bought a new setup and have a few questions

sublimenal · Oct 5, 2011

Hi there,

I just bought this new system:http://www.midwestsupplies.com/20-gallon-all-grain-commercial-quality-kettle-kit.html from midwest supplies and had a few questions. I just unpackaged it and noticed that the false bottom is not completely round and there is a few notches where the grain would seep through going into my wart.

Heres the setup: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9358246/IMAG0176.jpg

Heres the problem: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9358246/IMAG0177.jpg

Closer view: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/9358246/IMAG0175.jpg

I went on live help (which has been really helpful) and let them know about the situation and this is how they answered:

Lyndsey: So it should be just fine, recirculating the wort will make sure no grain passes through-

I'm sorta confused as to how recirculating the wart back into the mash tun would stop any grain from getting into my wart. I'm I missing something here? The way I planned it:

1. I would heat my water in the hot liquor tank
2. Once reaching the correct temp I would send the water with gravity to the mash tun.
3. Add my grains and mash out while heating up the sparge water
4 Send my wort to the boil pot (with a pump)
4 Batch sparge my grains sending the remainder to the boil pot
5 start my boil

I am a beginner here, started all grain about a year ago now. Please let me know if I'm missing out on something

Thanks :tank:

PantherCity · Oct 5, 2011

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Vorlauf
Vorlauf
This should help set the grain bed.
That gap does look a little large though. I'm sure if you put up a stink they would replace it. You should be fine though.

sublimenal · Oct 5, 2011

Ok thanks, researched it. I am going to give it a shot before complaining.

ajf · Oct 5, 2011

The false bottom is clearly damaged or defective.. your close-up shot shows this, but your description says "there is a few notches". That could make the situation worse than your photo shows. You've paid premium bucks for what it advertised as a commercial quality product, and you are entitled to an undamaged product that matches the description.
Don't take a chance at your expense. Demand a replacement, and contact your credit card provider informing them that you have been billed for defective merchandise.

-a.