Hop Block

[Wez]

This is probably a stupid question but my hops have come from LHB in a block, do i just flake it off or cut? Do i need to try to keep as many large bits as i can?

[steve_flack]

Get them off any way you can really. I tend to use a combination of cutting, chisleing and swearing.

[Wez]

Morning Daab! So small pieces are OK? When i did my mini mash i used loose hops and they were whole (leaves?) didn't know if i needed to try to flake them into leaves?

[Jim]

I find the longitudonal knife wedge is the best technique. Just put the block upright (longest dimension vertical), stick the knife in the end and hit the handle of the knife gently with the palm of your hand, a bit like chiselling wood. It tends to break along the grain and you can pull off whatever size bits you like.

[PieOPah]

I hack away at the block with a bread knife.

I have once used the full block and it did take a while to break up in the wort....

[mysterio]

I tear them apart with my bare hands

[bod]

aye, swearing, tearing and cutting are my best methods. almost lost a few fingers with the old bread knife though!

[bod]

dont think i have to be honest, got something a while ago by email... i'll double check.

been reeeeeeeeeeally busy at work, and starting a new business. i hate paper work.


anyway, got three days off, a few recipes to brew, 40 litres of TC to bottle and a brewery to build!

sorry, i seemed to have high jacked this thread....

[AT]

Got a right auld gash on my thumb today cutting hops so i think from now on i'll be swearing and tearing

[Wez]

I swore and tore

[AT]

Got a right auld gash on my thumb today cutting hops today so i think from now on i'll be swearing and tearing

I did say use a blunt knife to split the hops

starting a new business.

Something fun I hope hope your brews go well, btw you can sign up to the news letter here

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/newsletter/

i actually used a blunt knife first and i was cutting the wrong way so i yelled at the swimbo, "where's the big sharp knife" it was all down hill from there

[SteveD]

Get them off any way you can really. I tend to use a combination of cutting, chisleing and swearing.

I find chinese burn type twisting works sometimes, together with the obligatory swearing

[shiny beast]

I'd be interested to know if anyone's actually found decent quality hops inside those blocks. In my experience, they have been dreadful.
They seem to be all the crumbs/dregs that are left over. Often yellow and brown tinges, and cheesey aromas.
I gave up using leaf hops, such is the variable quality of those available.
Pellets may be more difficult to filter. But you're more likely to find good quality and consistency.

[mysterio]

Yeah, the silver packages are excellent. Usually bright green and full of aroma.

[SteveD]

...apart from the Brupaks dried up brown crappy excuses for EKG's I had then The Hogs Back hops look and smell fresh and green, but as you get them loose in a plastic bag you have to deal with them pretty quick if you want them to stay that way.