Polycarbonate?

[doughj1466]

Hey Guys,

I've been using this forum as a resource for some time but this is my first time posting.

I'd like to add a clear section of piping in my system with a filter inside which would essentially be a hopback. I'd like to have it upstream of my pump and heat exchanger so the section would need to be able to stand up to freshly boiled wort. Glass is very expensive for the ~2.5-3 inch diameter I am looking to incorporate. My question is: is polycarbonate a suitable alternative or will it melt or be toxic?

Thanks!

 

[Catt22]

Hey Guys,

I've been using this forum as a resource for some time but this is my first time posting.

I'd like to add a clear section of piping in my system with a filter inside which would essentially be a hopback. I'd like to have it upstream of my pump and heat exchanger so the section would need to be able to stand up to freshly boiled wort. Glass is very expensive for the ~2.5-3 inch diameter I am looking to incorporate. My question is: is polycarbonate a suitable alternative or will it melt or be toxic?

Thanks!

Polycarbonate should work just fine. I would suggest mounting the hop back downstream of your pump though, as it will likely be quite restrictive. You will probably want to use something with even a larger diameter than 3". Hops will expand when they get wet and tend to form a plug in a tube such as you plan to use. It's not as simple to do as it would seem. I tried something similar and had lots of trouble with it plugging up. So much so, that I finally abandoned the idea in favor of rapid whirlpool chilling circulating back to the kettle in a loop while cooling. I figure that the effect would be about the same with the hops in the kettle and it seems to work, but I can't say for certain as I never got the hop back to work very well. Post back and let us know how you make out.

 

[SweetSounds]

I've never built one, but I've seen threads about using a single 11" filter housing (About $20 on ebay) for a hop back...

 

[Catt22]

I've never built one, but I've seen threads about using a single 11" filter housing (About $20 on ebay) for a hop back...

I think this is a much better option as it should have better flow characteristics than a straight tube. I've seen them also, but never built one for myself either.