Hops: pellet vs whole

[mawa]

In all my batches I've always used pellet hops. Now I'm tired of paying such a high price pf buying hops by the ounce and I'm ready to order a couple of pounds from hopsdirect.com. Should I get pellets or whole? What do you recommend?

When a recipe asks for an ounce of hops is it the same if I use an ounce of pellets or an ounce of whole hops?

[Tankard]

Actually, I changed my mind. I prefer whole hops because they make my cleanup much easier. An ounce between the two isn't exactly the same. A good brewing software program, like Beersmith, will convert it for you.

[Evan!]

I don't use pellet hops anymore, since my system gets clogged if I do.

[Lerxst]

I use leaf because it works best in my kettle but I've always found leaf and pellet pretty interchangeable for the boil but I definitely prefer leaf for dry hopping.

Tons a stellar homebrew and commercial beer is made with both of em so it's more a person/gear preference thing when it comes down to it.

[Ronthered]

Prefer whole now over pellet.

[rooster445]

i prefer pellet it seams like on a hoppy wort the leaf hops suck up alot of wort

[mawa]

Based on your answers I'm gonna go ahead and get whole hops this time. Amarillo, cascade and willamette.

I'll use Beersmith to help me calculate the amount of whole hops to use.

[Redweasel]

Pellet guy here. Pretty universal usage and cheaper cost at most online stores. Plus, less room in the freezer.

[ben the brewman]

pellet work better imo for dry hopping and for utlization during the boil they also take up a lot less space in your freezer.

[bindi]

i prefer pellet it seams like on a hoppy wort the leaf hops suck up alot of wort

Was only leaf for years now most [not all] brews are pellets, flowers are wort sponges.

[Ronthered]

I use both though. I guess it all depends on what the retailer has on hand, and what is cheaper at the time.

[marzen41]

i always use leaf hops pellets clog the screen and do not have the floral aroma of whole hops

[PseudoChef]

I use pellets because I do. Dunno why.

[flyangler18]

I use pellets and whole, but my system needs at least some whole to help filter in the kettle or it clogs up like a m'fer.

I've used a small (less than an ounce total) of pellet with my set-up and it didn't clog - but I sure as shit wouldn't try doing an IPA with all pellet.

[Evan!]

I use pellets because I do. Dunno why.

Your contribution to the discussion is invaluable. :8D: Might as well have rolled up in here and said "I like ketchup on my french fries". :D

[PseudoChef]

Fine, I use pellets probably because they break down better in the boil and won't clog my plate chiller if they get through my suspended hop collar.

I also had some whole leaf hops blow away once when I was outside because the wind is a goddamned asshole and I've held an unnecessary grudge for a while because of my own stupidity.

Good enough for ya', you cock-connoisseur?

[Evan!]

Much better, Kahl. Much better. Even though pellet hops suck.

[MrMarbleHead]

Since I put the Hopstopper in my kettle I haven't had a problem with pellets clogging up, but I stocked up on Whole leaf awhile back so I have been using leaf for the most part.

[Evan!]

Since I put the Hopstopper in my kettle I haven't had a problem with pellets clogging up, but I stocked up on Whole leaf awhile back so I have been using leaf for the most part.

Pellet hops clog my screen in even small amounts. Not sure what you did differently.

[ohiobrewtus]

I always have some of both in the freezer and don't have a preference what goes in the boil. In the past I've preferred pellets for dry hopping because they drop out better but after the trouble I'm having getting the nose on Hopacles '09 where I want it I may change my stance on using leaf for dry hopping.

[BlindLemonLars]

Fine, I use pellets probably because they break down better in the boil and won't clog my plate chiller if they get through my suspended hop collar.

Ditto.

Also, pellets are: easier to store, easier to measure, easier to add to the boil (every try stuffing 2oz of leaf into your hop bag collar, or lifting it out after the boil?!?) and often cheaper to buy. Plus they don't absorb a half gallon of your precious wort!

[vtchuck]

but I grow my own hops, so I use a lot of whole hops as well. And with my home grown hops, the price out weights any inconvenience

[JXLT]

I've only used pellets but I'm thinking about going to whole leaf soon. I'm getting a Foodsaver V3840 for Christmas so I'll start buying whole hops by the pound and vacuum sealing 'em? I guess I could do that with pellets too though...

[shrekfx]

How long will they last if you vacume seal them, and can you freeze them? Probly a dumb question on that one.

[adrock]

You can vacuum seal and freeze any hops, whether they're whole, leaf, or pellet. And from what I've seen, their durability varies based on the variety of hops. IIRC, Beersmith (and probably other brewing software) has a calculator for that. You type in the variety of hops, the temperature they're stored at, and the length of storage, and it tells you approximately how much AA% you will have lost in that amount of time. Give it a shot.

[shrekfx]

thats cool, i know i downloaded a brewing program, checking out the free trail.. has some cool stuff in there that i have no idea how to use.. well i "think" its cool stuff..