Prototype Previews: Hopback and Heat Stick

[Bobby_M]

OK Nutty, you talked me into it. I have ONE prototype I'm willing to part with. PM me. Where in NJ are you?

 

[nutty_gnome]

PM sent. Thanks! N_G

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I'm considering making a few hopbacks with triclovers but it kind of ruins the compact design I'm going for.

This is for a brew magic that uses the 1/2" tri-clamps. A 1/2 MIP or FIP threaded end is the most I would ask. A 1/2" blank end (ferrule/barb, etc) is the least I would ask.

 

[sumbrewindude]

Although it would be difficult, maybe a conversion kit to adapt your large RIMS tube setup to a hopback?

Don't know how practical it would be for those that already own one of your RIM's setups, but you'd already have the tube/connectors fabbed up - you'd just need a way to get a filter in place.

 

[Bobby_M]

I think maybe you could pack the RIMS with hops, but I fear there isn't enough surface area on the leading pack of hops and it would clog quickly. It's only 1.5" TC afterall. The new mini hop back is 3" TC.

 

[wbarber69]

Just hurry up and get it done I want one

 

[MNSmitty]

I'd be very interested in the heatstick. Hell, a hopback would be fun too!

 

[NathPowe]

The heatstick is going to be a game changer. Straight up. Tons of people are going to buy those once you get them to market. Myself included. Interested to see how this progresses.

 

[WayFrae]

That hopback is beautiful.

 

[nutty_gnome]

Hey, check these upcoming products out!

As always, we appreciate your feedback.

Bobby - Thanks for shipping this so fast. I received it this morning. Holy Crow - this thing is built like a tank. I really didn't expect such a solid, clean, and beautiful hunk of metal. Everything is wonderfully thick and sturdy.... wow... I'm impressed, this will be the heatstick that gets passed from generation to generation!

Quick question: I'm new to tri-clamps so I'm wondering how you know that you've tightened the thumbscrew enough when you put it all together? Any guidance is appreciated N_G.

 

[wbarber69]

Just tighten it down till you see the gasket start to push out and the diameter becomes slightly larger than the triclovers.

 

[dcbw]

Bobby, how's the testing going? I would buy the hop back tomorrow if it were available. Or do you have any prototypes you'd be willing to sell? It looks awesome!

 

[Bobby_M]

Bobby - Thanks for shipping this so fast. I received it this morning. Holy Crow - this thing is built like a tank. I really didn't expect such a solid, clean, and beautiful hunk of metal. Everything is wonderfully thick and sturdy.... wow... I'm impressed, this will be the heatstick that gets passed from generation to generation!

Quick question: I'm new to tri-clamps so I'm wondering how you know that you've tightened the thumbscrew enough when you put it all together? Any guidance is appreciated N_G.

Thanks.. Just tighten enough to make the gasket bulge out slightly.. oops.. I see that was answered already.

 

[djt17]

I am also interested in the Heat Stick...wow! Will you update this thread when it becomes available?

 

[2B_Brewing]

I'd buy that heat stick in a heartbeat

 

[liquid134]

any updates on the heatstick??? need another tester ????

just moved from a house to an apartment, cant run propane :-( and stove is too weak! i was going to DIY one, but i am thinking about just waiting for yours.

 

[beergutbrew]

Any updates on the hopback????!!!

 

[Bobby_M]

The hopback is definitely coming first because there was much more interest in it. They are officially in production now with native camlock, NPT, and triclover I/O ports. August 1st is a very rough ETA. There was also a lot of interest at NHC for a larger unit that could hold 4-5oz of leaf hops. I'm working on it.

 

[wbarber69]

Are there going to be filters available for the hopback as well. So it can be used as just a trub filter too.

 

[beergutbrew]

The hopback is definitely coming first because there was much more interest in it. They are officially in production now with native camlock, NPT, and triclover I/O ports. August 1st is a very rough ETA. There was also a lot of interest at NHC for a larger unit that could hold 4-5oz of leaf hops. I'm working on it.

Hellz yeah!! I def like the idea of a larger hopback. I almost bought the 1.5 gallon hopback from Stout Tanks but I prefer your camlock desing better.

 

[stompbox]

Yeah to be honest i may use a hopback just ax much to filter ad hopping. I do BIAB so my wort has a lot of solids post boils. Id like to see how it does.

 

[Bobby_M]

The idea for filtering is to pack it full of rice hulls. I've heard it works great but I can't back that up with my own testing yet.

 

[wbarber69]

Send me one I'll give it a try

 

[lousbrews]

The idea for filtering is to pack it full of rice hulls. I've heard it works great but I can't back that up with my own testing yet.

That's not a bad idea. Can't wait for these to come out!

 

[wbarber69]

See the update that the move to the new location was successful. Now when can I order my hopback.

 

[opusx11]

Bobby, I came across this thread while researching different electric options. I was debating drilling and installing the element in the kettle, but the heatstick build looks amazing and I love the portability idea. It also looks fairly easy for me to swap elements should I need to replace them.

Please do update the thread when you have more info and ensure shipping to Canada is offered

 

[Bobby_M]

Sorry for the lack of updates. This was just really bad timing trying to develop two new offerings. Between moving my shop, attending NHC, moving my family to a new house, and losing an employee, I'm losing my mind.

Initial tests on the hopback are promising but not 100% conclusive regarding the coarse internal filters. In order to make it useful for whole hops and also rice hull filtering, the perforation size has to be just right. Regardless, I have some 35 units in production right now. I'll be fabricating the filters locally once I get that detail firmed up.

I have been working on the heat sticks as well with various pot/keg clamp methods. If I wanted to half ass it, I could just make them bare bones and you'd just rest them on the bottom of the pot. I know I can do better. I've been spending a small fortune on raw materials to prototype various ideas. Two forum members currently have two of the early units to play around with but I haven't heard back yet.

 

[LabRatBrewer]

Sorry for the lack of updates. This was just really bad timing trying to develop two new offerings. Between moving my shop, attending NHC, moving my family to a new house, and losing an employee, I'm losing my mind.

Initial tests on the hopback are promising but not 100% conclusive regarding the coarse internal filters. In order to make it useful for whole hops and also rice hull filtering, the perforation size has to be just right. Regardless, I have some 35 units in production right now. I'll be fabricating the filters locally once I get that detail firmed up.

I have been working on the heat sticks as well with various pot/keg clamp methods. If I wanted to half ass it, I could just make them bare bones and you'd just rest them on the bottom of the pot. I know I can do better. I've been spending a small fortune on raw materials to prototype various ideas. Two forum members currently have two of the early units to play around with but I haven't heard back yet.

Thanks for the update. I am look forward to seeing the final version of both products.

 

[nutty_gnome]

I have been working on the heat sticks as well with various pot/keg clamp methods. If I wanted to half ass it, I could just make them bare bones and you'd just rest them on the bottom of the pot. I know I can do better. I've been spending a small fortune on raw materials to prototype various ideas. Two forum members currently have two of the early units to play around with but I haven't heard back yet.

I have one of the early heat sticks. I love it. I am content to let it rest on the bottom of the pot; it suits my process. I had thought about hanging it with one of these,
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Cramik-Ent...er-Plated-Milford-Pipe-Hanger-4009/100352598/

but it seemed like overkill when gravity will keep it where I need it. I would have held the pipe in the clamp and bent the strap to hang over the pot. But I don't need it. I currently need to get a more suitable element for it and will do so soon.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[WI_Wino]

I have one of the early heat sticks. I love it. I am content to let it rest on the bottom of the pot; it suits my process. I had thought about hanging it with one of these,
http://t.homedepot.com/p/Cramik-Ent...er-Plated-Milford-Pipe-Hanger-4009/100352598/

but it seemed like overkill when gravity will keep it where I need it. I would have held the pipe in the clamp and bent the strap to hang over the pot. But I don't need it. I currently need to get a more suitable element for it and will do so soon.


Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

Do you use this heat stick by itself or in conjunction with a burner? Personally I'm looking to add an element on a 20 amp 120 v circuit to assist my burner to cut down on propane cost and to reduce my brew day a little. Hoping this can be an easy solution.