15 replies to this topic

[brewman]

What do you guys use for your hop bags? I want something that will keep out most of not all of the junk from hop pellets.Dan

[positiveContact]

5 gallon paint strainer bag would probably work pretty well.

[HVB]

5 gallon paint strainer bag would probably work pretty well.

This is what I used easy to get and cheap. I had it mounted to a "hop spider" and just dumped the additions in. I no longer use it because it was a PITA for me and just whirlpool now and drain.

[positiveContact]

This is what I used easy to get and cheap. I had it mounted to a "hop spider" and just dumped the additions in. I no longer use it because it was a PITA for me and just whirlpool now and drain.

I actually do my straining in the fermentor. I put a paint strainer in the fermentor and strain through this. this allows me to not have to mess around with anything in the BK.I boil the bags in my mash out water and put them in sanitizer before use. they are a little bit of a pain to clean out. I recommend using a sprayer of some kind.

Edited by StudsTerkel, 03 December 2012 - 06:33 AM.

[brewman]

How was it a PITA?Dan

[HVB]

How was it a PITA?Dan

I found cleaning hop bags to be a PITA. I could never get them 100% clean as there would always be some stuck in there. Also, for me , I feel that I get a better hop utilization by having them free floating in the pot instead of the bag. Again, just how my system works. The paint strainers at the Depot or Lowes will do the job just fine though.

[brewman]

Ill be hitting the DIY store today to get the stuff to put a hop bag together. As for cleaning Ill just toss it in the washing machine or dishwasher and see how that works.Dan

[positiveContact]

Ill be hitting the DIY store today to get the stuff to put a hop bag together. As for cleaning Ill just toss it in the washing machine or dishwasher and see how that works.Dan

I doubt that will get it all out. you have to flip it inside out and back again a few times. otherwise whatever orientation it's in stuff will just stay trapped on the inside.

[positiveContact]

I found cleaning hop bags to be a PITA. I could never get them 100% clean as there would always be some stuck in there. Also, for me , I feel that I get a better hop utilization by having them free floating in the pot instead of the bag. Again, just how my system works. The paint strainers at the Depot or Lowes will do the job just fine though.

I'd go this route if I could feel confident that I could keep enough hops/trub out with a whirlpool. My initial indications are that I cannot. I will keep trying though and if I ever get a really small amount of stuff in my hop/trub catcher I'll stop using it.There are two issues I see with my setup.1) the footprint of the kettle isn't huge. Probably about 14" diameter for 10 gallon batches. the hops and trub would really have to cone up well for me to not end up sucking stuff up.2) I'm probably draining too fast b/c I have a 1/2" tube with about a 9' drop in elevation. I don't think I can slow this thing down that much - gravity is working against me.

[johnpreuss]

I was going to build a hop spider, but opted to just use the hop bag and a cheapo spring clamp to hold the top of the bag to the edge of my kettle.

[chadm75]

Was having major utilization issues when I used a bag of some sort. Now, I just dump them in and use a hop/mash screen screwed onto my weldless fitting. Thing works GREAT!

[JMcG]

I usually increase the hops 10% to make up for the bag(s). Use several 1 gal paint strainer bags, mainly for leaf hops, but have also put in pellets.

[johnpreuss]

I usually increase the hops 10% to make up for the bag(s). Use several 1 gal paint strainer bags, mainly for leaf hops, but have also put in pellets.

I found multiple bags help a great deal but I also up the dosage just in case!

[Kremer]

I've been using a 5gal paint strainer bag for years, still the original one I bought. it works great. I just gather the top and clamp it on the side of the kettle.

[Dean Palmer]

I've been using the paint strainer bags for 8 years or more and with a simple blast of the garden hose all the debris comes off. They literally last for years. I use them in the kettle as well as the fermenters.If you are using those crappy stretch fabric bags that some shops sell as hop bags, that is your problem. They are horrible and don't allow good circulation.