinking that a good screen size will give good flow and movement but not let too much material into the chiller.

I try and do a single pass through my chiller and into the carboy.

I want to recirculate back into the basket while chilling to get a filter type process going.

I would like to know if someone has bought a screen size between the 20 X 20 and the 30 X 30 to give me an idea of the best screen mesh. I use a mix of pellet and whole hop.

Thanks guys.

 

[Sudz]

I'm in the process of making one with 30x30 mesh simply because it was available to me and free.

Has anyone actually used a 30x30 mesh hopster?

What were your results?

 

[shroomzofdoom]

Curious what yall think of making this the shape of a funnel style coffee filter? Might be a pain stictching it up though. I made a paper mockup for kicks. My initial measurements are that I could make a suitable design for my purposes out of a single 36" sheet. This would save a few bucks, just get the SS wire and I could probably do this for around $75

 

[Dog House Brew]

Curious what yall think of making this the shape of a funnel style coffee filter? Might be a pain stictching it up though. I made a paper mockup for kicks. My initial measurements are that I could make a suitable design for my purposes out of a single 36" sheet. This would save a few bucks, just get the SS wire and I could probably do this for around $75

I think the straight sides are advantageous. I think the angled sides would restrict the flow. Just my $.02

 

[Dog House Brew]

I use a plate chiller and I'm trying to keep less material in it as possible. I have a spider but feel the bag (I've tried many) are just too fine. I'm thinking that a good screen size will give good flow and movement but not let too much material into the chiller.

I try and do a single pass through my chiller and into the carboy.

I want to recirculate back into the basket while chilling to get a filter type process going.

I would like to know if someone has bought a screen size between the 20 X 20 and the 30 X 30 to give me an idea of the best screen mesh. I use a mix of pellet and whole hop.

Thanks guys.

McMaster part # 85385T408

Something like this would do what you want. I think there is a fine line of wire size getting too small to be durable enough. when you lift this and dump it it can get quite heavy. I do 16.5 gallon batches and mine is really heavy on my IPA recipies. I do think this would work for you IMO.

 

[SankePankey]

I'm in the process of making one with 30x30 mesh simply because it was available to me and free.

Has anyone actually used a 30x30 mesh hopster?

What were your results?

Yeah. I just got my 30 X 30 in the mail today. I am a plate chiller, so need more of an absolute filter.

I have some 20 x 20 with .023" wire diameter and it's almost to hard to bend. I got some 40 x 40 'strainer grade' (which is .0065") which I sent back cause it was so flimsy it would crease during cleaning.

I now have 30 x 30 with .013" wire and I think it's a sweet spot. I wouldn't want it any lighter gauge than this and this is the heaviest gauge 30 x 30 (or near it) from McMaster.

I think it's really important to be talking about wire diameter and mesh size since they both influence the hole diameter which is what we are all after in the end. Mesh size alone tells you not much. Wire diameter will tell you whether your hop spider will last after you put forth all the effort to make one.

 

[CidahMastah]

Yeah. I just got my 30 X 30 in the mail today. I am a plate chiller, so need more of an absolute filter.

I have some 20 x 20 with .023" wire diameter and it's almost to hard to bend. I got some 40 x 40 'strainer grade' (which is .0065") which I sent back cause it was so flimsy it would crease during cleaning.

I now have 30 x 30 with .013" wire and I think it's a sweet spot. I wouldn't want it any lighter gauge than this and this is the heaviest gauge 30 x 30 (or near it) from McMaster.

I think it's really important to be talking about wire diameter and mesh size since they both influence the hole diameter which is what we are all after in the end. Mesh size alone tells you not much. Wire diameter will tell you whether your hop spider will last after you put forth all the effort to make one.

Be sure to let us know how this works. I use mostly pellets in 10G batches and really want to know how well this will work for pellets. Whole leaf hops are easy to size for the screen - the challenge is the pellets.

I am considering making one that my IC would fit in, if the cost isn't insane. I like the free boil.

 

[MonkeyWrench]

I really like this Hopster. I was just thinking the other day about making one of those Hopspiders out of stainless mesh, nice to see someone beat me to it, it will save me some coin.

I will be using a bottom drain, no dip tube at all, so whirlpooling and hopscreens won't work. The Hopster looks like it would work great to keep most hops in when boiling, then when I recirc for chilling, I'll place the return line back into the top of the Hopster to coolect more of the break/trub/etc.

Thanks!

 

[SankePankey]

Be sure to let us know how this works. I use mostly pellets in 10G batches and really want to know how well this will work for pellets. Whole leaf hops are easy to size for the screen - the challenge is the pellets.

I am considering making one that my IC would fit in, if the cost isn't insane. I like the free boil.

No prob. I use only pellets too at this point. I also do a recirculating plate chill. All those put together are probably the worst idea in the world.

 

[CidahMastah]

No prob. I use only pellets too at this point. I also do a recirculating plate chill. All those put together are probably the worst idea in the world.

Yeah with the recirc you are asking for trouble with a chiller

 

[baer19d]

What's the copper tubing for? Does is pour the hot wort over the hops?

 

[CidahMastah]

What's the copper tubing for? Does is pour the hot wort over the hops?

?? what copper tubing

 

[Biscostew]

any update on the 30 x 30 .013 diameter mesh? Thinking about making the purchase based on the thread but wanted to see if anyone has completed there build with this first.

 

[BSD_Glass]

Just finished up a 30 by 30 .012 wire model. I'm brewing a 10 gallon batch of IPA on Friday. Pics and I'll let you know how it goes. I have a good feeling about it though.

BSD

 

[Biscostew]

great thanks, looking forward to hear your results.

 

[Lechien]

Just finished up a 30 by 30 .012 wire model. I'm brewing a 10 gallon batch of IPA on Friday. Pics and I'll let you know how it goes. I have a good feeling about it though.

BSD

Very interested how you make out with this, I've got a sheet of the 30x30 that I haven't gotten to building yet.

 

[BSD_Glass]

I put some build shots in my gallery. Let's see if I can link to them.

Why yes, Yes I can.

BSD

 

[Sudz]

I just completed the initial run using my 30x30x .012 screen. Mine was made for a 6 gal batch sized rig. It's about 4" in diameter by 12" in length.

I used pellet hops for this Centennial Blonde brew. The screen appeared to catch most of the material since I found several teaspoons of green debris in the filter when all was done.

The hop material was well incorporated into the boil (very active movement) so I don't have any concerns for utilization. I guess time will be the ultimate judge however.

I did observe however, that the remaining cold break material still covered the bottom of my boil pot after whirlpooling. Frankly, I couldn't tell any difference from this batch without the hop material as compared to prior batches with the hop material included. Visually it just wasn't as green but the volume of material was basically the same.

So, in the end the benefit from using a screen seems to be a minor factor. I'll probably continue to use the screen since I now have it, but knowing what I do now I probably wouldn't have built one.

I'm curious to hear what some of you have observed with respect to a screen eliminating the post boil sludge.