No Hop Filter

[Nigel1969]

All set for my 1st brew. I have a Buffalo boiler 40l but no hop filter as yet. Would it be ok, to boil hops in Muslin bag, without losing too much flavour. Also, would this work for aroma?

[Brotherton Lad]

Yes, it will work and you'll make beer. However all the break material will go through the tap and into your FV which may affect the taste, though it will still be beer!

[mark4newman]

Hi

It will work fine, however you may need to add about 10% to compensate for it not having so much exposure to the wort.

Also, after the boil and cooling, leave for about 30 mins to try to let the break settle out, and the open the tap slowly , so to leave as muc break in the bottom of the boiler.

[Martin G]

I used a grain bag (but for hops) and hop bag since upgrading, started off as a temporary measure but having had a couple of very slow run offs have really liked them. Have found very similar utilisation to my previous system since starting to squeeze the bags a few times.

Before chilling I encourage the hop/grain bags down to the outlet and hold them in place with the chiller, the chill takes about 35min on mine, no stirring so some trub settles out and the hopbags offer a little bit of a filter and gives the wort one last dose of hop juice, well that's my reasoning anyway!

I find hot water and oxy are good for cleaning the bags.

[Nigel1969]

Thanks, I'm not sure how much trub I'll be expecting. Maybe need a strainer when running off into fv.

[Dave S]

I have the Brupaks hop strainer which plugs neatly into the tap of the Buffalo 40 l boiler. You can get it here and other places. You can make one cheaper but if you're disinclined to do that, it's not a huge outlay.

[Nigel1969]

Cheers Dave, much appreciated. Looks like I'm better off getting one. Brew day will have to wait a little longer.

[Dave S]

Cheers Dave, much appreciated. Looks like I'm better off getting one. Brew day will have to wait a little longer.

Yes would save a lot of faffing around. I think I got mine from the Hopshop Plymouth, but I couldn't see it when I looked the other day.

[Nigel1969]

Just done my 1st brew, using a brupacs hop strainer. Had to roll a little tape around for it to fit tight, into the Buffalo. However, it got the job done great.

[Dave S]

Just done my 1st brew, using a brupacs hop strainer. Had to roll a little tape around for it to fit tight, into the Buffalo. However, it got the job done great.

Excellent

[Rick_UK]

I binned my hop filter and now use a large voile bag which is much better and no difference in utilization.

I usually filter the dregs of the run off through a piece of muslin but I dont think break material in the FV is an issue - commercials tend to transfer most of the break material from what I've read previously.

Rick

[darkonnis]

break material isnt an issue, if you use a plate chiller it goes through (especially cold break).

Just use a muslin bag it'll be fine, I've done it several times when i forget to fit the filter before filling with boiling wort. I don't mess about with it I just get straight in there get it going, no dramas what so ever

You'll realise as you brew more that all the science is something you can indulge in if you choose, or ignore for the most part and just get on with it.

My best beers are all very off the cuff, the ones I plan and plan and tinker with end up as good but lacking considering the hours of research and effort. So now I just decide what I want to do, write it down and do it, then when its ready make notes for any adjustments needed.

Cooky

[Nigel1969]

I think science, chemistry, etc, is still quite subjective. Every single person who brews, will do it different, yet gain great results. It's an art, )