Whirlpool Techniques

[bustdbrewing]

Hey guys,

Need some help on whirlpooling. I have a 26gal B3 kettle with a whirlpool arm from brewhardware.com pointed to flow around the perimeter of the kettle. I use a March 809 pump and open both valves and let it go for about 20min then let it rest for 30min if not more. I brewed 12gal of pale ale yesterday with 6oz of hops at flameout for 20min. I did a 20min whirlpool after chilling and then let it rest for 30+min.

However, the hops did not settle out after the post chilling whirlpool and settling periods. There a small cone after pouring most of the hoppy liquid from the bottom of the kettle. Any help on making this more effective would be helpful.

Thanks!

[Kbar]

I have a similar setup. Can get down to pitching temps in 5 minutes (CFC), but keep circulating to get the trub out. Not too successful. Will keep trying.

[TastyMcD]

I have the same Morebeer 26 gallon kettle and get a great trub pile. I stir 20 seconds with a spoon. Rest for 30 although it's settled in 15. I external chill so there are no obstructions in the kettle. Try it. It's free if you already have a spoon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4397597413637&set=a.4128145877517.2181798.1099548411&type=3&theater

[bustdbrewing]

I have the same Morebeer 26 gallon kettle and get a great trub pile. I stir 20 seconds with a spoon. Rest for 30 although it's settled in 15. I external chill so there are no obstructions in the kettle. Try it. It's free if you already have a spoon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4397597413637&set=a.4128145877517.2181798.1099548411&type=3&theater

Thanks Tasty! I will for sure give it a shot on my next brew! How far do you open the ball valve on the kettle when you drain out?

[TastyMcD]

I have the same Morebeer 26 gallon kettle and get a great trub pile. I stir 20 seconds with a spoon. Rest for 30 although it's settled in 15. I external chill so there are no obstructions in the kettle. Try it. It's free if you already have a spoon.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4397597413637&set=a.4128145877517.2181798.1099548411&type=3&theater

Thanks Tasty! I will for sure give it a shot on my next brew! How far do you open the ball valve on the kettle when you drain out?

All the way open. I external chill to within in 3 degrees of the water temperature and let the fermentation cooling take care of the rest.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4128258440331&set=a.4128145877517.2181798.1099548411&type=3&theater

[bustdbrewing]

All the way open. I external chill to within in 3 degrees of the water temperature and let the fermentation cooling take care of the rest.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4128258440331&set=a.4128145877517.2181798.1099548411&type=3&theater

Ok. I restricted the flow the last time I whirlpooled for about 20min and it created a very nice cone in the middle after settling for about 30min. However, when I opened ball valve all the way when it got down to the cone it started to break apart and head out the ball valve. Could this just be the amount of hops I'm using and I need dump off slower?

[TastyMcD]

All the way open. I external chill to within in 3 degrees of the water temperature and let the fermentation cooling take care of the rest.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4128258440331&set=a.4128145877517.2181798.1099548411&type=3&theater

Ok. I restricted the flow the last time I whirlpooled for about 20min and it created a very nice cone in the middle after settling for about 30min. However, when I opened ball valve all the way when it got down to the cone it started to break apart and head out the ball valve. Could this just be the amount of hops I'm using and I need dump off slower?

Just to be clear. My kettle valve is wide open during knockout but there are downstream restrictions that slow the flow. I get three to five inches of clear wort around my trub pile based on the amount of hops and gravity of the beer. If you have a good clear area but have to runoff too slow in order to not disturb the pile then you may consider an "L" attached to the inside of the kettle port to pull wort from the outer edge, or having a "dam" installed inside of your kettle, or using something like the Hopblocker from Blichmann.

[bustdbrewing]

Just to be clear. My kettle valve is wide open during knockout but there are downstream restrictions that slow the flow. I get three to five inches of clear wort around my trub pile based on the amount of hops and gravity of the beer. If you have a good clear area but have to runoff too slow in order to not disturb the pile then you may consider an "L" attached to the inside of the kettle port to pull wort from the outer edge, or having a "dam" installed inside of your kettle, or using something like the Hopblocker from Blichmann.

Oh ok. I gotcha. Thanks for clarifying that. I have that B3 maximizer tube that draws from the middle. I am going to try and modify it to draw from the edge.