Whirlpool, hop screen, & dip tube questions for weldless brew kettle conversion

[dlutter]

I've done a lot of reading on this and the answer hasn't become clear to me so I figured I would ask for opinions.

I am looking to convert my brew kettle with weldless fittings. If possible I would like to also use the kettle as a bottling bucket. I am also considering some other modifications that are borderline ridiculous (given the size of the kettle) but wanted to get these questions nailed down first.

1. What is the best dip tube/hop screen/whirlpool set up if I am looking to avoid having to lift/pour my brew kettle while maximizing liquid transfer and minimizing kettle hops/trub in the fermenter?

2. If I go the whirlpool route, do I need a hop screen? I'm assuming a side delivery dip tube is best with a whirlpool. Is that a correct assumption?

3. If I with a hop screen, is there an advantage/disadvantage to either a central or side delivery dip tube?

I'm open to other suggestions but would like to avoid muddying the waters too much. Thanks.

 

[microbusbrewery]

I'm reluctant to call anything "the best" because what may work for me may not work for you. Usually you want the pickup pulling from the side of the pot during the whirlpool because the cold break and hop debris will gather at the center. If you have a center pickup and you whirlpool, it'll never have a chance to settle out.

I mounted my whirlpool return as low as I could, directly above the ball valve for the pickup. It's low enough that it's below the liquid level regardless of whether I'm doing a 5 or 10 gallon batch. I use the whirlpool arm from Bargain Fittings on my keggle and it works well. I use a stainless elbow on my smaller boil pot (2.5 gallon batches) and it works well too. Bobby M has a new one called the Spincycle that looks awesome to me. If I didn't already have mine installed, I would definitely check it out...very clean design. http://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/spincycle.htm

What kind of chiller are you planning on using with your whirlpool? Immersion, counter-flow, plate? If you're not using a plate chiller, I wouldn't worry much about a hop screen. If you are planning on using a plate chiller, I'd go with a stainless hop spider like one of these, https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php They work well and should last forever.

There are varying opinions on this piece, but if you're whirlpooling with a plate chiller, the inline filter from Brewers Hardware can provide extra insurance against clogging your plate chiller. Some people have indicated theirs clogs with every use (frustrating) whereas I've only clogged mine three times if my memory serves right (see above...not everything works for everyone). For me, I'd rather have something clog that I can disassemble and clean versus something I can't (plate chiller).

 

[dlutter]

Thanks. That is useful info for me. Seems like a hop screen is not needed and a whirlpool possibly with hop spider would be the way to go.

So, since my chiller is an immersion chiller will I need to chill, remove chiller, and then whirlpool or can I somehow set up the whirlpool to make it work with the chiller in place? My impression is I would need to remove the chiller.

 

[pretzelb]

I think you can chill and whirlpool at the same time. In fact I think it speeds up the chill time. Only issue would be getting the chiller out without upsetting the debris in the middle. But I've never tried it.

 

[microbusbrewery]

I think you can chill and whirlpool at the same time. In fact I think it speeds up the chill time. Only issue would be getting the chiller out without upsetting the debris in the middle. But I've never tried it.

Yep, what pretzelb said; chill while whirlpooling. I used to have an immersion chiller, but I never really whirlpooled before getting a plate chiller...at least not using a pump. I think I'd try draining without removing the chiller and see how it goes. Even if you're very careful pulling it out, it'll likely stir up some trub.