Recent content by Traveling_brewer

You can believe what you want. But recirculation leads to higher mash efficiency. This is well know. I'm actually in shock that someone is doubting this. And you are talking brewhouse efficiency, not mash. Big difference.

So you are saying recirculation has nothing to do with getting better efficiency? Then why would anyone bother? Of course it has something to do with it. A system with recirculation should get better efficiency then one without. If you are getting the same results you were getting in a cooler...

I had this problem when I started on the GrainFather. I got very low efficiency on 2 out of 3 batches. I realized the difference was the amount of wort above the top screen. The low batches I had the re-circulation valve closed about half way and the liquid was just above the screen. The batch...

That's great! I'm gonna use it next time I brew. Did you change the water/grain ratio in each step of the mash or just for the main temp test?

That's great! Now that's set up with the profile in that post? How was your gravity and efficiency?

I'll take a look. Thank you. Let me know when you try it out. I won't be brewing for a couple weeks. Love the system, just nailing down the profile and efficiency is bugging me.

I've been using the GrainFather for A few batches now. I really like it, but am having issues creating a profile for it in the Beersmith app. I know you can download one on the computer version. Does anyone have the actual numbers that i can plug in. Would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys. I was planning on keeping my efficiency set at the low percent I was getting while experimenting with some stuff to raise it. One theory I have is about the amount of work above the top screen while recirculating. My 2 pale ales the wort was maybe 1/2 inch to inch above the screen...

I had the efficiency set to 72% and when I adjusted it to match my OG it was 63%. I had 12.5lbs of grain, 10lbs 2-Row. BeerSmith had it at 1.055, I got 1.048. My first batch was similar. I have to check my notes on the second brew, think I was closer that time.

So after 3 batches I'm still missing gravity on the low end. From reading the recent posts, next time I'm gonna try letting it drain better before sparge. Also push the top screen down a little more firmly then I have been. I'm missing gravity by 8-10 points. Enough to effect the beer. I'm...

I'm with you. I had my CFC on a stool next to my GF. I can't see any way that an IC would be better.

An arrogant nobody... Ignore

I had my first GF brew day yesterday. Was a 12 lb grain bill. I thought pouring in the grains I got some outside the grain basket, but later found none in my wort. I ran with no GrainCoat. Mash went well. Temp seemed to spend a lot of time 2 degrees below set point. So I left the lower switch on...

I just came on here to ask about that! For recirculating, you don't open the valve all the way do you? What is everyone else doing? Brew day by the way! Mash is going now!

So after a cleaning yesterday and a test boil run today I'm officially pumped for this thing. Even the chiller was cooling the water from over 200F to a perfect 70F. Boil was small, but what I expected. I can work with that. The simplicity of everything else about the GrainFather maybe have me...