I currently use a 1520 micron SS hop spider that I custom ordered from Arbor Fab for whole hops. The holes are 1.52mm or 0.060". Wort boils right through it. Cleaning this hop spider is as simple as dumping the hops in a trash bag and taking a hose with garden hose nozzle set on stream and spraying it down. I switched over to using a bag-based spider for pellets. If the clogs, I switch bags. It is that simple. I would never use a 300 or 400 micron mesh spider pellets. I have learned that that anything less than 600 micron mesh SS screen is going to clog.
When I used a 400 micron mesh hop spider, I use Eazy Off oven cleaner with the yellow cap to remove the build up. The yellow cap stuff is sodium hydroxide. The blue cap stuff is not.
Valid point. Those considering purchasing a hop spider should take note of mesh size.
Wasn't aware of different mesh sizes, or that you could get a custom one.
https://www.arborfab.com/ https://www.arborfab.com/6inMeshSampleMesh size of hop spider I tossed was 300 micron. Always thought mesh was too small
while using, more so using dried whole leaf. I'm fine without one now, with my current gear/procedures.
Paying attention to mesh size is good info, for those considering a hop spider.