Hop strainer questions

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:26 pm

Is it OK to make a hop strainer from copper pipe? My boiler will take a Ã‚Â½Ã¢â‚¬

tribs · Post by **tribs** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:33 pm

I just thought I'd throw this into the mix as an alternative.

http://www.forumforfree.com/forums/inde ... #entry7587

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:37 pm

Muslin bags? But I want to put hops in in two, maybe three seperate stages.

eskimobob · Post by **eskimobob** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:45 pm

I think Andy meant for you to have a look at the hop strainer that I have just bought from H&G. Copper tube with brass fittings. I guess that means it will be ok

bod · Post by **bod** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:47 pm

just make up two or three bags then, if you buy a roll of it and get your mrs to make up some bags, then its cheap as chips!

i actually made my own when i used them as i am a dab hand with the old sowing machine, but i dont bother any more, as i have a hop strainer.

i only used them when i used to have to syphon the wort out of the kettle, as they just clogged up the hose and made it impossible.

but to answer your first question, yes, copper is fine in the boiler, as is a brass nut. some people(mainly folk from the US) might dispute the brass thing due to what ever reason, but i've yet to read anything covincing on the subject. its like the ********* debate, if its that bad, then i'm screwed already.

*edited, as i've remembered that part of the subject matter of the post is infact banned from being discussed, and someones bound to ask if they dont know.....

eskimobob · Post by **eskimobob** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:53 pm

I think they are cautious because the brass contains lead which can leach out into the wort but I'm not convinced... I could understand it if you had some brass in the FV for the whole fermentation period but surely in a couple of hours should be fine :blink:

bod · Post by **bod** » Tue May 09, 2006 4:55 pm

precisely. anyway, if it were that bad it wouldnt be used in plumbing solutions would it? like lead pipes, they have never used them eh?!

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:05 pm

Thanks chaps.

I'm sure brass at low temperatures is safe because it can be used for drinking water, in plumbing compression fittings. I know nothing about chemistry, but I wondered if an hour in a boiling acidic solution might do something to the brass. If it does, then Hop and Grape are asking to be sued for selling a hop strainer with brass fittings. I think I'll take the risk.

I guess holes are going to be better than slots, as I could imagine hop leaves will find their way into the slots.

bod · Post by **bod** » Tue May 09, 2006 5:54 pm

from experience, i have found that hop leaves will get anywhere....

i've been using a brass tap connector fitted through my pot connected to a ball valve. from the tap connector, i have a length of 15mm copper pipe with holes drilled in it, with a cap on the end.

i soldered everything together with lead free solder, then washed thoroughly to get rid of any flux left around the joins. used it for about 15 brewes now and no problems so far.

it looks alot like the two copper ones DaaB posted a link for, but with out the S bend.

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:14 pm

I can put the copper pipe either 65mm or 5mm above the base of the boiler. Which would be better? Either way, I'll have to tip the boiler to get enough wort out, so it's a question of above the hops or buried in them?

bod · Post by **bod** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:28 pm

i would say as low as possible. if you have enough slits/holes in the pipe, it will effectively flter the hops and they will filter the trub, and empty the boiler quickly.

the whole point of the filter is to get as much wort out as possible, as its all drinkable!

you could always just add a couple of 90 degree bends, like the ones shown.
if you have to drill a new hole at all, then always make sure you leave enough space between the bottom of the vessel, for the width of the nut on the tap/connector..... i ruined a fermenter that way.

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Tue May 09, 2006 6:35 pm

Thanks bod. I am wondering if I'll end up drilling a hole and fitting another tap. I'll trial the dead space with water, once I've made the hop strainer.

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Thu May 11, 2006 12:37 pm

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc and only "red brass" contains lead. So what's the problem?

However, I also found this:

Copper Utensils: with copper interiors should never be used for acidic foods, with pH of 6.0 or below, since toxic compounds can form if food is cooked, or stored, or served from such containers. Even if copper pans are lined with tin, they should not be used for acidic foods such as fruits, fruit juices, salad dressings, tomatoes, vinegar containing foods, etc. Copper bowls may be used for beating egg whites, or copper kettles for cooking high sugar foods like fudge, for these foods are alkaline.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/copper

bod · Post by **bod** » Thu May 11, 2006 3:35 pm

whiskey stills up here are still made from copper, and if the whiskey industry swear by it then i'm happy!

johnmac · Post by **johnmac** » Thu May 11, 2006 3:47 pm

QUOTE I thought its worth pointing out thats an American website rolleyes.gif biggrin.gif

Fair comment!

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Hop strainer questions

Hop strainer questions