Question: I do like the squeezing capability of the brew boss COFI - do you plan on squeezing the grains at all, and if so, how would you do it? Also, was there a reason you did not go with a handle on the basket? Thanks!
Thanks! I'll take you up on that.
I can't wait to brew on it. I am planning to start a separate build thread since the only BB component is the controller and element (don't want to draw the conversation from true BB users) but wanted to wait until i was further along in my brewery rebuild.
The no handle decision was based on a few factors. First, the handle adds extra diameter to the basket. I would have had to go with probably a .75-1 inch smaller diameter basket if I got the handle because the ends stick out further than the basket. I was also concerned about the weight of the basket when making bigger beers being too much for the handle to, well, handle.
My plan is to get some beefy cable and "S" hooks and connect them to the winch. I'll draw the basket out of the kettle via the 3 holes, put the 4 hangers on the kettle rim, and then lower it back down into the draining position, seen in the pic i uploaded.
My brewery design has my upright ferm fridge next to the brew stand. I bought a cheap, $40 induction burner that I plan to put on top of the fridge to heat a separate kettle of sparge water.
Once the basket is in place, I can put the lid back on with the recirc arm attached, recirculate the wort for a minute to create a grain bed, then switch the hose over to the sparge kettle and gravity drain from on top of the fridge through the sparge arm. None of this 1 hour sparge BS, I plan to take no more than 10 minutes for the sparge.
My thinking here is that resetting the grain bed will help minimize flour in the kettle, a personal pet peeve of mine. I'm planning to find a cheap, SS plate that I can throw on top of the grain bed after the sparge so that I can squeeze if I accidentally end up low on volume.
Does that all make sense?