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Hey folks
I'm thinking of doing a Hop Spider build and was wondering if anyone on here have done them in the past and can share any tips they might have. I've found one on-line posting, but I was hoping to get a few opinions.
Thanks

What is your reason for wanting one? Are you using a plate chiller? Personally, I've been there and have since stopped worrying about it (unless you're using a plate chiller). If you're determined to use one, I'd likely just buy the premade ones from Dave.

https://www.everwoodavebrewshop.com/pro ... le-spider/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I made mine out of a piece pvc pipe and some long bolts. Maybe cost me 10$ to make

Phil

Do you use it and does it reduce the effency of the hop additions?

Sandy

I had one - made from PVC and stainless bolts. I used it a couple of times to keep from clogging my plate chiller. I found the hop aromas and flavours were diminished, even after I added an extra 10% to try and compensate. I got rid of both the plate chiller and the hop spider.

Allan I made one, but I don't use it anymore. You can come get mine if you wanna try it out. If you like it, you can have it. Just need to pick up a few paint strainer bags.

Yeah a little less efficient but I dry hop a lot of my beer so it keeps the flavor and if I want ore ibu I'll just bump my additions a little bit

mackay85 did you build a spider yet?

My last brew I used Mesh bags I picked up at Dave's and they did a great job keeping the hops out but Did nothing for the Hot break material (I had Rye in the mash). I have yet to try the beer to see if it kept any flavor out. I thought the hop smell was a little weak during the boil.

I'm planning on building a stainless steal hop basket and was doing a little searching around the forums before I order the stainless mesh, that's how I ended up here.

I'm going to build something like theses.
https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewing ... 4hopspider

Elmer wrote:mackay85 did you build a spider yet?

My last brew I used Mesh bags I picked up at Dave's and they did a great job keeping the hops out but Did nothing for the Hot break material (I had Rye in the mash). I have yet to try the beer to see if it kept any flavor out. I thought the hop smell was a little weak during the boil.

I'm planning on building a stainless steal hop basket and was doing a little searching around the forums before I order the stainless mesh, that's how I ended up here.

I'm going to build something like theses.
https://utahbiodieselsupply.com/brewing ... 4hopspider

My setup came with something like that, though I've never used it for hops. It would probably work well for leaf hops.

Pellet hops swell up massively and any beer with a significant amount of hops will need a pretty massive basket. You want those hops floating around freely and not compacted into a ball - otherwise you're wasting hops.

Jimmy wrote:

Pellet hops swell up massively and any beer with a significant amount of hops will need a pretty massive basket. You want those hops floating around freely and not compacted into a ball - otherwise you're wasting hops.

I'm with Jimmy - I never liked the results of using a hop spider - I want my hops swimming free during the boil.

LeafMan66_67 wrote:

Jimmy wrote:

Pellet hops swell up massively and any beer with a significant amount of hops will need a pretty massive basket. You want those hops floating around freely and not compacted into a ball - otherwise you're wasting hops.

I'm with Jimmy - I never liked the results of using a hop spider - I want my hops swimming free during the boil.

I checked the SG last night on my brew and I would say Jimmy is right, the hop flavor is mild. It's not all bad as the batch seems like it's already conditioned and smooth, keep in mind I only swished a bit it my mouth and spit it out, not wanting to feel the "effects" of live yeast in my belly later that night.

I'm not familiar with hallertau, is it mild to begin with?