jamilz wrote:crupp wrote:If you can get a good whirlpool, you shouldn't need a filter. I know it's hard to make that jump, but you should be fine.
+1
Heck, a good whirlpool is just a circular movement of the wort. You don't need some blasting vortex of death. As long as all the liquid is rotating the liquid near the outside of the kettle is going faster than the liquid in the center. It is this fact that lets the break material and hops move to the middle and drop to the bottom.
Go slow, have patience. When you've reached target temp, just turn off the pump and let the rest settle for 20 to 30 minutes. You should be able to carefully draw off clear wort with no strainer or filter.
True, you don't need a blasting vortex of death...but I prefer it. Seriously, though, a higher flow rate will give you a more compact cone.