I Made A Big Hop Strainer

[SilverZero]

I've never really liked hop bags, but I want a way to get the hops out before I drain my kettle after a brew (and hopefully let those hops drain a bit of sweetness at the end). Following on the heels of my 50' aluminum immersion chiller, I decided to make a nesting setup that would still clear my 5500w element in my 15gal kettle. Let's take a look, shall we?

 

[Travestian]

Have you tried brewing (or at least boiling water) with that filter in the kettle? In a different thread regarding hob junk and a similar basket steam bubbles worked up under the basket and caused it to rumble around in the kettle.

 

[SilverZero]

I'm giving it the trial run right now to build up an oxide layer. If it doesn't work, I'll pull it out and use some hop bags. Or I could clamp it down, that's another benefit of the "hanging" model I've got - I can just secure it to the sides to hold it down. I have to do the same with my IC sometimes before it's filled with water, since it floats.

 

[JoppaFarms]

Very interesting. Could you give a material breakdown? What is the mesh made of? Could you mash using this instead of a grain bag for BIAB?

 

[SilverZero]

The frame is just 1/8" x 3/4" aluminum bar, the hoop is 1/2" x 1/16" aluminum bar, the screen is just aluminum screen, all from HD. Tied it together with bare copper wire.

It's not secure enough to do a BIAB, I'm guessing. Too much weight for the thin screen. I ended up not using it today, I want to condition it better and maybe make sure the weight will hold. Plus it makes it difficult to measure my water volume with my dip stick.

 

[BugHunter]

Aside from needing to recalibrate your volume measuring standards that's bloody brilliant. You'll have to let us know how it goes. Given the large surface area I can't see blockage being a problem but you never know until you try it once, eh?

 

[SilverZero]

So I ended up using it today on 2 brews, and it worked just fine. A pain to clean out, I need to redesign the bottom (making a cylinder is hard when you just have a roll of screen).

 

[Travestian]

Any idea what the micron size is on the mesh?