Beer Forum

I was wondering if any of you have a system for cleaning your hop bags?

I remove and dump mine as soon as I get done with the cooldown. Then I rinse and rinse and rinse some more, trying to get the hop gunk (thats a technical term) out of the weave and the seams. Once all thats out, I try washing with soap, oxyclean and even bleach, but I cant ever get it clean as when it was new, but it works great, even when discolored.

Sean

I've never used bags before (so maybe I should just keep my mouth shut), but I've heard of people putting them in the dishwasher or even washing them with their clothes after cleaning them by hand.

When I used them I would rinse well (like haggerty). I did not bother washing, but would do an idophor soak prior to using again. Now, when I get the chance to brew I just toss them in the kettle (no pants) and let them fall out before siphoning the wort.

HH

I use the bags with the seam out, so I don't have to clean that. I dump the wet hops out and casually rinse the big chunks off. I air dry. I work the material over by hand and the dry hops bits just fall right off....easy.

I'm pretty much like bergerandfries. I just use one great big paint straining bag but it is the same material. I do not get overly concerned about cleaning it. I just rinse it out when done and air dry it. The dry stuff falls off and there is no need to sanitize it since it gets boiled anyway.

Mort

I use cheese cloth bags from my LHBS .50 cents each then toss them. makes cleaning easy

When I use whole hops I just toss them in the kettle loose. If I use pellets, I put them in a nylon knee high stocking and just toss it in the trash when done. These things cost me $1 for 3 pair so that works out to about 16 cents each. It's worth 16 cents to not have to clean them.

Wayne
Bugeater Brewing Company