G Francis Brewing 6x14in Hopper Spider Strainer, Stainless Steel 300 Micron Mesh Review (2026)

Who this hop spider fits

This is a stainless steel hop spider from G Francis Brewing, a homebrew equipment maker, built with a 6 by 14 inch basket and 300 micron mesh designed to contain hops during the boil while keeping debris out of chillers, pumps and the finished beer. According to the manufacturer, the basket holds up to 8 ounces of pellet hops, which suits brewers making heavily hopped IPAs or double IPAs that call for large hop bills across multiple additions. It is intended for kettle brewing systems, and the manufacturer also lists uses beyond beer, including filtering coffee and making compost tea, which points to it being a general purpose fine-mesh straining basket as much as a dedicated hop accessory.

Size, materials and design in plain English

The basket measures 6 inches in diameter and 14 inches tall, giving it a deep, narrow shape rather than a wide, shallow one. The frame is stainless steel, chosen for strength and resistance to rust, corrosion, heat and pressure over repeated brew days. The 300 micron mesh is fine enough to hold pellet hop material without wrinkling or tearing under normal use, according to the manufacturer. Two hook handles on the rim let the basket hang securely over the edge of a kettle or clip onto a support ring on brewing systems that have one, and hops are added directly into the basket rather than loose into the wort.

Living with the hop spider day to day

On brew day, hops go straight into the hanging basket, and because it hooks over the kettle edge, it stays in place through the boil without needing to be held. The manufacturer recommends cleaning it either in the dishwasher as a separate load with no soap, or by rinsing it out with a garden hose, both of which are quicker than hand-scrubbing dried hop residue out of fine mesh. Because the basket is tall at 14 inches, it needs a kettle with enough depth to keep the mesh mostly submerged as wort volume drops during the boil, and brewers adding a full 8 ounces of pellet hops should expect some settling and compacting that may call for an occasional stir to keep wort flowing freely through the mesh.

Trade-offs and how it compares

Against the closely sized 300 Micron Mesh Hopper Spider at 6.1 by 13.98 inches, these two products are nearly identical in capacity and mesh rating, so the decision often comes down to price or brand loyalty rather than a functional difference. Compared with smaller 4 by 10 inch hop spiders, this G Francis model holds considerably more hop material at up to 8 ounces, which matters for brewers doing big hop bills, but the wider 6 inch diameter basket can crowd a kettle that already has a wort chiller, thermometer probe or a pump return line inside it. The core trade-off is the same one shared by any tall hop spider: it needs kettle depth to work well, and a very full basket of pellet hops benefits from occasional stirring.

Verdict and who should pick something else

This hop spider suits brewers making hop-forward beers who want a generously sized, durable stainless basket that can hold a full 8 ounces of pellet hops and clean up easily in the dishwasher or with a hose. It works well on kettle systems with a support ring or a rim wide enough for the hook handles to sit securely. Brewers with narrower kettles already crowded with a chiller or pump line may find the 6 inch diameter basket takes up more room than they want, and should consider a slimmer hop spider instead. Anyone using smaller hop additions per batch may also not need this basket's full capacity and could save space with a smaller model.

Frequently asked questions