50l Beerbelly Pot With Hopscreen - Transfer

[eamonnfoley]

Hi, just finished a BIAB brew, using my 50L beerbelly brewpot, with hopscreen arrangement. After a few failed attempts at producing good beer, I treated my water for chloromines this time (sodium met), and used acidulated malt in the bill to combat alkaline water. Also remembered to use half a whirlfloc this time. Everything went to clockwork, until flameout..........

One problem I had was transfering through my counterflow chiller to the fermenter (by gravity). I am left with heaps in the brewpot that would not rack, mainly because of the large radius of the pot. I tried clearing the hopscreen that was getting covered with hops, but it wasn't gonna flow. I will now struggle to fill a keg. Will probably end up with about 17L after losing 4L or so in the brewpot.

My other big worry was the amount of break material in the fermenter. There is a good few inches of it, and a lot has not settled and is just suspended in the fermenter. I could see it passing through the tubes during transfer. Should i just ignore it? I've never seen this much before. Is this just a result of using whirlfloc?

Cheers.

 

[Pumpy]

foles can we have a pic of it

Pumpy

 

[eamonnfoley]

foles can we have a pic of it

Pumpy

Was about to take a photo, but decided to rack instead before pitching yeast. Have ended up with only 15L in the fermenter instead of 22.7L, which would have become 19L into the keg after fermentation - PITA! :angry: .

Would have been a good photo because it was in my glass carboy. There was literally 4L worth of break sludge that I discarded, after disgarding nearly the same out of the brewpot.

 

[Rob C]

Hi foles I also use a 50ltr Beerbelly kettle and hopscreen i have never noticed that amount of break in my NoChill cubes. Did you whirlpool before you drained the kettle?

Cheers
Rob

 

[eamonnfoley]

Hi foles I also use a 50ltr Beerbelly kettle and hopscreen i have never noticed that amount of break in my NoChill cubes. Did you whirlpool before you drained the kettle?

Cheers
Rob

Hi rob - no i dont whirlpool, but am starting to think I will need to. How much liquid gets left in your kettle after transfer?

 

[Pumpy]

Was about to take a photo, but decided to rack instead before pitching yeast. Have ended up with only 15L in the fermenter instead of 22.7L, which would have become 19L into the keg after fermentation - PITA! :angry: .

Would have been a good photo because it was in my glass carboy. There was literally 4L worth of break sludge that I discarded, after disgarding nearly the same out of the brewpot.

Foles,

I always used to put my breake sludge into a carboy leave over night in the morning there was at least two litres of nice clear wort which I would use for the starter or just add to the fermenter .

Is yours like this

Mine has a pick up tube under a false bottom and sucks every last drop out

Pumpy

 

[Rob C]

Hi rob - no i dont whirlpool, but am starting to think I will need to. How much liquid gets left in your kettle after transfer?

You should try a whirlpool then wait around 5 minutes. This works well and most the break / hop residue is left in the middle of the kettle.

I usualy have about 2ltrs left over or there abouts have never measured it.

Cheers
Rob

 

[jlm]

Same here as Rob C, I've got the 36L model and a whirlpool with a spoon/paddle and a bit of a rest (wait 'til all the gunk stops convecting around) and I'm able to leave only a litre or so in the kettle.

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

Hi, just finished a BIAB brew, using my 50L beerbelly brewpot, with hopscreen arrangement. After a few failed attempts at producing good beer, I treated my water for chloromines this time (sodium met), and used acidulated malt in the bill to combat alkaline water. Also remembered to use half a whirlfloc this time. Everything went to clockwork, until flameout..........

One problem I had was transfering through my counterflow chiller to the fermenter (by gravity). I am left with heaps in the brewpot that would not rack, mainly because of the large radius of the pot. I tried clearing the hopscreen that was getting covered with hops, but it wasn't gonna flow. I will now struggle to fill a keg. Will probably end up with about 17L after losing 4L or so in the brewpot.

My other big worry was the amount of break material in the fermenter. There is a good few inches of it, and a lot has not settled and is just suspended in the fermenter. I could see it passing through the tubes during transfer. Should i just ignore it? I've never seen this much before. Is this just a result of using whirlfloc?

Cheers.

So you have seen that having the right pH and adding whirl floc has produced exactly what you should have(break).pH is so important in getting that break.Below pH 5.0 in the kettle it will not form hot break, above pH 5.6 and it starts to get ugly as you know.You have done the right thing and are on track to a good beer.I have exactly the same things happening.But I use a pump via kettle / chiller and then rack off the fermenter (cold break) if I am going for a very pale style Pils etc.Darker beers I dont bother.Bet you get a better beer this time.Dont worry about the cold break or loss in the kettle.You now need to refine your system/technique.Drop in and we will nut it out.A few liters lost is better than a bad beer.Well done!
GB

 

[technocat]

Hi rob - no i dont whirlpool, but am starting to think I will need to. How much liquid gets left in your kettle after transfer?

I usually get around 3L if I use plugs but a lot less if using pellets. Trouble with plugs they block up my tap. I just sparge for a higher volume to compensate.