Kettle screen - also need a hop bag?

[mfischer2]

I am going to try out my new Morebeer brew pot tomorrow and I bought a kettle tube screen (this one http://morebeer.com/view_product/9684/103792/Kettle_Tube_Screen) since my homemade hack copper tube thing doesn't work well and won't fit my new pot anyway. So quick question, I'm using all whole hops, will this screen clog? I have a hop bag that I can use too, but I think that will impact how much I get out of the hops. Also, I only have 1 hop bag, and 3 additions, so I could only use it for the biggest addition.

Any thoughts? Should I use the hop bag or not?

[AsthmaticBowl]

I would worry more about pellet hops clogging the screen. I have a keggel as my boil kettle and use a similar screen, which can easily get clogged using lots of pellet hops. I have since then used hop bags for any pellets and just tossed in whole hops. Don't worry bout it

[mfischer2]

I would worry more about pellet hops clogging the screen. I have a keggel as my boil kettle and use a similar screen, which can easily get clogged using lots of pellet hops. I have since then used hop bags for any pellets and just tossed in whole hops. Don't worry bout it

Thanks, I specifically bought whole hops for this. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Tygo]

I use one of those occasionally. It will work perfectly with whole hops. With pellets you have to bag them or you'll be dumping your wort through a strainer.

[Kbar]

I use leaf and hop socks. I am going to start compensating for the use of hop socks, as I beleive I do not get the utilization from the use of the hop socks.

I have the same kettle screen, and pellet does a "great" job of clogging that device.

[mfischer2]

So it worked great with leaf hops. I like leaf better anyway, but if I have to use pellet, I'll bag it.

[Beer Baron]

The ear clamp on mine came loose because the weight of the chiller was resting on it, so I replaced it with a stainless hose clamp, which I like better, because I can take it apart to clean it.

If you use whole hops you shouldn't have to worry about clogging it up. I love MoreBeer, I live close to one of their stores, but they have a poor selection of leaf hops - 7 varieties vs. Northern Brewer's 20! I just placed an order with Freshops - they have 16 varieties right now.

[Hopsniffer]

I use a kettle screen and find that as long as I use some whole hops in the boil, that they help filter out the pellets. I also found that if I use and immersion chiller, I try to wait 10-15 minutes after chilling before draining the kettle. That allows the hops to settle to the bottom and the resulting effect is clearer wort transfering to the fermentor. If I transfer through a plate chiller, I make sure to factor a 15 minute steep into my recipe for the same effect.