Will Pellet Hops Clog My Pump or Valves

[Mike123]

I want to throw pellet hops directly into my boil pot for maximum hop utilization. At the end of the boil, before I route the wort to my plate chiller I would start my pump and recirculate from my boil pot (dip tube at the pot bottom center), through the pump and a couple of valves, and back to the boil pot via a return connector in the top rim of my boil pot. During this recirculation I would catch hop material at the output of the return connector using a strainer (probably a 300 micron basket). I would let this run until most of the hop material is collected.

My system uses 3/8" ID silicone tubing, so that is the smallest diameter at any point. I'm using a 1/25th horsepower steelhead pump.

Will this clog my pump and/or valves?

I know there are other ways to do this, like whirlpooling, etc., but I want specifically to do it this way if possible. If anyone has done this successfully I would like to benefit from your experience, please let me know.

Thanks and Cheers!

 

[RPh_Guy]

My system uses 3/8" ID silicone tubing, so that is the smallest diameter at any point.

Are you not using 3/8" hose barbs? Those have 1/4" inner diameter.

For what it's worth, I never had clogging when I was recirculating with the same pump and same size tubing (and 3/8" barbs).

 

[Mike123]

Are you not using 3/8" hose barbs? Those have 1/4" inner diameter.

For what it's worth, I never had clogging when I was recirculating with the same pump and same size tubing (and 3/8" barbs).

Hi RPh_Guy - yes I use hose barbs with 3/8" ID.

Can you approximate the maximum amount of hops (ounces) you have used at one time in the pot? I'm just wondering if I wanted to do a very large "hop stand", lets say adding 5 ounces of pellet hops, will that clog my system?

 

[RPh_Guy]

I hadn't used more than maybe 2-3 ounces, so someone else will have to answer your question.

Using 1/2" tubing with 5/8" barbs has made a dramatic difference increasing flow, even with the same pump.

 

[Mike123]

I hadn't used more than maybe 2-3 ounces, so someone else will have to answer your question.

Using 1/2" tubing with 5/8" barbs has made a dramatic difference increasing flow, even with the same pump.

I double checked, and indeed my system is 3/8" ID throughout, but you said earlier you never had clogging issues at that ID, so I'll press on. I have quick-disconnects on all of my hoses, and changing to a larger barb/hose size would be expensive, unless absolutely necessary. I have very good flow rate (I would have to measure to get a performance number). Why did you go to larger barbs/hose?
Thanks, and Cheers!

 

[RPh_Guy]

I double checked, and indeed my system is 3/8" ID

3/8" (OD) hose barbs have a 1/4" inner diameter.
To maintain a 3/8" inner diameter, you would need to be using 1/2" hose barbs.

Why did you go to larger barbs/hose?

I wanted to increase flow rate. It helps chill wort faster when circulating through a counterflow chiller or whirlpooling with an immersion chiller. I'm also now recirculating my mash and a high flow rate improves heating time and reduces risk of scorching (RIMS). There is also a lower risk of clogging and faster transfers.

3/8" to 1/2" may not sound like much but the cross sectional area increases by 78%, which definitely increases flow rate by a lot.

 

[Mike123]

3/8" (OD) hose barbs have a 1/4" inner diameter.
To maintain a 3/8" inner diameter, you would need to be using 1/2" hose barbs.


I wanted to increase flow rate. It helps chill wort faster when circulating through a counterflow chiller or whirlpooling with an immersion chiller. I'm also now recirculating my mash and a high flow rate improves heating time and reduces risk of scorching (RIMS). There is also a lower risk of clogging and faster transfers.

3/8" to 1/2" may not sound like much but the cross sectional area increases by 78%, which definitely increases flow rate by a lot.

OK my barbs must be 1/2" (OD) because the ID is 3/8".

So may I ask how your return to the mash is set up? A "sparge arm" over the top of the mash (or something else)? And how are you heating the wort during recirculation?

 

[RPh_Guy]

For the return I'm using a whirlpool return and a spiral nozzle.

For heating in using a RIMS (Recirculating Infusion Mash System) which is where the wort runs across a heating element in the recirculation loop which is controlled electronically.

Photos here of my setup and a bunch of others
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...to-mash-tun-recirc.668800/page-2#post-8759158

I'm in the process of choosing a false bottom because the bazooka tube isn't cutting it for recirculation.

 

[Saboral]

I've had absolutely terrible luck with clogging of the plumbing with hops in generally any amount in my boil kettle. I've been using 1/2" camlock fittings, valves, and tubing. For systems with plate chillers I highly recommend buying a nice stainless hop spider. I add my hop additions to it and stir inside it thoroughly and haven't had any problems.

Most of the trub/hop screen filters available on the market have mixed results and obviously its hard to correct a problem when its in a pool of boiling hot wort. Can't recommend the hop spider enough.