5
Install the HopRocket
tm
in the following sequence, depending on your system configuration:
With Pump and counterflow chiller: Brew Pot
Pump
HopRocket
tm
Chiller
Fermentor
With gravity drain and counterflow chiller:
Brew Pot (at least 4ft (1.2M) above fermentor)
HopRocket
tm
Chiller
Fermentor
With immersion chiller: Brew Pot
Pump (if used)
HopRocket
tm
Fermentor
Note: hot extraction of the hop oils is much more efficient so we recommend a counterflow chiller for
maximum performance.
Operation is as simple as starting your pump or opening your drain valve on the brew pot and allowing
the wort to flow through your HopRocket
tm
and counterflow chiller.
Tip:
Allow the wort to fill the HopRocket by gravity so that the air will purge and the hops will absorb
water slowly. Turning on the flow at full capacity immediately will compact the hop bed and potentially
plug the unit.
Tip:
Make sure that all hoses and components are NOT filled with wort prior to starting your pump or
opening your drain valve. Components that are filled with liquid may cause your system to air-lock and
flow will be prevented.
Flow Performance & Restriction:
High wort flow rates and large amounts of particulate material (trub,
pellet hops, Irish moss etc) will increase the restriction of your hop bed as they filter out these particles.
This varies depending on hop type, trub volume, and pellet hop volume. This increased restriction will
reduce the flow through the HopRocket
tm
and potentially compact the hop bed. Similarly, greater
amounts of hops will increase the restriction of the hop bed. Lastly, hop flowers become very soft when
exposed to hot liquids and may pack together if too much pressure is applied to them similar to a stuck
mash. This can be prevented by using a slower flow rate and minimizing the amount of particulates
entering the HopRocket
tm
. Our HopBlocker
tm
kettle filtration system is a great companion for the
HopRocket
tm
. Using a pump, you should expect to achieve about 1 GPM (3.8 LPM) with 3oz of hops,
and about 1.5 GPM (5.7 LPM) with 2oz of hops. Gravity systems will vary with elevation above the
fermentor. We recommend at least 4ft (1.2M) of elevation for good performance.
Operation of the HopRocket
tm
as an Infuser:
The HopRocket
tm
makes an outstanding hop infuser (Randalizer) for
your beer dispensing system. This adds a unique bright hop aroma
to your beer. Assembly and loading with hops is identical to the
hopback instructions. Note that it is not necessary to use the
cylindrical filtration insert when using as a hop infuser.
The main difference is the adapters used to connect it to your
dispensing lines. Blichmann Engineering offers ¼” optional male
flare QuickConnectors
tm
that make this an easy install onto your
standard beer dispensing hoses. See Fig 11.
Warning!
NEVER exceed 40 PSI (275 KPa) with this product! A dangerous overpressure can cause
severe injury or death.
Simply locate the HopRocket
tm
between the keg and the tap making sure that the HopRocket
tm
remains
inside the refrigerator at the same temperature as the keg to minimize foaming.
We do recommend that you purge the HopRocket
tm
with CO
2
prior to filling with beer, but this isn’t an
absolute requirement since the HopRocket
tm
will naturally purge entrained air. To fill with beer, place it
Fig. 9
Fig. 11
