DIY Hop Back?

[Ceejay]

I was looking at the Blichmann Hop Rocket, which looks like a fantastic bit of kit, but for my purposes, probably over-engineered, since it's also designed as an in-line filter to add fresh hop aroma out of the keg/tap.

It's got to be a fairly easy task to convert a small stock-pot into something that resembles a hop-back I think...

I'm thinking a 5 or so litre stockpot with a false bottom and an outlet underneath which you half fill with hops. A snug hole in the lid of the pot would enable you to syphon in without the risk of any debris/germs floating into it and help trap the hop aroma.

It should add hop aroma to the beer, whilst also adding a second filtration stage before going into the FV.

Has anyone done this, or am I crazy for thinking this might actually work? :wha:

 

[graysalchemy]

There are various ideas for hopbacks here which may be worth a look.

:thumb:

I would be interested to see how you get on with it.

 

[Ceejay]

That kilner jar one looks quite interesting.

I think I''l build one in plastic first to see if it works. 2.5 litre bucket and airtight lid,with a perforated false bottom and 1/2" tap underneath should work.

 

[calumscott]

*cough*

 

[Stone Cold]

could you use a cartridge filter full of hops maybe?

 

[Ceejay]

could you use a cartridge filter full of hops maybe?

Now there's a thought...'d still want a screen somewhere in there to make sure no hops go into the FV. Also, can you get one big enough to take up to 100g of hydrated hops?

 

[fermentall]

could you adapt an aquarium filter in some way,they range from small to quite large-just a thought : ken.

 

[Ceejay]

could you adapt an aquarium filter in some way,they range from small to quite large-just a thought : ken.

Yeah, I used to have a marine aquarium with a canister filter, which I was thinking might do the trick . I guess sanitisation would be as easy as running some videne through it. They're quite pricey and I no longer have mine.

 

[Stone Cold]

squeeze a few hops in here
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/brita-purity- ... 1e75bd6515

 

[Belter]

the main problem with the stock pot is getting it to seal. otherwise you have to control the flow of wort going into and it will make your brewday longer

 

[Belter]

could you adapt an aquarium filter in some way,they range from small to quite large-just a thought : ken.

Yeah, I used to have a marine aquarium with a canister filter, which I was thinking might do the trick . I guess sanitisation would be as easy as running some videne through it. They're quite pricey and I no longer have mine.

 

[Ceejay]

Plastic bucket with a tight sealing lid seems a good bet so far then! Easy to convert, and can dispose of the bucket, reusing the fittings every so often. Or maybe one of these:

http://www.sistemaplastics.com/pages/KLIP-IT/Utility/1334.htm

 

[Vossy1]

could you use a cartridge filter full of hops maybe?

Something like this A long time ago I thought about making one fo these Morebeer Hopbacks from an asparagus steamer...never got round to it

 

[Ceejay]

Well, erm yes!! Wow, that's one tidy setup eh?

I suppose that filter is quite achievable then; although maybe not with rudimentary tools. Plus, having tasted my latest brew, I'm now questioning whether I even need a hopback. It's seems hop bursting and a tonne of flameout hops has done the trick!

 

[Dronfieldbrewer]

What about an old pressure cooker...the top seals doesn't it?

 

[fbsf]

Hmm, a quick look on ebay reveals this. Shouldn't be too difficult to modify something like this to do the same for a lot less cash, maybe with a mesh filter in the middle or similar?

Edit: and these might be useful for connecting it.

 

[graysalchemy]

Hmm, a quick look on ebay reveals this. Shouldn't be too difficult to modify something like this to do the same for a lot less cash, maybe with a mesh filter in the middle or similar?

Pitty its not shiney :whistle:

 

[fbsf]

Add this...

 

[Ceejay]

OK, I quite like the way this is going. Reckon I'll buy up one of filters and see what I can do. Reckon some experimentation with fresh mint ('cos it's cheap and I have loads of it) might be in order...

Cheers chaps...I think we might be onto something here :

 

[fbsf]

I'm listening for your results with pinned back ears!!

Edit - wonder if mint would go well in a chocolate stout... :party: