How do i successfuly whirlpool for 10 or 20 minutes

[warpy55]

Hi, I like Hazy IPA meaning lots of hops. Problem is, when I attempt to add the hop loads to the whirlpool, the excessive hop load gums up the pump and no whirlpool. I have heard that a stainless steel mesh tube I think it is called a Bazooka , on the outlet to the pump helps to eliminate hop gumming up the pump. But I can see difficulties with the hops simply gumming up the Bazooka tube. So what have peple found is an effective way to get the most hop utilisation as I can and acheive a good whirlpool? My pump is an 8GPM pump like the March pump.

 

[razzman]

You can hand whirlpool, let everything sink to the bottom/middle and then run off, you wouldn't be using the pump fore this.
You may also be getting an airlock in the pump, preventing anything from entering.

 

[Willy]

Until I got a false bottom - I had similar issues. (Brewzilla Gen 4, HED bottom is an add-on). It works well enough to keep the pump from getting clogged and to do a whirlpool successfully.

I whirlpool for 10-15m at the end of boil. First, a whirlfloc tablet and then assemble the whirlpool arm and let it rip at about 50-70% full open. Turn off the whirlpool and begin the cool down with some chiller coils. I will use a spoon to create some movement in the wort to assist in a speedy cool down.

Anyway... Until I got the false bottom, I had issues too. See if you can purchase a false bottom for your kettle and if that helps. It worked for me. YMMV.

 

[DuncB]

What system are you using?
You could build a trubtrapper or similar for your kettle.

https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/brewtools-trubinator-s/

Unless it's a central drain brewzilla 4.
Picture of my purpose built in situ.

 

[Willy]

What system are you using?
You could build a trubtrapper or similar for your kettle.

https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/brewtools-trubinator-s/

Unless it's a central drain brewzilla 4.
Picture of my purpose built in situ.

View attachment 869806

Yeah... I use a Brewzilla (central drain) with the HED false bottom add-on.

That said, there are lots of false bottom options, depending on your kettle size.

 

[Deadalus]

I have a Spike Flow and it allegedly it macerates the hops. Whether it does that or not it's hard to say but I don't have any problems whirlpooling free floating hops. Plus the wort runs through a CFC. Majority of the time pellet hops. Not sure of recent whole hop additions. I do use a hopstopper at the end but it is set up on a separate drain port that I switch to at the end.

I'd think you would probably gum up a Bazooka tube.

I've whirlpooled in the past with a hop spider, 6" diameter. You'll need some percentage more hops. How much is equipment dependent but you'll just adjust your recipe as needed, no big deal. I still use the spider for bittering hops when whirlpooling as it allows their removal without residual effects in the whirlpooling step.

 

[tchampagne]

You can check and and try a Hop Spider like the one here.

 

[hottpeper13]

I use a 4 cup pyrex measure to hold the pellet hops, then dip it into the swirling wort pouring off a small amount of slurry at a time. With a spoon to get all out. I sanitize everything because I do this at 170*. False bottoms work better with whole cone hops for me.

 

[IslandLizard]

You can check and and try a Hop Spider like the one here.

Just a heads up, make sure your kettle is at least 14" deep so the basket can hang off the rim by the 2 "handles:"

• 14"H x 6"Ø

[EDITs] If the kettle is shallower (< 14" deep) you may need to find a way to tie it to the kettle's side somehow.
I don't have this model, but the 6" diameter is wonderful and roomy, with a nice large mesh surface, easy for wort to go in and out.

For better hop extraction, when in use, drain the basket (at least partially) every 5-10 minutes to refresh the wort inside. When draining, keep the basket mostly submerged, to avoid splashing and exposure to air (oxygen).

They also make shorter ones, but they are (only) 4" wide.

 

[Kickass]

I stir, with a large SS spoon, every 5 minutes. I’m not sure that you have that option with your brew rig.

This desire to mechanically whirlpool reminds me how much the “fancy” equipment has made us reliant on extravagant solutions.

 

[Broken Crow]

Hi, I like Hazy IPA meaning lots of hops. Problem is, when I attempt to add the hop loads to the whirlpool, the excessive hop load gums up the pump and no whirlpool. I have heard that a stainless steel mesh tube I think it is called a Bazooka , on the outlet to the pump helps to eliminate hop gumming up the pump. But I can see difficulties with the hops simply gumming up the Bazooka tube. So what have peple found is an effective way to get the most hop utilisation as I can and acheive a good whirlpool? My pump is an 8GPM pump like the March pump.

You didn't come back to respond to any of the suggestions last time you asked this question 2 years ago; https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/any-ideas-to-prevent-blockages-whirlpool.726087/ ...did you try any of the suggestions?
Rather than just get the same advice again, help us help you; What are you working with and what have you tried so far and what have been the results?

 

[Deadalus]

You can check and and try a Hop Spider like the one here.

They sell this one too. That's how mine is with the adjustable arm but I don't think this exact one is the one I bought. I have an electric keggle and the spider sits snug against the element but touching bottom. The arm works, it can grab the side. It probably could use locking nuts or multiple nuts as the arm is positioned by the screw and slides back and forth. I don't like to lock it in completely as that makes washing and drying it more difficult. But then the arm comes off the screw. For ne therefore it us aggravating but others may just lock it in. I have a 4" one coming with fixed hooks but that is for my smaller batch pot. It's electric too so I will be able to sit it flat if too tall to grab the rim.
https://www.morebeer.com/products/s...uqHMFvUw0TXXxURosupT8Wp9PNg5nxaEaAkbAEALw_wcB

 

[Deadalus]

I stir, with a large SS spoon, every 5 minutes. I’m not sure that you have that option with your brew rig.

This desire to mechanically whirlpool reminds me how much the “fancy” equipment has made us reliant on extravagant solutions.

Four stirs in a 20 minute period isn't much movement. Not saying it doesn't work and if you are consistent batch to batch you will be familiar with the results.

Pumps are useful in several ways however:
Transferring between vessels if using more than one and then into the fermenter.
Chilling.
Recirculation of the mash.
CIP.
Whirlpooling.

As far as whirlpooling, I begin by pumping through a CFC. It's a super fast drop in temp. Originally I was using an immersion chiller here. That gets in the way some. I don't like taking it out at this stage as it is sanitized by boiling but whirlpool temps are a little lower than you want to sanitize again. I did just make everything fancier with an EZ Boil, but now I can set it to the temp I want and walk away while the pump does the stirring, which is constant. I don't think a pump is fancy or extravagent if gets used for lifting, that's just wise. Lifting heavy things then twisting at the hips, be careful.

 

[Kickass]

I get the utility of a pump. I just question its superior effectiveness in this case. I have a hard time believing you must keep everything moving, the entire time, to extract “all” the flavor.

Not crapping on the pump jockeys, just offering a simple solution for those intimidated by the cost or operation of a pump.

 

[day_trippr]

I do recirculate during post-boil whirlpooling but honestly I don't think it makes a difference wrt extract efficiency using pellets...

Cheers!

 

[DuncB]

I think we all like to copy the pros.
20 litres of wort is much easier to mix some hops into and saturated with the oils than a 200, 2000 etc kettle.
The fast whirlpool to start slowing and then a rest does a nice job of focussing the hop trub centrally.
Time was that a hop stand was " the thing "

 

[warpy55]

Thanks for all the comments I have a hop spider but I want the hops to be moving throughout the whirlpool not restricted in a smaller space. So I will fashion up a stainless false bottom, the issue will be getting it over the element which is a longish straight element from one side of the kettle to the other.

 

[DuncB]

Good luck, the other option is a separate hop back with whirlpool!!