Hop Filter Hop Spider

FWIW, I got one months ago that’s similar to the 300 micron filter here. Have yet to use it and probably won’t unless I modify it by removing the solid bottom cap and stitching the screen together.
Some on this forum suggest those type baskets allow hops compact too much, restricting utilization.

 

So... the one @riptorn linked is for dry hopping. Is that what you're looking for? Or are you looking for something to hold boil hops?

 

5" PVC coupler, paint strainer bag, large hose clamp, and 3 long screws with wingnuts...done

 

There are thick-walled and less thick-walled couplers. I don't know if it's schedule 40 vs. schedule 80 or what. I started with the thinner one, which deformed from the steam of the boil and self-loosened to the point I removed it twice to re-tighten the nuts.
Get the thick-walled one.

 

https://www.homebrewing.org/400-Micron-Stainless-Hop-Filter-with-Adjustable-Hook--6-x-14_p_7116.html

I bought one of these about a year ago. I am happy with it. Cleaning takes a bit with my current lack of sprayer for my sink. I have not noticed any difference in my rebrewed beers for bitterness/flavor/aroma. It is nice to not have everything going into my fermentor.

 

300 micron is too small. i have one and it clogs easy and traps the oils. Your better off just throwing them in and whirlpooling with a spoon or pump while the wort is still hot.

 

I'm a big fan of this:
https://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php#brewfilter10.5x16
Also these for dryhopping in the fermenter & in kegs:
https://www.utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php#autosiphon

 

I have the utah diesel 4x10 in 300 micron (recommended for pellets) . . . it does a great job of reducing hop debris in the wort but was disappointed in the resulting hop bitterness/flavor. So went back to paint-strainer bag. I do find it useful for siphoning wort from the primary when the DH is commando-style.

 

Using similar model and happy.

 

Home Depot paint strainer bags clipped to the side of the kettle works for me. I stir it a lot to make sure it gets good contact.

 

When I get a bigger kettle, it will be great, but all the way up is perfect for a 10gal kettle.

 

Yeah, that's the part I don't have. Sort of irks me as I just bought a second spider shortly before this thread started. From homebrewing.org, no less. And I didn't see this adjustable model. Oh well, I'll get good use out of mine, and if I find I need to adjust the height, I can figure out a way.

 

I drilled a 1" hole in either side of the coupler, inserted a 3/4"x3' hardwood dowel, which just rests on top of the keggle. Prettier (IMO), easier, and a helluva lot cheaper than those SS screws. And it doesn't droop as it heats up over all that steam (see prettier, above).

 

Are you guys sure the Home Depot paint strainer bags are food grade? They aren't according to the HD. Stay safe.

Anyway, I have a lot of expurrience with the metal mesh brewing filters and this is what I know. The 4 inchers are a waste of money. They are good for 2oz of hops max. The 6 inch filters are much better. They are good for 6-8oz of hops. Probably more. Two inches in diameter really makes a big difference.

I have two 6 inchers. I wish I had an 8 incher. One is 300 micron, the other is 400 micron. Neither of them clog. The 400 does sprew out more fine green particles into the kettle. However, it does not seem to make a significant difference in terms of hop impression in the glass compared to using 300 alone. The maximum hops I have used in the kettle with two six inchers is 16oz. My plate chiller doesn't clog and I don't even use a pump.

 

I stopped using paint strainers for this reason. While I don't think anyone is going to kill themselves with them, it's not like I'm going broke buying food grade strainers.

The spider that I just got is 6 inches and the one I had previously was 4, which was too small and why I was using strainer bags.

 

It's obvious you have a PhD and live in Wisconsin. However, I feel the need to question this paraphrased statement:

I don't think anyone is going to kill themselves with non food grade paint strainer bags.

How do you know that? Do you know how many grades of nylon there are? Do you know that there are more grades of non food safe nylon than food safe nylon? Do you expect a product marketed as a paint strainer to be food safe? I don't think you do.

I hope that you will join me in spreading awareness of the potential danger of using paint strainer bags for beer for the benefit of oblivious brewers. People that say, "I've been using paint strainer bags for 7 years and I haven't died yet" are influencing innocent people.