Grainfather!!

[Diamonddave74]

Is the GF UL approved ?

I believe they used ETL. Same thing really. Just different certification entities.

 

[brewman !]

Yes, I just saw that. They announced it on their Facebook page as well. Here's a link to the bundle deal they're offering.

https://www.grainfather.com/shop/grainfather/grainfather-connect-bundle.html

Link is broken.

 

[BrewinSoldier]

The bundle deal is the same price as when the new ones come out. They are just trying to liquidate all of the old grainfathers with the "normal/mash" switches because going forward they will all have just an on/off switch instead. Doesn't bother me any just leaving it on normal, so why not get an extra controller in case something goes wrong?

 

[skraeling]

The bundle deal is the same price as when the new ones come out. They are just trying to liquidate all of the old grainfathers with the "normal/mash" switches because going forward they will all have just an on/off switch instead. Doesn't bother me any just leaving it on normal, so why not get an extra controller in case something goes wrong?

yeah, why i ordered mine anyway.

 

[bigtex52]

Link is broken.

Go to the link and when the 404 page shows up, click United States in the region dropdown at the top of the page.

 

[WesM63]

I picked one up as well. I can use the old controller for a fermentation chamber.

 

[kh54s10]

I should have sprung for one on the black Friday sales. It was $790 with a Graincoat and an ingredient kit on one site.......

 

[SirSpectre]

Where did you get the figures for your mash and sparge volumes? For a 5.25 gal. batch, the Grainfather calculator calls for 4.81 gal. mash water and 2.65 gal. sparge water for a 60 min. boil, or 2.91 gal. for a 90 min. boil.

https://www.grainfather.com/brewing-calculators

Thats what I ended up with using the modified GF profile from post 1231 in this thread. Here is what I have now for a profile:

22 quarts for mash and 3 gallons sparge. 8.5gallons total. it still looks way off, but now the estimated OG is 5 points higher. I am way confused... It all looks like its always way too much water.

 

[swimIan]

Why do you have lauter/mash tun losses? Those should be 0 or counted as a mashtun addition.

Why do you have too-up water for the kettle? Are you losing an equivalent volume somewhere?

 

[SirSpectre]

Why do you have lauter/mash tun losses? Those should be 0 or counted as a mashtun addition.

Why do you have too-up water for the kettle? Are you losing an equivalent volume somewhere?

damn good question. I have no idea. I followed the profile adjustments from this thread. I changed those, and I got 4.1 gallons for mash, and 4.4 gallons sparge. After absorption, this seems a bit more accurate.

 

[d-bone]

Hey all, I just got an email that the Grainfather Connect is (finally) available in the US! I have already ordered mine. Really looking forward to trying it out - I will post some thoughts after I get to use it in case anyone is interested. I'm hoping it will allow me to brew during a workday by setting up before work, then having the water heated by the time I get home.

got a better deal at AIH. same price but rewards plus free shipping. I might have to wait a little bit longer to receive mine though

 

[d-bone]

Is it not possible to change that "tap valve" on the GF heater to a ball valve? I am asking because that is what I was planning on doing to mine. Was hoping it had been done before.

Its possible, but you would most likely ha r to drill out the opening g, voiding any warranty
Mine is over soon so I will be doing this.

 

[swimIan]

damn good question. I have no idea. I followed the profile adjustments from this thread. I changed those, and I got 4.1 gallons for mash, and 4.4 gallons sparge. After absorption, this seems a bit more accurate.

Another resource is to check would be if beersmith has a grainfather equipment profile.

 

[govner1]

Another resource is to check would be if beersmith has a grainfather equipment profile.

BeerSmith does have an Equipment Profile for the GF.
You still need to confirm your boil off etc for your system.

 

[Teesquar]

Here is my equipment profile with calcs in the notes area based on the original GF instruction manual formula.

Also, I made these adjustments:
http://www.beersmith.com/forum/index.php/topic,14483.msg57259.html#msg57259

I hit my efficiency, vols and gravities spot on most of the times.

 

[brewman !]

How does one empty a GF after cleaning it ?

Does some water remained trapped in the tube going to the pump ?

 

[elreplica]

Its possible, but you would most likely ha r to drill out the opening g, voiding any warranty
Mine is over soon so I will be doing this.

I believe I suggested this before. In retrospect I would lose my sight glass and hence will go with my original plan, ie - to attach a mini ball valve to an extended silicone hose.

 

[BrewinSoldier]

I ordered the new controller from AIH today as well to see how it works out.

I decided to order this ball valve for the sparge heater for now to run inline. Hopefully it will flow enough. They do have a 1/2" version as well but I got the 3/8".

https://www.kegworks.com/inline-ball-valve-shut-off

I also ordered the blichmann brumometer 3/8" to run inline on the wort out side of my chiller so I can tell the actual temp of the wort coming out.

I think these few things should dramatically help with the ease of use of the grainfather, especially once the grainfather recipe builder gets released.

 

[Wagon_6]

How does one empty a GF after cleaning it ?

Does some water remained trapped in the tube going to the pump ?

I pick it up and dump out the last bit that the pump can't get. The handle is very sturdy. I leave the pump valve open (check valve taken out) and it dumps out of there as well.

 

[DarkUncle]

Concerning the new controller, I read the description of it AFTER I bought it [emoji3] as that was never a question. Anyway, the description says 2000w heating. I'm wondering if this new controller is able to turn on both heating elements, if indeed there are two, for an increased boil as opposed to the 1600w OR 400w we've all been brewing with.

 

[skraeling]

Concerning the new controller, I read the description of it AFTER I bought it [emoji3] as that was never a question. Anyway, the description says 2000w heating. I'm wondering if this new controller is able to turn on both heating elements, if indeed there are two, for an increased boil as opposed to the 1600w OR 400w we've all been brewing with.

probably not as its the same controller for EU and their element Is 2kw


my GF should be showing up today/tomorrow \o/

 

[SirSpectre]

Here is my equipment profile with calcs in the notes area based on the original GF instruction manual formula.

Also, I made these adjustments:
http://www.beersmith.com/forum/index.php/topic,14483.msg57259.html#msg57259

I hit my efficiency, vols and gravities spot on most of the times.

Thats exactly what I used for this batch. I'm more thinking me not hitting gravity was based on the sparge not actually sparging, and the boil just not hitting its thing. Definitely going to try again with that profile and get some reflectix before I do adjustments.

 

[elreplica]

I ordered the new controller from AIH today as well to see how it works out.

I decided to order this ball valve for the sparge heater for now to run inline. Hopefully it will flow enough. They do have a 1/2" version as well but I got the 3/8".

https://www.kegworks.com/inline-ball-valve-shut-off

I also ordered the blichmann brumometer 3/8" to run inline on the wort out side of my chiller so I can tell the actual temp of the wort coming out.

I think these few things should dramatically help with the ease of use of the grainfather, especially once the grainfather recipe builder gets released.

That's exactly what I proposed...let me know how it works out ASAP as our GF controllers aren't in til February on this side of the line...I'm likely not brewing until then...just fermenting Festa all grains...

 

[BrewinSoldier]

That's exactly what I proposed...let me know how it works out ASAP as our GF controllers aren't in til February on this side of the line...I'm likely not brewing until then...just fermenting Festa all grains...

Will do.

For anyone who wants to add a brumometer to their chiller, there is one in the for sale section of this forum right now for $16 shipped. I wish I would've seen that before I bought mine.

Also, what are you guys running your grain mill gap setting at? I saw somewhere but can't find it now, that .55 was recommended for the grainfather.

 

[newfiebrew]

Just ordered a Grainfather,graincoat,mangrove jack spider,refractometer and preordered the new controller�� So excited....hope it boils ok.

Can't wait!!!

Jamie

 

[MilwaukeeBrewGuy]

Will do.

For anyone who wants to add a brumometer to their chiller, there is one in the for sale section of this forum right now for $16 shipped. I wish I would've seen that before I bought mine.

Also, what are you guys running your grain mill gap setting at? I saw somewhere but can't find it now, that .55 was recommended for the grainfather.

Thanks for the lead on the sale! I have been setting the gap on my cereal killer to .35-.39. I did get a stuck sparge on a rye ipa. Now i use rice hulls. My efficiency was 82% on my last two.

 

[d-bone]

Also, what are you guys running your grain mill gap setting at? I saw somewhere but can't find it now, that .55 was recommended for the grainfather.

I am pretty consistently setting at .038 on my millars mill. I use rice hulls on every grain bill under 10lbs.

 

[shortyz]

brewed quite a bit with my grainfather, just a couple things

1. That stupid check valve is a pain in the dick, i have taken it out and its not going back in.

2. Longer hose on the inlet of the chiller, this would make cleaning easier so it doesnt have to sit on top.

3. Im certain the grainbed isnt staying at the proper temperature when mashing, now this is a complicated problem because grainbed drainage is different with each brew. Im brewing this weekend and i want to stick my remote thermometer in the middle of my grainbed and monitor the temperature.

This unit is still so great for apartment brewers!

 

[treacheroustexan]

brewed quite a bit with my grainfather, just a couple things

1. That stupid check valve is a pain in the dick, i have taken it out and its not going back in.

2. Longer hose on the inlet of the chiller, this would make cleaning easier so it doesnt have to sit on top.

3. Im certain the grainbed isnt staying at the proper temperature when mashing, now this is a complicated problem because grainbed drainage is different with each brew. Im brewing this weekend and i want to stick my remote thermometer in the middle of my grainbed and monitor the temperature.

This unit is still so great for apartment brewers!

Yes on the apartment. Whether or not my grain bed temperature is accurate, I haven't made a brew with mine that has disappointed me.

 

[shortyz]

Yes on the apartment. Whether or not my grain bed temperature is accurate, I haven't made a brew with mine that has disappointed me.

same, all my beers turn out fantastic.