Hop basket or bag, which to use?

Fish Fingers · Aug 13, 2024

I’ve run out of hop bags and was wondering if I need to keep buying these bags or should I go for a basket instead as the bags can be quite expensive in the long run. I was wondering what others use for boiling their hops and for dry hopping. Even the baskets seem quite expensive for what they are. And do you have a go to shop for your equipment? Thanks

Agentgonzo · Aug 13, 2024

Fish Fingers said:
I’ve run out of hop bags and was wondering if I need to keep buying these bags or should I go for a basket instead as the bags can be quite expensive in the long run. I was wondering what others use for boiling their hops and for dry hopping. Even the baskets seem quite expensive for what they are. And do you have a go to shop for your equipment? Thanks

Some supermarkets (Sainsbury's I think) sell a mesh bag for veg for 30p that is ideal for hopping.

I use a hop spider for boiling and knee if those metal mesh tubes for dry hopping. Agree they are expensive for what they are, but cheap for the hassle or saves me with hops clogging things

soupdragon · Aug 13, 2024

I used the veg bags from Aldi/Lidl. I think they're about 50p for two. Easy to wash and reuse too

Cheers Tom

starseeker · Aug 13, 2024

I have been using the same hop bag for about four years now, i just keep washing it out .

peterpiper · Sep 15, 2024

I've been using a large stainless steel hop spider (arouund 350 x 125mm). Not sure if that's what you mean by 'a basket'. It works well, but cleaning out hop pellet residue is hard work, even with a spray action sink tap.
I can imagine, that being able to turn a bag inside out, might make cleaning much easier. And a bag could go in the washing machine.

I recirculate via the hop spider, for most of the boil time, to give good efficiency. Guess this would also work via a bag.

MashBag · Sep 15, 2024

Mangrove jack hop spider 800 micron. Stunning tool. Pellets & leaf.
About £35 and will last forever

Agentgonzo · Sep 15, 2024

MashBag said:
Mangrove jack hop spider 800 micron. Stunning tool. Pellets & leaf.
About £35 and will last forever

That's the one I've got. I chuck it in with the PBW clean if the AIO and it comes up gleaming and looks new

MashBag · Sep 15, 2024

I tried all manner of sh1te, wish someone had told me.

peterpiper · Sep 16, 2024

MashBag said:
I tried manner of sh1te wish someone had told me.

For dry hopping, where cleanliness is more important than during boil, I use a SS hop spider with screw lid. Volume's around 0.8l.
Ag,Hops for Brewing, Hop Spider, Stainless Steel, £9.79 on Amnzn.

The Baron · Sep 16, 2024

The trouble with hop spider(I have used one for years) is the lower micron one clog up too easy I now prefer to use veg bags I can lift them out place them in a large jug and let them drain then just add the hop juice back in to the vessel.
I also prefer to recirculate when whirlpooling onto the bag for better extraction if you do this with a hop spider it can fill up and overflow putting loads of hop debris in to the wort.

Agentgonzo · Sep 16, 2024

The Baron said:
I also prefer to recirculate when whirlpooling onto the bag for better extraction if you do this with a hop spider it can fill up and overflow putting loads of hop debris in to the wort.

Interesting. I recirculate into the hop spider (800 micron) and it's never done that. But I don't do super hoppy brews so maybe that's why.

My hop spider does "clog up" but it's hooked over the edge of the kettle, so by the time I've pumped half the wort out, it's above the level of the wort and begins draining. By the time I've finished pumping out the wort, the hop spider is drained and there is just the damp mush left and the "hop juice" has entered the fermenter

MashBag · Sep 16, 2024

@Agentgonzo I think you and I have proper spiders

The Baron · Sep 16, 2024

MashBag said:
@Agentgonzo I think you and I have proper spiders

You can get ointment for that :laugh8:

Mayor of Simpleton · Sep 17, 2024

I just chuck the hops straight into the kettle during the boil or straight into the FV if dry hopping.

peterpiper · Sep 30, 2024

Mayor of Simpleton said:
I just chuck the hops straight into the kettle during the boil or straight into the FV if dry hopping.

Fine if dry hopping, and you don't care how long the hops stay in.
I sometimes want to remove hops, before primary has finished.

Rodcx500z · Sep 30, 2024

Just chuck em in and whirlpool with the paddle athumb..

Appleton Brews · Sep 30, 2024

Hop spider in the kettle and muslin bag in the fermenter.

Agentgonzo · Sep 30, 2024

I've just ordered myself a false bottom instead. I'll let you all know how it gets on

marshbrewer · Sep 30, 2024

I just chuck mine in the boiler, loose. I do have a bazooka filter on the ball valve tap, but most of the debris sinks below the tap level anyway after cooling.

I'm not a big dry hopper, preferring hop stands, but if I do they just get chucked in as well, and I let the gelatine sort it all out :laugh8:

Larse · Oct 8, 2024

Hop spider in the kettle and this little hop ball that takes up to 30g of hops in the fermenter.

Hop basket or bag, which to use?

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