Whirlpool - The big How-To

[BrewStef]

Herr Kaiser,

Thanks again for this how-to. I used this whirlpool technique very effectively this last weekend. I did not have a whole lot of trub as I was just brewing a heffeweitzen, but it did form a nice cone nonetheless.

Cheers

BrewStef

 

[budbo]

I'm Lazy When I get my keggle next month I'm just buying a hopstopper

 

[Kaiser]

This has also been published on the Wiki: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Whirlpooling

 

[cool brew]

This is definitely helpful. I use a hop bag, so not much gets in there anyway, but I may try this next time.

 

[thed007]

thanks for the advice, i cant wait to try this on my next batch

 

[IvanTheTerrible]

I'm reading all this as I prepare for my first brew this week.

This is probably a dumb question, but after whirlpooling at letting the trub settle, if you are siphoning from the brew kettle into the carboy, how do you aerate the wort?

 

[bradsul]

There are different methods you could use. Draining into the fermenter through a strainer would help to aerate but you would want to supplement this with some shaking. An oxygen kit or an aeration kit would be the best options in my opinion. Personally I drain out of my CFC through a strainer and then aerate using an aquarium pump and airstone.

 

[eviljafar]

I hold my finger over the end of the siphon and squirt the wort into the fermenting bucket. Then I put the lid on and shake the hell out of it until my arms get sore.

 

[gwood]

I'm reading all this as I prepare for my first brew this week.

This is probably a dumb question, but after whirlpooling at letting the trub settle, if you are siphoning from the brew kettle into the carboy, how do you aerate the wort?

I was also wondering this on my first brew a few weeks ago and I purchased a sprayer that attaches to the end of the siphon hose...worked quite well. Then I shook the hell out of the carboy for a bit for good measure.

Great thread here guys. My first batch was just full of trub and I think that it's obvious now that I didn't wait long enough after whirlpooling. I was also worried about waiting too long due to potential infection. I'll give it another shot soon.

Cool Brew: Hop bag huh? Interesting...does it impact ultilization at all?

 

[BierMuncher]

Here was my last attempt.

Turned out great but I could have let it sit another 15-20 minutes.

I'll probably employ this method instead of my paint-strainer-around-the-immersion-chiller method. Much less fuss and clean up afterwards:

 

[bradsul]

Here is what I get from whirlpooling. I find the key is to let the whirlpool coast to a stop.

 

[BierMuncher]

Here is what I get from whirlpooling. I find the key is to let the whirlpool coast to a stop.

Your pot is cleaner than mine....and I'm not talking "stems & seeds".

 

[bradsul]

Your pot is cleaner than mine....and I'm not talking "stems & seeds".

I wasn't going to comment... but have you actually cleaned that thing before?

 

[Orfy]

I wasn't going to comment... but have you actually cleaned that thing before?

Would you?

THAT THING BITES!!!!!!!!

 

[bradsul]

Would you?

THAT THING BITES!!!!!!!!

Put that way... no I don't suppose I would. Maybe with a pressure washer so I wouldn't have to get too close.

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Here was my last attempt.

Turned out great but I could have let it sit another 15-20 minutes.

I'll probably employ this method instead of my paint-strainer-around-the-immersion-chiller method. Much less fuss and clean up afterwards:

View attachment 3342

Good lord, what have you been feeding the ugly keggle?

 

[ohiobrewtus]

Why the siphons? After you let it set for 20-30 minutes couldn't you just open up the ball valve (if you have one)?

Just want to make sure that I'm not missing something.

 

[bradsul]

Why the siphons? After you let it set for 20-30 minutes couldn't you just open up the ball valve (if you have one)?

Just want to make sure that I'm not missing something.

I don't have a valve on my kettle so that's why I use a syphon. If you did then you would just use that.

 

[gwood]

So what is the consensus in terms of time after whirlpooling? 20 minutes give or take?

 

[bradsul]

Not sure what the consensus is but for me, I get the whirlpool going really well and then let it coast to a stop on it's own. From that I get the result you see in the picture, I think it takes about 10 minutes for the wort to actually stop spinning.

 

[Brewpastor]

Here is a link to a really cool idea/set-up.

http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

 

[jdoiv]

Here is a link to a really cool idea/set-up.

http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

That is basically what I set up, though mine is much uglier. Works pretty well too.

 

[BierMuncher]

Would you?

THAT THING BITES!!!!!!!!

You have talent my friend.

 

[gwood]

Here is a link to a really cool idea/set-up.

http://www.mrmalty.com/chiller.php

That is most certainly the way to go but a bit much for me at this point.

 

[Ryanh1801]

Would you?

THAT THING BITES!!!!!!!!

Ok, that does it.. Nominated for post of the year. I can not stop laughing.

 

[Tripod]

Make sure you only stir cold wort vigerously since it could cause hot side aeration in hot wort. But I don't think anybody here pland to use whirlpooling with hot wort.

Kai

First: Great write up!

Second: As a noob, I would not have realized stirring the wort hot or cold made any differnce if you had not mentioned it here. That is why these threads are so good! You can read a book cover-to-cover and still not pick up every detail.

I do remember reading about hot side aeration but I can't say I fully understand it...but I now know not to stir hot wort! Thanks.

-Tripod

 

[smizak]

Have any of you guys had success using this method with whole hops? Specifically a large hop bill?

So far I've only seen this method used with pellet hops. I've been straining my wort through a stainless mesh colander and it's a PITA, not to mention a sanitation risk.

 

[BeerPressure]

where did the pics go?

 

[WBC]

I do not see KAI's pictures, they are all red X's.

 

[Kaiser]

I'm not sure what happened, but the info is also available on my site and on the HBT wiki.

Kai