How Are Hops Pelletized, How To Pelletize Hops?

How Are Hops Pelletized, How To Pelletize Hops?So, here you need to use hops pellet machine or pellet production line equipment. If the hop output is relatively small, you can consider buying a pellet machine. If the output is relatively large, you must consider a complete hop pellet production line. From harvesting, transporting, drying, crushing, pelletizing, cooling, packing, to pellet sales, the equipment cost of the initial investment of hops can be paid back in a few years.

hop pellet machine

How Are Hops Pelletized, How To Pelletize Hops?

Step 1 – Harvesting the Hops

The first step is harvesting the hops when they are ready before you go into the hops pellets production. For small scale hops farmers, the hops can easily be handpicked straight from their bines in the farm by using a lift and then they are sorted out using a mesh screen .However, for large scale hops farmers (mini pellet mill), they can use advanced equipment such as sorter machines and hop pickers to harvest them with ease.

Step 2 – Drying the Hops

After harvesting the hops, the next major step is drying them. This is done to get rid of the moisture from the leaves and also conserve the unstable lupulin. This process enables you to store the hops for an extended period of time without spoilage. The amount of crop you have harvested will determine the method you use for drying them. If you have many crops you will be required to make an oast to handle the large amount of crops.

Step 3 - Crushing the Hops

This process involves using a hammer mill to crush the dried hops into smaller sizes. Ensure that the pieces are as tiny as possible but do not turn them into dust. Rotate the hammer in very high speed so as to crush and swallow the hops and repeat this process if you notice large particles. Crushing helps the hops attain a consistent form and proper moisture content that is required for further processing.

Step 4 – Pelletizing the Hops

Use a hops pellet mill to make hops pellets. Desiccated hops go through the pellet mill and are compressed by the roller and die. The effect of the pressure makes the material condensed and then removes it through the perforations in the die. It should be noted that during the process of pelletizing hops for brewers, the heat generated may cause damages on the hops if the process is rushed and the machines are not allowed to cool down more often. (More about small pellet mill)

Step 5 – Cooling the Hops Pellets

Ensure that the hops pellets have cooled completely. To do this, spread the pellets out and give them time to cool off and dry naturally. For large scale hops pellets production, you may consider a pellet cooler.

Hops

Why Use Hops In Beer?

Hops are divided into two very general varieties: bittering and aroma. Bittering hops will have higher alpha acids, making them more economical for bittering beer (a small amount goes a long way). Aroma hops will tend to have more essential oils. It’s those highly volatile essential oils that contribute much of what people understand as “hoppiness.” We’re talking aromas like citrus, pine, mango, resin, melon, and more. By adding hops early in the brewing process, all of those essential oils volatize (boil away), either during the boil or during fermentation. That’s why adding them later in the brewing process tends to make a beer smell “hoppier.” Also, that volatility is the same reason why the aroma and flavor of heavily hopped beers don’t stand up as well to time. Much of the hop-forward aromas and flavors will dissipate, leaving quite a different beer than the brewer intended.