Hop Sock - Who Uses One?

[spudfarmerboy]

Hello All,
have been toying with the idea of puchasing a hop sock. Mainly because of the amount of hop debris I seem to collect in my fermenter when transferring from the kettle. I thought it may be an easier option compared to a strainer of some sorts in the kettle. Also, I wouldn't lose as much wort to the hop debris left behind in the kettle. I mainly use hop pellets.
Does anyone on the forum use one? If so, how do you use it and do you think it is effective?
Any thoughts welcome.
Thank You

 

[brando]

I've always used a hop sock. All except flameout additions go in there, and I lift the sock at flameout.

I find it works well, but I do still get some hop particles coming through the material screen and into the final wort.

 

[razz]

I've tried the 500 and 250 micron socks from Craftbrewer spudfarmerboy. The 500 micron lets more wort boil through and it's easier to drain than the 250.

 

[_HOME_BREW_WALLACE_]

i use one only for dry hops in the fermenter

 

[Florian]

When no chilling, would it make sense to chuck the flame out (aroma) additions into a hop sock, leave it for a minute or two, and then drain? Rather than cube or french press hopping?

 

[winkle]

When no chilling, would it make sense to chuck the flame out (aroma) additions into a hop sock, leave it for a minute or two, and then drain? Rather than cube or french press hopping?

Thats what I do - using a 500 micron hop sock (or dry hop into secondary).

 

[Florian]

Thanks Perry, another good reason why I should add one to my shopping list for January.

 

[Lillywhite]

I use a 500mn sock, I was finding a little hop debrie come through but with a good whirlpool after wort is chilled (if you chill) very little transfers to the fermenter. I leave the sock in until I have finished chilling the wort.

I chose the 500 over the 250 mainly for flow through in the kettle.

Cheers,

Sean

 

[bcp]

I haven't bothered but recently used some sweetened dried orange peel in a recipe and just chucked it in like I do the hops.

And when the urn got clogged I suddenly realised the wisdom of using the things. With a hot tap I couldn't unclog it, so I ended up using a jug to scoop out the wort.

I certainly will from now on for dry hopping or flowers. Or sweetened bloody dried orange peel. (turned out a fantastic beer though).

 

[Rod]

I use teabag product called

T - Sac for dry hopping

They are bags made from teabag material

you put your hops in the bag fold it over , like an envelope , and add to fermenter for dry hop or to the hot brew

they are a bit fragile , but if you add them to hot brew at flame and fish them out before adding to the fermenter they are OK

They are available from tea houses

 

[brettprevans]

I use the normal size 500micron CB hop sock and have just upgraded after a few years to the jumbo 80cm long version. They are great for grain or hops if u cant afford a hop filter or r only doing kits and bits etc where u just want a little bit of grain.

I also used mine when making 'AG' Ginger beer. They are great

 

[matt white]

I personally reckon you dont get optimum results using a sock when compared to flowers directly in the wort boil.

Haven't done any scientific experiments to prove this, just my observation.

Gil.

 

[beerdrinkingbob]

when i started i did until i had a couple of batches with inconsistent bittering/flavour

 

[hoohaaman]

I love my CB hop sock,have done over 3 years AG with a single sock.

I'm pretty sure,after 3 years, I get an extra 5 IBU just from putting the sock in the boil

 

[bradsbrew]

I dont use my sock anymore. I no chill and find with a really good whirlpool , no copper chiller in the way, I get sweet FA hops in the fermenters and cubes. Flowers or pellets.

Cheers

 

[lagers44]

I use a hopsock of sorts for large amounts in the kettle but also for dry hopping.
I buy uncoloured ankle length stockings and give them a pre-boil to release any dye. I get quite a few uses before they get holes in them. Another cheap solution is to buy some muslin cloth & tie it in a ball then reuse.

Both work well for me.

 

[rude]

Like the op I have been thinking of getting a hop sock as I no chill & want to buy a 30 plate mashmaster chiller

Last brew I used some termimesh around the pick up tube but I used plugs & also put my aroma hops straight in the cube before transfer

If I did buy one the 500 micron with the plastic opening looks the goods from craft brew.

 

[kierent]

Anyone use a stocking? I was going to dry hop my next brew with a cascade plug in a stocking. Last time I used a plug I just threw it in the fermenter and found the flowers clogged it a bit when I racked it so I was going to use the stocking just to keep things away from the tap.

 

[Pollux]

I used to use one, then I just got lazy and figured that I never take the last 1.5L from the fermenter, what's the harm in that being hops???

These days I get two cubes out of my system, I use the 20L jerries from Bunnings, one tends to get clearer wort than the other (the 1st one obviously), then come pitching time I just lie them on their backs, swap the bungs for taps, connect the two taps with a piece of sanitised hose to level the two out, taps off, pitch yeast, clingwrap over one of the openings on the top and they both fit in the fermentation fridge.

I can tell the difference between the two beers, one is more "meaty" than the other if that makes sense. I find it an interesting way to look at the same beer, fermented in the same way, just different sections of the final boil volume being used....

 

[brettprevans]

Anyone use a stocking? ....,

Yup. For dry hopping I've used a plain no dyed stocking. Boiled it first to sterilize. I've also just thrown hops in for dry hopping as they shouldnt get into the keg/bottle if ur careful.