mhermetz
Well-Known Member
Not sure why the photo didn't show.
Blichmann BrewEasy
- Thread starter eroymada
- Start date
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I've been considering one of these and have read all reviews & threads I could find. I almost exclusively brew 5.5 gallon batches and want to make the move to electric. As expensive as it is, I think I'd bite if Blichmann offered a 240V, 10 gallon MT atop of a 15 gallon BK. Also, why wouldn't they make the auto sparge outlet tubing flow into a manifold of some kind that distributes the wort evenly over the entire grain bed like a fly sparge? Wouldn't that reduce the potential for channeling and the need to rake?
Off topic... the Unibrau (240V element) looks like an interesting setup...
https://brausupply.com/products/unibrau-all-in-one-electric-brew-system-v-3?variant=6116207165475
Off topic... the Unibrau (240V element) looks like an interesting setup...
https://brausupply.com/products/unibrau-all-in-one-electric-brew-system-v-3?variant=6116207165475
DarkNoonBrewer
Steve Trott
What watt density is that element? It looks kind of scorchy. Though that could be the low voltage one.
The Autosparge defeats channeling by pouring the wort back to the top of mash bed in a gentle swirling pool. It flows horizontally out of the hose, not straight down. For an all in one system, the BrewEasy is very efficient. The false bottom is the best in the industry.
Listed @ 5500W. My thought on the Autosparge, based on the instructions to "rake" the top third of the grain bed, was that channeling would/could occur. I guess if you are careful in insuring the hose stays totally horizontal, and maintaining a couple of inches of wort on top, channeling can be avoided. Some videos however show the outflow undermining the settled bed.
Channeling is generally a concern associated with maximizing efficiency. The BE is a kettle rims system...kettle rims is a no sparge process...please don’t buy a BE or any other kettle rims if care about the effects of channeling on your efficiency will bother you. You’re looking at the wrong process..not brand.
Go ahead and spend the extra $1.50 on grain per 5G batch and enjoy 67% eff with the rest of us kettle rims brewers.
Cheers!
Go ahead and spend the extra $1.50 on grain per 5G batch and enjoy 67% eff with the rest of us kettle rims brewers.
Cheers!
Anybody have good ideas for mouting Therminator to LTE? I’m not really excited about mounting it above my chugger pump. I like the quick release they have for the Top Tier because it actually hangs the chiller off to the side. I’m just not sure that the Top Tier bracket will fit on the LTE.
LHBS said “This quick release would only be designed for use with the TpTier stand and not guaranteed to work on the TOP LTE or TOP stands”. I read that to mean they don’t know.
I will probably ask Blichmann but thought I’d see what others have done.
LHBS said “This quick release would only be designed for use with the TpTier stand and not guaranteed to work on the TOP LTE or TOP stands”. I read that to mean they don’t know.
I will probably ask Blichmann but thought I’d see what others have done.
![Craft A Brew - Safale BE-256 Yeast - Fermentis - Belgian Ale Dry Yeast - For Belgian & Strong Ales - Ingredients for Home Brewing - Beer Making Supplies - [3 Pack]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bcKEwQmWL._SL500_.jpg)
DarkNoonBrewer
Steve Trott
Here's what you need:
Quick Release Therminator Chiller Bracket for Tower LTE
https://parts.blichmannengineering.com/product-p/aqr-chiller-bkt-lte.htm
Quick Release Bracket for mounting therminator chiller on the Tower of Power LTE.
You have to make certain that your stand has the two holes above the pump for the bracket. Before the quick release bracket, those holes didn't exist on older Lte stands.
Quick Release Therminator Chiller Bracket for Tower LTE
https://parts.blichmannengineering.com/product-p/aqr-chiller-bkt-lte.htm
Quick Release Bracket for mounting therminator chiller on the Tower of Power LTE.
You have to make certain that your stand has the two holes above the pump for the bracket. Before the quick release bracket, those holes didn't exist on older Lte stands.
I’m familiar with that bracket but I’m not excited about my Therminator being right above my chugger pump. It would seem that you have a high risk of dripping water into the pump as you’re connecting/disconnecting hoses.
Do you use that bracket?
DarkNoonBrewer
Steve Trott
There's three things that can be done to prevent dripping onto the pump:
1. Mount the therminator "upside" "down" so that the fittings are over the wet side of the pump.
2. Spin the pump around so that the head is under the fittings on the chiller
3. Change the process to where you connect the hoses to the chiller before placing it above the pump.
Bonus option: Create some sort of splash shield for the motor.
Opt 1...not optimal for therminator performance based on label indicating which side should be facing up for chilling.
Opt 2. .. I’m already oriented this way but chugger pump has slots on both ends so still exposed to water getting in
Opt 3 ... works until i need to clean which requires a few flow reversals by switching hoses. Not much point to mounting it if i have to constantly unmount ... mount...unmount....mount....unmount....mount so I can clean chiller correctly
I would really like to know what you are actually doing vs options I could try.
Do you mount your chiller? If so, how?
If not...thanks for playing.
DarkNoonBrewer
Steve Trott
The RipTide doesnt have holes in motor so its not a concern to me. Just trying to help. Thanks for inviting me to play!
Yep....not an issue for the fortunate Riptide folks. <sigh>. Maybe someday I’ll be among you! Cheers!
DarkNoonBrewer
Steve Trott
I had another idea. I hope i'm not dragging this out too far. You said the pump is flipped around from the stock location. (pump head on the left?) If so, and only if so, mount the quick release bracket on right side of the stand. You would have to drill a couple of holes in the stand, but it would mount the chiller to your stand and keep the fittings on the right-rear side of the tower away from the cooling holes in the motor.
You’re not dragging it out...I admire your persistance.
Now, kindly leave me alone.
I kid...I kid...)
I took a picture to help clear up any confusion about how i currently have things set up.
The metal outlet box on the side is something I added in order to operate my pump with the switch on the stock outlet box. I didn’t want to cut off the plug on my pump cord to be able to wire it directly into the stock electric outlet box.
The chiller pictured is just sitting there...not mounted in any way but if you look close you will see the standard Therminator mounting bracket (not the quick release or BrewEasy bracket....just a regular old “L” bracket for therminator) is attached to my chiller which lifts the chiller about 1/2” off the base when it’s just sitting there.
If i mount to post it would have to be on left side and I would have to start operating my LTE at full height and I’d have to mount chiller half way up the post since I don’t have room between my pump and add-on outlet box. That means my chiller is now over my add-on outlet which is not ideal.
I’m actually thinking about simply getting heavy duty Velcro and just “mount” the chiller where it is at on the base pictured below.
I also like the idea of using the quick release bracket they make for the TopTier. I think i could mount it the bottom post basically using the holes that are already there but this bracket would actually hang the pump to the right side out past the end of my pump so that I wouldn’t have to worry about drips getting in the pump.
Do you have your chiller mounted? How’d you do it?
Now, kindly leave me alone.
I kid...I kid...
)I took a picture to help clear up any confusion about how i currently have things set up.
The metal outlet box on the side is something I added in order to operate my pump with the switch on the stock outlet box. I didn’t want to cut off the plug on my pump cord to be able to wire it directly into the stock electric outlet box.
The chiller pictured is just sitting there...not mounted in any way but if you look close you will see the standard Therminator mounting bracket (not the quick release or BrewEasy bracket....just a regular old “L” bracket for therminator) is attached to my chiller which lifts the chiller about 1/2” off the base when it’s just sitting there.
If i mount to post it would have to be on left side and I would have to start operating my LTE at full height and I’d have to mount chiller half way up the post since I don’t have room between my pump and add-on outlet box. That means my chiller is now over my add-on outlet which is not ideal.
I’m actually thinking about simply getting heavy duty Velcro and just “mount” the chiller where it is at on the base pictured below.
I also like the idea of using the quick release bracket they make for the TopTier. I think i could mount it the bottom post basically using the holes that are already there but this bracket would actually hang the pump to the right side out past the end of my pump so that I wouldn’t have to worry about drips getting in the pump.
Do you have your chiller mounted? How’d you do it?
Indygunworks
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2014
- Messages
- 51
- Reaction score
- 5
thanks for a hell of a thread guys. I am working quickly towards purchasing a gas 20 gallon system for both 20 and 10 gallon batches. I will be ordering it with the full ToP and most likely two 14 gallon conicals with 14 gallon extenders. With all the different systems I have brewed on in the past I think i am set up to have some early on success.
Minus the water stuff. all i do now is at a tsp of CC per 5 gallons. Ill have to learn more about that.
anyways. My current plan whenever the system arrives is to use my calibrated BBQ thermometer with a couple probes in the mash. and i will set the PID to be whatever it needs to be to get those temps where i want them. after a few brews i should be able to program in the average offset into the PID correct? and then its just a matter of checking throughout the mash to make sure things are true.
I also plan on potentially adding some ballast in the BK for around 3-4 gallons worth. That will allow me to heat that up separately and once the kettle is drained I'll do a bit of a batch sparge stirring the top 1/2 while mixing in the remaining water to try and get a rinse, but not disturb the filtration on the grain bed.
I also plan to follow the method that has a bit of water reserved to reduce the BK temperature after mashing in before re-circulation has started. possibly may just use a chunk of frozen water as well, same concept.
So aside from creating great water chemistry, and purchasing a PH meter or test strips, are there any other go to tips that people are using with great success?
I condition my grains and typically use a .38 to .40 crush. and add a 1/2 pound of rice hulls per 15 pounds of grain. I have gotten pretty good flow out of that in the past. I have never calculated efficeiency on any of my systems before, but i have almost always seemed to hit the numbers pretty accurately.
I care more about predictable dependable repeatable results than i do spending a few more dollars chasing some magical number. BUT, i need to be able to hit the numbers that i am expecting to hit when i create a recipe.
Minus the water stuff. all i do now is at a tsp of CC per 5 gallons. Ill have to learn more about that.
anyways. My current plan whenever the system arrives is to use my calibrated BBQ thermometer with a couple probes in the mash. and i will set the PID to be whatever it needs to be to get those temps where i want them. after a few brews i should be able to program in the average offset into the PID correct? and then its just a matter of checking throughout the mash to make sure things are true.
I also plan on potentially adding some ballast in the BK for around 3-4 gallons worth. That will allow me to heat that up separately and once the kettle is drained I'll do a bit of a batch sparge stirring the top 1/2 while mixing in the remaining water to try and get a rinse, but not disturb the filtration on the grain bed.
I also plan to follow the method that has a bit of water reserved to reduce the BK temperature after mashing in before re-circulation has started. possibly may just use a chunk of frozen water as well, same concept.
So aside from creating great water chemistry, and purchasing a PH meter or test strips, are there any other go to tips that people are using with great success?
I condition my grains and typically use a .38 to .40 crush. and add a 1/2 pound of rice hulls per 15 pounds of grain. I have gotten pretty good flow out of that in the past. I have never calculated efficeiency on any of my systems before, but i have almost always seemed to hit the numbers pretty accurately.
I care more about predictable dependable repeatable results than i do spending a few more dollars chasing some magical number. BUT, i need to be able to hit the numbers that i am expecting to hit when i create a recipe.
Welcome to the BrewEasy family! I have the 20G gas w/ LTE and I do 15g batches. Very happy with this system...1/2 bbl brewery in 2x2 sq ft
Water chem is important in any system. That doesn’t mean it has to be complicated...keep it simple. I use brewers friend and add cc to get to about 100 Ca on all my beers. Also acid additions for the lighter beers are critical for mash ph. A little gypsum for hoppy beers. That’s it.
I ignore my mlt thermometer. I get what your planning and its a great plan but don’t drive yourself crazy (like i did). I now use the pid and just RDWHAHB.
I don’t know that you really need the ballist in bk. I just reserve 3G...I’ve stil got 20G of water to work the mash...that’s plenty. I will heat my 3G up to 150-170ish in the kitchen to “sparge” but i recently read about sparging with tepid water so i may try that. 1 less thing to mess with
The gal of water in bk to lower the temp at the beginning of sparge is something that i do and I’ve never heard of anyone else doing it. I cant say it’s required but it makes me feel good.
I also condition my grain..not sure of gap but it’s pretty much what i see others doing. I don’t use rice hulls very often and always use the 2g/min orafice .. no issues
Your comments make me think you’re on your way to a happy BE experience. Sounds like you’ve been brewing a while and have a good handle on things. My only suggestion is simply to be patient..give yourself a chance to dial in the new rig and as always RDWHAHB.
. Cheers!!!
Water chem is important in any system. That doesn’t mean it has to be complicated...keep it simple. I use brewers friend and add cc to get to about 100 Ca on all my beers. Also acid additions for the lighter beers are critical for mash ph. A little gypsum for hoppy beers. That’s it.
I ignore my mlt thermometer. I get what your planning and its a great plan but don’t drive yourself crazy (like i did). I now use the pid and just RDWHAHB.
I don’t know that you really need the ballist in bk. I just reserve 3G...I’ve stil got 20G of water to work the mash...that’s plenty. I will heat my 3G up to 150-170ish in the kitchen to “sparge” but i recently read about sparging with tepid water so i may try that. 1 less thing to mess with
The gal of water in bk to lower the temp at the beginning of sparge is something that i do and I’ve never heard of anyone else doing it. I cant say it’s required but it makes me feel good.
I also condition my grain..not sure of gap but it’s pretty much what i see others doing. I don’t use rice hulls very often and always use the 2g/min orafice .. no issues
Your comments make me think you’re on your way to a happy BE experience. Sounds like you’ve been brewing a while and have a good handle on things. My only suggestion is simply to be patient..give yourself a chance to dial in the new rig and as always RDWHAHB.
. Cheers!!!
Last edited:
DarkNoonBrewer
Steve Trott
Here's one way to complicate things and cause all kinds of testing and control until the process is dialed:
Heat up your hot liquor to 190-200 degrees and pump it into the clean, sanitized conical fermentor. Dough in per usual, but with very little water left in the boil kettle. This would work especially well in the gas system because you wont need to cover the boil coils. Recirculate as needed, maintaining temperature with the sensor in the flow. While draining the mash, pump the hot liquor from the fermentor (which has now chilled to perfect 174 degrees (hopefully)) to the mash.
This method could give you better efficiency because the mash ph is unaffected by a thin water to grist ratio. Ive seen it done, havent tried myself, but it seems to work well. It could give you the benefit of a three vessel brewing system without taking much more space.
Cheers!
Heat up your hot liquor to 190-200 degrees and pump it into the clean, sanitized conical fermentor. Dough in per usual, but with very little water left in the boil kettle. This would work especially well in the gas system because you wont need to cover the boil coils. Recirculate as needed, maintaining temperature with the sensor in the flow. While draining the mash, pump the hot liquor from the fermentor (which has now chilled to perfect 174 degrees (hopefully)) to the mash.
This method could give you better efficiency because the mash ph is unaffected by a thin water to grist ratio. Ive seen it done, havent tried myself, but it seems to work well. It could give you the benefit of a three vessel brewing system without taking much more space.
Cheers!
Let’s talk mill gap and efficiency.
I’ve recently purchased a 3 roll adjustable mill. What do you use as your mill gap?
I’ve recently purchased a 3 roll adjustable mill. What do you use as your mill gap?
Indygunworks
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2014
- Messages
- 51
- Reaction score
- 5
.040 with conditioned grains.
70 percent effective
70 percent effective
Realize this was an older post but never saw an update/solution. Same issue here, were you ever able to figure it out?
Sorry, I can't believe I didn't follow up. I contacted Blichmann who responded with the below:
"1) Get an extension cord for the 120 volt to the tower and run it to another outlet on another breaker to see if it changes anything.
2) Unscrew the controller from the LTE stand and try it again with the TOP controller off the pump stand. We had one case where there was some goofy ground issue between the two systems (240 & 120 systems) that caused it to trip.
We never go an answer back other than a electrician found a problem.
Attached is how the GFI should be wired In your panel."
I gave the below wiring diagram to the electrician who installed my GFCI outlet, and all of a sudden it was working. I think it was because the electrician didn't wire the GFCI properly in the first place, though he never admitted it.
"1) Get an extension cord for the 120 volt to the tower and run it to another outlet on another breaker to see if it changes anything.
2) Unscrew the controller from the LTE stand and try it again with the TOP controller off the pump stand. We had one case where there was some goofy ground issue between the two systems (240 & 120 systems) that caused it to trip.
We never go an answer back other than a electrician found a problem.
Attached is how the GFI should be wired In your panel."
I gave the below wiring diagram to the electrician who installed my GFCI outlet, and all of a sudden it was working. I think it was because the electrician didn't wire the GFCI properly in the first place, though he never admitted it.
MrEggSandwich
Well-Known Member
Hi all-
I'm still getting terrible BH efficiency with my BE, and it's driving me nuts at this point.
-I have a significant amount of loss. Yesterday, I did a 10 gallon batch of IPA (1.072), and Brewer's Friend has me at 56% BH efficiency:
-Conversion 79.5%
-Pre Boil 78%
-Ending kettle 75% (which I suspect was a little lower....)
I got about 8.5 gallons of 1.072 wort into fermenter. Started with 16.28 gallons of water. I threw in a couple more OZ of hops, which probably affected things.
How much loss are you guys experiencing?
I'm still getting terrible BH efficiency with my BE, and it's driving me nuts at this point.
-I have a significant amount of loss. Yesterday, I did a 10 gallon batch of IPA (1.072), and Brewer's Friend has me at 56% BH efficiency:
-Conversion 79.5%
-Pre Boil 78%
-Ending kettle 75% (which I suspect was a little lower....)
I got about 8.5 gallons of 1.072 wort into fermenter. Started with 16.28 gallons of water. I threw in a couple more OZ of hops, which probably affected things.
How much loss are you guys experiencing?
I did a 15G batch this weekend..33lbs grain..6oz of hops...22.5G of water total...i got 16G into fermenter..~72% Brewhouse eff.
For what it’s worth it took me several batches to get my volumes and efficiency dialed in. I dont know how long you’ve had the BE but it takes a few runs to start to dial it in. Hang in there...
For what it’s worth it took me several batches to get my volumes and efficiency dialed in. I dont know how long you’ve had the BE but it takes a few runs to start to dial it in. Hang in there...
MrEggSandwich
Well-Known Member
I’ve been on the system for a few years...(this is year #4)
I started with 16 gallons of water, and ended up with about 8.5 of good wort...that’s under 60% efficiency. Now, I have my Brew Bucket filled with 6.5 gallons, and other carboy has about 2 galllons off usable wort + 2 gallons of hop trub.
I hit my OG, so I’m happy. But either I’m calculating efficiency wrong, or I have a **** ton of loss.
Ive come close to 70% maybe once on a 12 gallon batch of 4% pale ale.
So folks out there are hitting 65-70% BH efficiency with a 10 gallon batch of 1.072 IPA with 14 oz of hops?
I’ve done something close once and got 67% Eff. I don’t Brew beers that big very much. It was an IPA w/ 18oz of hops.
I do some extra steps that make it a little less “easy” but I think they help so I choose to do them.
1. Always makes sure my Calcium is at 90-100 ppm. The BE instructions say conversion is optimized with those levels of Calcium. I make sure PH is range....anywhere in 5.2-5.6 is OK in my brewery.
2. I reserve 3-4G OG water and do a mini-sparge. Nothing fancy...just heat 3-4 G up to 140-160ish and just poor into the MLT as I’m draining to BK
3. Once I mash in i poor about 1G of room temp water into the BK to lower the water in BK from strike temp to something closer to mash temp before I start recirculating.
4. After I scoop out my grains from MLT, I will poor what little water remains ..about 1Gal usually...into a pitcher and let it settle and then pour the clear portion into BK..about 1/2 of it makes it in. Every little bit helps
5. I use hop baskets/bags during boil and I’m sure to let them fully drain when i pull them out. I also use whirfloc and whirlpool. When I’m done I like to see only about 1/2G of really nasty wort left behind in BK...everything else is in the fermenter and generally clean&clear.
I do some extra steps that make it a little less “easy” but I think they help so I choose to do them.
1. Always makes sure my Calcium is at 90-100 ppm. The BE instructions say conversion is optimized with those levels of Calcium. I make sure PH is range....anywhere in 5.2-5.6 is OK in my brewery.
2. I reserve 3-4G OG water and do a mini-sparge. Nothing fancy...just heat 3-4 G up to 140-160ish and just poor into the MLT as I’m draining to BK
3. Once I mash in i poor about 1G of room temp water into the BK to lower the water in BK from strike temp to something closer to mash temp before I start recirculating.
4. After I scoop out my grains from MLT, I will poor what little water remains ..about 1Gal usually...into a pitcher and let it settle and then pour the clear portion into BK..about 1/2 of it makes it in. Every little bit helps
5. I use hop baskets/bags during boil and I’m sure to let them fully drain when i pull them out. I also use whirfloc and whirlpool. When I’m done I like to see only about 1/2G of really nasty wort left behind in BK...everything else is in the fermenter and generally clean&clear.
Recently did a 15G high gravity porter (1.069) and hit mid 70s. I pay attention to water chemistry, rake the top third of the MT, and add rice hulls to improve circulation. Finally, I have a hops spider (fabric) and whirlpool to minimize hop trub going into fermenter, but don’t sweat whatever gets past, though I’ve never approached 14 oz hops levels either!
I’m conscientious to slow rate down as MT is almost empty to avoid prematurely pulling air, but don’t go to the lengths mentioned above.
Good points...I also rake the top 3rd and slow rate of mash out towards the end. I’ve also had positive results when I double mill my grain but I dont do it all of the time...sometimes I’ll just double mill about half...just depends on my mood. I always condition grains before milling
You may have already seen this, and perhaps Alex Deacon is already on the forum, but there’s a REALLY good step-by-step brew day for the BrewEasy on this blog - it helped me boost my efficiency.
https://colevalleybrewing.weebly.com/brew-easy-step-by-step.html
https://colevalleybrewing.weebly.com/brew-easy-step-by-step.html
I recently just picked up a used 10gallon BrewEasy. Getting ready to break it in but was curious what others are using to contain their hops? I was reading some good reviews on the Anvil Kettle Strainer and was curious if others are using it with success? I'm hoping to find something that will clear my immersion chiller.
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