17 replies to this topic

[chadm75]

Anyone done any business with these guys? The Hop Stopper looks intriguing...

[Rick]

The Brewing Network reviewed this product a couple years back. The consensus was it was a great product, kept the hop pellets out of the finished beer well and didn't clog.Check their archives for more info.

[denny]

The Brewing Network reviewed this product a couple years back. The consensus was it was a great product, kept the hop pellets out of the finished beer well and didn't clog.Check their archives for more info.

I assume it works equally well for whole hops? How about using a pump? Inquiring minds (well, mine at least) want to know!

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

why is it so expensive???

[shaggaroo]

why is it so expensive???

I don't remember where, but I seem to recall someone built one of these? Isn't this the same as a "Hop Taco"?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

I don't remember where, but I seem to recall someone built one of these? Isn't this the same as a "Hop Taco"?

Am I correct in assuming that none of these would work well with pellets?

[shaggaroo]

Am I correct in assuming that none of these would work well with pellets?

Not sure, Rick (above) said "hop pellets" but I would sure think it would have a hard time keeping pellet material out. The other schmutz in the bottom of the kettle, yeah I can see that not coming through but who knows.

[McNuggets]

That style will and won't work with pellets, so to speak. My experience with that style is that if you use a pump to whirlpool as you cool, it will most likely plug with 3+ oz of pellets. I think this especially happens if you use irish moss,etc. For a one pass unit, it will probably do a good, but if you try an extreme IIPA, you may run into issues.

[albertv05]

I use a screen to filter out pellet hops in a similar fashion but wasn't getting good luck. I added a S.S false bottom to my kette and now I'm running well.Blichmann Engineering is now marketing a product called the HopBlocker. It looks promising.https://www.blichman...hopblocker.html

[chadm75]

why is it so expensive???

I was thinking the same thing. Thanks for the link to the "Hop Taco". Looks like an easy build!

[djinkc]

I made a DIY version. It couldn't handle the break and pellet hops from a 12 gal batch. I tried a couple different screens too. I've seen the commercial one clog but again that was a large batch with a lot of hops. It might work OK with a small and/or extract batch with less hops. Must work for some people or he wouldn't be able to keep selling them.

[3rd party JKor]

Don't bother trying to strain hop pellets out of your wort. It's a fool's errand. There's a reason why the pros whirlpool.

[Genesee Ted]

I remember from the green board a thread about that product and a few people mentioned that it collapsed. I have the bazooka t screen in my keggle and every time I try to use pellets, I am SOL if I don't whirlpool and siphon. And that is a timekiller so I just use whole hops, which makes selection locally difficult. Ah, the perils of homebrewing...

[3rd party JKor]

I remember from the green board a thread about that product and a few people mentioned that it collapsed. I have the bazooka t screen in my keggle and every time I try to use pellets, I am SOL if I don't whirlpool and siphon. And that is a timekiller so I just use whole hops, which makes selection locally difficult. Ah, the perils of homebrewing...

Conical with dump valve FTW!!!

[chadm75]

So how does everyone with ball valves on their kettles that drain from bottom keep hops and hot break out of their fermenters? Is it as simple as whirlpooling?

[McNuggets]

I made a hybrid style. A 9" perforated SS ring (3" high) that is lined with ss screen on the outside, the top is also ss screen. I have a metal SS band around the bottom (ala the blichmann unit) that snaps loose to finish off the wort. I can get every drop out of the kettle that way, and no hops. Works with pellets and whole hops, but extreme amounts of pellets are an issue if you whirlpool excessively. Really slows thing down at the end. The band works like a charm though.

[gnef]

I've thought about building something along these lines multiple times, and even bought some supplies for it and started one time, but I just came to the realization that hop-free wort isn't worth the trouble for me. I just dump everything into the fermenter, and just let it settle in the fermenter. I still reuse my yeast, and haven't found any issues yet, even without washing the yeast. I do use an immersion chiller though, and my method would definitely not work if I had a plate chiller - probably the main reason why I have not made that jump.

[McNuggets]

I love the plate chiller I have, but am planning to upgrade to a convoluted chillzilla thing. Last few time with the pellets I partially plugged it while recirc/chilling.