Hop Filter - pot too small to hang it, ok to sit on bottom?

[RickBeer]

Moved to BIAB last Spring, no more extract brewing added to cold water in the fermenter. So I need to get down to 70 before pitching, vs. mid 90s before. Takes a lot of ice (pain in the butt, and hard to make that much ice for several batches in a row), so I just picked up a wort chiller (will have to carry pot to laundry room to use) as well as a 6" x 14" 400 micron hop filter.

Didn't check ahead of time, and on my 5 gallon pot the hop filter won't hang, it's too tall. However, since it has a 1/2 inch raised bottom (steel mesh screen is 1/2 inch above bottom of filter, so it will not be directly on the flame), I'm thinking it's fine to use with this pot, simply stand it on the bottom? Like a false bottom. Thoughts?

I really bought it for the future, I had a $16 off $100 coupon to use and this got me over the threshold. Worse case it sits for the future.

[bpgreen]

Moved to BIAB last Spring, no more extract brewing added to cold water in the fermenter. So I need to get down to 70 before pitching, vs. mid 90s before. Takes a lot of ice (pain in the butt, and hard to make that much ice for several batches in a row), so I just picked up a wort chiller (will have to carry pot to laundry room to use) as well as a 6" x 14" 400 micron hop filter.

Another option is to use a pump (like a pond pump) and fill the sink a few times. You can use tap water for a while, then recirculate ice water.

Didn't check ahead of time, and on my 5 gallon pot the hop filter won't hang, it's too tall. However, since it has a 1/2 inch raised bottom (steel mesh screen is 1/2 inch above bottom of filter, so it will not be directly on the flame), I'm thinking it's fine to use with this pot, simply stand it on the bottom? Like a false bottom. Thoughts?

I really bought it for the future, I had a $16 off $100 coupon to use and this got me over the threshold. Worse case it sits for the future.

I've never used a hop filter (I use bags for whole hops and just toss pellets in), but I don't see any reason using it the way you describe would cause a problem.

[RickBeer]

Thanks, someone had suggested the pump prior. My main issue is SWMBO's wood floored kitchen. She can run fast, and carries a rusty grapefruit spoon.

I used logic. I want to brew a bunch of batches in the next few weeks to get back into things, and so I made lots of cubes of ice, using all SWMBO's plastic containers. I used my beer frig and then planned on moving them to the freezers in the regular frigs when I started fermenting. She started with "I need to buy beef, chicken, ... don't use all my freezer space". When I mentioned modifying the undersink plumbing for a hose adapter, she said "why don't you go buy the chiller-thing?" and the rest is history.

Hop filter was the filler, I was at $72ish and needed $100 to save $16, so in reality I bought a $57 adjustable 6 x 14 filter that was on sale for $39.99, got it price matched to $30, and then $16 off yields a $14 price. SWMBO was silent at my logic.

[Inkleg]

From how you describe the filter to how I'm picturing it in my mind I feel it will be fine to rest on the bottom. With mesh on the sides and half inch up from the bottom it should always be surrounded by liquid. Just don't try and catch it if it starts to tip in the pot. It'll be hot.

[John Sand]

I often set mine on the bottom, no problem.
My reason is opposite yours. When I do five gallons in a 16 gallon kettle the filter is too high hung from the side. I just set it on the bottom. The wort chiller fits around it.

[RickBeer]

Thanks all.

Even if it tips, it can't tip over due to the size of the filter as compared to the pot.

About to embark on brew #1 with it and with the new chiller.

[RickBeer]

Update:

I brewed last Friday and again on Monday (need beer for even in early December). I did not use the hop filter, but plan on it for my next batch (tentatively scheduled for Friday). I did use the wort chiller and it's amazing the difference. No big deal carrying just under 3 gallons to the laundry room, setting on a towel on the washer, with the sink right next to it. With water at 60 degrees, cooling goes quickly from boiling down to around 80, then drops more slowly, and the last few degrees to 68 are a struggle. During the winter I'm sure the cooler water temp will drop it even faster. Great investment!