Blockages

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Morning guys!

We have a slight blockage problem when we brew, and I wondered if you could suggest some kind of filter to put over the pump hole in the bottom of the brewzilla please?

We think it's the plate chiller that's causing the problem, as we found lots of hop junk in there last brew day, despite using the hop spider (plate chiller completely clogged). So we thought the only way we could keep using the plate chiller is by stopping as many bits getting into it. What does everyone think?

I'm not giving up on my plate chiller as it was expensive and I love it (when it works)

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

Morning Lisa! I think you‘ll get far fewer problems if you can use whole hops instead of pellets - I have a good filter system but the gunk from those pellets goes through anything :-)

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Thank you!

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

For what it’s worth, you can see filter setup here - DIY false bottom for Burco
I’m sure you can get something equivalent ready-made for the BZ. I don’t use a hop spider, I like the whole hops to circulate freely throughout the boil (free range hops LoL).
I‘m not sure what the arrangement is for the take-off to the pump, but the key is that you need a filter with a fairly high surface area (I.e. not just something that goes over the hole) otherwise it will fairly quickly get clogged.
One of the things I like about using whole hops is that as they sink to the bottom they make a bit of a filter bed which helps strain out the finer bits - so the holes in your false bottom don‘t actually need to be too fine

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

There is no link TETB?

Edit: Ah thank you for fixing!

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

If I was buying one, I’d probably try to get one of those ’Helix’ ones as mentioned in the comments on that thread - sounds like a good design

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

As you know we aren't capable of building stuff, so we'll try the whole hops option first and see if that helps. Hopefully they won't create a hop carpet over the drain hole

Never used them before so I've no idea what's gonna happen.

 

[HarryFlatters]

If I was buying one, I’d probably try to get one of those ’Helix’ ones as mentioned in the comments on that thread - sounds like a good design

I've never had a pump blockage since I started using a helix.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I had a look at it but can't figure out what it does or where to put it. I'm no good at this stuff

 

[HarryFlatters]

I had a look at it but can't figure out what it does or where to put it. I'm no good at this stuff

Hi Lisa, you need to connect it with another two bits, a 1/2" female stainless steel T, and a 1/2" male stainless steel hose barb.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BSP-Equal-Tee-Pipe-Fitting/dp/B07BLVT3VM
https://www.amazon.co.uk/MagiDeal-Stainless-Thread-Fitting-Connector/dp/B01B5TUU40
You screw all the bits together then drop the hose barb into the pump inlet hole in the bottom of your kettle - Bob's yer mother's brother.

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Thank you Harry I'll study it.

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

@HarryFlatters do you recall where you got yours from?

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32962319962.html?spm=a2g0s.12269583.0.0.4f1b31eelIDz4o
I saw this somewhere else on the forum - can't remember where

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Picture 5 is really confusing me. To me it looks like there's two helix's but my husband says it's a reflection.

 

[HarryFlatters]

@HarryFlatters do you recall where you got yours from?

AliExpress, as per the link. Took a while to arrive but no issues with the purchase.

Picture 5 is really confusing me. To me it looks like there's two helix's but my husband says it's a reflection.

Yeah, it's a reflection from the inside of my kettle. I've just done a deep clean so it's super shiny haha :)

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

I see. thank you. I shouldn't be allowed to do things

Does the hose have holes in? How does the water get down the drain?

 

[HarryFlatters]

I've cropped image 5 and edited out the reflection - hope it's a bit clearer now :)

 

[HarryFlatters]

Does the hose have holes in? How does the water get down the drain?

The helix is a long coil of wire, there are small gaps along the length of the filter which allow wort through but keep larger particulates of hops, grain etc behind

 

[Tess Tickle's Brewery]

Ahh I see. Sorry for daft questions. I'm not an idiot really, just not very practical.

 

[HarryFlatters]

No such thing as a daft question :)