Nik Wong
2025-07-27 20:43:34
I kept getting excess trub in my final product, so I started looking for options to clarify my beer. I currently brew extract in 5 gallon batches, boiling approximately 3 gallons. It is important to note that the arms on this spider are really meant for larger kettles, and the silicone wrapping doesn't fit my smaller kettle. I got around this by just adding pieces of silicone from a cut up oven mitt. I also purchased the recommended mesh hop bag, which was also too large for my kettle. I simply folded the ends up and held it in place with a hair tie. This hop spider and mesh bag were exactly what I needed to clarify my wort! I plan to upgrade my setup to a larger kettle in the near future, so the sizing isn't an issue for me. The spider is well constructed and I have no complaints.
Miles McLennan
2025-05-14 17:35:45
I just received my hop spider today, and while it appears to be well constructed, I am disappointed that I must now figure out what kind of bags to use and how to properly attach them to the spider. I ordered bags recommended by the home brew store's web site, but these do not appear adequate for the hops to circulate or hang deep enough into the kettle. In addition, I must now figure out some way to attach the bag to the spider which means searching around my local hardware store for something that might work. Would it have killed the manufacturer to have included a clamp or some other means to attach a bag? Or, at least recommended a way to do this? Could they have also recommended a proper bag to use?
Gary
2025-05-05 15:02:13
Much better than the PVC/long bolt version I made years ago. I used an old elastic tent tie to secure a 5 gallon paint strainer bag to hold the hops. Worked well, but the product would be even better if it came with a band (like a keg o-ring) to secure a bag.
Chas
2025-05-03 18:01:38
I was a little skeptical of what I would get for the price. This spider is of very good quality, solid build and welds. I look forward to using it on brew day!!
Nathan F
2025-03-11 18:04:06
Hops get so compacted in the bag that most of the hops get wasted. Better off letting them float free or using a rigid filter.
Steve
2025-02-01 15:46:08
Just what I was looking for!