Problem with Wort Chiller

[RedIs4Heart]

Last night I brewed my second batch of beer. Everything went way better than the first time, until I got to the wort chiller. No matter what I did, I could not get the wort to go through the chiller. I only did one thing different. The first batch, I put the hop pellets in a bag. It seemed to me that they all ended up in the pot anyway, so the second batch I did not. Could this have caused the problem. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

 

[Wyrmwood]

Last night I brewed my second batch of beer. Everything went way better than the first time, until I got to the wort chiller. No matter what I did, I could not get the wort to go through the chiller. I only did one thing different. The first batch, I put the hop pellets in a bag. It seemed to me that they all ended up in the pot anyway, so the second batch I did not. Could this have caused the problem. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

Is this a counter flow wort chiller?

 

[aggiejay06]

I don't use this type of chiller, but I think I've read that hops can clog them.

 

[marnel]

Try using a SS or copper scrubby to filter the trub out of your chiller. Works for me everytime!

You can find them at any walmart or target in the cleaning section.

 

[MrStrangeBrew]

if its a plate chiller its probably most likely clogged. they clog very easily when using pellets especially.

 

[RedIs4Heart]

It is a plate chiller. I'll go back to using the bag for the hops. Thanks for the input.

 

[MrStrangeBrew]

there are some good DIY reusable hop bag projects on this site you should check them out. usually using a pvc pipe coupling or reducer and paint starining bag. i think its called a hop spider

 

[ThePearsonFam]

another technique is to whirlpool but it takes some practice and patience. I use 1/2whirflock tab for the last 15 minutes of my boil. I slowly, gently get my wort whirlpooling with my spoon (careful not to aerate). I continue to do this every 2-3 minutes until my temps are below 80 degrees and then I let the trub/hops pile/settle to the middle of my BK. I drain from the side of my kettle and get very little trub in my fermenter.

**EDIT**

You can employ more than one method too...