Recent content by RichPetersen

I would contact Pico directly. They have always responded to all my questions and concerns very quickly. This sound to me like you could be right, a software issue but I don't KNOW if that's it. My first brew (just a few days ago) went off without a hitch. The only problem I have had is dealing...

I'm so happy! I just got notified yesterday that my Pico S that I got for the $100 upgrade is on it's way. Of course, "on it's way" doesn't mean it's actually shipped yet. But hopefully I'll get it this week. Between this and my Grainfather system, my liver doesn't stand a chance.

I could be wrong (it's happened many times) but it's my understanding that the "easy clean" or Pico C kegs are not compatible with the Pico S and vice-versa. The S kegs are ball lock models (basically mini corny kegs) and the C kegs are something totally different. I only mention this because...

It's true they (Pico) don't use the ball lock kegs (at least on the new C model), but I've seen many small ball locks on Amazon. As small as 1.75 gallons which is about the perfect size for the Pico C (5L = 1.4G).

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was just reading from the instruction booklet and trying to be as accurate as possible, but yeah all I meant was setting the grain basket on top of the ring. I thought about stretching it but wasn't sure if that would do anything. Will give it a try, thanks.

Has anyone else had an issue with their Grainfather having the support ring slipping down into the boiler when attempting to lock the grain basket for sparging? I have done quite a few brews with mine but the last 3 or so I have had the ring slip out of the groove it fits into. Yesterday's was...

I have a keg of water on tap at all times for my wife mostly, although I like it too. My keezer can hold 5 kegs so I have 4 on tap (3 beer 1 water) and 1 water keg on backup at all times pressurizing at about 20psi. As soon as the one we are drinking empties I swap it for the backup and refill...

From the looks of the it you could always add a third tap between and a little above (or below) the other two.

I agree with you. The beer came out really good but not what I wanted. It was a really good learning experience. I'm glad I tried it but, as I have said, my next attempt will be with NO crystal. Everything else will be the same so I can judge for myself what crystal malt does. As for "wild"...

I can't really answer the HOW of it. I can only say it worked. I measured the OG with a refractometer and double checked it with my hydrometer. Same goes for the FG. Initially with a refractometer and plugged the numbers into my spreadsheet and got the numbers converted. Then double checked with...

I had a few pours of this recipe last night and while not a Thunderstruck clone it was excellent. The dry hopping really came through. I was quite pleasantly surprised after all the negativity about too much crystal malts. I may try an all 6-row base malt (about 18 pounds) with the same hop bill...

Actually very well. I little bit of condensation forming inside, even with the Eva-Dry device inside. But this is the monsoon season in AZ so our humidity is way up (for us). And the first few weeks I was always opening it to check things and re-route lines. Now that I leave it closed mostly...

Thanks, I appreciate the CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Most folks have just said "it's way too much" without giving me a reason. All I'm trying to do is find out what tastes like what. If I make a mistake, I'M the one that has to drink it! Maybe I should have done a 15 pound 6-row with 1 pound crystal...

All I can say (not being a scientist or master brewer) is that it must have been the WLP090 (San Diego Super Strain) yeast. But I really don't know. I know that I checked with a refractometer and double checked with a hydrometer and (after conversion) both readings were spot on.

You can also use 3 or 4 pounds of ice in a cooler with about a gallon of water with a pump to circulate it if you really want to chill it fast. Here in AZ my water sits in a black holding tank after the well pump so our water in summer is around 95 to 110 from the COLD side. Not really conducive...