I am finally taking the time to measure all my steps in my brewing process to dial in my brewhouse efficiency. I measured the kettle trub left behind and I was surprised that it was so much. I brewed an ipa and I don’t use a hop bag or spider so there was a lot of hop debris. It made me think does anybody use a filter for kettle trub? If not do you do anything to limit the amount of wort being left in the kettle? Next beer will not be a hoppy beer so i’ll See how much trub is left behind. Based on how much wort was left due to hop debris I am thinking a hop spider might be my next purchase. My set is a 10 gallon kettle with a spigot. I don’t have a pump to create a whirlpool and use an immersion chiller.
I noticed a difference after using a hop spider but there was still a lot of cold break that made it out of the kettle. I didn’t measure the volume. I’m thinking a ss mesh screen (bazooka/toilet supply line type) will work good enough. If still not satisfied (and this might be overkill) I’ll install a gravity fed BouncerMD downstream of the kettle spigot. It comes with a 20 mesh (915 micron) screen. Replacement screens are available in 50 mesh (304 micron) and 80 mesh (178 micron).
Anvil brewing has this: https://www.anvilbrewing.com/product-p/anv-kettle-strainer.htm It is trash...They say it works best if you whirlpool with a spoon, but even then, it is trash. I know people in my homebrew club have the BouncerMD and a fine mesh screen for it and love it. I am thinking that is my next thing, but am worried about how it will do with just gravity feed. I don't have a pump as well, and don't plan to get one soon.
The seller (Bouncer Beer Filters) on Amazon had the following reply to a question about GPM: "It depends. Gravity fed with a drop of about 3 feet with 3/8" tubing and pure water, it will probably do 1 gallons per minute. Half inch tubing would probably get to 2 gallons per minute. This is more a function of the tubing than the filter. As material builds up in the screen, the flow will slow down. This is generally *good* for filtering - the slower the flow, the better the filtering. However, if it goes too slow, you might lose your siphon. I generally elevate my fermenter up to around 4 feet, which helps to not lose the siphon. If it slows to the point you lose the siphon, stop, remove the bowl, dump it, rinse, sanitize and keep going." @Granitebeard what's the issue with the Anvil strainer? Does it clog? Is the mesh too big and let's too much through?
I use a hop spider but dump the rest of the trub directly into the fermenter. Never seen any issues from it. Also great for kveik because it provides plenty of nutrients.
Yep, clogged right up on me three times, the third I tried the whirlpool thing. Perhaps part of my issue is my immersion chiller, but feel that would help keep things away from it. I would usually get about a gallon out of my anvil brew pot, and then it would slow, then about half a gallon later it would stop completely. If I remember right, one try was on a porter with only an ounce of hops, so it isn't like it was some mega hoped IPA. Thought it would do better honestly, given the source.
I wasnt able to use a screen. took too long clearing it. I always use a hop spider or tubes. Most of that trub will settle in the conical.
I've tried kettle screens in the past, to much of a pain in the ass. Now I use a hop spider, and use whirlfloc. Let the it set for about 20 min after whirlpool then drain, if some trub gets into the fermentor it's not a big deal to me.
Just to verify, and if you think of it when talking to one of them, will you ask if they're using the red, blue or white screen? Thanks in advance.
I use the Bouncer filter when I transfer to keg. I think it would get clogged if using to transfer from kettle. Than again, I have not tried this, so maybe not. If you use whirlfloc and get a good whirlpool going no filter is needed.
This is one problem i'm still trying to perfect without any clogging when i make a neipa. For now i keep a large mesh screen inside the kettle blocking the ball valve and a hop spider inside the fermentor. I always tilt the kettle trying to get the most wort out.
So I goofed. He used it after his mash tun as his false bottom doesn't sit right. But he uses the red filter in it there. He said he tried it a few time after the boil and it works well with a different screen, but he also uses a spider.
I use a hop spider, an immersion chiller, and then a fine mesh sieve balanced on the bucket when draining the brew kettle. When fermenting in a carboy, the sieve is balanced on a large funnel. Whirlfloc and whirlpool, drain, once wort level in the kettle gets below the top of the spider, lift it to sit on the chiller, tilt the kettle. Gotta shake the seive a bit. All gravity fed. Haven't had much of a problem.
Like @Brewday I tilt my kettle, then open the valve and pour in the wort. I get some trub, but less than keeping the kettle flat. Beer is fine.
