Blichmann Engineering's Whirlpool kit with the G2 model linear flow valveis designed to achieve that perfect whirlpool in your kettle!
You can buy just the whirlpool kettle kit and install it yourself or purchase a new Blichmann Engineering kettle and have it come installed with one.
When installing the whirlpool kettle kit make sure the brand of kettle you are using has a wall thickness up to 3/16" thick. You will want the whirlpool kit to be in the center of where the wort will be and of course away from any other accessories like thermometers' or valves. Then use a center punch to put a small divot into the kettle. Now Drill a 3/16" pilot hole. Enlarge it to 13/16" using a "step drill".
After installing your whirlpool kettle you are now ready to recirculate your wort. Of course you will need some high temp hose and a pump to complete the whirlpool system. It is recommended to whirlpool for 5 minutes
Why do you want to whirlpool?
- The main reason is to separate the trub and hot break that builds up during the boil to clarify the wort
- After pumping from the kettle and back into the whirlpool for several minutes, a cone of hops, hot break, and other solids will form a the bottom of the kettle and the wort will be clearer than before.
Here are some ways you can use the whirlpool
- 1. With an immersion chiller submerged in the wort to increase the heat transfer and chill faster
- 2. With an immersion chiller to lower the temperature and hold. Below 180F hops can be added to contribute to aroma without increasing bitterness but its not until below 140F that the production of DMS has stopped.
- 3. Without and chilling method to clarify the wort and increase hop isomerization
- 4. You have an alternative port in the kettle to fill, drain or sample from.