Brewer's Edge Mash & Boil

[berndawg84]

Could you use a mesh bag and do BIAB with this setup? It seems pretty great for the price, almost too good to be true haha. I wonder what would be the advantage of the Grainfather over this one? I know the GF comes with a chiller and a recirculation pump, but not sure what other advantages of the GF might be. The only other thing I see is that the GF may accommodate a larger grain bill?

 

[Island_Dan]

So I may bite the bullet and get one of these but the only concern is the lack of accurate mash temps. It doesn't switch the heater on until 5 degrees below the target and overshoots the target when it does. I'm wondering if on your next brew Scott, that with a better power cord and dedicated circuit it may be more accurate? I'm waiting for your next brew to find out.

 

[Mobius570]

I used the stock cord plugged directly in and it was fluctuating about 3 to 4 degrees.

 

[keysersoze]

I should also add, I hit just over 79 percent efficiency as well with this set up. I batch sparged and then used the wort from the kettle to rinse a few times over. I used 13.5 pounds of grain and hit 1.068 on my hydrometer. Over all I'm happy with those numbers for how simple this setup is to use.

How'd you batch sparge? Did you end up using three vessels; M&B, lauter tun, and boil kettle (wort collector)?

 

[scottibones]

So I may bite the bullet and get one of these but the only concern is the lack of accurate mash temps. It doesn't switch the heater on until 5 degrees below the target and overshoots the target when it does. I'm wondering if on your next brew Scott, that with a better power cord and dedicated circuit it may be more accurate? I'm waiting for your next brew to find out.

I don't think the power was the issue with maintaining the mash temp. It is a thermostat with a programmed differential in this case I think insulating the pot would be the best option. The brew was also a full volume small batch which leads to a thinner mash less prone to holding heat. Next brew day should be next week as my fermenting fridge is currently full.

 

[scottibones]

Could you use a mesh bag and do BIAB with this setup? It seems pretty great for the price, almost too good to be true haha. I wonder what would be the advantage of the Grainfather over this one? I know the GF comes with a chiller and a recirculation pump, but not sure what other advantages of the GF might be. The only other thing I see is that the GF may accommodate a larger grain bill?

BIAB would be no problem as a matter of fact I will probably be doing just that. I don't know anything about the GF but this according to the manufacturer this will handle a 16 pound grain bill.

 

[Mobius570]

How'd you batch sparge? Did you end up using three vessels; M&B, lauter tun, and boil kettle (wort collector)?

Maybe batch sparged is the wrong term. I raised the grains out and used my heated sparge water to fill up the grain canister and let it filter out. I didn't fly sparge or use a method like that. Sorry still new to all grain.

 

[TexasWine]

I used the stock cord plugged directly in and it was fluctuating about 3 to 4 degrees.

Is there a way to change the hysteresis? If so, I would set it to 1.0

 

[Mobius570]

Edit: removed duplicate post

 

[scottibones]

Is there a way to change the hysteresis? If so, I would set it to 1.0

There is no user adjustable way to program that function. There may be a hidden interface like holding 2 buttons for 5 seconds or something like that maybe it's time to experiment.

 

[mhochman]

There is no user adjustable way to program that function. There may be a hidden interface like holding 2 buttons for 5 seconds or something like that maybe it's time to experiment.

I can't access their product blog from work, but maybe there is a place there to ask about this. I would think most home brewers would not want a six degree range to their mash, so perhaps they have some suggestions.

 

[Island_Dan]

I don't think the power was the issue with maintaining the mash temp. It is a thermostat with a programmed differential in this case I think insulating the pot would be the best option. The brew was also a full volume small batch which leads to a thinner mash less prone to holding heat. Next brew day should be next week as my fermenting fridge is currently full.

I only brew 2.5 gallon batches and plan to only do full volume mashes as I currently do with my biab setup. I plan to make a reflectix jacket. I'm interested to see if you do find a sub menu that may allow us to adjust the thermostat range. Thanks for your experimentation and efforts to answer all of our questions.

 

[skraeling]

There is no user adjustable way to program that function. There may be a hidden interface like holding 2 buttons for 5 seconds or something like that maybe it's time to experiment.

Thats what we have to do with the stock grainfather controller. its got a hysteresis from the factory of 2 (which makes zero sense).

theres a procedure to access the hidden menus so likely M&B has one as well.

 

[mhochman]

Thats what we have to do with the stock grainfather controller. its got a hysteresis from the factory of 2 (which makes zero sense).

theres a procedure to access the hidden menus so likely M&B has one as well.

Now we have to find that digital controller online. Maybe there are markings on the unit that can help us find it.

 

[scottibones]

I can't access their product blog from work, but maybe there is a place there to ask about this. I would think most home brewers would not want a six degree range to their mash, so perhaps they have some suggestions.

Sent this to Bill at Williams Brewing.

Is there a sub-menu or some other way to adjust the mash temperature offset? On my first brew with this unit with temp set at 151 it went down to 146 before it started heating then overshot to 157. I had it on the 1000 watt setting during the mash. This seems like an awfully big range and it did this twice during the hour long mash. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks.

 

[mhochman]

Sent this to Bill at Williams Brewing.

Is there a sub-menu or some other way to adjust the mash temperature offset? On my first brew with this unit with temp set at 151 it went down to 146 before it started heating then overshot to 157. I had it on the 1000 watt setting during the mash. This seems like an awfully big range and it did this twice during the hour long mash. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks.

Cool. Will be interesting to see the response.

 

[Mobius570]

Sent this to Bill at Williams Brewing.

Is there a sub-menu or some other way to adjust the mash temperature offset? On my first brew with this unit with temp set at 151 it went down to 146 before it started heating then overshot to 157. I had it on the 1000 watt setting during the mash. This seems like an awfully big range and it did this twice during the hour long mash. Any suggestions would be appreciated Thanks.

I too can't wait to hear a response to this. Does a heating element need a delay like a fridge compressor does, so it doesn't burn out from turning on and off all the time? This would be the only reason I could think of as to why it would fluctuate so much.

 

[Weezy]

I too can't wait to hear a response to this. Does a heating element need a delay like a fridge compressor does, so it doesn't burn out from turning on and off all the time? This would be the only reason I could think of as to why it would fluctuate so much.

No.

The 146 to 157 swing sound like hot spots. Anything with active temp control needs constant recirculation.

 

[Island_Dan]

No.



The 146 to 157 swing sound like hot spots. Anything with active temp control needs constant recirculation.

I was thinking about that. I always do a recirculating full volume mash with my brews and hit 73-75% efficiency but I do squeeze the bag also at the end. I'm going to buy one tonight to join the experimental group.

 

[Island_Dan]

Ordered. If anyone else is buying one tonight, enter promo code stainless2 for two free stainless pint glasses.

 

[fermentinginpa]

I got mine on Monday and brewing with it after work on Thursday.

 

[Mobius570]

No.

The 146 to 157 swing sound like hot spots. Anything with active temp control needs constant recirculation.

I may have to get a pump so I can try this.

 

[augiedoggy]

These are perfect to use with the $18 p38i DC pumps... It's basically what the grain father uses.

 

[scottibones]

Cool. Will be interesting to see the response.

I too can't wait to hear a response to this. Does a heating element need a delay like a fridge compressor does, so it doesn't burn out from turning on and off all the time? This would be the only reason I could think of as to why it would fluctuate so much.

Not the answer we were hoping for but he got right back to me which was nice.

"The differential is set and there is no way to adjust it. Maybe try the 1600 watt setting next time, as that is all I use and I have not seen this range of temperatures."

 

[Mobius570]

Not the answer we were hoping for but he got right back to me which was nice.

"The differential is set and there is no way to adjust it. Maybe try the 1600 watt setting next time, as that is all I use and I have not seen this range of temperatures."

Well I guess the next brew will be switched on to 1600 Watts. I did the same as you and mashed with it on 1000 Watts.

Thanks for sharing that.

 

[mhochman]

No.

The 146 to 157 swing sound like hot spots. Anything with active temp control needs constant recirculation.

I believe it is on their product blog that they recommend drawing off some wort at the valve and circulating it to the top a few times throughout the process. Not constant, but I would think this would help.

 

[mhochman]

-

 

[TANSTAAFB]

Not the answer we were hoping for but he got right back to me which was nice.

"The differential is set and there is no way to adjust it. Maybe try the 1600 watt setting next time, as that is all I use and I have not seen this range of temperatures."

Did you stir the mash at all or take independent readings with a reliable thermometer or did you just let it run and see what it would do?

 

[garrettbuckeye]

So... how long before someone pops one of these open and wires up their own controller instead? I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later.

 

[Weezy]

So... how long before someone pops one of these open and wires up their own controller instead? I'm sure it'll happen sooner or later.

I don't think it needs that. I think it just needs an external pump and recirculation.