The PicoHopper Silicone Mold

Print profiles updated 03/27/2025 - Plate #1 (Front) and #3 (Hops) have been updated to improve the flow between the hop sections.

Introducing the PicoHopper!

A low cost and pretty easy DIY hop container for the Pico C/S/Pro. This container is made of food grade silicone and is dishwasher safe!

The latest version has the following improvements:

• Improvements to the walls between the hop sections with two options that will be available (square cutouts or oval cutouts - oval cutouts have been found to be a little easier to remove from the silicone)
• Hop numbers are now part of the PicoHopper! No more trying to remember if Hop #1 is the left most hop or the right most hop!
• Improvements to the drain holes.
• Custom 3D printable clamps
• Custom 3D printable de-molding tools
• Lots of little things that make this even easier to make!

Here is what you will need to make the PicoHopper:

• A 3D printer that has a bed size of at least 200MM - don't have a 3D printer - maybe one of your coworkers, friends, local library or family members does and would be willing to print this for you! A six pack of beer and supplying them with the filament goes a long way!
• About 725 grams of filament (about a 3rd of a spool). This includes the filament to print all of the mold parts as well as the custom removal tools and clamps. If you have some clamps that you can use that will save you about 150 grams of filament. Both Andy and I have been using PETG from Sunlu for all of our testing. 
• 1 inch wide blue masking (painters) tape. If you don't already have some a roll is a few dollars.
• Food Grade Silicone - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DN6BL6TD - This is enough to make three PicoHoppers - this works out to $22.59 each if you make one, $11.30 each if you make two or $7.53 each if you make three.  The current version uses a little over 13 ounces (this is different from the old version and the manual which states 12 ounces).
• Food Grade Silicone Mold Release - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013J3ZP4 No idea how many uses you will get out of this can however it's a LOT! $18.95 is the current price.
• Something to mix the Silicone in - 16oz disposable cup works well.
• Some plastic or paper you can place under the mold in case of any leaks.
• A digital kitchen scale is a plus as it makes measuring the two part silicone easier.

If using the 3D printed clamps make sure to print three of them!