Barley Crusher roller gap

[BeerStone]

Any suggestions on roller gap spacing for using a Barley Crusher? It says it is set 0.039" at assembly... I am guessing they set it at a good space to get rolling with? Also, anyone with a BC checked to see how accurate their assembled spacing is?

 

[Brewing Clamper]

Any suggestions on roller gap spacing for using a Barley Crusher? It says it is set 0.039" at assembly... I am guessing they set it at a good space to get rolling with? Also, anyone with a BC checked to see how accurate their assembled spacing is?

I just got mine a couple of weeks ago but I haven't had a chance to use it. Others here have posted that they get a good crush with the factory setting. I don't know how many people have Vernier calipers to accurately check the setting but I'm just going to try it as is first, I'm sure it'll be a better crush than my LHBS give me...

 

[Bearcat Brewmeister]

039 works for me. They are supposedly set there from the factory, but I had one side that was right on and the other that was visible larger. I used a feeler gauge to get it right. Noted improvement in efficiency on the very next batch.

 

[denimglen]

Feeler gauges what you'd use to check the gap, I'd imagine it would be hard to find calipers that would get into the gap. Feeler gauges can be bought from most automotive supplies stores for a reasonable price, they're used for checking spark plug gaps.

Mine was a little off from 039. I tightened it to about 037 before using it (rectangular cooler with manifold) but will probably wind it back when I start using my keg-MLT with false bottom.

 

[SenorWanderer]

mine was set well when it arrived. i tightened it to 035 and made new marks. i tighten it a bit more when crushing malted wheat, but move it back for barley. eff. in the high 80s.

 

[Funkenjaeger]

A set of feeler gauges should cost you like $2 at an auto parts store, and will let you easily measure the gap to within .001". Many people leave it at the factory gap with good results, but personally I saw no excuse not to spend a couple bucks and experiment with the gap.

Upon buying said feeler gauges, I discovered that my BC was NOT set to .039 at the factory as I had expected... it was a bit tighter than that at one end, and much wider at the other end. So, they were worth it just for that if nothing else.

 

[Glibbidy]

I keep mine at around .042 and it works very well. If my grist composition is close to 50% of something without a hull, i.e. wheat, rye, or carafa I tend to dial it back to .039 for those grains.