I made a hop spider last year, and it immediately made a huge difference for me. Hop utilization became obviously better while at the same time less hop matter made it to the bottom of my kettle or into the fermenter.
The purpose of this device is to give the effect of having free floating hops in the kettle, lots of contact between the hops and the boiling wort, while keeping the hops contained so that they can easily be removed. You get the benefit associated with using a hop bag, combined with the benefit of dumping loose hops directly into the boil.
This idea, of course, was not original. I found the idea/ design on the internet- probably HBT but I'm not sure.
My first iteration, which I used for several batches up to a few weeks ago, did have some minor design flaws. So when I neglected it in a rotting pile of spent grains after brewing my Nelson Cream Ale, I threw it away (rather than try to clean it), and seized the opportunity for a hop spider redux.
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| Hop Spider 1.0. Got the job done, but was clumsy and awkward. |
As much as this first version improved my process and final beer, it wasn't perfect. The main flaw was that it sat very close to the surface of the boiling wort. So close that, as seen above, the temperature was enough to soften the pvc. It also didn't help that the "legs." while secure, were loosely mounted; they moved around too much. On one brew day, the legs collapsed, causing the entire device to drop into the boil. Ugh.
So, for version 2.0, my top priority was to raise the main body of the spider away from the rim of the kettle. Secondly, it was important to secure the legs firmly to the body.
The parts list for this build is fairly simple:
- (1) 6" x 4" pvc adapter coupling
- (1) 4" hose clamp
- (3) 3/8" diameter 10" length hex bolts (zinc coated, but would like to replace w stainless steel)
- (6) 3/8" hex nuts
- (3) flat washers
- (1) 5 gallon paint strainer bag
The upgrades over version 1.0 are:
- Upsizing the pvc coupling. The 6x4 provides a wider mouth, easier for pouring hops into, as well as a thicker wall versus the 4x3 on 1.0.
- Adding a nut and washer on the outside onto each bolt. Additionally, I used a 5/16" drill bit this time, requiring the 3/8" bolts to be threaded tightly through the hole in the pvc wall.
- Mounting the legs through the angled section of the pvc coupling.
Here's the build:
1. Using 5/16" bit, drill three holes (evenly spaced) into angled section of pvc coupling.
2. Thread one nut onto each bolt, then place one washer on each.
6. You're now finished making your hop spider. Now use it.
1. Using 5/16" bit, drill three holes (evenly spaced) into angled section of pvc coupling.
2. Thread one nut onto each bolt, then place one washer on each.
3. Now carefully thread each bolt into one of the drilled holes in pvc coupler. For me, this required
the use of a wrench. Also, a beer. Go through the wall just enough to be able to add a nut on the
other side (inside the coupling).
4. Thread one nut onto the end of each bolt on the inside of the coupling. Tighten all six nuts with
wrench.
5. Using the hose clamp, secure the paint strainer bag to the 4" end of the pvc coupling.
6. You're now finished making your hop spider. Now use it.
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