Did first beer with the Robobrew yesterday - can't say I had a great time

[HarkinBanks]

If they widen the top it would make placing the top pipe over lower that much harder. Also it likely over bend the pins to overcome this wider section and make the tension against the normal pipe diameter looser. If they flare the tip same issue, plus there wont be overlap from top to lower pipe by the time the pins reach it and liquid/grains may leak in.

Not exactly, you can insert the upper pipe from the bottom of the lower pipe and slide it up. You can still screw the lower pipe into the screen. All we would need is about 1 mm and it would create enough friction so the top pipe would not slide off. There is no reason these two pipes need to be able to be separated. It just needs to be vertically adjustable.

I would suggest they machine a groove to act like a detent/stop right about where the lower part of your teflon tape is. That way you feel the pins engage/drop into the groove as a warning to not go further, and you cant accidentally slip by without extra force. I may actually try this by chucking the lower pipe in my drill press and as its spinning and taking a dremel cutting wheel to the edge of the pipe to simulate a machined groove without actually putting it on a lathe.

The groove is a good idea to act as a catch. I think that along with the teflon tape would be as good as we could get for a "hack a fix".

 

[HarkinBanks]

Kegland emailed me back and let me know the new prototype for v4 will fix this issue. Whatever the design, it will be able to be retrofitted onto prior versions. ETA is unknown. I would guess it is a new center pipe with a bump stop or something similar.

 

[Rev2010]

Well, here's the end to my story. After today's brew day I am SO friggin' done with this piece of trash. Pump was recirculating fine while I was bringing up to mash temp but as soon as I mashed in the pump stopped working. I have all three screens in place so I have no idea how it clogged but I am done with this thing. I blew into the tube which pushed back and freed it for a few seconds then it clogged again. Had to dump it all into my Rubbermaid tun. I'm buying the SS Mash tun and will either throw the Robobrew in the trash or try to get $50 for it on Craigslist. Wish I never bought the thing.


Rev.

 

[Tagobolts]

Yikes! I was just checking this thing out at our local store. I'm sure not all experiences are like yours but good to know before buying. Luckily I have time to research what set up I want to go with.

 

[Rev2010]

I'm sure not all experiences are like yours but good to know before buying. Luckily I have time to research what set up I want to go with.

Of course not, there are definitely many happy owners out there or it wouldn't sell at all. But, I'm done with the damn thing. I always got along great with a cooler mash tun but originally went with the Robobrew being I'm now in an apartment. Since then I've found the HotRod Heat Stick on Brewhardware.com and am using it with stove top gas assist. I was planning on using the Robobrew just for mashing but you absolutely need to recirculate as it won't otherwise hold the temperature. Like I said, was recirculating fine until I mashed in. So I'm done with it.


Rev.

 

[Tagobolts]

If I was closer I would go buy it from you to get it off your hands haha!

 

[Wayne1]

Rev.

I am very interested in the Robobrew. I would be happy to take it off your hands.
Please PM me to discuss this.

Thanks,
Wayne

 

[Rev2010]

I am very interested in the Robobrew. I would be happy to take it off your hands.

Hi Wayne. I've sold the Robobrew already. Just got my Ss Infussion mash tun and am gonna clean it and heat test it today


Rev.

 

[mscroggi]

Yikes! I was just checking this thing out at our local store. I'm sure not all experiences are like yours but good to know before buying. Luckily I have time to research what set up I want to go with.

Yeah so far my Robo has been good.. I don't know why Rev's pump clogged. I have had no issues with the pump.. I am wondering how so much material made it to the pump inlet to clog it.. How is that possible unless maybe the grain was ground too fine? Maybe some grain was spilled down the sides of the malt pipe ? or maybe the rubber cover of the drain tube wasn't used and grain dropped in? I guess the drain tube could have been pushed to one side causing the bottom screen to tilt and let grain pass.. I dunno.. I haven't been remotely careful when adding the grain. I also don't use a rubber gasket around the malt tube bottom screen.

 

[Rev2010]

Maybe some grain was spilled down the sides of the malt pipe ? or maybe the rubber cover of the drain tube wasn't used and grain dropped in? I guess the drain tube could have been pushed to one side causing the bottom screen to tilt and let grain pass

Nope, no grain went down the sides, wasn't filled anywhere near that high. No grain went down the center tube as it stayed well above the grainbed when mashing in and this time I used the top screen so no, no grain overflow. My only guess is somehow when stirring a slight vacuum must have listed the bottom screens up a little and some grain got through. But then there's the other false bottom so I have no idea how it happened. I never liked how the screen isn't welded to the malt pipe, is it welded to the pipe in the Mash & Boil? Seemed to look like it in some photos I'd seen. Anyway, I have the Ss mash tun now. Gonna use it for the first time next weekend if all goes as planned.


Rev.

 

[mscroggi]

Nope, no grain went down the sides, wasn't filled anywhere near that high. No grain went down the center tube as it stayed well above the grainbed when mashing in and this time I used the top screen so no, no grain overflow.
Rev.

Interesting.. I seen people place some foil around the lip of the malt tube / Robo to ensure no grain falls down the side when adding the dry grain.. but it wouldn't seem likely that it would allow enough to clog the pump.. That is a mystery for sure..

I have seen other post, but it is usually allowing grain to flow in during recirculating. -https://www.reddit.com/r/Robobrew/comments/88vtot/troubleshooting_loose_grain_issue/

Its a bummer the Robo hasn't worked out for you .. It stinks to have a $400+ piece of equipment that you dont want to use.

 

[Rev2010]

Its a bummer the Robo hasn't worked out for you .. It stinks to have a $400+ piece of equipment that you dont want to use.

It sure is! It did work fine on a couple of brews, but when something goes wrong like knocking off the top pipe by accident or the pump clogging it sure can be stressful.


Rev.

 

[TheGoatman]

Make sure you report how the SS mash tun is, I have one in a box waiting to be cleaned and I need some inspiration!

As for the Robobrew, it's definitely a love-hate relationship. I had to tighten the pins by hand (pliers) to keep them from moving on the lower tube, that seemed to help out a lot. I still have no idea what that center pipe even does. It has that metal cap with a funnel on one end and a set-in on the other and then the rubber nub sits in it (I think). What the heck is the point?! I still don't even know if I'm putting it on correctly, let alone the purpose. The manual is terrible, at best, for showing you what it is or does. So weird. Things I've learned though:

-If the pump clogs, you have to take the pump apart to clean it out, or it'll clog right back up super easy and keep clogging.
-The crush on your grain has to be course, or the recirculation doesn't work. Rice hulls work too (someone said that, good suggestion), but a course crush will improve your recirculation/lautering as well and ease the very slow dip that actually makes it through the grain bed.
-For the "U" recirculation pipe overflow turning problem on the cam lock 'U' piping: turn the pump off, open the pump pipe valve wide open and allow the tubing to drain (count to 5). The level of the liquid in the pump piping will become level with the liquid in the Robobrew, and you can "unlatch" the camlock and move whatever you have to move.
-Cleaning the screens is easy and quick using a garden hose or even just the sprayer on the kitchen faucet spraying in the opposite direction that the grain wanted to go. Remember, mashing doesn't have to be sterile. You're going to boil everything after anyways, so if a single speck of grain or hull is left on the screen, nobody will notice. Good luck, brew on.

 

[Rev2010]

Make sure you report how the SS mash tun is, I have one in a box waiting to be cleaned and I need some inspiration!

Only used it once so far, using it again tomorrow, so I haven't done a review yet. But I like it so far. The only gripe being the false bottom let's more finer particles through but I'm going to just strain going from the mash tun to kettle from now on with a double mesh strainer. Runoff flow is great, zero deadspace is great, and temp holding beats out my Rubbermaid cooler (but not by tremendous amounts). Overall I'm happy with it. They do need to come up with something to replace those doofy rubber feet though.


Rev.

 

[Aristoi]

Only used it once so far, using it again tomorrow, so I haven't done a review yet. But I like it so far. The only gripe being the false bottom let's more finer particles through but I'm going to just strain going from the mash tun to kettle from now on with a double mesh strainer. Runoff flow is great, zero deadspace is great, and temp holding beats out my Rubbermaid cooler (but not by tremendous amounts). Overall I'm happy with it. They do need to come up with something to replace those doofy rubber feet though.


Rev.

Sadly after about 10 brews on this system, i have been having similar thoughts on what is my next improved setup to move past Robobrew V3 and be able to do both 5 and 10 gallons in a single electric setup. Any new updates on the SS mash tun? did you go 10 or 20 gallon? I wish they had 15 gallon, i may need to consider a Chapman. Are you strictly doing infusions or have a setup that can add heat for step mash and mashouts? Send me a PM if you dont want to clog up this thread.

I am torn between an insulated SS mash tun/RIMS recirc setup but all in one eBIAB with mesh basket. I find myself putting the Robobrew malt pipe in a bucket or small pot to go dump anyway (so it does not leak in the house on the way outside) and need to clean a "second" vessel anyway, i don't see the advantage of an all in one from a cleaning perspective. I think having 2 simpler purpose built vessels give more capacity and flexibility over a comparably sized all in one.

For example, I came close to capacity and had to watch when i made a 1.070" beer this weekend and thought the grain bill was not that big, granted i like mashing at 1.8-2.0 qt/lb so if i dial that down a bit i should be fine. BS3 profile says it has 8 gallon mash capacity but i assume that is including the deadspace below malt pipe, i was surprised the malt pipe only had 5.25 gallon (calculated) capacity for grain up the the lift handle holes, probably less to the center drain pipe full extension. With that said, a true 10 gallon capacity dedicated mash tun can in theory get me 1.100 5 gallon beers and 1.060 10 gallon beers at about 1.3-1.4 qt/lb which is why a 15 gallon MT may be ideal so i am not mashing to the brim and can go a little thinner, where an all in one should be 20 gallon to account for deadspace etc.. similar to robobrew.

 

[Rev2010]

Any new updates on the SS mash tun? did you go 10 or 20 gallon? I wish hey had 15 gallon, i may need to consider a Chapman. Are you strictly doing infusions or have a setup that can add heat for step and mashout? Send me a PM if you dont want to clog up this thread.

Used it twice so far, for my Pilsner and my Amber. Working very nicely, liking it. Maybe I'll post an initial review today. I'll PM you as well though shortly.


Rev.

 

[brewman !]

Thanks for the posts in this thread.