I'm currently brewing 5 gallon batches using the BIAB method. My current setup is a Bayou Classic 44qt SS brew pot with steamer basket (perfect for BIAB) with a 1/2" weld-less ball valve. When I transfer from the kettle to fermentation bucket, I allow the wort to drain through a SS strainer. I have toyed with the idea of inserting a bazooka screen on the inside of the kettle as well as straining, as I've had issues with the strainer getting clogged, requiring me to rinse it occasionally. Does this seem like a good idea? My concern is that I use a copper immersion chiller to cool down. I'm worried that it might damage the bazooka screen. Thoughts?
I've been struggling with this as well although I don't have anything nearly as sophisticated as you do. I basically do a whirlpool then use a siphon with a nylon bag tied to the end and try to avoid getting the trub into the fermenter. I've actually done several batches where I just poured everything into the fermenter. I haven't noticed any flavor difference doing it either way. Cheers!
This doesn't really answer your question, but I'm a trub-o-phobe (currently in recovery), and I compensate for this by scaling my recipes up to 6 gallons, so I can leave the trub behind and still get 5 gallons of beer. As to your question, I don't think the immersion chiller would damage the screen, but can you get a bazooka screen with a fine enough mesh to do what you want? For me, the screen in my mash tun is impossible to get totally clean without removing; I don't know if this would be something you'd worry about if you had one in your kettle.
These are good points. Before I got my new kettle, I was doing it the old fashioned way. Whirlpool and siphon. Never really had any issues with it. Id like to maximize the use of my new equipment and I think I've got the right idea. Now to test it out! Thanks for the input!
I haven't used a bazooka screen in a kettle, so I can't comment on that. But the fact that your strainer gets clogged seems to indicate that it's working. Also, if your strainer is like mine, you don't need to rinse to clear it. I just turn mine upside down and whack the "far" end of it against the top of an open cardboard box. The crud falls right into the box. (Don't bother whacking the edge of the strainer closest to the handle. That just flexes the strainer.)
I've washed my brewbag and dunked it in sanitizer and poured the wort through that teabagging it on the way to the fermenter. Helps aerate , too. I think you could have success with this method and minimal lossage if you have a small amount of patience.
I got a bazzoka screen for my kettle and I love it. The issue I have now, though, is when I use hop pellets. If I use only 4 oz that screen gets clogged and renders the screen worthless. I have been trying to think of a way to screen the hop pellets better. I don't have the same issue with whole leaf.
As for pellet hops, I clip a paint strainer bag to the side of my kettle in 3 points, forcing it to stay open. The hops have plenty of room to move around in there, so I doubt it's hurting my utilization much if at all. Once my wort is chilled, I just lift the bag out, dump the contents in the trash, and throw it in a bucket to soak until I get a chance to rinse it out really well. Really cuts down on the trub for me.
Honestly, a good whirlpool should do the trick. Are you using a boil kettle fining agent like Irish moss? In my kettle, I whirlpool a good 2-3 minutes with a sanitized stainless steel serving spoon and when I go to knockout a pyramid looking trub is left behind. Get your whirlpool on man!
i bought a hop spider from the link below. https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewingfilters.php i've heard good things about it.
I trim them down so that they can't touch the bottom of the kettle, and the top lip of my kettle (SS 10gal bayou classic) never gets super hot. I'm not sure how it would even be possible to ignite. Any details?
I can't remember exactly what I did. I think I just pulled the top of the nylon bag over to the kettle handle and propped it in place with the SS brew spoon. It didn't burn terribly fast, for what it's worth.
I have heard of the bags scorching or even melting to the bottom of the kettle if they are allowed to rest on the bottom. That why I went with the Bayou Classic with the steamer basket. Keeps the bag a solid 3" from the bottom of the kettle.
+1 on the hop spider. I basically use it for hops and then when I recirculate through my plate chiller, I push all liquid through it and get break free wort in the carboy, as well as hoppy goodness. Best homebrew purchase I have ever made.
@ASTMONATE if you ferment in buckets, buy 5 gallon paint strainer bags from lowes/Home Depot. Sanitize bag, secure to sanitized bucket with the built in elastic band, drain off kettle, remove bag, enjoy a fairly trub free wort. Ferment in carboys? Whirlpool with wizards, magic, and a march pump.
