Hop Harvest Moisture Calculator
STEP 1: Weigh a Sample
Weigh a sample (A) of your harvested hops, making sure to 'tare' the scale before adding the hops, or subtract the weight of the container from the total weight.
STEP 2: Dry the Sample to 0% Moisture & Re-weigh
Dry out the sample with a microwave, dehydrator, or oven. If using a microwave or oven, stir the sample every minute to prevent scorching! Weigh frequently: the sample is at 0% moisture when it no longer loses weight.
Harvest Moisture is % moisture (by weight)
Harvest Dry Matter is % dry matter (by weight)
STEP 3: Weigh Another Sample
Weigh a second sample (B) from your harvested hops, making sure to 'tare' the scale before adding the hops, or subtract the weight of the container from the total weight.
STEP 4: Weigh an Empty Sample Bag & Fill it with Sample (B)
Select an empty sample bag that air can easily pass through (mesh or other permeable material) and weigh it. After you have recorded its weight, fill it with sample (B) and then place it in the oast with the rest of the harvest.
STEP 5: Choose a Target Moisture Content
Decide on your target final moisture content. In general, hops should be dried to 8-12% moisture, with 8-8.5% being optimum.
Sample (B) will weigh grams when it reaches % moisture (by weight)
Including the weight of the bag, your Target Weight is grams
Drying Lookup Table
- Key:
- Target Harvest Timing
- Your Hops are Over-Dried!
- Optimum Moisture
Download the Hop Harvest Moisture Calculator - Excel version (.xlsx).
Questions?
See the UVM Extension Northwest Crops & Soils team video on Determining Hop Harvest Moisture & Ideal Storage Dry Matter, and read their blog on Hop Harvest Readiness. If you still have questions, send them to hoppenin@uvm.edu.
Please report any problems or bugs with this tool to extweb@uvm.edu.
Last modified August 22 2014 10:24 AM