Complete Hops Pellet Production Line Solution

Production Line Description

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The hops pellets are made from leaf hops that have been hammer crushed into a powder. The powder is then pelletized by passing it through a natural pellet die. The powder contains all the lupulin material of unprocessed leaf hops and vegetative materials which can be used in place of leaf hops in the brewing process. Normally, the equal amount of hops pellets can take up about 10-15 % of additional bitterness as compared to the whole leaf.、

During the hops pellets production, the hops pellets are usually put together in an inert gas like nitrogen or under vacuum so as to decrease the speed at which they deteriorate. Pelletizing hops for brewers involves compressing the hops to ensure that they have a light weight so that they are less vulnerable to destruction and also easy to store.

Hop Pellet Mill Production Line process

hops pellet production line flowchart

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 machine 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 is pressed into pellets by a pellet machine

We provide complete hop pellet production line equipment for large-scale hop processing plants or hop pellet suppliers, including early stage design, intermediate equipment provision, and post-sale guarantee.

Along with a full line of equipment, our process engineering, design and millwright staff can add a single piece of equipment to your existing facility, or build a complete hops pelleting facility to meet the needs of you and your customers.