Grainfather!!

[skraeling]

Got an email from AIH on the issue.

Hello,

The purpose of this E-mail is to update you on the status of your Pre-Order of the Grain Father Connect controller. We have been passed along information from the vendor, that the controllers are currently in transit from Grain Fathers facility in New Zealand and have been delayed and will be available for shipments sometime in Early March. We had gotten earlier information letting us know the units would be available the beginning of February, but that information turned out to be incorrect.

We do apologize for the delay. We expect these to be a really nice upgrade to the Grain Father system that has been making a lot of headway in the U.S. Since their release, so we understand the anticipation and wanted to keep anyone with an order updated on the progress.

If you do have any questions or concerns about a pending Pre-Order you have in with us. Feel free to send over a separate E-mail with your information, or shoot us a quick call at 313-277-2739 Ext 1 for internet sales, and we'd be glad to help out, and answer any questions.

Cheers!

 

[bigtex52]

Got the same. They must be getting hammered with inquiries.

 

[user 4295]

Still waiting for my Grainfather to arrive. I was just watching an assembly video and saw this filter design. Is this an old video with the original filter design, or is this a new design?View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1486708244.921943.jpg

 

[lewandowski46]

Still waiting for my Grainfather to arrive. I was just watching an assembly video and saw this filter design. Is this an old video with the original filter design, or is this a new design?

Old filter design

 

[shortyz]

speaking of the filter, IMO it needs to be bigger. So much trub gets stuck to that baby when your pumping to the chiller.

 

[Rijnland]

My GF came in a bit banged up and used strictly the email address to handle all issues, which they did. Took a good week plus to get things sorted out but finally did. It takes a little patience with the time difference, GF replies would usually hit me about 9 or 10 pm central time. All worked out well for me anyway.

I'm happy to report that I received a replacement Connect box for one that arrived dead on arrival a couple of weeks ago. You are right about the time differences slowing things up a bit, but iMake came through. The new one fires up, pairs with my Android phone, and seems to be working as advertised. I have not yet tried to download a recipe to it, but will try to do so tomorrow. In short, I am very pleased with customer support.

 

[skraeling]

I'm happy to report that I received a replacement Connect box for one that arrived dead on arrival a couple of weeks ago. You are right about the time differences slowing things up a bit, but iMake came through. The new one fires up, pairs with my Android phone, and seems to be working as advertised. I have not yet tried to download a recipe to it, but will try to do so tomorrow. In short, I am very pleased with customer support.

Meanwhile the rest of us are still waiting to even get our first ones

 

[gotbeer74]

Hopefully the android app works by the time AIH ships. Otherwise I'll need to confiscate one of my kids iphones.

 

[Jettison]

Finally got around to ordering the new Grainfather Connect. Excited to kick off All-Grain brewing with this system.

Got the Sparge Water heater and a Mangrove Jacks grain kit for the Helles Lager as well, all up AUD$1,476 delivered

 

[shadar]

speaking of the filter, IMO it needs to be bigger. So much trub gets stuck to that baby when your pumping to the chiller.

This has long been my largest complaint with the grainfather... the filter is TINY and clogs very easily and actually lets a lot through still that clogs up the pump. While I've managed to get through all my brews, a few have been close calls because of filter/pump issues.

I would definitely prefer that other unit posted previously with the false bottom, ball valve spiggot and immersion chiller. Just a lot safer all-around.

I wish they'd make the chiller hug the entire wall of the unit as a circle and wrap all the way around. Or at least extend it 50-100% longer with slightly tinier holes but more of them. Anything would help.

 

[shortyz]

id rather see just a larger tube, mainly because i dont like a false bottom when im boiling because it seems the boil acts strange.

what i might install is a little basket strainer on the suction side of the pump that you can valve off and clean as you go. Because right now after the mash you have no idea how much grain is stuck in that filter.

 

[shadar]

speaking of the filter, IMO it needs to be bigger. So much trub gets stuck to that baby when your pumping to the chiller.

I definitely notice a LOT of extra gain bits remain after mashing. My best method to combat this is to use a jumbo strainer and strain out as much as possible right after sparging. But as you said we have no idea how much of that is clogging our filter already. I'll sometimes try and "rub" the filter clean with a long thin plastic paddle... but then I risk knocking the filter off entirely which necessitates draining at least half the liquid and reaching in with long silicon gloves to re-attach it.... not a fun or efficient process at all.

 

[SHbrewing]

Grainfather deserves its own sub thread

 

[skraeling]

So has anyone tried a graincoat + reflectix inner liner?

So the graincoat does help.. a lot. However I wonder if maybe doing a reflective barrier on the inside of it might not make things even better. Yeah it boils, but anything I can do to help things along quicker might be worth a shot yeah?

Granted this is overkill and totally not needed, I however need to stop by lowes today anyway and pick up some faucet hole plugs for my sink. reflectix being only what 20bucks for a roll might, be worth picking some up just to try it out.

insulation + reflective barrier = win?

or possibly a melty mess

 

[TheHopfather]

So has anyone tried a graincoat + reflectix inner liner?

So the graincoat does help.. a lot. However I wonder if maybe doing a reflective barrier on the inside of it might not make things even better. Yeah it boils, but anything I can do to help things along quicker might be worth a shot yeah?

It may help speed things up a bit. I would be concerned about getting the Graincoat over a Reflectx layer. I've got the Graincoat now and it is a pretty tight fit. If you're willing to spend the money, might as well give it a shot.

 

[skraeling]

It may help speed things up a bit. I would be concerned about getting the Graincoat over a Reflectx layer. I've got the Graincoat now and it is a pretty tight fit. If you're willing to spend the money, might as well give it a shot.

Ill give it a shot worst case ill just return it.

also we really need a grainfather sub forum.

I mean really 284 pages (and growing) and almost 3k posts?

 

[elreplica]

Ill give it a shot worst case ill just return it.

also we really need a grainfather sub forum.

I mean really 284 pages (and growing) and almost 3k posts?

Already posted boys...she won't fit...been there done that way back...just sayin' as I find some folks don't digest threads well or give feedback here...some...

 

[RedlegEd]

So has anyone tried a graincoat + reflectix inner liner?

So the graincoat does help.. a lot. However I wonder if maybe doing a reflective barrier on the inside of it might not make things even better. Yeah it boils, but anything I can do to help things along quicker might be worth a shot yeah?

Granted this is overkill and totally not needed, I however need to stop by lowes today anyway and pick up some faucet hole plugs for my sink. reflectix being only what 20bucks for a roll might, be worth picking some up just to try it out.

insulation + reflective barrier = win?

or possibly a melty mess

Hi. I didn't use Reflectix, but used a 1/8 inch thick yoga mat I "borrowed" from SWMBO and it seems to add a little extra insulation. Yes, it's a little tight, but it works with the Graincoat. Ed

 

[skraeling]

Running the test now. Funny mine fits. Not sure how you couldnt get it to.

Figured I would give reflectix + grain coat a try... for science of course. Results were negligible


These were my original numbers



filled with ~5g hot water. temps read at ~135*.





No graincoat

time to hit to strike temp of ~152 = 17min.

time to hit boil temps.

44mins @212* from 152*


With graincoat
135-> 152 11min
152->212 34min


No appreciable change that I can tell

Graincoat + reflectix

11min
34min

 

[MGBBob80]

Hello all,

First Grainfather brew today. 110V U.S. system with the grain coat.

All went well, with small exception that I knocked the silicone cap off of the filter just as I came up to boil. My fault - aggressive stirring, paddle too low and rotation in exactly the wrong direction. Fortunately, it was a low hopped ale (2.5 oz total) and the pump somehow managed to do its job, albeit slowly...

Brewhouse efficiency was 80.5%, which seems a little low from what many are reporting, but much higher that I was getting via my old batch sparge system. Pre-boil gravity was 1.048 (estimated 1.047) and OG followed suit at 1.053 (estimated 1.052).

I did collect more wort than anticipated. I was shooting for a 6 gallon batch and collected 6.4. I started the process with 7.4 gallons prior to the 60 minute boil. Most of my brews are 60 minute boils and I'm interested in what others are getting.

 

[treacheroustexan]

Hello all,

First Grainfather brew today. 110V U.S. system with the grain coat.

All went well, with small exception that I knocked the silicone cap off of the filter just as I came up to boil. My fault - aggressive stirring, paddle too low and rotation in exactly the wrong direction. Fortunately, it was a low hopped ale (2.5 oz total) and the pump somehow managed to do its job, albeit slowly...

Brewhouse efficiency was 80.5%, which seems a little low from what many are reporting, but much higher that I was getting via my old batch sparge system. Pre-boil gravity was 1.048 (estimated 1.047) and OG followed suit at 1.053 (estimated 1.052).

I did collect more wort than anticipated. I was shooting for a 6 gallon batch and collected 6.4. I started the process with 7.4 gallons prior to the 60 minute boil. Most of my brews are 60 minute boils and I'm interested in what others are getting.

Using the calculator on the GF site and a 60 min. boil, my volumes have been exact every time over the past year.

 

[Minky]

Using the calculator on the GF site and a 60 min. boil, my volumes have been exact every time over the past year.

I've only done two batches so far, but I used the GF online calculator and it's dead on.

 

[elreplica]

Running the test now. Funny mine fits. Not sure how you couldnt get it to.

Figured I would give reflectix + grain coat a try... for science of course. Results were negligible


These were my original numbers



filled with ~5g hot water. temps read at ~135*.





No graincoat

time to hit to strike temp of ~152 = 17min.

time to hit boil temps.

44mins @212* from 152*


With graincoat
135-> 152 11min
152->212 34min


No appreciable change that I can tell

Graincoat + reflectix

11min
34min

Thanks for the feedback...maybe my Reflectix was a little thicker. But...it's useful to know it didn't matter!

 

[skraeling]

Thanks for the feedback...maybe my Reflectix was a little thicker. But...it's useful to know it didn't matter!

Maybe it makes a difference when trying to retain heat in larger volumes. I'll be testing more later.

 

[shadar]

I had no idea the graincoat made such a difference...

Can I ask, what was your ambient temperature?

 

[skraeling]

I had no idea the graincoat made such a difference...

Can I ask, what was your ambient temperature?

All tests done between 67-69* ambient. Indoors in my kitchen. Same outlet was used. No other appliances were running on the same circuit.

All initial water was put in straight from faucet with hot water.

Note: test was done with the lid on. Both to simulate how you would heat up water initially and to simulate having the grain basket above it during Sparge (you switch to boil while sparging typically.). That and I didn't want to wait longer than I needed haha.

I'll run a similar test with say ~7g+ to act like a typical volume one would see heading to boil.

 

[Kampenken]

All tests done between 67-69* ambient. Indoors in my kitchen. Same outlet was used. No other appliances were running on the same circuit.

All initial water was put in straight from faucet with hot water.

Note: test was done with the lid on. Both to simulate how you would heat up water initially and to simulate having the grain basket above it during Sparge (you switch to boil while sparging typically.). That and I didn't want to wait longer than I needed haha.

I'll run a similar test with say ~7g+ to act like a typical volume one would see heading to boil.

Yeah that will make a difference.

Two thoughts, one, do put lid (and towel on lid) on top of grain basket in between pouring water while also tucking two hand towels around basket and boiler lip. Two, I also use lid and towel when I'm done with sparge getting to a boil.

Also, I always start with cold water, (maybe you do too), due to water heater concerns. Lots of talk / opinions on that topic on HBT.

Cheers!

 

[skraeling]

Yeah that will make a difference.

Two thoughts, one, do put lid (and towel on lid) on top of grain basket in between pouring water while also tucking two hand towels around basket and boiler lip. Two, I also use lid and towel when I'm done with sparge getting to a boil.

Also, I always start with cold water, (maybe you do too), due to water heater concerns. Lots of talk / opinions on that topic on HBT.

Cheers!

water heater concerns? news to me. Just tasted a batch (holiday ale remake part II) I noticed no issues. It frankly tastes better than the first time already. started with hot water both times. granted I may in hindsight start using cold water.

 

[treacheroustexan]

water heater concerns? news to me. Just tasted a batch (holiday ale remake part II) I noticed no issues. It frankly tastes better than the first time already.

I use cold water on the days that I have all day to brew. And when I am in a rush to brew I use hot tap water.

A lot of people say not to use hot water from the tap because of all of the bacteria and corrosion that could be sitting in the hot water tank. I haven't noticed a difference in taste, but doesn't mean it's not there.

 

[TexasWine]

A lot of people say not to use hot water from the tap because of all of the bacteria and corrosion that could be sitting in the hot water tank.

Actually, the reason is lead, which you wouldn't notice until it's too late.

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/water.htm