In an attempt to not highjack someone’s thread closely related to this topic, I have created my own. My boil kettle consists of a 15.5 gallon keg where the bottom has been cut out. I drain straight from the bottom by using cam locks into the pump. I have upgraded my hop filtration by purchasing a SS hop spider. With that being said, without adding a secondary drain valve on the side of the kettle and dip tube, what methods have you guys used to filter the trub into the fermenter? I have looked into a few items but I am limited since I have an electric coil inside the keg approximately 2-3 inches above the mouth of the drain. I have the capability of doing a whirlpool but it’s pointless when I drain straight from the bottom.
I hate to say the obvious that you probably don't want to hear since you're already invested. But. Pull from the side. Preferably with a tangential. Your capability to whirlpool s going to appreciate this immensely. If you are going to pull from the center. Ugh. It is going to be a slow transfer to boil.
I’m afraid that’s my best bet. I did see some filter from brewer’s hardware but it’s also about $300-400.
I always use a decent portion of whole hops and they do a good job of filtering the hot break. Not helpful if all you use are pellets of course
If I understand your problem, I think a simple low-tech solution would be to run a siphon from just above your trub level to the fermenter. What am I missing?
A strainer rather than a "filter," but I use one of these... It works best when there is some hop matter commingled with the proteins.
The bottom of the kettle is actually the top of the keg so that I didn’t have a problem collecting all of my wort. @15 minutes, I run the wort through the therminator and enter the kettle back in through the dip tube. I guess I could use what @VikeMan suggested and use that strainer inside my large funnel. Then I’ll have to worry about the metal strainer clogging up.
When I use the strainer (also inside a funnel) and it clogs, I just dump the sludge into a box lined with a trash bag. You can flip the strainer upside done and whack that U-shaped protrusion (on the edge opposite from the handle) against the far edge of the box.
Marshall did an experiment regarding trub, check it out sometime. After reading it I don't think you will be so concerned.
