Blichmann Engineering HopBlocker Quick guide

HopBlockerTM
Operation, Assembly & Maintenance Manual
Congratulations on your purchase and thank you for selecting the HopBlockerTM boil kettle filtration
system from Blichmann Engineering. We are confident that it will provide you years of service and
many gallons of outstanding beer. This manual will familiarize you with the assembly and use of the
filter system.
**** PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY PRIOR TO USE FOR IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ****
Caution: Brew pots and the HopBlockertm are obviously hot during use and scalds and burns are
an ever-present hazard. Always use protective gloves, long sleeve shirts, long pants, and
protective footwear when brewing.
If you do not understand the proper use of the product or have any questions, contact
your retailer or Blichmann Engineering (www.BlichmannEngineering.com) before use.
Assembly & Installation:
Ensure you have the main filter body, and the sliding shield with finger pull
as shown in Fig 1. Please contact your Retailer if any parts are missing.
Installation Procedure
The HopBlockertm was specifically designed for use in Blichmann Engineering
BoilerMakertm brew pots. However, the product can be adapted by the
customer for use in other pots and keg based kettles, but filtration
performance may be reduced.
Fig. 1

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Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Installation in a BoilerMakertm brew pot:
To install the HopBlockertm in your BoilerMakertm brew pot, simply remove the dip tube and place it in
the hole in the side of the HopBlockertm as show in Fig 2. Note that the gap in the shield faces the drain
fitting (the finger pull faces the center of the pot). Then simply insert the tube into the drain fitting as
shown in Fig 3. It is helpful to lubricate the tube with a bit of water to make insertion easier.
Important: ensure that the shield grips the sides of the screen sufficiently so that it will hold itself up
when moved to the top of the screen. If it does not, gently bend the shield in slightly so it grips more
firmly as shown in Fig 4.
Installation into a non-Blichmann EngineeringTM pot:
You will need to provide a ½” diameter dip tube in your pot with a fairly sharp 90 degree bend 3” above
the bottom of the pot. The bottom of the dip tube should sit above the bottom of the pot about 3/8” to
½”. Since you cannot rotate the tube to install it, you will need to provide a compression or flare fitting
adapter on the inside of the pot to accommodate installation of the HopBlockerTM. The closer you can
get the HopBlockerTM to the sidewall of the pot the better the performance will be. For kegs, you will
need to center the HopBlockerTM in the middle of the keg so that it sits flat. However, this will negatively
affect the performance of the filter.
Removal in a BoilerMakerTM brew pot:
To remove the HopBlockerTM in your BoilerMakerTM brew pot we recommend
using a flat blade screw driver between the shaft collar and the drain fitting
(ref Fig 5) to get the tube out of the o-ring seat. You only need to open a gap
of about 1/8” to pop the tube out of the grip of the o-ring and from there it
can be removed by hand by pulling straight out.
Fig. 5

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Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Operation:
The HopBlockerTM is very simple to operate. The basic process that makes the HopBlockerTM work so
well is leaving the fine break material undisturbed at the bottom of the pot while draining the majority
of the wort through the coarse filter first. When the wort level is a few inches from the bottom of the
pot, the fine filter element is then exposed by lifting the shield and only has to filter the remaining wort.
Used as described below, the HopBlockerTM will filter 90-95% of the break material and hops out of
yourwort without plugging.
These steps are VITAL to ensure that you maximize the efficiency of
the filter and avoid plugging:
(1) Ensure that the shield is pushed all the way to the bottom of the screen and both are resting flat
on the bottom of the pot. If you are using a keg (which has a rounded bottom), you will need the
filter centered on the bottom. Note that this does decrease the effectiveness of the HopBlockerTM.
(2) At the end of the boil use your stir paddle to feel for the HopBlockerTM and confirm that it is
stillsitting properly on the bottom of the pot and not at an angle. Use the paddle to right it if
needed. Normally this is not a problem and the product rights itself after being bumped.
(3) Stir the wort vigorously with a stir paddle to create a whirlpool. This causes the hops and trub
particulates to settle to the bottom center of the pot away from the HopBlockerTM. Allow 15-20
min for the thermal convection currents to slow and allow the break material and hop
particulates to settle. Alternately, stirring gently continuously for 10 min followed by a 5-10 min
rest works very well. Failure to whirlpool and allow time to settle will limit the filtration
efficiency of the product and lead to plugging!
(4) Drain your pot until you see the top of the kettle drain fitting (ref Fig 6).
(5) Reduce the drain flow rate to about 1/3 the initial flow rate. Failure to reduce the flow rate will
cause the settled particulates to be sucked into the filter causing it to plug!
(6) Use your stir paddle (ref Fig 7) to hold the filter down and quickly pull the shield up with a
gloved finger or a racking cane (or similar) so that it is out of the wort completely. It is important
to move quickly through steps 6-7 so you do not lose the siphon which will stop flow.
Tip: Allowing adequate time for the break material to settle is necessary for proper performance. In
addition, draining slowly at the end is vital to allow the wort to filter through the break material and
move toward the filter. If it is drained too quickly you will draw the particulates with it toward the filter
and increase the likelihood of plugging it. Draining slowly allows the wort to permeate the sediment and
move to the filter. At all times be careful not to disturb the sediment!
Whole Hop Tip: The HopBlockerTM was developed specifically for pellet hops. Whole loose hops will
likely plug the unit and prevent the wort from draining. If you are using whole hops we highly

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recommend that you place them in a large muslin grain steeping bags in the boil. Whole hops absorb a
lot of wort and this translates into significant wort loss. Bagging your hops will facilitate removal, and
since you can gently squeeze out the wort at the end of the boil you will get a much better yield from
your batch. Since the muslin grain bags are so porous and freely move in the boil, hop utilization is not
noticeably affected.
Maintenance
Clean the HopBlockerTM with any stainless compatible cleaner and allow it to dry thoroughly. Chlorine
based cleaners and sanitizers must not be used as they will permanently damage (pit) stainless steel.
Blichmann Engineering Product Warranty
A. Limited Warranty
1. Blichmann Engineering warrants to the original purchaser that this product will be free from manufacturing defects in material and
workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the date of purchase by the customer. Proof of purchase is required. Blichmann Engineering’s
obligation to repair or replace defective materials or workmanship is the sole obligation of Blichmann Engineering under this limited warranty.
2. This product is for home use only. The limited warranty covers only those defects that arise as a result of normal use of the product and does
not cover any other problems, including, but not limited to, those that arise as a result of:
a. Improper maintenance or modification;
b. Damage due to incorrect voltage or improper wiring by customer;
c. Operation outside of the product’s specifications;
d. Carelessness or neglect to operate the product in accordance with instructions provided with the product;
e. Damaging the tamper label on the product;
f. Damage by over-tightening the fasteners;
g. Failure to follow cleaning and / or maintenance procedures; or
h. Exceeding published operational temperatures.
3. Blichmann Engineering reserves the right to request delivery of the defective component for inspection before processing the warranty claim. If
Blichmann Engineering receives, during the applicable warranty period, notice of a defect in any component that is covered by the warranty,
Blichmann Engineering shall either repair or replace the defective component with a new or rebuilt component at Blichmann Engineering’s
option.
4. Blichmann Engineering must be notified within seven (7) days of the delivery date of any shipping damage. Customer is responsible for
shipping damage outside of this time period. Approval for return must be provided by Blichmann Engineering prior to any return. Customer is
responsible for keeping all original packaging material for warranty returns. Blichmann Engineering is not responsible for damage from
improperly packaged warranty returns, and these repair costs will be the sole responsibility of the customer. Shipping costs for warrantee
returns are covered only for the contiguous United States.
5. Blichmann Engineering’s limited warranty is valid in any country where the product is distributed.
B. Limitations of Warranty
1. Any implied warranty that is found to arise by way of state or federal law, including any implied warranty of merchantability or any implied
warranty of fitness, is limited in duration to the terms of this limited warranty and is limited in scope of coverage to this warranty. Blichmann
Engineering disclaims any express or implied warranty, including any implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose or merchantability,
on items excluded from coverage as set forth in this limited warranty.
2. Blichmann Engineering makes no warranty of any nature beyond that contained in this limited warranty. No one has authority to enlarge,
amend, or modify this limited warranty, and Blichmann Engineering does not authorize anyone to create any other obligation for it regarding
this product.
3. Blichmann Engineering is not responsible for any representation, promise, or warranty made by any independent dealer or other person
beyond what is expressly stated in this limited warranty. Any selling or servicing dealer is not Blichmann Engineering’s agent, but an
independent entity.
C. Limitations of Liability
1. The remedies provided in this warranty are the customer’s sole and exclusive remedies.
2. Except for the obligations specifically set forth in this warranty, in no event shall Blichmann Engineering be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or
consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort, or any other legal theory and whether or not advised of the possibility of such damages.
3. This warranty does not cover, and in no event shall Blichmann Engineering be liable for, travel, lodging, or any other expense incurred due to
manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, or any other reason.
4. Any performance of repairs after the warranty coverage period has expired or performance of repairs regarding anything excluded from
coverage after this limited warranty shall be considered good-will repairs and they will not alter the terms of this limited warranty, or extend
any warranty coverage period.
5. Venue for any legal proceedings relating to or arising out of this warranty shall be in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, which courts will have
exclusive jurisdiction.
D. Local Law
1. This warranty gives the customer specific legal rights. The customer may also have other rights that vary from state to state in the United States or other
countries.
2. To the extent that this warranty is inconsistent with local law, it shall be deemed modified, only to the extent necessary to be consistent with such local law.
This product uses food grade materials anywhere the product touches the beverage.
Warning: This product contains or may contain chemical(s) known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
HopBlockertm Owners Manual –V3
©Blichmann Engineering, LLC 2010