Hop pellets Vs hops

[Nottsbeer]

Hi, quick question about hops and hop pellets. I used to brew using extract with hops. After the boil I'd let things settle for 10 mins then open the tap. The first flow was always very turbid so this was put back into the boiler until the liquid was cleared (hops filtering the liquid- must note that I have a copper pipe with slits in).

I'm going to do an AG brew but using hop pellets. Can I presume the same method will work, or will the pellets disintegrate during the boil and get transferred easily? I have a fine mesh bag I can use to filter if needed (I'm half expecting a hoppy sludge may be produced during the boil).

Thought I'd ask before starting the brew.
Cheers, john

 

[An Ankoù]

If I could find leaf hops for all the varieties I want, and get bulk deals, as I can with pellets, then I's stay with leaf. Since I can't, I put the pellets in a fine-meshed bag for the boil. late additions go in one of the cut-off legs of a pair of tights (boiled up several times first to get the colour out). This works well and reduces the sludge considerably. I've got a Hop Spider and have used it for late additions, but I prefer the circulation a large bag provides. The produce bags from Sainsbury's are great, unless they've changed them.
I know somebody's going to start talking about whirlpools. i could never get them to work without wasting several litres of wort..

 

[Nottsbeer]

If I could find leaf hops for all the varieties I want, and get bulk deals, as I can with pellets, then I's stay with leaf. Since I can't, I put the pellets in a fine-meshed bag for the boil. late additions go in one of the cut-off legs of a pair of tights (boiled up several times first to get the colour out). This works well and reduces the sludge considerably. I've got a Hop Spider and have used it for late additions, but I prefer the circulation a large bag provides. The produce bags from Sainsbury's are great, unless they've changed them.
I know somebody's going to start talking about whirlpools. i could never get them to work without wasting several litres of wort..

Excellent, Thanks for your reply. I do have a small bag I used with a kit that had hop pellets for the last few days of fermentation - will dig that out. I was also a bit concerned about using a large bag in the boiler as I don't have anything to cover the elements. May have to "borrow" a pair of tights for late addition hops from my wife

 

[An Ankoù]

Excellent, Thanks for your reply. I do have a small bag I used with a kit that had hop pellets for the last few days of fermentation - will dig that out. I was also a bit concerned about using a large bag in the boiler as I don't have anything to cover the elements. May have to "borrow" a pair of tights for late addition hops from my wife

No, no no. You want big girl's tights. The mightiest you can find, To give the hops a bit of space to move around in.

 

[Braufather]

If it’s less than 100g I just throw them in, then use a stainless steel spider if I need more or for the hop stand and give it the odd stir.

 

[Nottsbeer]

If it’s less than 100g I just throw them in, then use a stainless steel spider if I need more or for the hop stand and give it the odd stir.

Cheers. I ended up in Lidl last night and got a couple of the fruit mesh bags. Will use them tonight with the brew and see how they go.

 

[JockyBrewer]

To answer your original question, yes pellets will disintegrate and will drift through a slotted manifold like you have. With finer mesh filters they combine with the break and clog everything up.

I simply don't filter pellets. I have an elbow on the inside of my boiler tap that is angled up slightly so there's a deadspace it won't collect from. After chilling I leave everything to settle then open the tap up. A bit of hop sludge comes out, but most of it has dropped into the deadspace.

What goes through into the fermenter doesn't really matter, I just like to keep the bulk out.

 

[jof]

I use the fruit mesh bags you can pick up from Sainsburys for like 30p.
But I do have to replace them if they get 'caught' on the bottom of the pan (I brew stovetop partial mash)

 

[marshbrewer]

I use pellets (like @An Ankoù , because I can't find good bulk deals on leaf hops as easily), and usually use a sock. Howver, the last brew I did, I just chucked them in loose into the boil. After the boil had finished, I chilled, then left to stand for an hour before draining. The first 100ml or so was returned to the boiler, but the rest appeared as clear as a bell, and I was able to get my full volume out. Time will tell if I get better extraction for the same quantity of hops.

 

[An Ankoù]

I use pellets (like @An Ankoù , because I can't find good bulk deals on leaf hops as easily), and usually use a sock. Howver, the last brew I did, I just chucked them in loose into the boil. After the boil had finished, I chilled, then left to stand for an hour before draining. The first 100ml or so was returned to the boiler, but the rest appeared as clear as a bell, and I was able to get my full volume out. Time will tell if I get better extraction for the same quantity of hops.

That's interesting, jish. Do you know how much sludge you were left with at the bottom of the boiler?

 

[An Ankoù]

I use the fruit mesh bags you can pick up from Sainsburys for like 30p.
But I do have to replace them if they get 'caught' on the bottom of the pan (I brew stovetop partial mash)

Those are the bags I use, too, but I've never had one scorch in the kettle, wither on the stove top or outside, on the gas ring. You're not using a weight to stop it floating to the top, are you?

 

[marshbrewer]

That's interesting, jish. Do you know how much sludge you were left with at the bottom of the boiler?

About normal, to be honest, and (I perhaps should have said) after it had cooled, and before I left it to stand, I manually created a whirlpool with my spoon. I always have to tip my boiler (a Burco) to get the last bit out, but the gunk at the bottom was as 'stable' as it normally is, and I managed to get the expected amount of wort out. The total hop pellet amount was only 54g in a 20L (to the FV) batch, so I will have to see how I get on with larger amounts. I'm hoping to get better utilisation, particularly of the later addition.

 

[IainM]

I use a big bag in the boiler - just not so big it can reach the element, or you can stick a stainless cake cooling stand to protect the element (I've used something like this). A nylon paint straining bag is good. Most are made from nylon 6 or nylon 66, which is food safe. I've also used a BIAB bag in the past to much the same effect.

 

[Nottsbeer]

I did by brew last night with the fruit bags, worked a treat. Had a bit of gunk in the wort, as expected. May investigate getting a fine wire mesh to put around my outlet pipe for future brews to catch some of this. I also have a whirrly thing that goes on a drill for use with wine, may try that as well as some point to see if I can get a good whirlpool action (as noted above). This is quite an addictive hobby!!