Colorado brewing systems

shortsnout · Feb 23, 2016

I've been eyeballing the "down under" system and was wondering if anyone has any experience using it?

njpatg · Feb 28, 2016

I have a Colorado Brew Systems 15 gallon system and love it , have done about ten batches with it and it works well !

Lanky94 · Feb 28, 2016

shortsnout said:
I've been eyeballing the "down under" system and was wondering if anyone has any experience using it?

I have been interested in these as well. Hopefully there will be some good feedback on this thread

krackin · Feb 28, 2016

Really kewell. That is a 2000 gallon kettle right?

shortsnout · Feb 29, 2016

It's a 20 gallon system. http://www.cobrewingsystems.com/collections/frontpage/products/down-under-single-vessel-brew-system

jlongstreet · Feb 29, 2016

njpatg said:
I have a Colorado Brew Systems 15 gallon system and love it , have done about ten batches with it and it works well !

I just bought a 20 gallon kettle from them -- how do you like having the temp probe near the bottom like that? It seems like there's not a viable option for a TC thermowell, so I'm probably going to do a TC->FPT like it looks like you've got.

SkyHoptics · Feb 29, 2016

Colorado Brewing Systems are great!

if you would like more information and help, feel free to direct message me
thanks

njpatg · Feb 29, 2016

jlongstreet said:
I just bought a 20 gallon kettle from them -- how do you like having the temp probe near the bottom like that? It seems like there's not a viable option for a TC thermowell, so I'm probably going to do a TC->FPT like it looks like you've got.

Probe is near the bottom so it clears the bottom of the grain basket , this works very well with the recirculation ensuring fairly even temps . Hope this helps

Beernip · Mar 1, 2016

njpatg said:
I have a Colorado Brew Systems 15 gallon system and love it , have done about ten batches with it and it works well !

Looks like you have the basket. How many pounds of grain can you fit in that BIAB? I'm looking at pulling the trigger but using it with the false bottom as a MLT. Any issues with 5 gallon batches?

mcgimpkins · Mar 1, 2016

Anyone have the solid-sided baskets? How do you like them? Can you get a pretty good efficiency without sparging?

njpatg · Mar 1, 2016

Beernip said:
Looks like you have the basket. How many pounds of grain can you fit in that BIAB? I'm looking at pulling the trigger but using it with the false bottom as a MLT. Any issues with 5 gallon batches?

I do mainly 5 - 6 gallon batches with no issues . 13 lbs of grain will fill the basket a little more than half way . hope this helps

pretzelb · Mar 1, 2016

I hope to have the nano 20g system soon. I still need to get the electrical set up but after that I can report back.

andrewmaixner · Mar 1, 2016

njpatg said:
I have a Colorado Brew Systems 15 gallon system and love it , have done about ten batches with it and it works well !

Is that a hop infuser between the pump and chiller?

pretzelb · Mar 1, 2016

andrewmaixner said:
Is that a hop infuser between the pump and chiller?

I was thinking hop filter, which I might buy for my system.

Beernip · Mar 2, 2016

njpatg said:
I do mainly 5 - 6 gallon batches with no issues . 13 lbs of grain will fill the basket a little more than half way . hope this helps

Very helpful, thanks

SkyHoptics · Mar 2, 2016

if any of you are really interested in Colorado Brewing Systems and would like more information to pull the trigger, feel free to Direct Message me

JoshuaW · Mar 2, 2016

njpatg said:
I have a Colorado Brew Systems 15 gallon system and love it , have done about ten batches with it and it works well !

I have my system plumbed very similarly, but with one notable difference: I have a three way valve on the entrance of my plate chiller and divert around it except at the end when I recirculate through to sterilize then chill. It looks like you are recirculating through the entire time! Is that the case? Or do you not circulate in your system until the very end?

njpatg · Mar 2, 2016

JoshuaW said:
I have my system plumbed very similarly, but with one notable difference: I have a three way valve on the entrance of my plate chiller and divert around it except at the end when I recirculate through to sterilize then chill. It looks like you are recirculating through the entire time! Is that the case? Or do you not circulate in your system until the very end?

I recirculate the entire time

njpatg · Mar 2, 2016

andrewmaixner said:
Is that a hop infuser between the pump and chiller?

Its a filter

JoshuaW · Mar 3, 2016

njpatg said:
I recirculate the entire time

And no problems with the plate chiller clogging up? What are you using as a filter medium? I quite like the idea of that, as it would keep me from needing to swap hoses at a point!

jready · Mar 3, 2016

Hey all glad to see this thread I just purchased the nano Brewer home edition and Tim is helping me get upgraded to the 20 gallon kettle. The wait for production is killing me but I am sure it is going to be worth it!

I see some of you were talking about plate chillers I went counter flow on Tims recommendation. Anyone using a counter flow?

30Bones · Mar 3, 2016

Love my CFC. A friend has a plate and h love it as well. All personal preference

akthor · Mar 3, 2016

I have the 40 gallon pot and basket from them and Tim was very helpful throughout the process.

njpatg · Mar 3, 2016

JoshuaW said:
And no problems with the plate chiller clogging up? What are you using as a filter medium? I quite like the idea of that, as it would keep me from needing to swap hoses at a point!

I use this in between my pump and heat exchanger , it works very well

http://www.brewershardware.com/FILTER1.html

pretzelb · Mar 4, 2016

njpatg said:
I use this in between my pump and heat exchanger , it works very well

http://www.brewershardware.com/FILTER1.html

Good to know. I was thinking to buy one once my system arrives. I've never used a plate chiller before so it is all going to be new.

Lanky94 · Mar 4, 2016

You know the tube that fixes to the top of the basket that whirlpools the wort in the basket. How far down the inside wall of the basket does it reach please?

njpatg · Mar 5, 2016

Lanky94 said:
You know the tube that fixes to the top of the basket that whirlpools the wort in the basket. How far down the inside wall of the basket does it reach please?

The tube you mention is silicone , you can cut it to the length you desire

jready · Mar 5, 2016

njpatg said:
The tube you mention is silicone , you can cut it to the length you desire

On the nano brewer it is a stainless tube rather than silicone hose. Tim told me on the new systems it isn't welded to the basket which allows you to use it for whirl pooling after the boil.

bosster01 · Mar 5, 2016

I'm contemplating buying a colorado brew system vs the grainfather. Anyone have opinions on the pros/cons of each choice?

bowtie · Mar 5, 2016

bosster01 said:
I'm contemplating buying a colorado brew system vs the grainfather. Anyone have opinions on the pros/cons of each choice?

I have the same question but more the Brew Boss vs CBS? For the 20 gallon system I calculate $1800 vs $2200 according to each web site.

jready · Mar 5, 2016

bosster01 said:
I'm contemplating buying a colorado brew system vs the grainfather. Anyone have opinions on the pros/cons of each choice?

I went through the same thing ended up biting the bullet I am sure the grainfather is great but the 240v vs. 120 sold me.

akthor · Mar 5, 2016

As someone who is building his 3rd system. 5 gallon the 10 gallon now going 1 bbl. The GF may be great but you should be sure you're gonna be OK making that size batches going forward. My advice is if you have the means buy the biggest you ever think you may want and save the time and money of doing it again in the future.

iijakii · Mar 5, 2016

One nice thing about elec brew Riga espec is how well they hold value. No point in going larger on a what if my opinion, but I do think the co brews are better deal than gf

madscientist451 · Mar 6, 2016

akthor said:
As someone who is building his 3rd system. 5 gallon the 10 gallon now going 1 bbl.

Can you share the details of your new 1bbl system? Thanks

brewprint · Mar 6, 2016

Totally off topic here but I have a question. I'm just about to use my new electric system with a 5500 watt element. When I'm done with the mash do I just crank it full bore? No need to stir just let it get to boil?

njpatg · Mar 7, 2016

brewprint said:
Totally off topic here but I have a question. I'm just about to use my new electric system with a 5500 watt element. When I'm done with the mash do I just crank it full bore? No need to stir just let it get to boil?

After the mash you set the controller to a percentage of its maximum power for the boil . I usually start at 80% and back off to around 70% once its started boiling . Hope this helps

brewprint · Mar 7, 2016

njpatg said:
After the mash you set the controller to a percentage of its maximum power for the boil . I usually start at 80% and back off to around 70% once its started boiling . Hope this helps

Why don't you crank it to 100 and then back off?

njpatg · Mar 7, 2016

brewprint said:
Why don't you crank it to 100 and then back off?

It doesn't need to be cranked to 100% to achieve a boil

brewprint · Mar 7, 2016

njpatg said:
It doesn't need to be cranked to 100% to achieve a boil

Right but I'm all about speed when brewing. Would it hurt to crank to 100% without stirring?

iijakii · Mar 7, 2016

Nope, that's what I do.

Colorado brewing systems

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