Addng a hop back to a whirlpool IC set up

[bo_gator]

Has anyone tried inserting a hop back into the immersion chiller whirlpool set up using the March 809 I am thinking about adding a hop back to my system, but am unsure about where to put it I really like my IC whirlpool set-up and I don't want to change from it. I am thinking either to gravity feed into the hop back from the kettle and pump out of the hop back through the return on top of the IC. I was also thinking to maybe put the hop back between the kettle and the fermenter. Which is the better idea

[drez77]

I have just added a hop back to my system with the same intentions. I plan to come out of the brew kettle to the hop back so the hot wort can hit the hops and then to my pump and into the whirlpool. I plan on trying this set up this weekend to see if I have any clogging issues. I have a screen under a false bottom in my hop back to try and prevent the hops from clogging. I will post some pictures and report back after I try it out.

Mike

[Bugeater]

You may want to use a grant after the hop back so you can let the wort drain naturally into the grant. If you try to pump directly from the hop back you run more risk of clogging. This is along the same lines as not wanting to collapse your grain bed when sparging.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company

[Anthony]

I guess I came to the conclusion that in my whirlpool IC setup, I'm not convinced a hopback would work any better than just doing a 0 or -5 minute hop addition into the whirlpool already does.

[Mylo]

I suppose you could add the hopback inline between the kettle and pump - but don't expect the extreme effeciency or tight hop cone, like you get when you run the thing unbridled. The whole point of this is that you need a decent flow rate back into the kettle. Once you start adding grants and/or hopbacks - you are going to add to much restriction. You might as well go back to your CFC at that point.


Mylo